Alliant Reloader 17

[Yamavira]

This powder was launched with a lot of publicity by Alliant yet they do not appear to have developed many loads for it within the calibres highlighted during the launch.
I have a Sauer 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser & as you are aware this calibre was designed around the 160 grain RN bullet.Yet Alliant have not developed/published any load data for bullets above 140 grains in this calibre.

Has anyone developed a load for Rel 17/160 grain RN bullet (Hornady) for the 6.5x55 Swede.
Would be most interested if you have. What are the powder weights (min/max) & of course the results on the range.

Thanks
Yamavira.

 

[Clark]

Kombayotch of Canadian gunnutz and Snipers hide has replicated Hodgdon claims of temperature stability by taking a freezer and an oven to the range.
He heated and cooled the ammo and then measured the velocity of cold and hot ammo.

Me, myself:
I can work up to and get 3228 fps 130 gr 270 with long brass life by using Re17.
I would have bet big money that was not possible.
1) But the temperature variations in Re17 would require such a big safety margin that I would be back down to the performance of many other powders.
2) Further, the temp variations are not good for first shots at long range [hunting, not targets with spotters].

 

[GooseGestapo]

I haven't loaded the 6.5x55, but I have used RL17 in others to include the .260Rem.

In the absence of data, you can essentially use IMR4350 data. Some have suggested using H4350 data, but the three lot#'s I've used more closely conform to IMR rather than the H.

Velocities however, will be close to those of H4350.
I found that with the .260, that with bullets heavier than 120gr, that RL22 works much better. I think you'll find likewise with the 6.5x55.
I use 43.5gr of RL17 with a 120gr bullet for ~2,850fps from a 20" bbl. This is not "Max", but is most accurate. I've switched to 47.0gr of RL22 with same bullets. Velocity is similar, but accuracy even better. Ditto the 129gr and 140gr bullets. My best load for my rifle is oddly the discontinued Sierra 160gr RN over 43.0gr of RL22 for ~2,400fps. I went 44.0 and got similar accuracy (sub 0.7" 5-shots), but the primers were starting to crater a little. My little Rem Mod-7 has a 1/9" twist and won't shoot the plastic tipped 140gr bullets with any accuracy, but the 160gr was outstanding for a "hunting" rifle.

My preferred load for both the 7mm08 and .30/06 are with RL17.
With a 150gr bullet in the 7mm08, I'm getting 2,800fps from 46.0gr (20"bbl), and with the 30/06 I'm using a 165gr bullet and getting 2,990fps from 57.0gr (24"bbl). This latter load is a "standout".... Very accurate, but is bumping up against max pressures. Start at 54.0gr and work up... I did...