Accuracy data using Reloader 17 in Short Magnum cases?

[longrangehunter]

So I've been reading some post/reports about the velocity gains found using reloader 17, but what has anyone found concerning the accuracy potential? Mainly in the short magnum cases, since that was what it was developed for. I'm curious to see if it would work in my 6.5/300 WSM w/ a 140 gr. bullet or my 8.59 Galaxy.

 

[DrMike]

RL17 performs well in my short magnums if the measure of performance is solely an issue of velocity. I can't say that I have better accuracy, though I have acceptable accuracy in several cases; and in a few notable instances, accuracy is measurably degraded. I view it as another item in the cornucopia of propellants available to hand loaders. It may be just the ticket for a select load, but it is not likely to qualify as a magic bullet.

 

[longrangehunter]

Since RL 17 is reported to replace 4350? Which I use H4350 ext. in my Galaxy with a 210 gr. xlc..... Wow that makes me seem old! But at the time it worked very well and still does, I get 3055 fps 20' fro the muzzle w/a 24" barrel. It's a lite weight gun, 8 lbs. w/scope, sling, ammo holder on the stock, and it has a muzzle break. Any way, I don't care to gain anything in velocity if it wouldn't still shoot under 1/2 MOA. I already have a load close to that and in my 6.5/300 WSM it will shoot 3/8" 100 yd. groups with 65.0 grs. of Retumbo. I was looking to use the 140 MK in place of the 140 GK I'm using now for long range target shooting. The AB's were too long as well as the Berger 140 VLD's, which left me using the "other brand" because they seat with the BT taper right below the neck/shoulder junction in my 6.5/300 WSM chamber.

The Galaxy no way, they're all seated deep into the case and compressed loads depending on which powder is used w/ which bullet. Hence why I used the 210 gr. bullet. I just wondered if it would work well enough in either gun to bother with developing another load, but then again I don't like putting to many rounds down the barrels chasing nothing gained! One day I will run out of the XLC's and the powder I used in the Galaxy, so I'll end up doing load development someday if I shoot the gun other then only using it for hunting. I don't have a lot of rounds down the tube but still it's expensive to burn up a barrel like that.

 

[300WSM]

Decent, but is not as accurate as IMR 4831 and IMR 4350

That is not to say that 17 shoots bad...its at around 1"

The two IMR...sub 1" is not uncommon.

 

[257 Ackley]

So I've been reading some post/reports about the velocity gains found using reloader 17, but what has anyone found concerning the accuracy potential? Mainly in the short magnum cases, since that was what it was developed for. I'm curious to see if it would work in my 6.5/300 WSM w/ a 140 gr. bullet or my 8.59 Galaxy.

I was using MagPro for the 130 AB in my 6.5/300 WSM, but switched to R25 for the 140 grain bullets. The 140's were Berger hunting VLD's, so it may be different with the SMK. R22 and 4831 worked OK, but R25 really tightened up the group and improved velocity. Even though the SMK isn't a VLD style bullet, it should show similarities once you get past the 500 yard mark. R25 and Retumbo are close to the same burn rate so you may want to give the SMK a go with Retumbo before you start experimenting with other powders.

 

[nshunter]

I have had good luck with it in my 270 wsm. For me, in my rifle, it will shoot an inch at 100 no problem, but doesn't seem to shoot any tighter. I prefer win 780 with a 140 grain bullet.

 

[velvetant]

All rifles are different so you wont know until you try, It didn't work well for me with my 270WSM.
My accuracy loads ended up using H4831Sc/130NAB and H1000/150Speer hot core

 

[wildgene]

...probably worth a try, these are all RL-17 WSM/ WSSM loads, I've gotten best accuracy @ Max Loads...

...200yd. cold bore "Zero check"/ .300 WSM (L)/ .325 WSM (R)

...200yd. sight-in/ .25 WSSM...

