Hi there gents,

I've been reading about the magic fairy dust that RL17 is, and I would like to try it in my 7x57 and 6.5x55. however details on loads are a bit sparse on the ground.

shall I interpret the load recommendations for IMR4350 and use them for RL17? anyone had any experiences for loading RL17 behing 6.5mm 129gn Interlocks or 7mm 150gn GMKs?

any pointers/suggestions welcome,

best wishes,

Finman


PS: this message appeard first in the 'Medium bores' section by mistake- my mistake!

In 6 x 47L and 6.5 x 55 RL 17 gave me ~125 fps better than 4350 before I saw pressure signs. In my guns I was able to wrangle better accuracy out of the warmer loads than I got with 4350 as well.
Can't remember if the charge wts were equivalent.

thanks for that Nomo4me,

it'll be interesting to let me know your loads, as I am 'fishing' around for starting loads with the RL17. I have a feeling we're on to something here....

best wishes,

Finmans

I have played some with rl-17 in a 7x57 with 170gr bullets only.
The loads were nice to shoot and it seemed that the recoil and report were just a little kinder that with h-414 or both 4350's.
Someday I will get around to trying it with other bullet weights.

I'd start with the beginning wts for 4350 and work up from there.

quote:

Originally posted by Finman:
thanks for that Nomo4me,

it'll be interesting to let me know your loads, as I am 'fishing' around for starting loads with the RL17. I have a feeling we're on to something here....

best wishes,

Finmans

Alliant has data on their web page for the 6.5x55 with a few bullet wtgs, but nothing for the 7x57 although they have their new MR2000 listed for that cartridge. I wonder if Alliant feels R17 isn`t as suited as the other powders for that cartridge.....

Cheers Ol'Joe... My thinking is that if RL17 is going to work for 6.5x55 and 7-08, then it should also work for 7x57. It may well be that Alliant feel that the 7x57 is not popular enough to include it in their list?? In any case, I shall try a few loads and let you chaps know. In the mean time, if you have any ideas, please do share!

finman

Hi
I have a 7x57 AI, not exactly what you have but close,.. However, Rx17 is proving to be THE powder for this cartridge with 150 and 160gr bullets.
Using IMR4350 data is Ok with the 7x57, just keep in mind that Rx17 is just a tad faster than IMR4350.

For the 6.5x55 I would think Rx17 would work Ok, with the lighter bullets, but I've found that this round likes powders a bit slower than IMR4350.

Of course as you know, every rifle is unique so you never really know what yours will like until you try some stuff..

Good luck

I have been experimenting with RL17 in four
different calibers. This page:
http://www.6mmbr.com/reloder17.html gives one
some good pointers about loading RL17 for
calibers which Alliant has not yet tested using
this newer powder. They suggest going a couple
grains less than your normal H4350 load, and
working up. Alliant does have loads for the
6.5x55 commercial action.

Cheers for the info gents. I asked on a different forum for a quickLoad analysis of RL17 for the bullet weights and calibres that I am interested in. Thank god I did! the maximum loads were much lighter (2-2.5gn) than I had approximated using IMR4350 data.

I have now loaded some 129gn Interlocks for the 6.5x55 and I shall try it for the 150gn GMK and the 160gn GMK for the 7x57.

will let you know how it worked,

best wishes

Finman

Finman, I'm real interested in how your 6.5x55 likes the RL17 powder. I am preparing to begin load development for a blaser R93 barrel in that caliber.
I will appreciate your feedback.
Cliff

Try IMR4831

don't wanna...I have found that the IMR and Hodgdon powders foul a lot more than their swedish counterparts (RL and Viht...). I think I shall stay with the European offerings

Cliff, I shall let you have the loads when I have some that shoot accurately in my Sako 75IV hunter (Left hand) 6.5x55 with a Lothar Walther 1:8 twist barrel. At the moment I am working at 43.2gn RL17 behind the 129gn Interlock and it shows no pressure signs. I hope to get this accurate and then I shall let you know the seating depth. Mind you, I don't know how this will work in the german abomination...starting with B and ending in r...

best wishes,

Finman