Re17 in .35 Whelen?

[RiverRider]

Has anyone tried this combination yet? I would not expect it to perform quite as well as Re15 in terms of velocity, but every time I see someone posting about Re17 it seems to be doing the unexpected. If I ever get the time, I'd like to see what it will do with a 225-Grain AccuBond.

 

[DrMike]

I tried RL17 with the 225 grain Swift A-Frame. Velocity was quite low and accuracy was not what I expected. AccuBonds have not performed nearly so well as Partitions in my Whelen.

 

[SJB358]

It would be hard for me to mess with anything other than RL15 in the 35 Whelen. Seems like it was tailor made for it! 2500+ with 250's and 2700+ with 225's and excellent accuracy.

I did think about trying it out in the Whelen, but it seems like RL15 works so well, it would be hard to get better results. If you decide to try it, take lots of pictures and notes. Scotty

 

[JD338]

RL 15 is working great in my M700 Classic 35 Whelen with the 225 gr AB's.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

It sure looks like RL15 was made for the Whelen. It has an almost ideal burn rate for the cartridge. Performance is consistent with a variety of bullets.

 

[3006savage]

No experience with RL17 in the Whelen but it nearly fills my 06 with RL17 so I am sure it would be to slow to make enough pressure for the Whelen.

 

[RiverRider]

I tried RL17 with the 225 grain Swift A-Frame. Velocity was quite low and accuracy was not what I expected. AccuBonds have not performed nearly so well as Partitions in my Whelen.

I've yet to try any Partitions in my Whelen. I need to get my hands on some. Accubonds will shoot MOA, but I'm one of those who always wonders if I'm missing something...and I guess that's why I wondered if anyone had tries Re17. I've got some on the shelf, just never got around to trying it. And thanks to your shared experience, DrMike, I think I'll pass.

I do still wonder though if there's been a breakthrough in propellants that no one is talking about. Re17 just seems to do a lot more (in other cartridges, at least) well than most other powders based on what others have to report. I'm still going to play with it in .243 Winchester with lighter bullets, now that I think I finally have an accurate rifle so chambered. I did not get far with the last three rifles I had chambered in .243 and they all frustrated the daylights out of me.