RL 17
- Thread starter 338Lapua
- Start date
338Lapua-
I assume that, by your Forum nickname, you're shooting a 338L. That is an awesome cartridge. I've shot a little with a friend's 338, and it was impressive, so was the muzzle blast. It cleared out the shooting line real quick within 4 or 5 stations.
I've done some loading with RL17 and here are some thoughts: RL17 has a burn rate, notice I said burn rate, similar to IMR 4350. In my Rem. 700, 30/06 with a 22" trued barrel & action and 168 match bullets, I've seen an honest 140 fps increase over Win 760 and 4350 tested on the same day in similar conditions with the same bullet without any pressure signs. I haven't pushed my loads to the max, as I load for accuracy first, then velocity.
I would think that any cartridge that would be efficient with 4350 should do fine with RL17, IMHO. My gut feeling is that RL17 would do even better with longer barrels, but I can't speak authoritatively to that idea. Also, I have no way to measure pressure levels, only what the fired case is telling me.
Bill
I assume that, by your Forum nickname, you're shooting a 338L. That is an awesome cartridge. I've shot a little with a friend's 338, and it was impressive, so was the muzzle blast. It cleared out the shooting line real quick within 4 or 5 stations.
I've done some loading with RL17 and here are some thoughts: RL17 has a burn rate, notice I said burn rate, similar to IMR 4350. In my Rem. 700, 30/06 with a 22" trued barrel & action and 168 match bullets, I've seen an honest 140 fps increase over Win 760 and 4350 tested on the same day in similar conditions with the same bullet without any pressure signs. I haven't pushed my loads to the max, as I load for accuracy first, then velocity.
I would think that any cartridge that would be efficient with 4350 should do fine with RL17, IMHO. My gut feeling is that RL17 would do even better with longer barrels, but I can't speak authoritatively to that idea. Also, I have no way to measure pressure levels, only what the fired case is telling me.
Bill
DaveBerg-
You brought up a couple of good points that I forgot to mention.
RL17 is a little bit more bulky than 4350, but RL17 does burn clean in my 30/06. Powder & copper fouling seems to less than 760, and I use less cleaning patches & solvent at the end of the day.
Bill
You brought up a couple of good points that I forgot to mention.
RL17 is a little bit more bulky than 4350, but RL17 does burn clean in my 30/06. Powder & copper fouling seems to less than 760, and I use less cleaning patches & solvent at the end of the day.
Bill
Thanks for the replies guys I am actually reloading for the 220 swift AI and thought RL 17 might be a good fit with the 64 gr Berger varmint match bullet that I am using.
I have been happy with speed and accuracy of RL 15 with bullets from 40 to 55 grs, but speed drops off quite a bit when the heaver 60+gr bullet is loaded.
I think RL 19 would be to slow? So i might pick up a pound of RL 17 and try it out.
I have been happy with speed and accuracy of RL 15 with bullets from 40 to 55 grs, but speed drops off quite a bit when the heaver 60+gr bullet is loaded.
I think RL 19 would be to slow? So i might pick up a pound of RL 17 and try it out.
WyleWD
Silver $$ Contributor
Try it! I've tried some load development with it in my Swift and it shows VERY good promise. I worked up to 40.5gr with a 50gr NBT with no signs of pressure at all, and each group in the ladder was highly acceptable. I'm thinking that DaveBerg's post of approx. 41gr (or maybe a little more) is going to be the ticket. All I need is some good weather to shoot some meaningful groups in to come to a final decision.
I've been using WW760 in this swift for over 14 years now, and this is the first time I've shot anything that looked like a better deal out of this rifle. Good luck and let us know how it goes for ya. ;D WD
I've been using WW760 in this swift for over 14 years now, and this is the first time I've shot anything that looked like a better deal out of this rifle. Good luck and let us know how it goes for ya. ;D WD
Hi 40X Guy,
My 220 AI is based on a Tikka M55 action with the original trigger lightened, Lilja Straight Taper Benchrest barrel 1.250 .925 @ the muzzle, 1 in 12 twist 3 groove, length 26” bedded in a McMillan A-5 stock in Desert camo.
