Reloader 17..

[JD338]

Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel with Alliant.

JD338

 

[highoctane]

"Alliant Powder Shortage​

The Alliant Reloader powder shortage appears to be easing as of January 2025, according to recent discussions in reloading communities. However, the situation has been complex and has shifted over time.
As of May 2024, Alliant Powders had suspended shipments of their lines of smokeless powders for reloading due to a worldwide shortage of nitrocellulose, a key ingredient in the production of reloading powders. This shortage was exacerbated by increased demand for ammunition and propellants due to ongoing conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. The suspension affected popular powders such as Bullseye, Unique, and the Reloder series.
Since then, there have been discussions indicating that the availability of Alliant powders has improved, with some users reporting that they can find these powders more readily. However, the supply chain issues and pricing remain a concern for many reloaders. Some users have noted that while Alliant powders may be more available, prices remain high, and there are still shortages of other reloading components like primers.
To adapt to the shortage, many reloaders have switched to alternative powders from other manufacturers such as Accurate, Ramshot, and VihtaVuori. These powders have been more consistently available and have helped mitigate the impact of the Alliant shortage."

There's no doubt that the Alliant powders were nonexistent for quite a while and they may still be quite scarce in some places but in my area it kind of ebbs and flows.

Right now, some are available but as noted earlier, it's way too expensive for my taste considering I have powders that work equally as well for less money.

Case in point, I really like RL16 and know where there's some available but at a little over 70 per lb, it's off my radar.

Actually, I'll not be buying ANY powder. I have plenty laid back, along with primers. I had a friend to give me 8-10 lbs each of IMR-4895 and 4831 a few months back to add to my stash.

In today's landscape of reloading supplies, I truly feel for those that are forced to buy powder and primers.

 

[PJGunner]

When it comes to RL15 and RL17, I tink I would pay the price for a couple of the 5 pound cannisters of each powder. RL15 if fantastic in my .35 Whelen and is very good in the .308. I think that's what Federal uses in their .308 match ammo. RL17 makes my 7x57 a screamer surpassing the the .280 Rem. and is said to be very good in the 30-06. I haven't tried it in the 06 yet only because my current supply is limited and I'm saving it for the 7x57.
Paul B.

 

[RL338]

and is said to be very good in the 30-06. I haven't tried it in the 06 yet only because my current supply is limited

RL-17 is an exceptional powder for the 30-06. It gets the 150gr TTSX moving in my 30-06.
The last time I bought RL-17 was back in 10-2018 from Brownells with their 1cent shipping/hazmat.

 

[SJB358]

I love the stuff. 6 months back or so I was able to score about 10lbs or so. I use it in quite a few of my favorite loads. It is usually excellent in a 300 WSM, but so is SB6.5.

 

[300WSM]

Rl 17 got me over 2950 with my 7x57, only got about 2900 with Rl 26. Everything else is in the 2850 range max.

That's the thing with it..

The right cartridge bullet combo it puts up some big numbers all acceptable pressures as well.

 

[300WSM]

What's this talk of these powders being out of production? Ive been seeing some of the Reloder series showing up at my local shop. Ive seen RL22, 15.5, 19, 16,. However, it's not been cheap tho. I use to really like the RL series of powders, especially RL16, but since they were virtually nonexistent for so long and now with what's showing up being around 70 bucks or more, Ive moved on to others powders

For just blasting in an AR10 ...I'll get a cheaper powder.

For precision loads in my 30 magnums that extra little bit....meh

It's only a few bucks extra on a box of 20..comparing it that way.

If I can find it supersedes that little extra cost.

 

[bob_dobalina]

Been using RL17 many years, my last big jug is almost dry... Interested in trying some VV powder I understand it burns much cleaner. Is N550 the way to go for the 180s?

 

[AFG270]

Been using RL17 many years, my last big jug is almost dry... Interested in trying some VV powder I understand it burns much cleaner. Is N550 the way to go for the 180s?

I think there are several VV powder that will work with 180g, Blkram is using N165, and VihtaVuori.com lists several including N550, N555 and N560. Anyone else try any of these?

 

[RL338]

N555 is a bit slower than RL-17 , plus it’s bulky.

