308 185 Berger BTTLR and RL-17???

[teele1]

I'm wanting to run 185 Berger BTTLR bullets in my new 30" CBI barrel FTR gun. I haven't seen much load data with RL-17. Running QuickLoad I come up with 47.0 grs. of RL-17 with the 185BTTLR seated at 2.832 giving me a barrel time of 1.369ms which is right on the 4th NODE for a 30" barrel(1.368). Via QuickLoad, this gives me 2787 fps @57728 psi VS my Varget load of 44.3 grs. giving me, via QuickLoad, 2734 fps @ 60505 psi. and a barrel time of 1.372ms. I've never shot RL-17 before and wanting to know if there is a temperature sensitivity issue. I do live and shoot in south Florida. Just trying to keep pressure down as not to beat the brass up so much. Thanks for any info regarding these loads.
jim

 

[wolfman]

I'd be testing H4895 before R17. A tad more velocity with Varget, and nicely temp stable.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Some say that there is a temp sensitivity and others say they had no problems at all. I think that the best time of the to work up a load is during the normal temps of the shooting season. Like my 223 with the 90's, I waited till the temps were 80 degrees before working up a load with RL15, this load shoots in 95 degree weather without a hitch and there are many that say that RL15 is temp sensitive.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I would garner to say, that H4895 might be a lil on the too fast of burning side of things for those 185's.

 

[watercam]

I shoot Reloader 17 in .243 and 6.5/284 and have not found any profound temperature issues from 32 deg. up to 95 deg. or so. That said I try and do my load work in the summer. I am going to the same bullets and from what I have researched it seems that Varget, 4064, 4895 work well. 4350 (same burn rate as Re17) is listed but, since it is slower, fills the case much fuller. Might need to throat your chamber a bit to seat bullets out and make room in the case.
Please keep us apprised as to your progress.

 

[linedrive301ft]

teele1, you need to go and buy one lb. and give it a solid try. You might be supprised

at the results.

Give me a call and we can chat.

Regards

Mark

 

[FroggyOne2]

There is another powder that one might consider, 2000MR.

 

[DukeDuke]

I shoot 190 MK in my .308, 30" Krieger barrel, with 49gr. of RL-17 at 2900fps. win. brass and col at 3.000.

 

[wolfman]

I would garner to say, that H4895 might be a lil on the too fast of burning side of things for those 185's.

you would think, but it sure is working nicely for a few of us...