RL-17

[jmad_81]

I spent a bunch of time today looking at load data for RL-17 as my Seahawks got their butts handed to them. Looks like People are having good results with it in 338 WM, and really good results in 375R. One guy said he was able to reach 3000 fps with the 260 AB, but it had sticky bolt lift. Thinking as soon as I get my stock fixed on my 375 R I'll have to give it a try. Most of his results shot under 2" at 200 yards.

My brother and I bought a pound to try.

Anybody used it in a .243, 7-08, 280 AI, 338 WM, or a 375 R?

 

[FOTIS]

I do not see that happening bro. 375R 260 at 3k?


Sorry..............

 

[Powerstroke]

I purchased some to try in my .260's and .280 -

The .260 shot minute of pie-plate with it so I ended it right there. I need to revisit the .280 however.
Can't remember the velocity, but I know the N-560 put it to shame in the .260

 

[jmad_81]

Why not POP, don't you know everything you read on the internet is true :lol:

I would be happy with 2800-2900 and good groups.

 

[BalisticsNut]

Recorded 3386 FPS with a 168 gr and .300 WSM the other day on an "oops" load. OOPS - defined. First time using a new RCBS scale and had the weight slightly off tilt. Loaded five rounds and rezerod the level. Went to load five more rounds at .5 grain more and the thrower was way off... hmmm first clue something wasnt right. After readjusting the thrower loaded several more rounds. Went to the range and fired off 5 rounds at 64.5 gr of RL-17 that measured a cool 3150 FPS average. Dropped in an "oops" round and no measure (rain started) by the fourth round it let up and measured my final round at 3386. From my testing I had to be around 67 gr. I wasnt too worried. Each round was inspected after it was shot, the brass was fine and the primers where normal. Suprisingly, those 5 rounds gave me tight groups at 200 yards. I have no intentions in repeating those loads. According to POP, these where in the dangerous loads catagory.

JMAD, check this post for more info on POPS input on RL-17

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13785

 

[30-338]

Recorded 3386 FPS with a 168 gr and .300 WSM the other day on an "oops" load. OOPS - defined. First time using a new RCBS scale and had the weight slightly off tilt. Loaded five rounds and rezerod the level. Went to load five more rounds at .5 grain more and the thrower was way off... hmmm first clue something wasnt right. After readjusting the thrower loaded several more rounds. Went to the range and fired off 5 rounds at 64.5 gr of RL-17 that measured a cool 3150 FPS average. Dropped in an "oops" round and no measure (rain started) by the fourth round it let up and measured my final round at 3386. From my testing I had to be around 67 gr. I wasnt too worried. Each round was inspected after it was shot, the brass was fine and the primers where normal. Suprisingly, those 5 rounds gave me tight groups at 200 yards. I have no intentions in repeating those loads. According to POP, these where in the dangerous loads catagory.

JMAD, check this post for more info on POPS input on RL-17

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13785

Alliant site has a max load of 68gr/R-17 with 165gr bullet @ 3215fps and 66gr/R-17 max load for the 180gr bullet @ 3082fps for the 300WSM. I was loading some for a custom 300WSM and I stopped at 66gr/R-17 with 165grTSX @ 3208fps. 66.5/R-17 with 165gr gr AB @ 3200fps and 66gr/R-17 with 168gr TSX @ 3159fps. I didn't load up to 68gr but I could of.

I'm using R-17 in a custom 284 and 280AI good powder for both those calibers.

 

[jmad_81]

30-338 would you mind sharing some of your 280 AI data please?

 

[Songdog]

Runs like a champ in my Swift... 42.5 grains with the 50 NBT is booting at over 4k...

The .25-06 likes about 55.5 grains for 3600ish with the 85 NBT... I bet I could get pert'near 3800 with a 75 VMax... if you could find them any freaking where.

Shot a bunch in the 7mm Rem behind 120's for a little over 3500... don't remember the load off hand though.

 

[RiverRider]

I am playing with a .243 loading Re17 and some of the Aussie 55-grain "SHOTS" overruns I got a while back. I figure if I can get enough Re17 the case, I might pull 3700 to 3800 fps or thereabouts and since these velocities can be reached using Re15, I figure it ought to be a mild load pressure-wise. No guess as to what accuracy I will see---that's why I am playing with it. I can get about 52.5 grains of Re17 in the case under that bullet, but I am not sure I want to go that high. Right now I have some loads to try ranging from 48.5 grains to 51.0 grains, and I expect to shoot them in the next week or so. I am using a chronograph to try and see where I'm at in this experiment.

