Is it my shooting or the loads.. How does one answer this?

[CJ6]

[I was flipping through my reloading book that I put together and it appears that most of the groups are more wide that tall. Does this say anything to you all?
[/quote] Wind

 

[Erik Cortina]

You adjust neck tension with a neck bushing die.

If the groups are wide, it's more than likely wind, but it could mean that you need to increase your powder charge a bit.

How long is your barrel?

 

[Milano]

It is a 26 inch barrel.

 

[Erik Cortina]

***Work up to these loads!***
Did you see any pressure signs at 42.0 gr. of RL17? It looks to me that with a 26" bbl you might have to go above that to find the sweet spot, not by much, but maybe around 42.2-42.5, somewhere around there if you are jumping the Match Kings. Work up to this load because it's getting on the warm side, but your gun might handle it. I have shot 43.0 gr. in mine before I saw any signs of pressure.

Also, you can try the 123 gr. Scenars, 42.5 gr. of RL 17 should get you about 3000 fps. with good accuracy.

 

[Rust]

While RL-17 does provide for a lot of velocity, it hasn't exactly set the world on fire in regards to accuracy.

I'd say try one of the 120-130 gr class of bullets and try H4350 or RL-15. Don't expect to reach the same velocity that RL-17 produces, high pressure will show up first. If you manage to hit around 2940-2950 fps you'll be in a sweet spot.

 

[Erik Cortina]

While RL-17 does provide for a lot of velocity, it hasn't exactly set the world on fire in regards to accuracy.

That's what some of the guys that I beat at F-Class matches using Reloader 17 tell me! ;D

 

[camac]

While RL-17 does provide for a lot of velocity, it hasn't exactly set the world on fire in regards to accuracy.

That's what some of the guys that I beat at F-Class matches using Reloader 17 tell me! ;D

Erik, you have done amazing things with that rifle that others have tried to replicate and failed. Might come down to the man behind the wheel more than anything.

But there are a lot of other highly qualified shooters out there desperately trying to wring some better accuracy out of the Reloader 17 with lot's of chambers and not a great deal of success. Best cartridges so far I have heard about for Rel17 seem to be the 6.5*47 and 284 Winchester that in both allow the bullets to get into the magical 2920-2970 fps range. Whether they are as accurate as the other powders is debatable but certainly some good results coming out (including yours) and getting velocity up into the next node helps.

I wonder how you would go with 4350 and 100fps less?? I still think you would win.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Thanks camac, I appreciate that very much.

I believe that RL17 is perfect for 6.5x47 Lapua, my accuracy load is 100% case fill ratio, it doesn't get better than that!

I also tried RL17 in my 284 Shehane, it would shoot less than 1/2" groups at 200 yards with virgin brass, so that's what I use for fireformig brass. It also shot good at the next node, but it was at 3030 fps. with 180 VLD's, and frankly quite punishing on brass! That's why I only use it at moderate velocities for fireforming.