Reloder 17 musings

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Obtunded

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I have had a pound of some much-coveted RL-17 for a few weeks now. I had resisted wanting to play with it for fear that it would work really well and I won't be able to find any more. I decided to do a short experiment with t he powder. I had neither the time nor the powder to go nuts, but the results were very interesting.

My platform for the experiment was a 6-6.5X47 Lapua with a 1:7 twist Krieger on a Nesika benchrest action.

My previous experience with the 1:8 twist/105 combination revealed it was a very difficult cartridge to make work well, but the one powder that surpassed all others for accuracy was Vitahvuori N 560.

shot a few with this powder to form a comparison, and I was able to fine a nice node around 2950 fps using 39.4 grains of N560 and Berger 105 VLD.s 115's were grouping nicely with 39 grains and were at 2850.

I decided to start using 115 Bergers, but I also loaded some 105 VLD's with RL17 for a direct volume/speed comparison.

I started ramping up the 115's starting at 38 grains of RL17, and I was shocked to see them flying at 2912 fps (absolutely zero pressure signs, bearing in mind this is a benchrest action). I throttled all the way up to 39 grains in .2 grain increments and had the 115's at 3100 fps, again with ZERO pressure signs!

Accuracy started off poorly (oh no... here we go again) but started to tighten up again, with my prediction that this is going to show promise somewhere in the 39.5 grain range.

This is amazing velocity for a 115 Berger, and the fact that these cases are showing absolutely NO pressure signs is incredible.

It would appear that the hype about the velocities coming from the powder - sans pressure signs - are true. I could never get a 115 to go anywhere near 3100 without stiffening the bolt using other powders. Oh yeah... 39.4 grains of RL17 pushes a 105 at 3240 fps - NO pressure.

There is still much to be done to find the right load, but now I am really anxious to see a Canadian source for RL17.... anyone seen any yet?
 
In my 6XC, RL-17, I am getting 3125 fps with Tubb 115's, no pressure signs and great 134 yds accuracy (Home range). I need to get to the Homestead Range to test it out at along range unfortunately too much snow.
Jay
 
I am anxious to try RL-17 in my 6.5-47, do can any of you guys tell me where you got yours? You can PM me if you wish.

Thanks

Appreciate it
 
I haven't seen any for sale yet! But hope find some on the next trip south.
In my 6 6.5x47 I've found IMR 4007SC to be great stuff using 37.5gr behind 105gr scenars lit by a CCI450 primer get just over 3110fps. Case life is great {never lost a case yet} at what look like very reasonable pressures.
 
6X47Lap..... finicky caliber

To start the VV N560 works well.
However the availabiliy of this and the price, makes one look around for alternatives, yesterday I tried R19 and groups were not impressive at 300M with the 105gr.
So back to the drawing board, according to the burn rate chart I have the VV N560 is right beside the H4831 so I may give that a try or the IMR4831.
Its an Ideal case but fussy on powders, so far I've found keeping velocities low around 2950 seams to work best.
Bill
 
roberti11 said:
I am anxious to try RL-17 in my 6.5-47, do can any of you guys tell me where you got yours? You can PM me if you wish.

Thanks

Appreciate it
Click to expand...


I keep hearing from lots of shooters that swear by RL 15 in the 6.5 parent case using 120-130 grain bullets. 17 will be an interesting experiment.
 
I don't have the exact charge infront of me, but Rl-15 is awesome in the 6.5X47 Lapua with 130Gr Bergers.

I am waiting patiently until I can get my hands on some Rl-17... If it lives up to the hype it will be... WOW!!
 
Loaded up some rds for my Savage F(O) 6.5 Mystic and headed to the range this morning. Cool, little to no wind, ideal testing conditions.

Took a few shots with my reg loads using H4831SC. The Chrony showed an average of 3010fps which is a bit faster then I usually get. 3rds test group was 1/4" C to C at 200yds. Loads working.

Since there is very little load data for the Re17, I decided to dropped 1 gr and work up. That is about where my H4350 loads would be.

Well, the first 2rds I fired clocked around 3150fps. WOW..... BUT, there were very strong pressure signs including a dead flat primer with cratering and ejector marks on the case head.