I will be picking up some RL17 today by some comments it sounds promising.
I wont be testing it till some time in January as the rifle is having some work done on it. And i need to buy a chronograph for real evaluation work.
I am thinking either the Shooting Chrony Gamma Master, or the Pact Professional XP. Anyone have any experience with these two? Or what would your choice be?
My 220 AI is based on a Tikka M55 action with the original trigger lightened, Lilja Straight Taper Benchrest barrel 1.250 .925 @ the muzzle, 1 in 12 twist 3 groove, length 26” bedded in a McMillan A-5 stock in Desert camo.
I will be picking up some RL17 today by some comments it sounds promising.
I wont be testing it till some time in January as the rifle is having some work done on it. And i need to buy a chronograph for real evaluation work.
I am thinking either the Shooting Chrony Gamma Master, or the Pact Professional XP. Anyone have any experience with these two? Or what would your choice be?
338 Lapua, sounding good on your .220 AI. My new build is based on a 40X action with Krieger 1 in 12 twist HV profile with 12 oz. Jewell trigger. I am going to break some land speed records as my barrel finished at 29.5 inches. I had so much fun with my previous Rocket in a 26 inch tube that I decided to push the envelope and go for broke. I used N150 in my previous rifle and was getting a sedate 4,050 fps with a 55BT. Something to be said about the Hammer of Thor, ;D
As to your question on chronys, I have no clue on the 2 you mentioned. I am still using my 35P Oehler which is going on about 12 years that I have owned. Bought the Oehler after I "accidentally" shot my Shooting chrony.
Frank
As to your question on chronys, I have no clue on the 2 you mentioned. I am still using my 35P Oehler which is going on about 12 years that I have owned. Bought the Oehler after I "accidentally" shot my Shooting chrony.
Frank
338Lapua,
I have the beta chrony, but I have learned to use it early in the morning or late in the evening. More less don't use the chrony when the sun is directly over head. I have found it doesn't give very accurate reading when the sun is over head. Another tip is to keep the 9 vlot batt. updated. Basicly once the sun gets directly above you it is usless. As long as I chonrograph before or after the sun is directly above it, I do get pretty good accurate readings. 9 out of 10 times when pluging in my avg velocites into my ballistics program I'm only about .5moa off with my come ups on my scopes. Even out to 1000yrds. (note not the swift) I would like to hear how RL-17 turns out for you. Keep us informed!
Thanks
Mark
I have the beta chrony, but I have learned to use it early in the morning or late in the evening. More less don't use the chrony when the sun is directly over head. I have found it doesn't give very accurate reading when the sun is over head. Another tip is to keep the 9 vlot batt. updated. Basicly once the sun gets directly above you it is usless. As long as I chonrograph before or after the sun is directly above it, I do get pretty good accurate readings. 9 out of 10 times when pluging in my avg velocites into my ballistics program I'm only about .5moa off with my come ups on my scopes. Even out to 1000yrds. (note not the swift) I would like to hear how RL-17 turns out for you. Keep us informed!
Thanks
Mark
40X Guy I like the Krieger product super accurate barrels. I have a 308 win build going at the moment with an AI stock Krieger heavy varmint that im going to cut to 20” surgeon action Jewell varmint trigger but still waiting on delivery.
Yep defiantly keep you guys up to date on the progress of load testing for the 220 AI,
I am sort of committed to this cartridge now, as I ended up purchasing the reamers for it
Yep defiantly keep you guys up to date on the progress of load testing for the 220 AI,
I am sort of committed to this cartridge now, as I ended up purchasing the reamers for it
Attachments
Just ordered the CED M2 shooting Chronograph……it’s not an Oehler but I didn’t want to spend $600 bucks either. And i herd theres some doubt if there still manufacturing them.
I did some research and it seem to have good reports… One report was CED M2 v Oehler side by side, and CED M2 was within 5 fps every time, so i took a punt on it.
I did some research and it seem to have good reports… One report was CED M2 v Oehler side by side, and CED M2 was within 5 fps every time, so i took a punt on it.
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