RL17 results with the .300WSM

[big rifle man]

OK guys, these are the results from yesterdays range outing. The rifle is
a Kimber Montana with a 24" barrel. Scop;e is a Kahles 3-9. bullet used is a 180Gr. Partition. Primer is a Fed 215M. OAL is 2.850.

64Grs. RL17 3053FPS, 3087FPS, 3064FPS 3/4" group.
64.5Grs. 3082FPS, 3079FPS, 3087FPS 3/4" group
65Grs. 3096FPS 3090FPS, 3092FPS 3/4" Group
65.5Grs. 3100FPS, 3098FPS, 3096FPS 1/2" Group (getting warm)
Tried one round at Max 66Grs. Definitely too hot. Hard bolt lift, ejector mark on base. Velocity was 3134. Air temperature at the time I was testing was 65 degrees. Accuracy was excellent for a mountain style hunting rifle. It looks like 65.5 is the keeper although all groups were good. No signs of pressure until i tried 66Grs. The only down side to the powder is it's DIRTY. Took me 45 minutes to get the barrel clean. Going to try 165gr. next time out.

 

[DrMike]

"Dirty" as in powder residue? Or "dirty" from copper deposit?

That is pretty good velocity with the 180 grain Partition.

Thanks for posting this information. I'm looking forward to getting some of the powder for a trial.

 

[big rifle man]

Mike, I would say both. Barnes copper remover took care of its end. The powder appeared to be somewhat sooty. A lot of black patches came out of the barrel. I had the same problem with RL25 when it first came out.

 

[DrMike]

Interesting. Were these three-shot groups? Or did you wait until after a set to clean? Your results with 165 grain will be interesting, no doubt.

 

[FOTIS]

Looks like you're done.

 

[Big Squeeze]

OK guys, these are the results from yesterdays range outing. The rifle is
a Kimber Montana with a 24" barrel. Scop;e is a Kahles 3-9. bullet used is a 180Gr. Partition. Primer is a Fed 215M. OAL is 2.850.

64Grs. RL17 3053FPS, 3087FPS, 3064FPS 3/4" group.
64.5Grs. 3082FPS, 3079FPS, 3087FPS 3/4" group
65Grs. 3096FPS 3090FPS, 3092FPS 3/4" Group
65.5Grs. 3100FPS, 3098FPS, 3096FPS 1/2" Group (getting warm)
Tried one round at Max 66Grs. Definitely too hot. Hard bolt lift, ejector mark on base. Velocity was 3134. Air temperature at the time I was testing was 65 degrees. Accuracy was excellent for a mountain style hunting rifle. It looks like 65.5 is the keeper although all groups were good. No signs of pressure until i tried 66Grs. The only down side to the powder is it's DIRTY. Took me 45 minutes to get the barrel clean. Going to try 165gr. next time out.

......B R M.......What was your previous velocity high with the 180 grain Partition before using RL 17?? What was your gain in fps with RL 17?

Your very close to Alliant`s 300 WSM specs. Their`s was 3082 fps using 66 gr. RL 17 from a 24" barrel with gains of 104 fps vs all other powders.

Curious to see what your velocity gains are.

 

[big rifle man]

Big squeeze, My previous load with the 180 Partition was 70.2 grains of RL22 which gave me 3000FPS. This load was also accurate and gave me 1 1/2 inch groups at 200 yards. I did forget to mention that I'm using Norma cases which have held up real well.

 

[JD338]

big rifle man

Good results. Looks like RL 17 is a keeper. Try adjusting your COL, you might be able to tighten up that group a little more.

JD338

 

[big rifle man]

Thanks JD, that's my next project. By the way I ordered a Concealed pancake holster for my Kimber Pro carry from the leatherworks gentleman you spoke about in the Kimber section.

 

[kraky]

After looking at your numbers a little harder I noticed 2 things.

1. The consistancy in speed is very good.
2. And most surprising to me....an increase in 1.5 grains only got you about 30 fps more.

 

[JD338]

Thanks JD, that's my next project. By the way I ordered a Concealed pancake holster for my Kimber Pro carry from the leatherworks gentleman you spoke about in the Kimber section.

I think you will be happy with it. If not, Eric will make it right. :wink:

JD338