6x55 139-142grs. & RL 17

[Hopkins]

Anyone have any experience with a modern Swede and 139-142s and RL 17 ?

 

[17 rem savage]

I've tried it in my 6.5x55 on a savage action, the MV's were great but terribly temp sensitive. I've had great luck with IMR 4350 & IMR 4831

 

[wboggs]

What problems did temperature changes produce and what were the temperature extremes?
I have been working up a load and may abandon the effort.
Thanks

 

[17 rem savage]

I had a pretty good load with the RL 17 during the fall months with a low ES in the single digits, well the winter rolled around and took the gun out for a few shots at the range. Well my .5" groups at 100 went to 2", thinking maybe i was just cold and having a bad day, i went home. Tried again a few days later and same 2" groups, grabbed the crono and my low ES was now like 70 fps spread and a average of 50 fps slower then the MV,s I was getting 3 months earlier. About 40 degree difference in temp in the time frame.

I've had similar results with my 7mm saum and RL 17..

Bo

 

[Shynloco]

Anyone have any experience with a modern Swede and 139-142s and RL 17 ?

In the event you are search of a load that works, might I suggest you test 140 Berger Target VLDS using 44.3 - 44.5 Gr of Vihta Vuori N160. That combo works very well in several 6.5's that some of my shooting partners and I shoot. Mine is a 6.5 Swede and shoot very tight 5 shot groups.

 

[wboggs]

Bo

Thanks for the info on R17. Sounds like I am wasting my time with this powder. I was attracted to it because it does transfer more energy with its pressure curve. Makes no difference with the inaccuracy you describe.
You have been a great help. Thanks again.
Bill

 

[oldroper]

I had a pretty good load with the RL 17 during the fall months with a low ES in the single digits, well the winter rolled around and took the gun out for a few shots at the range. Well my .5" groups at 100 went to 2", thinking maybe i was just cold and having a bad day, i went home. Tried again a few days later and same 2" groups, grabbed the crono and my low ES was now like 70 fps spread and a average of 50 fps slower then the MV,s I was getting 3 months earlier. About 40 degree difference in temp in the time frame.

I've had similar results with my 7mm saum and RL 17..

Bo

What was the temp difference between fall and winter when you tested?

 

[17 rem savage]

the temp swing was about 40 degrees from 70 degrees in the fall to 25 degrees during the winter, now at your range we have a indoor heated shooting line, i did take some of the RL 17 loads with my one day while shooting other rifles. The temp inside was 65-70 degrees and the .5 groups came rite back.... I never did crono these while i was inside, but im guessing they back to normal operating temp.

 

[DukeDuke]

I have been using RL-17 for ... since it came out. 308, 6.5x55, 7.5x55, 8x57, 7x57, 6BRX, never had any of the issues I constantly read about. The velocity gain in all calibers is super nice! The temperature variation is 35 to 95, no change in point of impact out to 600 yards same load, same everything. Go figure.

 

[wboggs]

Interesting. Perhaps I need to hear from a few more before giving up on it.

 

[Hopkins]

Duke, how fast are you pushing the Swede?

 

[Bugs]

I went down this road with a Tikka T3 in 6.5 x 55 and was able to get very good velocity with 140 Berger VLD's (over 2900) but accuracy was not so good. Backed off to about 2700 and accuracy was real good. Ended up going back to h4350.

 

[DukeDuke]

Duke, how fast are you pushing the Swede?

2930 fps. out of my M96

 

[Hopkins]

My M96 does quite well at lower velocities of 2600 or so but this modern Swede has a 28" 5R barrel and I have to find 2950+ in the 139-142 high BC's to get where I need to be.

 

[oldroper]

I have been using RL-17 for ... since it came out. 308, 6.5x55, 7.5x55, 8x57, 7x57, 6BRX, never had any of the issues I constantly read about. The velocity gain in all calibers is super nice! The temperature variation is 35 to 95, no change in point of impact out to 600 yards same load, same everything. Go figure.

I'm with you as I've been using R-17 since it came out and I shoot my rifles pretty much all year long. I'm loading it in a custom 300WSM,284,280AI and tomorrow I'm trying it in a 243AI. I had the 280AI on a late bull hunt last year low was 14 below with wind chill high was in the 20's had no problems was using Fed mag primers with R-17. Never know

 

[Mark S in NM]

I have been using RL-17 for ... since it came out. 308, 6.5x55, 7.5x55, 8x57, 7x57, 6BRX, never had any of the issues I constantly read about. The velocity gain in all calibers is super nice! The temperature variation is 35 to 95, no change in point of impact out to 600 yards same load, same everything. Go figure.

Same here 6XC, 260, 308 with excellent results my temp swing 55-105.

 

[17 rem savage]

I'm wondering if the mag primers would help with the temp swing, I use CCI BR primers in everything, so maybe I'm leaving something on the table with the RL 17... When I was using the RL 17 in my SAUM i would get some delayed ignition sometimes with CCI 250 Mag primers, now this is with fully prepped brass, flash holes , weight separated, and neck turned. Any idea why this would occur?

Thanks Bo

 

[Mark S in NM]

I'm wondering if the mag primers would help with the temp swing, I use CCI BR primers in everything, so maybe I'm leaving something on the table with the RL 17... When I was using the RL 17 in my SAUM i would get some delayed ignition sometimes with CCI 250 Mag primers, now this is with fully prepped brass, flash holes , weight separated, and neck turned. Any idea why this would occur?

Thanks Bo

Well delayed ignition certainly is a big problem change primers. I can't imagine it's the RL 17 unless a bad lot which I truly doubt. I don't use mag but regular LR Wolf or Tula. As you can see from my chamberings I don't need mags. I also can't imagine primer has anything to do with temp swings, I have never had the problem with any primer I have ever tried, ES swing yes but not temp.

 

[wboggs]

What a diversity of opinion Re; weather change with R17. I do note that oldroper was using Mag. primers in a .280 AI. Any others use these? Could be a factor in the cold. Maybe I'll work up a load with them and see how it shoots. I would think a temp. difference of 50F would be a good test.

 

[.260 james]

I have shot re -17 in a .260 for 2 years now. From temps of 20 degrees to 105 it seems to being shooting the same. I dont believe it is any more temp sensitive then any IMR powder and certainly not as sensitive as H414 or ww760. I did notice if it is a medium pressure load, it does seem more erratic then some powders. But as u get up near a usable maxium things even out ,groups and fouling get smaller and NOTHING will touch it for velocity in the mid sized cases.