Reloader -17

[Jdaniel343]

Has anyone done any work with RL-17 and a 280 Ackley Imp.?

 

[Larryh128]

Doesn't seem that many have, but I'm sure that you can gain something with RL-17 but possibly not as large a gain as the short mags. Whatever the H4350 load is, start there & work up a 1/2 grain at a time. You'll probably get 1gr more. Check the chrono with every step & let us know. I'm thinking hard about a 280 AI myself.

 

[Jdaniel343]

Thanks,
As soon as I get my build done I will post results.

 

[oldroper]

Has anyone done any work with RL-17 and a 280 Ackley Imp.?

You can look up loading data here for the 280 using R-17 and work up
http://www.alliantpowder.com/

I got mine late summer last year and worked up afew loads with R-17 and IMR-7828ssc with 160gr Accubonds. I didn't get enough trigger time last year to hunt with it and I plan on this spring shooting both those powders more and decide on which one to use.

 

[kev77]

Tried rl 17 today, 56gr got me to 3025 fps 32'' barrel 180 hybird's . No sticky bolt ,primers very good might be better than 4831sc load 59.6gr for 2920 will test out at 1000 yards .

 

[elmerdeer]

I have been shooting RL-17 out of my custom 280ai, 23.5" barrel 57grs got me to 2970fps 5rounds with the 168gr bergers, I useually shoot at 56grs but wanted to see where my pressure starts, 57 is max and a bit to high for me.
I seat my bullets at 3.445" so I get alittle more case capacity. But compared to other powders i've tried RL-17 is by far the fastest in terms of speed at least by 50-75fps and more than 100fps on some powders. But It is temp sensitive by about 50-75fps from temps of 75 to 25degrees.
Elmer

 

[kentuckytroutbum]

I've been working up loads in 30/06 with RL-17. I consider the 280AI and 30/06 to be similar cartridges other than the caliber.

Some initial thoughts:
1. RL-17 has a similar burn rate to IMR 4350 and H4350.
2. With 175 to 190 gr. 30 cal bullets, velocity is averaging 125 - 150 fps faster than 4350's in a 24" barrel.
3. Some temperature sensitivity, but no extreme.
4. Relatively cheaper, per pound, than 4350.
5. Meters well through an RCBS Uni-flow and Chargemaster powder dispensers.
6. Am continuing to develop loads at this time.

Bill

 

[wboggs]

I will be interested to follow your progress with R17 and the 30-06. I tried some initial loads with a standard 06 and the 215 Berger Hybrid. Velocity was only about 30fps faster than H4350 with the same degree of case head expansion but the group was over 2 1/2" vs less than 1/2" for H4350. Gave up on it at that point.
If others are getting good results, I might try it again.

 

[cdparker]

Is there anything to the rumor that Tula primers are what makes Re17 stable and accurate?

 

[.260 james]

I use Federal 210s with Reloder 17 in my .260 and .243. I have had good consistent results with both guns and have not seen the temperature variations some people claim. I shoot in temps. from 15- 105 degrees and bullet drops are consistent with the weather conditions in the .260. Have not tested the .243 in cold weather yet.

 

[Mark S in NM]

Is there anything to the rumor that Tula primers are what makes Re17 stable and accurate?

cd, I use both Federal and Tula interchangeably with no powder weight change in a 6xc and 308. This year I chroned them from temps in 50's - 106f and my data shows no temp stability or accuracy difference. Test used two different lots of 17.

 

[bheadboy]

with 2 280ai 26" bbl i found RL 17 less desirable than h4350 or h4831, it didnot give the velocity or accurcy with 140's or 160' that the other two powder gave, both rifles weighted in at 9 1/4 and were deer/elk setups shooting in the .300's.

FWIW

Bob

 

[kev77]

well took the rl-17 load to an f-class match the ultra longs 1000 1100 1200 yard match and won with my 280 ai!!!!!!!! 180 berg hyb 55.5 gr @ 3020 fps. 15-25 mph wind. and yes rl-17 is not temp stable. Had to keep ammo cool to reduce virtical

 

[oldroper]

I started with Fed 210M, 53gr/R-17 and 160gr AB in my 280AI with 27" long Lilja barrel @ 2834fps and worked up to 56gr @ 3046fps in one of my deer/elk rifles. If I changed primers to Fed 215M I gains appr 50fps.

I have 284 same barrel and length as the 280AI and 53gr/R-17 with 160gr Ab @ 3048fps and I'm also using R-17 in a Kreiger barrel 300WSM.

Shooting PD here in Co you learn to keep your ammo in a cool spot and I do the same at the range and I've been down to -15 with the 280AI on a elk tag no problem with it.

When I work up loads I may do that with couple powders so I'm not always trying new powders unless I have new rifle. I have another 280AI before R-17 came out got a good load for see no reason to change same as I has 243AI build shot few loads in it nothing serious so I'm trying R-17.

 

[Mark S in NM]

well took the rl-17 load to an f-class match the ultra longs 1000 1100 1200 yard match and won with my 280 ai!!!!!!!! 180 berg hyb 55.5 gr @ 3020 fps. 15-25 mph wind. and yes rl-17 is not temp stable. Had to keep ammo cool to reduce virtical

Good job, congratulations. Out of curiosity is there any powder out there that you consider temp stable enough that you would do not have to control temp and it will hold vertical at 1000-1200 yards?

 

[kev77]

H-4831 works very well in all temps. I use it for short range 500-600-800 yards in my 280 AI

 

[kev77]

H-4831