Anyone use N-135 in a .17 Rem centerfire?

[Silverfox]

I'd be interested in what powder charge weights you are using with 25 gr. bullets.

I had a little excitement in a prairie dog town last Sunday using 22.0 gr. of N-135 with the 25 gr. V-Max Hornady bullet. I blew a primer and the case head expanded to where I had to pry the casing out of the bolt head!!! This was the 10th shot of the day with that load and when I resized the casings and check the primer pockets to see if they were loose, they were all tight!!! I weigh my powder charges to the nearest .02 of a grain--no the decimal point IS NOT in the wrong place. I'm using the DI MXX-123 digital scale. My rifle has a super match grade Pac-Nor barrel with a 1 in 9" twist, 3 grooves and a .194" neck.

Any information on loads any of you use with N-135 in a .17 Remington and 25 gr. bullets would be appreciated.

 

[Silverfox]

Dave--Thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if the longer shank on the 25 gr. V-Max could be causing additional pressure? The VihtaVuori Reloading Manual, 3rd Edition, lists 23.1 gr. of N-135 as the max load with a 25 gr. projectile. I have seen some load data listed by private individuals where they claim to use up to 24.7 gr. of N-135?!?!?! I stretched a primer pocket with a load of 24.3 gr. of N-135 and the 25 gr. V-Max bullet!!!

I guess I will do some more range work with N-135 and loads between 21.4 gr. and 21.8 gr. to see if I can find a safe load that shoots little bug-hole groups.

Thanks again.

 

[Silverfox]

gunamonth--I guess maybe VihtaVuori operates somewhat the same as Microsoft==they both seem to like to have their customers do the beta testing of their products. With rifle powder that is a scary thought!!!!

 

[65WSM]

I have handloaded enough .17 Remington to wear out a nitrocarburized Lilja barrel. It is a fantastic ground squirrel rifle. I have not used N-135. What little N-135 I have accumulated, I saved for my .20 PPC. I have centered on IMR-8208, which is very close to the same burn rate. I ran a couple of quickload runs to help. I don't know your case volume or barrel length to set the parameters.

 

[65WSM]

Here is a look at which powders we should be using at a pressure of 59K. I would hate to run at higher pressure for safety and brass life.

 

[snert]

This thread is from 2006...

 

[Hal]

I have handloaded enough .17 Remington to wear out a nitrocarburized Lilja barrel. It is a fantastic ground squirrel rifle. I have not used N-135. What little N-135 I have accumulated, I saved for my .20 PPC. I have centered on IMR-8208, which is very close to the same burn rate. I ran a couple of quickload runs to help. I don't know your case volume or barrel length to set the parameters.

How many rounds to wear out your .17 barrel?
Would you have another barrel nitrocarbonized?

Hal