So Is There Any Concensus Regarding RL17?

[BradMT]

Is it the wunder-powder ballyhooed at its inception?

Is it as temp stable as, say, H4350?

Accuracy?

 

[Larryh128]

Temp stable? Accuracy, yes in my case. Absolutely love it in certain calibers, FAST without over pressuring.

 

[Mark S in NM]

Showing great accuracy promise so far 308 190-210 heavies. Will be on chrono next week.

 

[spclark]

Some say yes to all 3 questions, others have reported accuracy falls off after 15 or 20 rounds without cleaning.

I tried it in a popular 6mm cartridge & liked it but have since found something better... though I need to shoot more of this stuff to really know if it's better in all the important ways than RL17.

 

[normmatzen]

In my 243 WIN bench rest gun I started with H4350, moved to H1000 and recently, based on using RL17 in my K31 (it is actually the powder used in the Swiss army issue ammunition which is nearly match grade) and it works equally good in my 30-06 deer gun and my new 7X57 hunting rifle I am building, I tried it in my 243.
I have done two formal ladder tests, the last one to check up on the first. The first ladder was done at 47 deg F and the last at 63 deg F. Both gave identical results (at 300 yds).
I have participated in two club 600yd matches with the RL-17 and won my first ribbon for second best single target group. Didn't do quite as well last one as I still haven't learned the wind very well.

I shoot at a relatively mild 2900 fps, and most of the complaining I read about RL-17 is from folks that think it is a panecea for super high velocity. My 2900 fps does real well for me and I am convinced that the perhaps more error due to wind is not an issue as it is still a stable error and just means that the correction is just a different number.

I have 50 rounds loaded with H1000 to do another comparison, so I don't consider all the data in yet! RL-17 does seem a bit dirty, but Sunday I shot the whole heavy gun string of 30 rounds plus sighters (about 50 total) with no decrease in accuracy. In fact, maybe a bit better as the shots went down the tube. I don't think I have found the point where accuracy falls off yet.

However, don't forget, this gun is still WAY better than the guy pulling the trigger! My lack of skill may be hiding some negative attributes.

 

[louielouie]

I think RL-17 is finally "working" for me now that I've done all the other stuff: sort the brass and most of all, sort the bullets by weight & bearing-surface length (made the biggest differenc). This will still help my H4831SC loads but RL-17 is definitely faster judging from the sudden elevation gain. I'm gonna have to get a 5lb keg to make sure...

 

[whiskey08]

Im hoping its fast and accurate, I just bought two containers at $26 a lb.

 

[338Lapua]

My first experience with RL 17. Rifle sako trg 308w 26 inch barrel easily a .5 MOA performer with varget.

I will be testing this week with RL 17 and 190 gr SMK.

RL 17 V Varget 308w on the same day, all loads were chronographed.

My start load was 46 gr of varget 168 gr hornady fed 210 GMM… after 2 fouling shots.

FPS
1. 2795
2. 2792
3. 2782
4. 2816
5. 2794
6. 2795

My start load for RL 17 was also 46 grs. 168-gr Hornady fed 210 GMM.

FPS
1. 2497
2. 2473
3. 2503
4. 2490
5. 2463
6. 2547

I was a little disappointed by the initial figures for RL 17, v varget… accuracy and speed wasn’t that great, certainly no in the realm of varget at this early stage anyway, the jury is still out for me, but time will tell after more testing with the 168 gr. And a bump in power charge
I will report back on Friday with my chrono findings for 190 gr SMK.

I forgot to say all charges were thrown using a RCBS chargemaster combo

 

[whiskey08]

looking at hogdon and alliants reloading data, in the .308 case, it takes 3-4 grains more of RL 17 in the 165 and 180 range to match varget.

If you look at .300wsm case, max load for varget is 300fps less than RL17. Im thinking RL17 is better suited for the mag size cases, and varget for .308 size case???????

 

[louielouie]

From the Jan-Feb Rifle magazine "One of the latest Wonder Powders to hit the market is Alliant Reloder 17. The other Reloder powders are all made in Sweden, but RL-17 is made in Switzerland...primarily designed for the short-fat magnums... The main reason for all the excitement is a report on the website 6mmbr.com... no doubt their results are valid, but the 6XC is a specialized wildcat... almost every handloader on the planet expected an extra 200 fps from any cartridge..."

They mention Alliant's pressure tested data shows only a handful of cartridges actually show any worthwhile speed increase and that there are many other 'designer' powders just as narrow focus as RL-17 was meant to be.

I have found a potential accuracy node in my 260 Rem that is above Alliant's data but I've been very careful getting there. Since it is cold & wet up here in Washington these loads may be too much when (if) it gets warm around here. Caveat Emptor...

 

[jbarnwell]

Seems to be a fairly good powder. Have had the best results in a 300wsm and 7mm-08 Remington, good velocity increases (100-200 fps) and accuracy is as good as any other load I have found for these two.

Jarvis

 

[lpreddick]

my best 3 shot group EVER was rel 17 in a 243 ackley, 1-12 twist, 80 gr bergers 3400 fps. repeated several times since. a 6.5-284 with 123 lapuas forms a cloverleaf consistently. seems to out perform h 4350 in most of it's applications. the extra speed is always noted without extra pressure signs. i like it.

if i can see you, i can touch you.BANG!

 

[Larryh128]

Varget & RL-17 is apples & oranges. A comparsion is H4350. RL-17 has been a clean burning powder for me & my best accuracy has come near the top. I'm sure that it's not suited well for a bunch of cartridges but if your's is short & fat, it's a winner. The next step is the Hodgden Superperformance powder. I see that there is some available now.

