R17 and my 35 Whelen

[Charlie38]

Just tried R17 in my custom Parker Hale 35 Whelen today, 24" Shilen match grade barrel on her.

I worked up to 66 gr and used a 250gr Nosler Partition, brass looked good , no marks, primers were flattened but nothing bad. Bolt lifted like normal.
Get this , 12 ft from muzzle Oehler 35........2767 fps!!! Groups were okay 1 1/2" 3 shots @ 100yds. I am going to back off a bit to about 2650fps for better groups.
I'm not sure how much faster it will go, 66gr was compressed but there is a little room left, I think I will keep wondering. I never thought I would get the speed I did out of it. Reading some of the other posts on this powder in the Whelen says this is max. I don't think an animal will notice the difference between this load and my 338WM

I think I have a fast barrel, I get 2700- 2800fps with max loads and 225's and I just tried IMR 8208 XBR 49 gr and a 200gr Hornady SP and got 1 1/4" 3 shots @ 100yds and MV 2849 fps. I think I can go a little faster yet with this powder. Makes 200 gr bullets zip in my Whelen.

 

[gunrunner8]

Just tried R17 in my custom Parker Hale 35 Whelen today, 24" Shilen match grade barrel on her.

I worked up to 66 gr and used a 250gr Nosler Partition, brass looked good , no marks, primers were flattened but nothing bad. Bolt lifted like normal.
Get this , 12 ft from muzzle Oehler 35........2767 fps!!! Groups were okay 1 1/2" 3 shots @ 100yds. I am going to back off a bit to about 2650fps for better groups.
I'm not sure how much faster it will go, 66gr was compressed but there is a little room left, I think I will keep wondering. I never thought I would get the speed I did out of it. Reading some of the other posts on this powder in the Whelen says this is max. I don't think an animal will notice the difference between this load and my 338WM

I think I have a fast barrel, I get 2700- 2800fps with max loads and 225's and I just tried IMR 8208 XBR 49 gr and a 200gr Hornady SP and got 1 1/4" 3 shots @ 100yds and MV 2849 fps. I think I can go a little faster yet with this powder. Makes 200 gr bullets zip in my Whelen.

Those are very impresive numbers and in my books any 250gr bullet out of 35 Whelen doing much better than 2600fps is doing so with dangerous pressure. If you still adding powder b/c "bolt lift is normal" then IMHO you are in unchartered territory. 35 Whelen was never intended to be 338 WM and never will be. Be cautious, slow down.
My 2c worth.

 

[Andy]

That's exactly the load I use:

- 250 gr Hornady RN;
- 66.0 grs RL-17 (compressed); and
- 3.400" OAL (0.150" to the rifling).

With a 24" barrel, but I get a much slower MV - 2600 fps.

I previously used the widely popular load of 59.0 grs of RL-15 for 2500 fps, and due to the very long OAL I employ, I have tried 60.0 grs of RL-15 for 2550 fps. The 66.0 gr load of the slower RL-17 is lower in pressure than the 59.0 gr RL-15 load, and completely safe.

I'd be interested to know what you'd get with RL-15. Some barrels are "fast", but when you're 150 fps faster than everyone else, there could be something else going on.

 

[Charlie38]

I used yours and Whelen B's data since there is nothing on this powder. I'll try the R15 load and see. I use it for 225s already. Going to drop down gr by gr and record MV and go for best grouping. I only have 1 lb of R17 and I'm going moose hunting so testing will be short. Can't seem to find any more yet.

 

[Charlie38]

Also from the Nosler #7....W748 58.0gr MAX load 250gr Partition MV=2637fps.
Why is it no one questions loading up a magnum ...say a 338WM or 340WBY 200fps past its book listings but a guy speeds up a "standard" cartridge its taboo ? Don't all cartridges go on the same principals? I've been loading 32 years since I was 12 I do know a few things and I'm careful. I look for all the same signs you guys do. Some of these new powders are meant to be faster without the extra pressure. Why not use them.
R17 press release:

Smokeless Short Magnum Rifle

With Reloder 17 reloaders have a powder that meters easy and consistently while providing maximum velocity even in extreme weather. This consistent performance is what reloaders have come to expect from Alliant Powder - and Reloder 17 proves worthy.

Designed for short magnum case capacity
Similar burn speed to IMR 4350
Meters easily and consistently
Consistent maximum velocity in extreme weather conditions

Principal Purpose: Short Magnum Loads
Secondary Uses: Medium Rifle Loads

Remarks:
Similar burn speed to IMR 4350 with added velocity.

 

[bcsteve]

Furprick?