RL17 Testing in Dasher

[Woody]

I tried RL17 in my Dasher this morning using 105 Lapua's. Worked up from 32.5 grains to 35.5 grains. Velocity from 2850 to just ticking 3,000 fps in one shot of the top recipe. My barrel is 26". I am at 1,100 ft elevation and the temp here this morning was 61 deg. The best 3 shot 100 yard group was with the 35.5 grain load and it was in the mid 3's -so nothing special, the other groups were .4's. Velocity increases were about 45 fps per each grain incremental. I am not sure I will try any more grains of powder at this point although I did not see any pressure signs. It just seems I won't get there as the case is getting pretty close to full already. I will stay with my other powders of choice for now which is RL15 and VVN140. Better ES, SD,overall velocity, groups, etc., using less powder. My RL15 load is 32.5 grains at an average velocity of 3008 fps.

I have a friend with a 6.5L and we have some recipes made up for it using RL17 so he will have some information to report on that by next week.

Remember to start low and work your way up on any load development. My little disclaimer.

Later,

Woody

 

[Forum Boss]

Here's some info Jerry Tierney posted. He has a case very similar to a Dasher with a .274 no-turn chamber. He stuffed enough in the case to get to Varget velocities.

From Jerry Tierney
RL-17 Testing in a Dasher and a 284 August 8, 2008

Please NOTE; Custom single shot actions were used, others may have pressure problems.

Sacramento 100 yard Chronograph test. Elev = 200’ Hum = 56% Temp = 61 degrees.

Five shot groups

BAT action 6BR imp.,UBL) Sierra 107s, CCI-BR4s, Lapua brass. 30” Krieger barrel

LOAD – POWDER – MV -- ES – SD -- GROUP
33.5 ---- Varget -----2995 --- 20 – 07 --- 0.244” normal S107 load.
33.0 ---- RL-17 -----2771 --- 51 – 19 --- 0.357”
34.0 ---- RL-17 -----2831 --- 05 – 02 --- 0.341”
35.0 ---- RL-17 -----2917 --- 17 – 06 --- 0.328”
35.5 ---- RL-17 -----2947 --- 22 – 08 --- 0.299”
36.0 ---- RL-17 -----2990 --- 26 – 11 --- 0.157”
36.5 ---- RL-17 -----3029 --- 18 – 07 --- 0.560”
37.0 ---- RL-17 -----3051 --- 65 – 25 --- 0.422”

NO pressure sighs at all. Could have gone with more powder, 37 grains is not compressed.

BAT action, 284,Whitley), Berger 180 VLDs, CC-BR2s, Win. Brass, 30” Krieger barrel

LOAD – POWDER – MV -- ES – SD -- GROUP
54.5 ---- H4831 -----2810 --- 13 – 06 --- 0.368” normal LR load
52.0 ---- RL-17 -----2894 --- 16 – 06 --- 0.940”
52.5 ---- RL-17 -----2911 --- 40 – 15 --- 0.418”
53.0 ---- RL-17 -----2940 --- 22 – 08 --- 0.283”
53.5 ---- RL-17 -----2971 --- 14 – 05 --- 0.515”

Some pressure signs above 53 grains, might be too much in hot weather.

Results in both rifles show a need for fine tuning the RL17 load.

Jerry