 

[WyleWD]

I've tried it in my 220 Swift and it shows equal accuracy and less pressure signs than my current load. It has gotten too cold to mess with it and I'm going to DEFINATELY pursue it when the weather permits.

I've used it in my 243, and again, with 75gr Vmax's it shows more speed, less pressure and it burns REALLY clean compared to my current load. Accuracy is equal or slightly better than my current load.

I've used it mostly in my 6xc and it REALLY shines there. Speed is better, accuracy is better, shoots much cleaner, and no signs of heat sensitivty in it or the 243. And I've shot both of them on some pretty warm days last summer both in matches and in the chuckin' fields.

So to sum it up, I LIKE it. ;D WD

 

[GLC]

have just tried R17 in my 7mm SAUM, gave excellent results and good velocities, nothing stupid or near limits, 57gr gave me 2980 in a new barrel so it will loosen up prob another 50fps after another 50 rnds.
i shot some really tight groups with the 180 vld 180 hybrid and 175 Xld, i compared it to 4831 sc and R25, i am usuing 5 grains less powder for 100fps more velocity and it is very accurate, will be testing at distance when the Uk weather improves.
I second the opinion that it works in short fat cartridges, however i will be trying it in a 6mm swiss match shortly.
rgds
Gary

 

[Mark S in NM]

I can't address sensitivity yet but can report
some chrono results. Using Berger 210 #30419's out of a TRG 22, 1x11, AAC suppressor. 61F, DA 5374', 5 shots Oehler 35P ave velocity 2675 FPS, SD 5. Load 49 gr RL17, Berger 210, Fed GM match
primer, Win brass, loaded to 2.940" using Hornaday comparator. Understand 5 rounds not be enough indicator but initial 5 look good so loading more. Shot through chrono @ 100 yards and one hole. I only had enough for 1 5 shot group @ 1000 the low SD did not give the results I expected a little less than 1MOA vertical.

 

[338Lapua]

Friday was a warm to hot day here, rifle sako trg 308 win. CED chronograph

47Gr RL17 190 gr SMK, Fed 210 GMM primer
.2657
.2628
.2593
.2635
ES 44
AV 2623
.8 group @ 100 yards

48Gr RL17 190 gr SMK
.2659
.2651
.2691
.2672
ES 40
AV 2668
.5 group @ 100 yards
no pressure signs

Varget 44 gr 190 SMK Fed 210 GMM primer
.2625
.2621
.2614
.2615
ES 11
AV 2618
.45 group @ 100 yards
Slight pressure

Varget 45 gr 190 SMK
.2662
.2682
.2660
2668
ES 22
AV 2668
group .6
Hard bolt lift, sticky extraction.

RL 17 seem to handle heaver bullets better than Varget. And at lower pressures but RL 17 has room to move on the load, accuracy was on par with Varget IMHO.

 

[dennisinaz]

Varget & RL-17 is apples & oranges. A comparsion is H4350. RL-17 has been a clean burning powder for me & my best accuracy has come near the top. I'm sure that it's not suited well for a bunch of cartridges but if your's is short & fat, it's a winner. The next step is the Hodgden Superperformance powder. I see that there is some available now.

Superformance powder is very specialized. According to Hogdons, and I spoke to them at length during SHOT this year, it ONLY gave higher velocities in the 5 or 6 cartridges listed on the container. If it's not on the container and it isn't a dinosaur, they tested it and found NO improvement. He told me that it definitely isn't an "extreme" powder either. He said that they only have two powders that really qualify as "extreme" despite the hoopla to the contrary- both Aussie powders; Varget and 8208 [IMR label]...

 

[Steve Blair]

My .308 load with Berger 210 BT-LR bullets has been very accurate and gives 2600 from a 31" Bartlein at reasonable pressure. It burns cleanest and provides lowest velocity variation near full pressure. Approach carefully. I have noticed some temperature sensitivity but not nearly what some folks have reported.

I am shooting that load in the Berger SW LR Nationals this weekend.

 

[338Lapua]

Varget & RL-17 is apples & oranges. A comparsion is H4350. RL-17 has been a clean burning powder for me & my best accuracy has come near the top. I'm sure that it's not suited well for a bunch of cartridges but if your's is short & fat, it's a winner. The next step is the Hodgden Superperformance powder. I see that there is some available now.

Superformance powder is very specialized. According to Hogdons, and I spoke to them at length during SHOT this year, it ONLY gave higher velocities in the 5 or 6 cartridges listed on the container. If it's not on the container and it isn't a dinosaur, they tested it and found NO improvement. He told me that it definitely isn't an "extreme" powder either. He said that they only have two powders that really qualify as "extreme" despite the hoopla to the contrary- both Aussie powders; Varget and 8208 [IMR label]...

I wanted to test this power for myself and see if this power was going to be worth in the 308w and since I have still have a pound in the safe iv been testing it against Varget (AR2208 here) my favorite power in 308w. And thought I would let others know my findings, I know its not in the same burn rate, but for me Varget it’s the bench mark from which I judge other power in the 308 win.
6mm Br did a write up and noted German Salazar and Bob Jensen were able to achieve around 200 fps greater velocities in the 6XC. www.6mmbr.com/reloder17.html
I wouldn’t class that case as short & fat but, they also tested it in 308 w, and I confirmed there results for myself with heavier bullets.
(8208 IMR label) not sure which power you are referring to, there are no imr powers imported into aust anymore. Which is a real bummer, you are lucky having the best selection at your deposal, I can only dream of.