Rl-17 and barrel life

[DocDoc]

Does Rl-17 cause reduced barrel life compared to Varget and other single base powders?

 

[dmoran]

I used it for part of a season back in 2010 in my 6Dasher's and didn't see any different barrel wear with it.
My 2-Cents
Donovan

 

[shoot4fun]

I am with dmoran on this one. I've been shooting RL17 in my 6.5CM for a while now and can't see any advanced deterioration in my barrel.

 

[DennisH]

RL17 is lighter on a barrel vs. Varget. Been using it for years, love it.

 

[1shot]

Has anyone found the powder to have a very small optimum efficiency window? In other words, it goes from mild to wild in a .5 gr. or so?
Lloyd

 

[DennisH]

Has anyone found the powder to have a very small optimum efficiency window? In other words, goes from mild to wild an .5 gr. or so?
Lloyd

NO, never noticed this with my loads.

 

[stacy]

I HAD SOME RL-17 WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT AND I HAD NO LUCK WITH IT IN A 6.5X47 AND A 6.5 CREEDMOR I JUST COULDN'T GET IT TO SHOOT

 

[Gina1]

Did not know RL-17 could be used in a 6mm Dasher. What powder weight are you using ? I have 5 pounds of the stuff, left over from my 6XC days.
Using Berger 105 hybrids in 7.5 twist barrel.
Thanks for any info

 

[1shot]

I just finished a series of ladder tests with my 284 Shehane. I have four powders that produced five groups in singles digit ES. Two of those belong to RL-17. Two different nodes, both with stellar accuracy. To be honest, I shoot with a sling, so I have a little more real estate to work with, but I'd rather be lucky than good any day.
Lloyd

 

[watercam]

I am glad everyone else is having good luck with Re17. I found it burned out two barrels before their time - one .243 after 950 rounds and one .308/11" twist with firecracking within 200 rounds and a very premature end at 2000 rounds after switching back to 155s/Varget. Set back that chamber 1.5" and it shoots very well for now but we shall see!

 

[AckleymanII]

I am shooting it in a 6 XC, within 300 rounds, I am seeing the beginning of faint fire cracking, 39g at 3150, 105's, it is Extremely accurate in this X caliber barrel! Today, I tried 8208, no good, slow with high pressure. AA4350 not good either. IMR 4350 worked very well and or course H4350 exhibited stellar accuracy. The wind was terrible today, and may have skewed the results some, I am sure.

I am going to try IMR 7828 today, would surprise me if I can get enough in the case along with H4831 with 105's.

 

[1shot]

AckleymanII,
Try RL-15 in your 6XC.

 

[AckleymanII]

Thanks 1shot, will do!!!

 

[normmatzen]

I use RL-17 in my 284 WIN bench rest gun and also in my 7X57 hunting rifle as well as my K-31 Swiss army rifle.
The original military K-31 ammo used RL-17 powder and those riflles using nothing but RL-17 behind 175 gr FMJ bullets and cleaned with a snake and grease, gave exemplary barrel life. I haven't heard of anyone buying a surplus K-31 that didn't find a beautiful barrel on it!

 

[dragman]

it's all in the loading. I have a 300WSM that has 2K plus rounds on it I run RL17 in and pretty hot too! 3040fps with a 208 amax and it isn't hurting barrel much at all, at least nothing worse than other powders. Now I did have a 6.5X284 that I pushed REALLY hard and I killed that barrel in 700 rounds