RE17 - 90gr Bullets Load Data 243 Winchester

[Mega]

I can find reloading data from Alliant with maximum suggested loads for 80gr, 85gr and 100gr bullets using RE17 but nothing for 90gr.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience working with the 90gr bullets or is it not suggested for some reason.

I have two unopened 1lb bottles purchased for use with 140gr 6.5mm bullets in my 6.5x47 Lapua but decided not to go with that heavy weight bullet so the only other calibre I have that it may suit is a .243W.

I'm not real fussed on using a double based powder at all and keep reading that RE17 has a very narrow sweet spot in any calibre so I may just end up giving the powder away or disposing of it which seems a waste but being allowed only a certain legal storage quantity it may be wiser to make room for a powder I can use and prefer being one of the local single based ADI Powders (Hodgdon Extreme).

I have sent Reliant an email but don't expect an answer in any sort of hurry.

 

[hunter243sgk]

I looked in my 3 diferent loading manules and Alliants web site and they all only list rl15 rl19,and rl22 for the 243 90g bullets.Dont know why this is but good luck finding anything on this.

 

[Mega]

I looked in my 3 diferent loading manules and Alliants web site and they all only list rl15 rl19,and rl22 for the 243 90g bullets.Dont know why this is but good luck finding anything on this.

Yep, I've looked at the half dozen reloading manuals I have and Alliant's past data plus present. No mention so hence my question and email.

My thoughts are it may just not be suitable for some reason. Would not be the first time I have found that a certain powder and bullet weight just don't mix.

 

[WyleWD]

I looked in my 3 diferent loading manules and Alliants web site and they all only list rl15 rl19,and rl22 for the 243 90g bullets.Dont know why this is but good luck finding anything on this.

Yep, I've looked at the half dozen reloading manuals I have and Alliant's past data plus present. No mention so hence my question and email.

My thoughts are it may just not be suitable for some reason. Would not be the first time I have found that a certain powder and bullet weight just don't mix.

I've used R-17 in the 243 with quite a few bullet weights including 85,87, and 95gr. In all instances it shot well. I'm thinking that Alliant just did not test it with the 90's. It is my belief that 90gr bullets are not as widely used as the others that they tested with and thus they opted to not spend the money to test it.

Perhaps their thinking was that most reloaders would just use 95gr or 87gr load data to fill in the blank spot. : WD

 

[Mega]

Thanks "WD" you give me hope and perhaps I'll pick some starting point and come up with a safe maximum to work towards.

Perhaps I'm being too negative with this powder but would love to hear from anyone that has used the 90gr bullet weight and says it's more accurate than the likes of H4350, W760 which should be close equivalents.

 

[WyleWD]

Thanks "WD" you give me hope and perhaps I'll pick some starting point and come up with a safe maximum to work towards.

Perhaps I'm being too negative with this powder but would love to hear from anyone that has used the 90gr bullet weight and says it's more accurate than the likes of H4350, W760 which should be close equivalents.

H4350, W760, and R-17 each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I'd be somewhat surprised if R-17 didn't show you more speed and equal accuracy...... but it may heat up your barrel faster. Your results may vary. WD

 

[Mega]

Well, H4350 our AR2209 I'm very happy with since it's "single based" and W760 I realise has it's faults with temperature which I have seen shooting in 0 degree Celcius to 40 odd degree days.

You make me feel more confident to give the RE17 a run and work up using 100gr load data which should be safe for the 90gr bullets. Not what I wanted to do but I suppose I could try a few 100gr bullets & loads then work to the lighter bullet. Barrel wear with a .243W is always on the mind, nowhere near how kind my 30BR is.

I have read a bit about the results achieved with RE17 and velocities but I suppose it's up to me to prove accuracy results over a period of time. It's only powder and a new experiment.

Thanks for the input.

 

[sbhooper]

You will have no problem going with the 100-grain data and then working up a little. You may not even have to work up. You may better your current velocities by just using 100-grain data. I recently did the same using 175-grain data for 160-grain bullets in my 7 mag. I was totally satisfied with the max load listed for Reloder 33 and 175s used with my 160 Partitons. Fantastic velocity and accuracy was achieved without working up at all.