RL-17 W/.260 Results

Powerstroke · Jun 16, 2009

I had a chance to purchase a pound of RL-17 a few weeks ago and was hopeful that it might be just what the Dr. ordered for my .260's
POP was gracious enough to supply me some load data for it's use. I loaded this in both the M7 w/18.5 in barrel & the M700 w/25 in barrel. I wish I could say with 100% accuracy that I know what barrel is on the M700 but I don't. It generally shoots on the extreme fast side though....( no complaints however )

The only difference between the two is Remington brass for the M7 & Nosler Brass for the M700.

M7
130gr A-bond
40.5gr RL-17
2682fps

M700
130gr A-bond
40.5gr RL-17
2805 fps

Now....
M700
130gr A-bond with a max book charge of H414
43.0gr H414
2930fps

H414 groups much better out of both guns.
Apologies for not getting velocity with the H414 with the M7..TBC

POP.. thanks again for the input it's much appreciated !!

HeathSexton · Jun 17, 2009

Dang, that 414 load is fast! I need to try some 130 Accubonds from my .260. H414 is the powder in my .260 as well.

257 Ackley · Jun 17, 2009

Mark -
I like seeing the results on the R17. I have strictly used the H414 since you made the suggestion and am now trying some R19 with the 130AB's to see what happens. Once you get to 44 grains with R19, you are over 100% capacity. My 260 will be going to the range for the first time on Saturday since it was bedded. I also found some 210 primers to test with instead of the BR2's from CCI.

What 25 inch barrel is on the 700? Is it still a 1 in 9 twist?

Big Squeeze · Jun 17, 2009

Powerstroke":9ngwi671 said:
I had a chance to purchase a pound of RL-17 a few weeks ago and was hopeful that it might be just what the Dr. ordered for my .260's
POP was gracious enough to supply me some load data for it's use. I loaded this in both the M7 w/18.5 in barrel & the M700 w/25 in barrel. I wish I could say with 100% accuracy that I know what barrel is on the M700 but I don't. It generally shoots on the extreme fast side though....( no complaints however )

The only difference between the two is Remington brass for the M7 & Nosler Brass for the M700.

M7
130gr A-bond
40.5gr RL-17
2682fps

M700
130gr A-bond
40.5gr RL-17
2805 fps

Now....
M700
130gr A-bond with a max book charge of H414
43.0gr H414
2930fps

H414 groups much better out of both guns.
Apologies for not getting velocity with the H414 with the M7..TBC

POP.. thanks again for the input it's much appreciated !!

...........................Interesting but predictable results as far as velocity loss (per inch) of shorter barrel length is concerned.

Taking the difference between the two velocities with your identical 40.5 gr RL 17 loadings, (2805 fps minus 2682 fps = 123; then divide by the 6.5" barrel length difference), I come up with only 18.92 fps of velocity loss (per inch) of shorter barrel length.

Happens to fall right on par with my own 300 WSM results, which averaged 16 to 22 fps per inch depending on the load.

The more modern higher tech powders of today, have closed that gap dramatically from the (still perceived by many) 50 fps loss per inch, down to 15 to 25.

H 414 does very well in your 260 with no apparent benefit with RE 17.
RE 17 is supposed to work best with the greatest benefit for the WSMs and WSSMs.

I have yet to try RE 17, but looking forward to it.

Powerstroke · Jun 17, 2009

The M700 is on the excessive fast side and not completely sure why.... I see the 100gr B-tips push & hit the 3500fps W/ max charges of the H414.

I've tried some of the RL-19 and didn't chrony it, couldn't get it to perform either. The M7 has always been a poor performer until I tried the H414 in it as well and the last group my wife shot with it was 5/8 of an inch. Plenty-O-good for me out of that rifle.

I'm going to try some of the RL-17 in my .280 next and see. My go to powder for that one has always been N-165.

257 Ackley,
Good luck and post your results...... I do use the BR primers in everything short of my Magnums....

257 Ackley · Jun 18, 2009

We had big weather come in last evening just when I was setting up to shoot :evil: When the sirens start going off for tornadoes and the rain is coming sideways, it's time to call it a night. Will try again Friday afternoon and see what happens.

FOTIS · Jun 18, 2009

Try win 760 also. You will find it is very close to H414 performance.

Ol` Joe · Jun 19, 2009

POP":6bzukf3s said:
Try win 760 also. You will find it is very close to H414 performance.

Same powder just different lots and lables.

257 Ackley · Jun 20, 2009

I would like to find a list of who makes each powder and see how many of the powders come from the same manufacturer. If someone has it, I would appreciate having it shared.