 

[woods]

I do not see that happening bro. 375R 260 at 3k?


Sorry..............

Well I have to plead GUILTY POP!

My 375 Ruger is a rebarrel on a Winchester 264 win mag Model 70 and it has a Pac-Nor 3 groove barrel finished at 24". When I first got it I wanted to use RL17 because the burn rate close to IMR4350 seemed to be about right. Of course there was NO data, so I started way low and worked up. I wanted to use either a 260 gr AccuBond or a 270 gr TSX. Here are the results from several different shooting days and loadings:


TSX 270 RL17 74.0 3.285 2552
TSX 270 RL17 74.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 75.0 3.285 2578
TSX 270 RL17 75.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 76.0 3.285 2572

TSX 270 RL17 77.0 3.285 2573
TSX 270 RL17 78.0 3.285 2621
TSX 270 RL17 79.0 3.285 2643

AB 260 RL17 80.0 3.350 2760
AB 260 RL17 81.0 3.350 2798
AB 260 RL17 82.0 3.350 2849
TSX 270 RL17 80.0 3.285 2692
TSX 270 RL17 81.0 3.285 2714
TSX 270 RL17 82.0 3.285 2753

AB 260 RL17 82.5 3.350 2859
AB 260 RL17 83.0 3.350 2872
AB 260 RL17 83.5 3.350 2896
AB 260 RL17 84.0 3.350 2916

AB 260 RL17 84.5 3.350 2938
AB 260 RL17 85.0 3.350 2941
AB 260 RL17 85.5 3.350 2956
AB 260 RL17 86.0 3.350 2978

AB 260 RL17 86.5 3.350 2996
TSX 270 RL17 84.0 3.285 2941


Now since the chrono was set up 15' in front of the muzzle I figure that I did get to 3000 fps. Contrary to the report above there was not a stiff bolt lift and the cases have been reloaded a couple of times since. The primers looked like this on the 86.5 gr load

So I never did hit max

Groups were good

As you can see, I started low and worked, I trust anyone using this data will do the same in their rifles!

 

[30-338]

30-338 would you mind sharing some of your 280 AI data please?

Since my 280AI has a longer barrel than most and throated longer my reloading data might be alitttle hotter for the standard 280AI. I started at 53gr/R-17 with 160gr AB Fed 210M @ 2834fps and 56.5gr/IMR-7828 same bullet/primer gave me 2828fps and that 1gr under the start load in Nolser manual but close to the same start velocity. I've got some Barnes 160gr that I'm going to try next and some 175gr bullets. good luck

 

[jmad_81]

Thanks that should give me a good starting point. I'm going to be trying it with a 140 BT/AB. Mine does not have a long thoat and a 24" three grove Pac Nor.

 

[FOTIS]

I stand corrected! God Bless! :wink:

 

[30-338]

Thanks that should give me a good starting point. I'm going to be trying it with a 140 BT/AB. Mine does not have a long thoat and a 24" three grove Pac Nor.

What I did is pull up alliant powder site http://www.alliantpowder.com/ and they have reloading data for the 280 with R-17.

 

[trailrider121]

Did some testing with my 30-06 & hunting bullet 168gr TSX. Ended up using different primers, changed to CCI-BR2 no change to POI. However it was a hotter primer and raise the speed up. I played with bullet seating and I'm pretty happy with the results. Of coarse I want to retest the load and test them at farther distance. My plan is 500 yards max with this combo. I just couldn't believe the speed out my Marlin XL7 30-06 22" barrel.

Reloader 17 @ 57.5grs.

Speed:
.546 group
2989
2996
3009

.803"
2989
2979
2989

Shot at 109 yards

 

[FOTIS]

Kick Buttocks!

 

[DrMike]

That looks as if you are getting there. A couple of fine groups shown in your picture.

 

[woods]

RL17 is also working well in my 30-06. I like the 200 gr AccuBond cause it is a real hammer out of the 30-06 on game.

Here is my load workup, I started low and worked up so if you use my data, do the same:

ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 52.5 2615
ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 53.0 2617
ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 53.5 2654
ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 54.0 2649

ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 54.5 2713
ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 55.0 2742
ACCU 200 0.588 3.365 RL17 55.5 2758

 

[SJB358]

Wow, that is some great shooting! Talk about a truly awesome load for the 30-06! Scotty

 

[clearwater]

trailrider-

where did you get reloading data for that combination?