RL17; 300 WSM

[Big Squeeze]

Finally found some RL17 at my dealer the other day.

Cruised different sites looking for a previous guinea pig who by chance, posted a load using the RL17 and a Berger (hunting) VLD combo that I could duplicate.

Found one on the "reloadersnest" site (load # 5506 at the bottom)

Cartridge..............................300 WSM
Posters rifle...........................M/70 w 24" barrel
Bullet....................................155 gr Berger VLD (hunting)
Powder..................................RL 17
Charge..................................69 gr.
COAL....................................2.88"
Primer...................................Fed mag
Case.....................................Win
His velocity............................3380 fps
His grouping...........................0.600 and 0.700" (don`t recall exactly)

Components and charge are the same, except for the primer, rifle and barrel length.............. Here are my results.

Rifle......................................Ruger Frontier (300 WSM)
Barrel length..........................16.5"
Scope....................................1.5-5x20 VX111
Primer...................................WLRM
COAL.....................................2.88"
Velocity.................................3234 fps (chrony 8' from muzzle)
Group....................................0.784" (3 shot) OD

Difference was 146 fps, 19.46 fps (per inch), or a minus 4.32% in overall velocity vs the 24" barrel.

Started at 65 gr and worked up to 69 gr. No sticky bolt lift, no ejection marks or primer issues, but is very near max. No need to go any further.

Alliant`s site shows 69.3 grs as max for RL17 using the 150 gr Speer @ about 3345 fps from a 24" barrel.

Considering the shorter barrel, I am very impressed with this RL 17/ 155 gr VLD combo result. Previous best was 3118 fps using a 150 gr SST.

With my rifle anyway, a very good increase.

 

[DrMike]

Doing what it is supposed to do. How was accuracy for you?

 

[Big Squeeze]

Doing what it is supposed to do. How was accuracy for you?

..........Average groupings were 0.784" OD which is very good, with about 3 to 4 minutes in-between shots for barrel cooling.

I guess there are some hi-tech elements in the RL17 granules, which in the short mags anyway, give them a velocity boost. I read an article about it, but don`t remember all the lingo or the specific manufacturing process. I certainly get better speed with RL17 than with either the IMR or H-4350.

 

[DrMike]

I just loaded up a number of cartridges for my 270 WSM with E-Tips and RL17. I get some very fine groups and excellent velocities. It looks as if you are indeed getting some serious indication that this is a load worth pursuing. I will not be surprised if it works well across a wide spectrum of bullets with the short mags.

 

[Big Squeeze]

It was fun to see what could be done! But I certainly don`t need 3200+ fps for effective hog hunting, let alone 3000 fps.

Since I started using the VLDs for hogs beginning 4 months ago, they`ve all been taken with devastating results, with less than maximum 168 VLD loads moving out at between 2750-2800 fps.

Next for RL17, is what the 190 VLDs can do. I`ll try and wait for another "guinea pig" ha ha ha, to do a posting first which I can then copy from! The 190 VLD will be used on my next elk hunt.

I`d be very happy with 2850-2900 using some RL17, which shouldn`t be a problem to obtain.

I`ve also read some interesting accounts with the 270 WSMs and RL 17, with very good results.

 

[Guest]

BS, At what ranges have the hogs been that you have shot with the Berger bullets? My rason for asking is to evaluate the close in range effectivesness of the Bergers. There seems to e little doubt about the long range effectivesness of them. Thanks.

 

[Big Squeeze]

BS, At what ranges have the hogs been that you have shot with the Berger bullets? My rason for asking is to evaluate the close in range effectivesness of the Bergers. There seems to e little doubt about the long range effectivesness of them. Thanks.

..........So far with the VLDs, anywhere from 85 yards out to 242 yards.

If you go to the Berger site and watch their audio/video on the hunting VLD, the speaker does say that the VLDs are very effective for the closer ranged higher velocity impacts as well. From my experience, I can`t argue with that.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

B_S, Where are the pictures?
Hey, no holding out on the Pictures! :grin:

Glad to hear your having good results with the Bergers. I was happy to see they reformulated them for hunting. I might try some in my 7 STW.

 

[Big Squeeze]

B_S, Where are the pictures?
Hey, no holding out on the Pictures! :grin:

Glad to hear your having good results with the Bergers. I was happy to see they reformulated them for hunting. I might try some in my 7 STW.

........................I don`t have one those hi-tek digital cameras and if I did, I don`t know how to post pics. Howver, I do have 35mm (old school) hunting pics coming out my wahzoo.

I don`t take pics on every hunt like I use to do! Most would be a re-hash anyway. Though I would make an exception if I ran across a 800-1000 lb hog-zilla.

Try some VLDs in your 7 STW. That`s a great long range dandy.