RL-17 and 6.5 creedmor

[Ultimatepredator]

Was wondering if anyone had experience pre mature barrel life using RL-17 in 6.5 creedmor.
I worked up a load in quickloads and must of hit it first time shooting really small...
Produce better accuracy and faster velocity labradar verified then H4350 but I’ve read a few post in places saying barrel life was very short with this powder..,

 

[Carolina Hillbilly]

I've shot it a lot for 6.5 creed and 6.5 x 47L. I don't think you'll find barrel wear excessive although maybe less than H4350. Speed and pressure equals less barrel life. I push both with RL17.

 

[284winner]

Was wondering if anyone had experience pre mature barrel life using RL-17 in 6.5 creedmor.
I worked up a load in quickloads and must of hit it first time shooting really small...
Produce better accuracy and faster velocity labradar verified then H4350 but I’ve read a few post in places saying barrel life was very short with this powder..,

I use it in my SA 284. It's fast as hell AND accurate. I went from 4831/4350 to RL17 because it allows me to hit 3000 fps in a 25" barrel with 162s in a short action 284. The Negative...Burns out the throat faster than other powders. Too me it's not that much of a negative. I've got 1000+ rounds down the barrel and the throat doesn't look any worse than my 1400 round 6.5-284 shooting H4831 thru it. I'm good with 1400 rounds on my SA 284 barrel before replacing it. They aren't that expensive and I'm very happy with what the RL17 gets me. RL26 is another option and IMO probably a better one for your 6.5CM from what I've been reading. Finding some could be tough but finding any has been difficult.

 

[RallyFan]

I’ve run RL17/RS60 in a 6.5x47 since 2009, first barrel was changed at >3800 rounds, still shooting great for F-Class, that was with 140 BTLR and Hybrids at 2780fps. The limiting factor being the sloppy bolt/firing pin relationship (its a military rifle).

I got the bolt bushed and now I’m pushing a hot load 140 Hybrids at 3110fps without issues (throated long and plenty of powder). I’ve some 1400 rounds down this barrel and no faster wear it appears than my old load.

But I don’t get my barrel hot as we don’t usually string shoot here.

I expect similar or better results could be obtained in a Creedmoor.

 

[Evan]

I shot 41.7gns of RL-17 under 147ELD and got 1600rnds before it opened up over 0.5MOA and I shelved it. This was a stock Ruger precision rifle. I didn't abuse it, but I didn't baby it. 5 shot groups reasonably fast regularly and a few 10-shot groups here and there, but I never let the barrel get boiling hot.

 

[Sandstorm]

17 worked real well for me with 123gr SMK's out to 600 yds. Fast and a supper tight waterline.
Too bad that's as far as it went, and they didnt work well in the wind.
200-9x in the right conditions however....so the combo work's

 

[Ultimatepredator]

Thanks for the responses I’m going to carry on and shoot it ... I have my own personal range taking several rifles every weekend and do not shoot a oof them consecutive to get barrels really hot .. only shooting some steel targets ect..
I’m going continue my 42.2 grain RL-17 and go bang some steel..

 

[ta6ppc]

I have shot it with excellent accuracy in the 42.4-42.7 range I have not shot over 200 rounds so I can’t contribute to the life expectancy however what I can say is that I am getting around 2900 fps with below 20 es/sd numbers. I have only shot it below 90 degrees so haven’t seen any temp issues like some folks comment about. I typically shoot 140 Berger hybrid

 

[scope eye]

I have used RL17 in my 6.5 Cm I like the sierra 107s, they are light enough to get some speed out of them and yet still have a half decent BC. A compressed load and a 30" barrel is good for 3400 Fps. My best results are with Varget but it is not always available.

Dean