Reloader 17

[IanP]

Reloader 17 should hit our stores this week and I thought maybe we should start a thread on how this powder performs down under.

This powder has the potential to boost velocity without pressure problems in cases that are pushing to launch heavy bullets at competitive velocities.

An example being the very accurate 6.5x47L struggles to launch the 139-142gr high BC bullets above 2900fps. Reloader 17 allows velocities of 2950+fps without pressure signs. Another case of interest is the 284W launching 180gr VLDs, it struggles to achieve over 2850fps and RL17 provides the boost again without pressure signs.

Accuracy for this powder that has been available in the rest of the world for over 12 months now is very good. Erik Cortina (USA) set a new 300 yard F-Class record using it this year in a 6.5x47L.

It has one drawback that may prove to be its Achilles heel and that is it is temperature sensitive. That would mean a summer and winter load and maybe a morning and afternoon load in Oz.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/p ... der17.aspx

Ian

[Seddo]

there is a lot of good comments about it with the 260 on snipers hide. i would like to give it a try but if supply can be an issue its not worth it.

[IanP]

NIOA started shipping Reloader 17 out to the shops this week, so if you want some I suggest you get your order in quick!

Ian

[IanP]

The 6.5x47L just got into 6.5-284 realm of velocity with 140gr bullets!

I have just got back from testing RL17 with pointed 139gr Lapua Scenar bullets. My normal load of 38.2gr of 2208 with these bullets gave me 2930fps in my 32.5" barrel.

RL17 lifted this velocity to an AV = 3049fps with a 42.0gr load and CCI 450 primers. An amazing increase in velocity (119fps) with zero pressure signs. I tried 41.0gr of RL17 for an AV = 2942fps and 41.5gr gave an AV = 2990fps. I also tried the 42.0gr load with the plain vanilla CCI 400 primers and got an AV = 3068fps. I dont know why the CCI 400s gave a higher velocity but thats what the CED 2 chronograph recorded.

The 42.0gr load was accurate despite having a poor ES = 46 and SD = 17. The 41.5gr load also had good accuracy but with better figures of ES = 27 and SD = 9. I think I will split the difference and try 41.7gr which should give around a reliable 3000fps.

This powder certainly delivers velocity but cant match 2208 for ES and SD figures. I need to try the powder out in competition and see if I can refine the load to produce some better statistics.

Erik Cortina in the USofA is shooting record scores with his 6.5x47L using RL17 and now he is getting 3100fps with his Shehane 284 and the 180gr Bergers.

Ian

[Simon C]

I'm sure you are keeping data on the temps Ian.

It will be interesting to see what 'temp sensitive' actually means in field testing...we get a pretty good variation across the seasons here in SA.

I wonder if the chamber heating up will affect performance?? Do you think that may have been a factor in your ES Ian??

[IanP]

I'm sure you are keeping data on the temps Ian.

It will be interesting to see what 'temp sensitive' actually means in field testing...we get a pretty good variation across the seasons here in SA.

I wonder if the chamber heating up will affect performance?? Do you think that may have been a factor in your ES Ian??

The last load tested was with the CCI 400 primers and yes the barrel was at its highest temp at that time. In talking with Erik Cortina he says he has not observed any noticable temp sensitivity.

The loads are pretty safe (no pressure signs) and you could easily live with 1/2 grain under the 42.0gr load and still have high velocity in the morning and maybe a little higher speed again in the heat of a hot summer afternoon. Time will tell just how sensitive or insensitive it is and the powder container has a notice which states it has a stable burn rate in all weather conditions (so it must be true )!

Ian

[Matt P]

Ian
I burnt up 3lb of Re15 in 6br and it was very temp sensitive (compared with ADI powders) but there were ways to combat it, a few things to try is keeping ammo in a cooler bag, and don't let rounds sit in a closed chamber, I saw as much as 100FPS if I let a round sit in the chamber.
Like they say everything costs !!!

Matt P

[AlanF]

Also, I have seen reports that this (RL17) powder can go from no pressure signs to serious pressure signs with just half a grain or so extra, so be careful when getting up there.

[johnk]

From what I've read, the issue of temperature sensativity statestide with these powders comes under two categories:

The difference between when it's snowing & when it's not. Loads concocted during winter are suspect when the snow melts - but that's true for most powders it seems.

What happens when a round is left to cook in a hot chamber. Concerns of this nature seem to eminate from long range benchresters & fly shooters who habitually sweat on conditions with one up the spout.

I'm not sure if we are confronted with that issue all that much in our local disciplines. From what I've seen, most unload & replace warm rounds or don't load until they're about ready to fire. I've never experienced issues in my match rifle with VV N550 which is often accused of temperature sensitivity, but I choose to load just before I shoot & I store all my ammunition in coolers, particularly when travelling.

[IanP]

I did some googling on RL17 and temperature sensitivity and came up with this: http://6mmbr.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3680481&trail=8

For those that want to know it seems RL17 increases in velocity at a rate of 1.4fps/degree C or if your stuck in a time warp 0.8fps/degree F

It seems RL17 is not too bad at all but I will follow the advice above and keep the loaded round out of the chamber till it needs to be fired.

Ian