338-06 RL17 test/ Crazy Results. What do you all think/What would you do.

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ackertjosh

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Hey SO as the title says.. I decided to do some playing around with my 338-06 and 225gr SST over some RL17.

It all started when I couldnt find a whole lot of Data online with RL 17 so me placing it off to the Side and using Varget under 215gr Sierra SPBT which yields me 2764 FPS average per 3 Shots placing them all in 1/2 MOA @ 100 yards and being able to ring the 4" gong at 285yards with ease. (these I made for my Moose Load as I was Lucky Enough to draw a Bull Moose this year in Norther Ontario)

So Me just being me I decided to Tinker/Play and go back to the Drawling Board to find new loads. I found an artical online where a gentleman was testing RL17 in his 338-06 wiht 225gr Hornday Interlocks. His testing stopped at 63.5 gr with a 2700fps velocity.. So I go to the loading bench, Pull out the 225gr SST, RL 17, and start making loads from 60gr up to 64. Here is the DATA: Lapua 30-06 Brass(194gr dry with no Primer)
CCI250 Primer
225gr SST seated to the OJive
RL17 Powder (60-64gr)

So as im at the Range the 60-62gr loads were not the greatest.. 1.5" groups but velocity was 2750-2850 FPS... I was thinking.. no way.. To hot.. But Primers were not YET showing signs of Pressure.

As I get to 62.5gr the first shot reads 2880FPS Check the primer.. Flatted and starting to Crater.. This si where i usualy Stop.. Check the next 2 rounds @ 62.5gr that gave readings of 2888 and 2893 giving me a 1" group(Not to bad i though) So i decide well lets see what 63Gr does and STOP there.. here are my results..
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums...0-EC9C-47C3-95C2-271F3F4C183C_zps3w7li85k.jpg
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums...D-B7D1-4B57-9F71-F80AF9D1614C_zpsamszihwq.jpg
http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums...9-2E62-428D-A6CA-866975D12843_zps5xnt5jt1.jpg
as you can see the Load is definitely showing signs of pressure, Velocity is Way off the map for any load data i can see, but my group is right where i want it... So would you all use this load for moose to scrap this load and just use the 215gr Sierra..

Thanks all for the incite

Josh
 
I find RL17 to be slightly faster than H4350. The max load for H4350 is 59.5 grs. I would have stopped at 59.0 grs, or 2700 fps, whichever came first.
 
Personally i would go back to the original load. To group, the second combo shows pressure signs. Many comments on sites state that RL powders show no signs of pressure and then can be dangerously over pressure with tiny increases. Your original load sounds like it is pushing 338 wm level, the second load could make you dress like a pirate every Halloween.
 
Try a 210 ttsx and some rl 17, you can usually get them up to speed with less pressure.
Good work on the load development so far
 
Thanks guys for the Reply... I got an Email from Rich from the Sierra Team saying this :
Hi Josh,
Man .… I hear ya, you have the 338-06 humming a happy tune!
And yes, I think the 215 is tough enough for your moose. Especially if you don't over-drive it. Velocity isn't everything and your start velocity is excellent. In my opinion you have your hunting load for everything from deer to moose and you could throw a bear in there also, the bullet is up to it.
Rich

I think im gonna go back to my 215gr load hearing this... but the results of this experiment have me curious.... Buckmastr.. I have been waiting for some to come to the LGS so i get try them.. I also need some more RL17... IT has me curious as to if i can really get the 210 TTSX or the Swift Scirocco in to Magnum Territory. Ive become very fond of this rifle. This deer season it will be hard to choose between my Custom 7mm-08 or 338-06 lol.. All i can say is RL17 will be on the shelf and so will the 215gr Sierra.
 
The way wildcaters used to make up their loads as you described has ruined a lot of rifles. Some calibers like the 257 Roberts were loaded to ridiculously low pressures before + P came along. By lengthening the leade on a 257 Rbts. Winchester mdl. 70 and seating the bullets in .25" I was way over 25-06 velocities before the pressure signs you are seeing started to show. Advice from an old shooter, don't go that route. High velocity is the most over rated part of a hunters tools. It complicates bullet performance and causes more problems than it solves.
 
Well that's smokin' right along! I'd back off a bit myself, but you've given me a new itch as I've got 3lbs of RL17 and a bunch of bullets to try out in my .338-06 as well.

As rem31 said, when looking for hunting loads look for accuracy and use a bullet that will work well at the velocities and distances you'll be shooting.

So far the most accurate load out of my .338-06 has been a medium load of imr4320 and cheap Speer 225gr SPBT's. I'll be using one of those bullets on a deer this fall (hopefully), and already have some 210gr Partitions loaded for elk.
 
It seems that in certain chamberings, RL 17 performs well above the usual norms.

I have seen evidence of this in my 7x57 and in my 7SAUM/300WSM.

Dave.
 
Ill deffanitly be doing more testing when the time/ components arrive.. im now to my last 500gr of RL17 and only 13 225 SST Left. I have 25 215gr Sierra Gameking SPBT loaded up ready for this years moose hunt. Understanding i dont want to over do a bullet but my plan is to use the cheaper bullets(SST) to see where I can get them.. once i find a load ill just swap out the SST for the Interbond and call it good... but as for now the Gamekings seem to be a very good bullet in the .338 cal.

Once i get more testing it will be good to see the results..
i have tried 4320, BL-C2(GREAT VELOCITY BUT NO GOOD FOR ANYTHING ELSE BUT FERTILIZER), IMR 4007 SSC which preformed the second best next to Varget.
I do have some H4895 that kinda sparked my intrest as well.. but its my 22-250 powder and so i dont wanna use it all up.

Anyways thanks all again

Josh
 
A 225gr bullet at 2973 fps MV from a .338-06! :sok2

The Woodleigh Bullets Loading Manual lists 59.0 gr of Reloder17 as maximum at 2675 fps -

338-06%20Woodleigh%20data%20225gr_zpsjh2yyua7.jpg


relative%20burn%20rates_zpsn27rvr9k.jpg


I get impressive results using Reloder17 in my custom .350 Remington Magnum - 250gr bullet at 2750 fps. Designed for short magnums -

350_Rem_Mag_SI_250gr_310gr_Re17_zpsvgnvan4o.jpg
 
honestly.... bolt lift was not bad.... not sticky... deffanitly due able with 1 fingure.... and im not a super strong guy.

and thanks Slam for the Data.. good place to start. I wont be doing any more experimenting for a while as i consider myself lucky im not dressing like a pirate. Flund it funny how it would spike so fast in pressure though.... I think RL17 is gonna be a sure preformer for the 338-06... in my rifle anyways.

Josh
 
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