Way too hot. RE17 is significantly faster burn then H4831SC in this rifle. Might be faster burn then H4350.

So I will drop another 2grs and work up. My SWAG is that I will end up at pretty much the same velocity as my H4831SC at the best accuracy. Essentially, the same type of load density as H4350.

Will confirm shortly.

Jerry
 
I suspect it is slightly faster burning than 4350.

I do want to try pushing the 105's to their top end to see where that happens to be. If speed and accuracy coincide, I can see a brilliant future.

With the extra speed, i will try the 115 Bergers in my 7.5 twist XC. They always struggled with those bullets atop 4350, but the extra RPM may do the trick...

Can't wait to try it in my 260 HABU when it is done too.

ohhhh the possibilities.
 
Obtunded said:
I suspect it is slightly faster burning than 4350.

I do want to try pushing the 105's to their top end to see where that happens to be. If speed and accuracy coincide, I can see a brilliant future.

With the extra speed, i will try the 115 Bergers in my 7.5 twist XC. They always struggled with those bullets atop 4350, but the extra RPM may do the trick...

Can't wait to try it in my 260 HABU when it is done too.

ohhhh the possibilities.
Click to expand...


I want to try it in the 260 as well. I guess one will never know until one begins the big experiment:D:D
 
RL 17 in the 260AI today at the club.
low 70 degree temps,low humidity and 20/25 mph winds.

I also have used H4831sc / RL22/and N550 under 139 Laps with a sweet spot at 2970 fps (single digit es and low sd)
Same sweet spot was acheived with 5.5 grains less powder using RL 17 (mid teens es and sd still single digit) but
not as accurate.
Bumped up charge weight to what appears max with pressure starting to show but bung holed rounds.Would like to report velocity details but chrony kept getting blown over even with weights on tripod!!.So next time out will get details.I suspect somewhere close to 3070 fps.
It seems this powder performs best on or near max loads in this case and barrel.
I don't think it's a miracle powder (sim to N550 idea) but it shows potential as a performer.
(a supplier I know had brought in some for another customer who only purchased 4lbs.I was fortunate enough to grab the balance.If he can get it once he maybe able to get it again??)
Gord
 
Obtunded, send me your load data. We are working with Quickload on the data to estimate pressures and performance.

So far, the data reflects what I am seeing in my rifle. Will be interesting to see how Re17 acts in the 6mm's.

Initial results show Re17 acting faster then H4350 in my 6.5's.

Will try and get some more testing with my 6.5 Mystic this week with reduced loads and see what happens.

Jerry
 
Ian have you tried the RE 17 in the 6 Br yet? I've been using the RE-15 and really liking it with the 105's but I want to try the 17 when/if it becomes available....... gord ?? you listening?? hint, hint, laff.
M.
 
I may try 17 in a BR for the heck of it, but I expect it to be too slow.

I was using RL15 in the BR using grain-for-grain Varget recipes. Nice powder, excellent ES/SD's. I actually prefer it to Varget, but again the back yard suppliers make finding affordable quantities a challenge.

My objectives are 6XC and 6-47L formulas! I can already make a BR warp time and space!
 
Got a chance to test the 6.5 Mystic again. Cool sunny day with some light gusts. I didn't pay much attention to the wind, just looking for velocity and relative accuracy.

The standard H4831SC loads averaged 2975fps which was slower then last time.

Tried 45gr of Re17 and got similar velocities, reasonable accuracy but definitely more pressure signs. Primers were obviously flatter and the firing pin dent looked shallower. Extraction was fine.

At 45.5gr, the group showed no improvement in accuracy, velocity edged just over 3000fps.

At 46.0gr, the groups shrank to similar levels as my H4831SC, velocity was now around 3025fps, primers were pretty close to flat.

So in this rifle, Re17 is not giving me any extra speed without excessive pressures. This I have already experienced with H4831SC and have backed down my loads. The slight increase in velocity is not worth the chance of having a pressure related problem during a match or shortening the life of my brass.

Given its hard to get nature, I will not be switching anytime soon.

This may just be the powder where H4350 or Varget runs best. Will have to give it a try in my 223.

I feel Re17 falls in between Varget and H4350 for burn rate in my 6.5.

Jerry
 
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