RL 17 for 284 win
- Thread starter bleftwich
- Start date
dragman
Site $$ Sponsor
I have. in the last 4 .284's that I have shot I have tried H4831SC, H4350, and RL17 in all of them. What I have found is that it completely depends on your application of the rifle.
1. In all the rifles the biggest nod and the most consistent powder with temp, humidity, etc was H4831. but it was SLOW
2. in all H4350 has always been a great powder for me in the .284's decent speed good consistency just good all around.
3. In all the rifles I ended up using RL17. got at least equal if not in some cases better groups than the others decent window for ES and accuracy nods, and the best speed hands down on them all. but you have to be very conscious of the temp and humidity and adjust the load or your program according to whats happening.
1. In all the rifles the biggest nod and the most consistent powder with temp, humidity, etc was H4831. but it was SLOW
2. in all H4350 has always been a great powder for me in the .284's decent speed good consistency just good all around.
3. In all the rifles I ended up using RL17. got at least equal if not in some cases better groups than the others decent window for ES and accuracy nods, and the best speed hands down on them all. but you have to be very conscious of the temp and humidity and adjust the load or your program according to whats happening.
FeMan
Gold $$ Contributor
I recently completed the build on my first .284. I started with RL17 and it has worked so well I haven't really tried the others. It is shooting lights-out accurate. For a 20-shot string I measured the ES at 22 and the SD at 7 for my load. I wouldn't be surprised if 4831SC and/or 4350 got me even more consistent velocities but for what I am doing (tactical competition) this is good enough.
I will say that the RL17 seems to be very temperature sensitive from my limited experience. I developed my load data at around 60 degrees. My last match was shot at 100 degrees. It shot well but I had to dial in almost 2 MOA less at 1,000 yards. Temp alone (air density) calls for only 0.7 MOA change from my base data. I attribute the rest to the powder but that is just a guess. Thankfully the node I am shooting is far enough off of max that I didn't have any pressure problems.
I will say that the RL17 seems to be very temperature sensitive from my limited experience. I developed my load data at around 60 degrees. My last match was shot at 100 degrees. It shot well but I had to dial in almost 2 MOA less at 1,000 yards. Temp alone (air density) calls for only 0.7 MOA change from my base data. I attribute the rest to the powder but that is just a guess. Thankfully the node I am shooting is far enough off of max that I didn't have any pressure problems.
Lapua40X
California Hunter Education Instructor
I chose RL17 for loading my recent .284 build. I had a bit of trouble developing a load, which I blame on my lack of understanding of how the wide temperature swings during that load development period were affecting my work; and that I'm generally not satisfied until they're all in the same hole on target. Yesterday it shot a .5 MOA ten shot group with a 4 SD off the bench so I'll take it to next month's match with great expectations.
Lapua, what range wasw that .5 moa, 10 shot group shot at?
I have used RL-17 in my old 243WIN long range BR gun before I got smart and went 6BRX. It never shot as well as H4350 or H1000. ES was lousy.
I actually bought it for my Swiss K31 as that is the powder in the Swiss Army ammunition and it works good in that gun. I also have loaded it in my 7X47 hunting rifle as well as the Spanish Mauser I built for my Grandson. Shoots fine for a hunting rifle.
I now also have a 284 WIN long range BR gun and I haven't even tried RL-17 as I have not found it consistent enough in other guns.
I know others swear by it, but I am not trying to wring out that last 50-100fps so good old H4831sc is my powder as it is for most folks shooting competitively with a 284WIN or 284 Shaheen.
I actually bought it for my Swiss K31 as that is the powder in the Swiss Army ammunition and it works good in that gun. I also have loaded it in my 7X47 hunting rifle as well as the Spanish Mauser I built for my Grandson. Shoots fine for a hunting rifle.
I now also have a 284 WIN long range BR gun and I haven't even tried RL-17 as I have not found it consistent enough in other guns.
I know others swear by it, but I am not trying to wring out that last 50-100fps so good old H4831sc is my powder as it is for most folks shooting competitively with a 284WIN or 284 Shaheen.
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