So Is There Any Concensus Regarding RL17?

[GSSP]

Have been using Rel 17 in both my 6.5x47's since last spring. So far it has proven it'self capable of staying the long course with me and I'm now buying it in 5lb jugs. My 140 class velocities have been phenomenal as well as the single digit SD's are great. Have to yet to compare in cold (20-30 deg F) to summer temps. That's coming up in a few months.

Alan

 

[wooger]

I've been trying R17 in my new 7SAUM and have not had positive results yet. I am pushing 180 VLD's with 57 grains and both accuracy and velocity are not what I expected, nor equal to a "mild" load in 4831. I'll need to complete the experiment and chrono, and will post results.

Edited to add that the advice I was given was bad and this cartridge may call for a different charge of R17. For now I'm sticking with 4831 and will re visit R17 later.

 

[dennisinaz]

It seems to me that these modern-day boutique powders are not too flexible compared the the old standbys such as 4350 and 4831.

 

[normmatzen]

I wouldn't call RL-17 a "modern botique powder." It is and has been made in Switzerland for a LOT of years and is the powder used in the GP11 ammunition for the Swiss K31.

That is why I am trying it in my 243 WIN BR gun. I use it in my K31, 30-06 and now my 243. When my 7X57 hunting rifle is complete, I'll try it in that too.

 

[338Lapua]

I have been working up my loads with RL 17 in my 308 win. And I am now using 50 gr of RL 17 behind a 190 GR SMK, there was NO hard bolt lift or sticky extraction. The primer still looks ok as well, accuracy was right around .6 but that was most probably me on the day.. chrono speeds from my CED
FPS
2824
2823
2832
2806
2823
I am very happy with the speed and accuracy of this power, it would make an excellent long range target or hunting load. Although i am yet to try it at longer ranges. The picture is of the 50gr load, primer still looks ok.

 

[ballistic64]

Thats pretty impressive for a 308 throwing 190s.

 

[kelbro]

Indeed! I have two pounds of the stuff that I use for 30-06 and 270. I may have to try it on the 308. 4064 has set the bar pretty high so R17 has its work cut out for it.

 

[whiskey08]

338 lapua

what is your barrel length, what primer are you using?

what are you guys thoughts on primers for rl -17 in a .308 and 300wsm

 

[Steve Blair]

what are you guys thoughts on primers for rl -17 in a .308 and 300wsm

My best results came from CCI BR2 and Wolf KVB-7. I tried those two and CCI 200, Win 8½-120, KVB-7M, Fed 210M & Rem 9½. Primer results are not necessarily consistent from rifle to rifle. I would try what you have and chronograph your testing. Select those that produce the best ES/SD and/or accuracy. RL17 does not seem difficult to ignite, so the milder primers may produce the best results.

 

[338Lapua]

Primer is CCI BR2, barrel length is 26 inch

 

[AckleymanII]

I'm shooting R#17 in 270 Win with 110g Tripple Shocks

3610 fps and 2" groups at 200 yards...deer hunting rifle.

 

[338Lapua]

I have since back off that 50 gr load with 190-gr sierra MK.
After more testing I found it a little to hot, so im back to 48.5 grs as my new max load for 190-gr sierra MK @ FPS 2713.
Funny how that on the first 50gr load testing I hadn�t experienced any stiff bolt lift or flatten primers. Not so on this testing though.

 

[Steve Blair]

Those are very subtle pressure indications, good thing you caught it.

 

[spclark]

Subtle? Man, then what I use as telltales must be downright insignificant!

What with the L and almost half the A of Lapua completely smeared away and a solid imprint of the extractor cut on the bolt head I'd have to agree those are SUBTLE pressure indications... not to mention the black deposits surrounding that primer.

I'm surprised that case still HAS a primer in it! I'm guessing it's toast....

 

[338Lapua]

This is the exact same load the previous week, only mild pressure signs... if you look closely from left to right the second round has only a light ejector mark and the primer still looks ok.

 

[spclark]

Yep, I agree. Head #2 is about what I look for when I'm working up loads & watching for pressure. All those primers still show some radius too, none show evidence of gas leakage....

2700+ with a 190 ought to be "good enough" I trust. I know shooters who run 175's at that & do quite well.

I've used RL-17 in 6XC with up to 105 - 115 grain bullets. Late last season found something better, pondering what I can use what's left for.

I understand it's a little slow for 155's in 308, what I mostly shoot beside the 6XC beyond 600 yards.

 

[338Lapua]

I understand it's a little slow for 155's in 308,

Yes correct, i tried RL-17 with 155's but went back to Varget. RL-17 works much better with heaver bullets in the 308 w, I may try it in the 300 win mag at some stage to.

 

[Steve Blair]

The best powder combo I've found with 155.5 Bergers is 8208 XBR. My Pierce with 26" Bartlein provides 2990, no pressure indication and accuracy that occasionally startles me. Last week, I fired a .688 5-shot, prone from the bipod at 300. The group was two ovals and one slightly below.

So far, only the 210 BT-LR has given me very good results with RL17. 30" barrel is at 2620 and low ES/SD figures. This past weekend we fired a 5X1000 at Camp Pendleton. An F-Open guy commented that he had never seen a .308 hold 1000 yard waterline like that and we had an 8-12 mph headwind. When the combination is correct, RL17 does perform. Some folks have commented negatively about temperature sensitivity but we went from 45°f at 0800 to 75°f at noon and my 1000 POI did not change more than the wind would account. Examining the fired cases (shot in order), I saw no indications that pressure was rising with temperature. I shot first relay in the morning and twice more, third match around 1300.

 

[DukeDuke]

I have since back off that 50 gr load with 190-gr sierra MK.
After more testing I found it a little to hot, so im back to 48.5 grs as my new max load for 190-gr sierra MK @ FPS 2713.
Funny how that on the first 50gr load testing I hadn’t experienced any stiff bolt lift or flatten primers. Not so on this testing though.

I had a similar result, so I went to Win brass and it was all good. RL-17 gets my vote!

 

[338Lapua]

I had a similar result, so I went to Win brass

Interesting are you saying that Win brass handles a larger charge because it is thinner and there fore has more case capacity? Did you get any pressure signs?
What is you load? DukeDuke