Hornady Superformance™ Rifle Ammunition field reports?

[Baribal]

any informed handloader would know that RL17/4350 is too slow burning in a 308 Win to get max velocity..

Anyone who read what I wrote would understand that I did not choose the .308 as an example, it's a pro-Rl17 (namely Scottm) who did... not me, I just compared it with the manufacturer's datas.


Now, if you take the 180 grainer in the 300 WSM, Alliant claims no more than 120 fps over what Hodgdon predicts at maximum pressure... and 35 fps less than what Norma predicts with the same max pressure.... now, what's the big deal?

Then;

but, still 100 fps is no big advantage... ....I don't say it's not a good product, I just say it's ain't revolution yet.

 

[H4831]

so you think that the technology behind internal ballistics has peaked?

Tell us what has been gained in the last fifty years. I haven't used RL17, but these figures I see tossed around can be duplicated with Norma 204, 205 and the "modern" MRP, that replaced N205.
I have a load that gives a 200 grain Speer or Nosler, 2700 fps over a Oehler chronograph in my 30-06. And, this load is straight out of an old Norma chart, meaning Norma considered it safe for use in any 30-06 in good condition! The Norma powder that gave that velocity was on the market half a century ago.
It's the marketing hype that is always being improved.

 

[blargon]

I doubt that Hornady is loading RL17 in multiple cartridges. No way that one or two "special voodoo" powders can be used in everything from a .243 to a .458 Win, and even includes a 12ga load, and still increase velocity in all cartridges, by 100 - 200 fps...Without raising pressures. In any of them.

Alliant does have a new line of powders though, with published data...

http://www.alliantpowder.com/whats_new/latest_products.aspx

 

[rgv]

Tell us what has been gained in the last fifty years. I haven't used RL17, but these figures I see tossed around can be duplicated with Norma 204, 205 and the "modern" MRP, that replaced N205.
I have a load that gives a 200 grain Speer or Nosler, 2700 fps over a Oehler chronograph in my 30-06. And, this load is straight out of an old Norma chart, meaning Norma considered it safe for use in any 30-06 in good condition! The Norma powder that gave that velocity was on the market half a century ago.
It's the marketing hype that is always being improved.

so, because N205 was a hot powder that made bullets go fast, you are concluding that internal ballistic technology peaked fifty years ago ??

Anybody with a basic understanding of peak pressures and pressure curves can figure out that when the propellant technology advances to where they can maintain the same or less peak pressure for a longer period, then significant muzzle velocity increases will result.

Are the new propellants there yet? Maybe not, but again, to think that only marketing hype is being improved is pretty closed minded.

Just as the N205 outperformed H4831 without increasing working pressures, new developments will continue that trend.

 

[Gatehouse]

I don't even think RL17 has much hype, unless someone wants to hype it themselves! Alliant is up front abotu the velocities:



300 Winchester Short Magnum Speer 150 gr BTSP Federal 2.81 24 Fed 215 Reloder 17 69.3 3,343 -


300 Winchester Short Magnum Speer 165 gr BTSP Federal 2.81 24 Fed 215 Reloder 17 68 3,217 -


300 Winchester Short Magnum Speer 180 gr BTSP Federal 2.8 24 Fed 215 Reloder 17 66 3,082 -


All of those velocities are less than 100fps than I get in my 300WSM using powders like H4350 and H4831 and RL22

I've loaded some 180gr SMK's with RL17 to see how they shoot, but I'm after accuracy. 100 fps is virtually meaningless when we are talking about 3000fps velocities.

 

[Camp Cook]

My .375" 260gr Accubonds have a velocity of 2840fps with IMR4350 and 3020fps + with RL17 from my 21" barreled 375RUM = 180fps difference...

That is a significant gain to me...

Do I need it no, will it kill something a bit better/faster probably not but I like it...

 

[Gatehouse]

300gr Nosler Accubonds get 2700-2725fps with RL17 and 2600fps with H4350 form my 20" barrel .375 Ruger.

The H4350 loads is more accurate, so I didn't see any reason to just have more velocity. It will be interesting to try in my 300WSM, as that is what it is designed for.

 

[Kevan]

300gr Nosler Accubonds get 2700-2725fps with RL17 and 2600fps with H4350 form my 20" barrel .375 Ruger.

The H4350 loads is more accurate, so I didn't see any reason to just have more velocity. It will be interesting to try in my 300WSM, as that is what it is designed for.

Thanks for this post Mr. G., I was just going to ask if any one has yet tried RL 17 in the 375 Ruger.
Haven't tried to chrony any loads yet, but so far H4350 is working well in mine also.

 

[Eagleye]

I am using Norma MRP in my 24" 300WSM, and getting moa or slightly better accuracy @ 3055 fps avg muzzle velocity. Don't see much advantage in moving to RL17. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Toomanyguns]

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