...buddy's 14yr. old son 100yd sight-in .300 WSM...

 

[remmy1187]

I have had my best accuracy in my 300 WSM with IMR4831. I did get higher velocity with RL 17 but it did not give accuracy for me near as good as 4831 did.

 

[longrangehunter]

I was using MagPro for the 130 AB in my 6.5/300 WSM, but switched to R25 for the 140 grain bullets. The 140's were Berger hunting VLD's, so it may be different with the SMK. R22 and 4831 worked OK, but R25 really tightened up the group and improved velocity. Even though the SMK isn't a VLD style bullet, it should show similarities once you get past the 500 yard mark. R25 and Retumbo are close to the same burn rate so you may want to give the SMK a go with Retumbo before you start experimenting with other powders.

So I got the Oehler out today since the sun was going to be out all day, and printed a whopping 10 loads! I never have any wind... except for today, but late in the day the wind died down enough to make some loads. The first 4 were all over the paper while increasing the load charge from 62.5 -65.5 grains 1 grain at a time and the last few were at 66.5-67.0 of Retumbo in the 6.5/300 WSM using the 140 SMK. The gun seemed to prefer the the 3050-3060 range w/66.5 grains, so I made three more and a ragged hole was formed. There was zero signs of any pressure but I figured why push it any harder if it'll shoot that well already? I didn't get to change the seating depth from my initial start which was 0.007" off the lands, but I thought I'd start with a round number of 2.3700" ogive length and go from there. At first glance I thought this was never going to work with this powder and the 140 SMK, but once I got to where the 140 SGK with 65.0 grains shot well, so did this load and started to print little bitty groups once I made a few using the same weight powder charge.

I hate burning up a barrel chasing something that may never come to be, but in this case it work out pretty well for being so quick! So much for the RL 17 I bought, what am I going to do with 5 lbs. of that I'll never know? But do I now bother to try the 142 SMK...... see what I mean, chasing something to the Nth degree! Honestly I thought the 140 SMK OAL length in my case was perfect, it sits right at the neck shoulder junction with only the tapered Boat tail exposed in the shoulder area. Which should work well with more then a few powders, but I think I'm done with the LR target load for now. I'll try it tomorrow on the freshly painted 19" round steel I have put out at 600 yards after I zero the gun, hopefully the wind wont be blowing as hard?

 

[bullet]

RL17 performs well in my short magnums if the measure of performance is solely an issue of velocity. I can't say that I have better accuracy, though I have acceptable accuracy in several cases; and in a few notable instances, accuracy is measurably degraded. I view it as another item in the cornucopia of propellants available to hand loaders. It may be just the ticket for a select load, but it is not likely to qualify as a magic bullet.

My sentiments exactly, have tried a great deal of it in four different cartridges and if you want velocity it will give you that and some, but if you want consistent extreme spread and deviation along with small groups, you will find that difficult to achieve and maintain from five shot group to five shot group. My Nosler TGR 7mm08 shoots everything well and also RL-17 - even so it was not the most accurate powder for any of my loads in my 7mm08. As Mike said, you will find it working well every once in a while with a specific load, but it is not going to be some magic bullet.

 

[longrangehunter]

I'd like to point out that my last post was only using Retumbo Powder, to avoid any confusion and velocity was recorded 20' from the muzzle. I didn't even try the RL17 powder because Retumbo fills the case better, and that powder worked very well with the SGK in my gun. Since I don't care for any velocity gain if it wont shoot well, I more then likely wont even try the RL17.

 

[bullet]

I'd like to point out that my last post was only using Retumbo Powder, to avoid any confusion and velocity was recorded 20' from the muzzle. I didn't even try the RL17 powder because Retumbo fills the case better, and that powder worked very well with the SGK in my gun. Since I don't care for any velocity gain if it wont shoot well, I more then likely wont even try the RL17.

