Reloader 17

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

Hello has anyone used any reloader 17. Im wondering did it increase velocity?
Thinking of trying some in my 30-06

 

[jmr40]

What bullet weights are you thinking about? With 150-200 gr either H4350 or IMR4350 are hard to beat for both speed and accuracy. The data on RL17 shows essentially the same speeds and most people I know report better accuracy with the 4350's.

I can get 3000-3025 with 150's, 2900+ with 165's, and 2800 with 180's and either 4350 with very good accuracy. That is fast enough for me.

Never used it in hand loads, but the Superformance powder from Hodgdon will beat just about every thing in that weight range, but only by about 50 fps or less. With heavier bullets and longer than standard barrels RL22 is supposed to be pretty fast in 30-06. But I have no personal experience. A new powder, IMR 4955 looks good with heavies. Data here.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

RL17 was designed with the WSM's in mind, and I have tried it in a 300 WSM. I was able to get about 100 fps more than with H4350, but with poor accuracy. Once I backed off a little to about the same speeds as H4350 I got comparable accuracy. I know lots of guys who swear by it in the WSM's. But it didn't work well in my rifle.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Yeah it did. Not the most accurate powder of its class IMHO.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

Jmr I have both IMR 4350 and H4350 both offer great accuracy. but either my chrony is slow or im not getting published velocity

 

[sage5907]

It will only cost you about $25 to try a pound of Reloader 17. For me it was one of the biggest surprises I have had in reloading. I didn't expect anything special but it works really good in a 30-06 with both 150 and 165 grain bullets. I've been through 6 pounds of Reloader 17 and I don't plan to go back to 4350.

 

[ku4hx]

Alliant thinks it's a good choice: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=2 Specifically 150, 165 and 180 grain BTSP

How it performs in your gun is a different matter.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I really like it. Can't beat it in 7mm08.
It gives me the superior accuracy of IMR 4350, with velocities of H4350 in my 24" bbl .30/06 with 165 and 180grn bullets.
Matches H4350 in my .260Rem.
Did really well in .338ME with 250grn bullets.

 

[ironworkerwill]

OP: If you was just a car ride away, I'd give you a pound or 2 to try. If you live near north central Alabam, PM me.

Like others said, performance may vary rifle to rifle.

 

[TimSr]

I bought some when I couldn't find IMR4350, as Alliant charaterized it as having the same burn rate. I've been pretty happy with it in 30-06, 308, 8mm mauser, and even dd soem 6.5 jap. I don't know that i would say its any better than IMR4350, but easily as good in my applications.

 

[Onewolf]

Back when I couldn't get h4350 for my 260 Rem I switched to rl17 and gained about 100 fps over the h4350 with the same accuracy.

 

[joed]

I switched to the RL powders 10 years ago for my .25-06 Rem. Easily 100 fps faster and better accuracy.

 

[sage5907]

It seems to me that Reloader 17 can be used for any application where IMR 4350 is being used. Depending on the bullet it takes a grain or two less to achieve the same pressure level. I like Reloader 17 in my 30-06 rifles for 150 and 165 grain bullets, and it also works great for 130 grain bullets in a 270 Winchester. I've also been shooting it in my 25-06 with 117 grain bullets with similar great accuracy.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

I must confess I stopped by my local gun shop friday to get some rl17 and lo and behold they had a pound of H4350 so got it instead

 

[loose noose]

Six of one half a dozen of the other, btw I have both and really can't tell the difference.

 

[Swampman]

Reloder 17 is the best powder I've ever tried in 7.5x55 Swiss, but I wasn't going for increased velocity, just better accuracy and consistency.

I haven't tried it in 30-06, mainly because I'm satisfied with the results I get with IMR-4064 and 4350.

I guess higher velocity is "better", but I can't see how an extra 50 or 100 fps is going to make much difference in what a 30-06 can actually do when hunting.

 

[kerreckt]

RL17 works great in 30.06. I have some very accurate loads using this powder.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

I may have to try to pick up a pound in next couple of weeks

 

[GooseGestapo]

You'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between RL17, H4350, and IMR4350 w/o a chrono and some range time.
However, in the 7mm08, RL17 excels the others as it is just a bit denser and allows seating a long heavy bullet over a heavier charge of powder.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

I did pick up a pound today to try