I have always entertained using and trying new stuff: bullets, brass, powder, primers (well, I settled on Fed primers). I've not kept tabs on Reloder 17 since it came out and have yet to buy any for load development.

The first rifle I have that comes to mind to try it in is the 30.06. Others would be the 270 and 6.5x284.

But, with all of the good poweders for the .06 that I already use, I just wonder would it be worth it to try another. I have lots of Re19, 22, Varget, IMR4064, IMR4350, H4350, 4895, 414. So, is it worth trying another? I have not had near as much time to load anything for over a year, and won't for another 2 until I'm done with my current projects.

Part of me hates not to try something new, while the other part of me says to just leave it alone, I have tons of loaded 06 shells and at least a dozen preferred loads for my rifle already.

Many people see pretty good gains with RL 17. Most notable ones I can think of are the 308 with heavy bullets, and the WSMs with lighter bullets per caliber.

One thing to watch out for is temperature sensitivity.

My buddy shoots 208 Amaxes in his 308 at about 2700 fps in a 20" (I think?) barrel. Pressure was fine in normal weather, but his cases took a beating in the hot weather of summer.

quote:

RELODER 17? is it worth another powder?

Aliant is on my phase out list....but it tough to lose RL-22

The only other one I'd consider is RL-15

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

RELODER 17? is it worth another powder?

Aliant is on my phase out list....but it tough to lose RL-22

The only other one I'd consider is RL-15

why phasing out? cost?

You know, it is so nice to share ideas on sites like this. I've considered streamlining my powder choices as well, even trying to commit to just one brand. But, I never have done it.

the thought of never using Re22 again is unsettling! My 2 favorites are 22 and 19, but I use my share of 25 also. I just have never enountered problems with POI in my hunting situations, and never a temp problem.

I don't shoot near as much during the warmer months anyway.

If phasing out of reloder powders, do you have a favorite brand?

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

the thought of never using Re22 again is unsettling! My 2 favorites are 22 and 19, but I use my share of 25 also. I just have never enountered problems with POI in my hunting situations, and never a temp problem.

I don't shoot near as much during the warmer months anyway.

Doc, you sound like me. Mostly I use a lot of RL25 and RL22 but have used RL19, IMR4831 & IMR4350. All with Fed215 primers.

Yes, RL17 is worth trying. It is replacing RL22 in my 06 with the 200 gr Accubond. It would probably also do well in the 280AI but RL25 & RL22 are doing so well, why bother? It is really fantastic in my new 375 Ruger. Can you believe 3000 fps with a 260 gr Accubond with no pressure signs and multiple reuse of the cases?

The 270, probably do as well or better than IMR4350 with the 130 gr bullets or come to think of it the 150 gr bullets where the slower powders get compressed before you can get all the speed out of RL22.

I will say this, I will be buying a lot more of it.

Already phased out ALL "RL" Powders. I did try very hard to make them work for me(15, 19, 22, 25), but as I would approach a SAFE MAX, I'd begin seeing Erratic Pressure Indications.

Gave what I had left to a buddy, Don, and he noticed the same thing in his rifles. What Don had left went to another buddy, Cris and he used it for Fire Forming Cases.

Best one I tried was the RL-15 in a 308Win, but it also got Erratic near a SAFE MAX.

The following statement is in 100% compliance with the thought-police:

If ANYONE wants to try it, by all means do so.

I was disappointed with RL17 results in my 25/06 and 257 Roberts. The results werenot "bad", but RL17 could not measure up to IMR4831 (25/06) and Varget(257R) for accuracy.
RL15 is the Alliant rifle powder that I can't do without. 250/3000, 250AI, and 22/250 all require RL15. At least mine do!
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

Well, I recall using Re15 in an older 308 back in the 90s and it became my powder of choice for that rifle.

To date, I've had nothing but good results with the Reloder powders. But keep in mind, I've never been one to get the biggest bang all the time either. Sure I have some rifles I've taken charges above published max loads, but they were safe in my rifles during the hot summer months so they did well when it cooled down for hunting season as well.

I think many of my loads are up to 3 grains under published max as that was the sweet spot in the rifle. I don't care. I like itty bitty groups a lot better than concern over a rainbow trajectory. Most rifle shots for me have been under 200 yards anyway. I don't have any rifles that aren't "point and shoot" at that range.

Doc,

I tested RL-17 in only one rifle, a Vanguard 25-06 with heavy bullets. Accuracy was not good.
Powders that did deliver excellent heavy bullet accuracy were RL-22, H-4831SC and 7828. These powders shot 3 shot, 1/2" groups at 100 yards with a Weaver V-16 scope set at 16x.

Don