Straight 284 win and 284 Shehane with RL 17

[BIGMAC]

I am using 52.3 grs. of RL 17 with Berger 180 hybrid in my .188 fb 284 win. and the same load in my 284 Shehane with out any pressure signs. Iam getting av. of 2943 fps in 45deg. weather. Everything i have read about RL 17 is that it is very temp. sensitive. Have anyone used RL 17 in warmer weather 80-90 deg. and how did it behave?? sorry for the rambling.

 

[Steve Blair]

Yes, I've seen pretty large velocity variation. We have large temp swings in the southwest. Thirty degrees is typical and forty is not uncommon. I got very good velocity in both cartridges with RL17 but could not tolerate the variation. I currently use H4831 SC in my Shehane with good results.

 

[DennisH]

I just switched to RL 17 in my 284 Winchester in January.

52.5 with the 180's, = 2,925 fps

It's starting to get warm in South Louisiana, I should be able to give you an answer in a few weeks.

Dennis

 

[dblinden]

Exactly what Steve said. My Shehane responds the same. My belief is why go to a match and risk ruining the competition weekend when there is an equally successful solution with no risk.

Dennis L

 

[Ecomeat]

In my 284 Win, here in Queensland, Australia, I had velocity differences of up to 105 fps with the same load of Rel 17, but with Temp differences of 10 degrees F, taken just days apart.

51 gr REL 17 with 180 Berger VLDs went from 2938 fps at 85 degrees F, to 2834 fps at 75 degrees F (Velocity was average of 5 shots taken with MagnetoSpeed)

 

[JHardy]

When RL-17 first came out, I could not wait to test it in my record setting 284 Shehane (See 7mm info page). The test was very informal and the results simply sent to Paul as an aside -- but the results ended up in the info page. Informality aside, time has shown that my tests were dead on the money regarding RL-17 and the Shehane -- not almost but dead on.

I was getting 2951 with 4831SC under a 180 Berger VLD in Shehane with single digit ES. The velocity increase of 17 was not worth it when compared to the consistency of the numbers and the temp stability of 4831SC. Stick with H4831SC.

While I found my best loads early on, Tony R has done more testing with multiple components and the Shehane than anyone. Shoot him some questions on his testing.

Jim Hardy

 

[DennisH]

I was getting 2951 with 4831SC under a 180 Berger VLD

The most I could get with 4831sc was 2,800 fps. RL17 hit 2,900+ with no problem.

I know I am going to check my chrono readings often with RL17, but for now I am sold.

 

[JHardy]

A straight 284 with a conservative load of 4350 will do a lot better than 2800. My Shehane shot a 200-14X in the prone with irons at Camp Butner for a Sr. National Record at the time. It was 105 degrees and my 4831SC load gave me 2951 at 75* temp. No blown primers, no hard ejection, no problems. Now factors that make a difference. I do not shoot an ejector. I shoot a small firing pin, and I shoot hard cup primers. I also FL size in a Carstensen custom die and now a Warner. My reamer is cut perfectly for Lapua brass. When you get your total shooting package together, it makes a difference. BTW my record string at Butner was the same weekend that Charles Ballard set the F-Class record with his straight 284 -- with same bullet as me and same powder (4831SC). He was getting a lot more than 2800.

As a comparison, my fire forming loads with 4831SC in the Shehane were almost exactly Charles' match load with the straight 284. As an aside, the Shehane configuration was not developed specifically for more powder capacity, but for easier extraction/ejection of rounds for fast runs in 1000 yard BR. It just happens to be a VERY balanced 7mm load -- the most balanced.

Like I said, get in touch with Tony R or PM me or email me with any issues with your Shehane loads and I wll be glad to assist you.

Jim Hardy

 

[BIGMAC]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the info
Jim Hardy i hope you are doing Ok, i used to see you at Hawkridge & I will pm Tony R for info. Everyone thanks again. Jeffery