Anyone have any success with RE17 in 223 with 90gn VLDs?

[maxpower]

While crunching numbers in Quickload I see that the 223 can get some respectable speeds with 90gn VLDs when propelled with RE17 powder. Now I have heard stories of bad velocity spreads and sensitivity to temperature swings, but I was wondering if anyone here had tried it with any success in F/TR?

 

[r bose]

I'd be very curious about this also. I've been using R17 in 2 calibers, 6xc, 105g bullets and 308 with 208 Amax with very good results. Shot 6xc prone in a sling 1000 yd match this past weekend and the load shot better than I could ever have expected. I have not experienced any problems with R17. Then again, don't leave ammo in a hot car during the day, and develop your load at near peak shooting temps....I.E. summer. Don't develop a load at 20 degrees expecting it to shoot without excessive pressure at 95 degrees.

 

[benchracer]

RL-17 has been the top performing powder in my 22-250, behind both 53 VMAX's and 69 SMK's, giving both top velocity and best accuracy vs more conventional choices (Varget, CFE 223, IMR 8208 XBR). Extreme spreads were 43 and 47, respectively. Standard deviations were 14 and 13, respectively. That was with no case or bullet sorting and no primer tuning.

Though RL-17 is more temp sensitive than some of the Hodgdon Extreme powders, I consider its reputation for temp sensitivity to be overblown. I have used it in F-T/R, behind Berger 185 Classic Hunters in my .308, with good results. I think it would be worth trying in your .223.

 

[Laurie]

Very high MVs, but I could never get the group sizes or ES spreads down to what VarGet and Re15 give.

 

[maxpower]

This is not the first time I have heard suggestions of high ES/SD, so it might not be so wise to use in a 223 then. I might give it a brief try to see how it goes.
How about other high energy powders like N540 and N550?

 

[Laurie]

N540 produced some good results for me, but hit over-high pressure before producing high enough MVs. Many 223/90 shooters like N550, but it was like Re17 in my rifle - lots of velocity but groups, ES and SD all bigger than wanted. (As with Re17, there may also be temperature issues for North American users with both N500 series powders.)

I got better results with N150 than the above trio, but temperature sensitivity aside, Re15 worked out best for me. (A similar thing has happened in 308 FTR here in the UK too for bullets up to 200gn, we started out with N540 and N550 lookinhg for velocity but found we got better results and high enough MVs with N150 for 180-200s.)

 

[manitou210]

Don't bother trying ANY DOUBLE BASE POWDERS there very hard on throat you will get fire cracking much faster than single base powders. and those double base will spike on warm days of summer and primers will blow a cases ruined.
If your shooting 90s over 2800 fps your primer pockets will be toast after a few rounds.
If its hot only use Extreeme powders by Hogdons Varget and H 4895 will work good
manitou

 

[Laurie]

If its hot only use Extreeme powders by Hogdons Varget and H 4895 will work good

Que?

Oh yes, I remember now - these were nice Australian manufactured powders we once got in the UK, but not any more!

I shot ~ 2,500 90s out of my first barrel mostly ahead of Re15 and at 2,900 fps. Wear & tear were what you'd expect from this performance level. Lapua match brass lasted five firings. Temperature was an issue even in the UK with Re15 and you had to watch things in the occasional summer heatwave, but I'd see how it'd be a much bigger issue in North America.

I'm hopeful that I can get back to this MV level with Nitrochemie's Reload Swiss RS52, similar burning rate to Re15 and similar specific energy ratings, but capable of similar velocties at lower peak pressures thanks to Nitrochemie's Ei chemistry (as used in Re17 which is another Nitrochemie product). I've used this powder extensively in a 308 FTR rifle and temperature hasn't been an issue to date if loads are kept a little down below absolute maximum. Yes, it'll wear the barrel throat faster than N150 or VarGet, but at a pace I should be able to live with.