 

[mjcmichigan]

What's this talk of these powders being out of production? Ive been seeing some of the Reloder series showing up at my local shop. Ive seen RL22, 15.5, 19, 16,. However, it's not been cheap tho. I use to really like the RL series of powders, especially RL16, but since they were virtually nonexistent for so long and now with what's showing up being around 70 bucks or more, Ive moved on to others powders

Buy what you like.. that’s the only place RL’s are found.. I cleaned out my locals RL17

 

[mjcmichigan]

prior owner of this model 70 300 WSM used H4831 and H4831SC with 150 partitions. I wasn’t particularly impressed with his ammo. Seemed twitchy to me… (easy to get variability or worse, hard to get consistentcy). I have heard good things about Win760 or H414 in 300 WSM with 180’s. The model 70 we have is a little flakey. I need to find an ace of a gun smith. Getting sub MOA mostly, but occasional fliers… if it’s a 180gn bullet(make doesn’t matter) the flier goes right 4-6”. If it’s a 165, the fliers are high 4-6”. Crazy. It does have an after market muzzle break. Wondering if it’s dirty I spire of cleaning and with groups Generally touching at 1/2”, the fliers are killing me.. for now, no hunting for that gun till I figure it out. Replaced stock with a floated bell and Carlson.. so not thinking it’s a stock issue…

 

[300WSM]

I think there are several VV powder that will work with 180g, Blkram is using N165, and VihtaVuori.com lists several including N550, N555 and N560. Anyone else try any of these?

I tried every VV powder that could safely propel a 180 gr bullet.

None of those powders got speed close to R17
I

 

[300WSM]

prior owner of this model 70 300 WSM used H4831 and H4831SC with 150 partitions. I wasn’t particularly impressed with his ammo. Seemed twitchy to me… (easy to get variability or worse, hard to get consistentcy). I have heard good things about Win760 or H414 in 300 WSM with 180’s. The model 70 we have is a little flakey. I need to find an ace of a gun smith. Getting sub MOA mostly, but occasional fliers… if it’s a 180gn bullet(make doesn’t matter) the flier goes right 4-6”. If it’s a 165, the fliers are high 4-6”. Crazy. It does have an after market muzzle break. Wondering if it’s dirty I spire of cleaning and with groups Generally touching at 1/2”, the fliers are killing me.. for now, no hunting for that gun till I figure it out. Replaced stock with a floated bell and Carlson.. so not thinking it’s a stock issue…

I am not saying this is what is your issue but I had something very similar going on.

3 shot group I would get a flier.
2 would be right there and a third would be several inches away.

After chasing my tail and convincing myself that it COULD NOT be _______....

You know...trying to reinvent the wheel because it can't be something so simple.

After I checked the pride at the door I decided to make sure the sequence of the flier.

Sure enough it was any sequence. First shot, second or third no matter.
It wasn't always the third shot...which we are inclined to think.
Once I got that out the way I went back to the simplest of things...
the scope.
Put a bore sighter on there and bumping the scope with my palm pretty good I come to realize that damn thing is walking around in there.
Changed the scope out and no more flier.


When I first tried tackling that problem there was no way that it wasn't the stock, or the gun itself, or the scope, or...or...or..

Good luck brotha with that endeavor

 

[mjcmichigan]

I am not saying this is what is your issue but I had something very similar going on.

3 shot group I would get a flier.
2 would be right there and a third would be several inches away.

After chasing my tail and convincing myself that it COULD NOT be _______....

You know...trying to reinvent the wheel because it can't be something so simple.

After I checked the pride at the door I decided to make sure the sequence of the flier.

Sure enough it was any sequence. First shot, second or third no matter.
It wasn't always the third shot...which we are inclined to think.
Once I got that out the way I went back to the simplest of things...
the scope.
Put a bore sighter on there and bumping the scope with my palm pretty good I come to realize that damn thing is walking around in there.
Changed the scope out and no more flier.


When I first tried tackling that problem there was no way that it wasn't the stock, or the gun itself, or the scope, or...or...or..

Good luck brotha with that endeavor

Well, it could be. Has a Zeiss Conquest 3 on it. I’ve never tried swapping it out. I’ve got a couple handy. Thank you for the suggestion… I agree… simple things make sense… maybe the old plastic m70 stock was ok…. If/when I figure it out.. will update you….prior owner had trouble with it being finicky as well. Was running 150 partitions out of it… he never talked about fliers… but if the scope is marginal.. a 180 would make it show up more often than a 150…

 

[TackDriver284]

RL-17 is an exceptional powder for the 30-06. It gets the 150gr TTSX moving in my 30-06.
The last time I bought RL-17 was back in 10-2018 from Brownells with their 1cent shipping/hazmat.
View attachment 24987

That was cheap back then compared to now.