R-17 for the .284

[Bob Sebold]

R-17 will bite you when temps get hot outside.

 

[dragman]

Yes temp is to be taken into consideration. must find a load that is forgiving and don't push the load in hot weather.

 

[JRS]

Look in the archives for the article by German Salazar and Bob Jensen. The testing with the RL-17 took place in 100 degree weather. Apparently, RL-17 isn't too temperature sensitive.

 

[dragman]

I do all my load development for the RL17 at 80 degree's if you get close to the top of the load in 30 or 40 degree's and get a 90+ day it can go BAD!

 

[DBailey]

Look in the archives for the article by German Salazar and Bob Jensen. The testing with the RL-17 took place in 100 degree weather. Apparently, RL-17 isn't too temperature sensitive.

Take that awesome load that was developed in 100 degree weather and shoot some groups on a 70 - 80 degree day and see how good she shoots. Then consider the fact that temperature swings of 25 degrees are not uncommon during a day of competition shooting and you'll know why RL17 is not always a good choice for a competition gun.

 

[ronemus]

I'm currently shooting a 22" barrel with a long throat (eroded and near the end of its life) and jump the 162 A-max 0.030", running ~2900 fps. I'm about to re-barrel with a 26" HV Bartlein 5R.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Look in the archives for the article by German Salazar and Bob Jensen. The testing with the RL-17 took place in 100 degree weather. Apparently, RL-17 isn't too temperature sensitive.

Take that awesome load that was developed in 100 degree weather and shoot some groups on a 70 - 80 degree day and see how good she shoots. Then consider the fact that temperature swings of 25 degrees are not uncommon during a day of competition shooting and you'll know why RL17 is not always a good choice for a competition gun.

^ This. I thought RL-17 was magic when I first started shooting it in a .260AI, with loads developed in 50º weather. It was magic alright - magically altering X's to 9's and 8's when the weather warmed up (read: 70º weather). I ran it for two matches and dumped it after that. I never even pulled it off the shelf when I started developing a .284. It might be the most temp sensitive powder I have ever run.

 

[jvw2008]

DBailey and Bob Sebold -

You both hit on salient points for me. My long distance shooting has been with 6 and 6.5 mm. I got an uncontrollable itch to play with the 7mm, so I have a 284 Shehane (Panda action) coming out of the shop in April. It's going to the bench for 1000 yard matches. I know I'm bucking the current bench caliber trend, but I've been fascinated with the F-Class 284 free bore modifications and the recent F-Class accuracy results. I'm in northern Colorado dealing with that crazy Wyoming wind that loves to swoop in and I also will be shooting with significant altitude and temperature changes. RE17 is enticing for the velocity but I suspect I will settle on 4831sc or 4350.

Jerry

 

[fotohunt]

Another consistent powder to try is Norma MRP. I load 55 gr and push the Barnes Match Burner 171's to 2850 in my straight .284, with excellent accuracy, ie. sub 1/2 moa at 500m. This is with a Bartlein 28.1" 8.4tw 5R.

-Darrell