If you are getting those good results with Retumbo, don't be a tinkerer like me always looking for the next great load with a given rifle and cartridge. I think you are making a good choice in not likely going to try RL-17.

 

[longrangehunter]

I'd like to point out that my last post was only using Retumbo Powder, to avoid any confusion and velocity was recorded 20' from the muzzle. I didn't even try the RL17 powder because Retumbo fills the case better, and that powder worked very well with the SGK in my gun. Since I don't care for any velocity gain if it wont shoot well, I more then likely wont even try the RL17.

If you are getting those good results with Retumbo, don't be a tinkerer like me always looking for the next great load with a given rifle and cartridge. I think you are making a good choice in not likely going to try RL-17.

Nope, not going to do it! I'd try another bullet with a higher BC, like the 142-grain MK, before I tried wasting more powder down the barrel. Someone asked me why I have so few rounds through a gun? Like the Bansner Rifle I have for sale, and it's because I didn't want to shoot out the barrel before I ever get to hunt enough animals with it. But honestly, if you have a good action, a nice trigger, and maybe even the stock, the barrel can always be replaced and give new life to a worn out gun. Which I'd rather do then replace the whole thing.

 

[bullet]

I'd like to point out that my last post was only using Retumbo Powder, to avoid any confusion and velocity was recorded 20' from the muzzle. I didn't even try the RL17 powder because Retumbo fills the case better, and that powder worked very well with the SGK in my gun. Since I don't care for any velocity gain if it wont shoot well, I more then likely wont even try the RL17.

If you are getting those good results with Retumbo, don't be a tinkerer like me always looking for the next great load with a given rifle and cartridge. I think you are making a good choice in not likely going to try RL-17.

Nope, not going to do it! I'd try another bullet with a higher BC, like the 142-grain MK, before I tried wasting more powder down the barrel. Someone asked me why I have so few rounds through a gun? Like the Bansner Rifle I have for sale, and it's because I didn't want to shoot out the barrel before I ever get to hunt enough animals with it. But honestly, if you have a good action, a nice trigger, and maybe even the stock, the barrel can always be replaced and give new life to a worn out gun. Which I'd rather do then replace the whole thing.

Hey, I hear you on that and I sure hope it comes together for you and you find a dandy load.

 

[Desert Fox]

Those WSM round seems to prefer slow burning powder. I use Reloader 25 on my 7 WSM and a standard rifle primer rather than magnums.

 

[bullet]

Those WSM round seems to prefer slow burning powder. I use Reloader 25 on my 7 WSM and a standard rifle primer rather than magnums.

I assume you moved away from the magnum primers in the WSM short cases for accuracy reasons. If so, what I have found in my shorter cases like my 7mm08 when using compressed charges which mine are especially with W760 on RL-17 I was using magnum primers, because of the compressed charges - but found better accuracy with the standard primers. Is this why you recommended the standard rifle primers - for better and more consistent accuracy?

 

[SJB358]

Those WSM round seems to prefer slow burning powder. I use Reloader 25 on my 7 WSM and a standard rifle primer rather than magnums.

Which primers are you using DF? I'm probably going to work up a new load with the 160ABLR when they drop and I think I will give RL25 a try.

 

[Desert Fox]

I assume you moved away from the magnum primers in the WSM short cases for accuracy reasons.

Pretty much Mike.

WSM rounds have shorter powder column therefore the use of magnum primer is not necessary.

Scotty, I use Federal 210 match primer.

 

[bullet]

I assume you moved away from the magnum primers in the WSM short cases for accuracy reasons.

Pretty much Mike.

WSM rounds have shorter powder column therefore the use of magnum primer is not necessary.

Scotty, I use Federal 210 match primer.

I like your reasoning that the powder column is shorter and for that reason the primer is not needed. Maybe that is why in my work with shorter cases even though compressed the magnum primer did not have the accuracy of the standard primer in the shorter cases nor was there much of a velocity increase. Thanks for responding.