It was suggested to me that I try RL17 in my 35 Wheelen AI with the 280gr Swift Aframe bullet...I'm thinking this is a worthy endeavor to try....

Question is, what charge to begin working up??? I called Alliant but nobody home! Just a machine to leave a message on...

I was thinking of using RL15 max data for the 35Wheelen --- RL15 and 17 seem to take up a similar amount of space, volume wise in the case. BUT this just doesn't sit right in my head as the safest way to figure this out....


Suggestions welcomed!

Where are you WOODS?????????????

Here is what QL has to say.

Cartridge : .35 Whelen Ack. Imp.
Bullet : .358, 280, Swift A-Frame SS
Useable Case Capaci: 63.567 grain H2O = 4.127 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 48.00 2040 2587 31941 6403 94.5 1.587
-18.0 80 49.20 2087 2707 33904 6582 95.4 1.549
-16.0 82 50.40 2133 2830 35993 6753 96.3 1.512
-14.0 84 51.60 2180 2955 38215 6915 97.0 1.476
-12.0 86 52.80 2227 3083 40576 7068 97.7 1.441
-10.0 88 54.00 2274 3214 43101 7211 98.3 1.407
-08.0 90 55.20 2320 3347 45787 7343 98.8 1.373
-06.0 92 56.40 2366 3482 48651 7463 99.2 1.341
-04.0 94 57.60 2413 3619 51712 7572 99.6 1.308 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 96 58.80 2458 3758 54981 7669 99.8 1.272 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 60.00 2504 3899 58477 7752 99.9 1.238 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 61.20 2549 4041 62226 7822 100.0 1.206 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 62.40 2595 4185 66245 7882 100.0 1.174 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 103 63.60 2639 4331 70558 7940 100.0 1.143 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 105 64.80 2684 4478 75196 7995 100.0 1.113 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 107 66.00 2728 4627 80192 8047 100.0 1.084 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 60.00 2595 4187 69363 7411 100.0 1.159 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 60.00 2369 3489 48614 7824 96.6 1.340

Paul,

Thanks for running Quickload for me! I appreciate it. Now to see if RL17 is toooo slow a burning powder for this application.

i always have had my best luck with 4320 in 35 ai

I suspect that 4320 is a bit fast (vs optimum)for the 280 gr slug.

I don't know about the 35 Whelen but I have tried RL17 in my 338-06 and my results weren't as spectacular as some people have claimed. I did find a few loads with some incredible consistency but the velocities weren't what I was hoping for. I wasn't able to achieve the velocities Quickload predicted but even with loads well past what Quickload predicted as safe maximums I saw no pressure signs. I chronographed several 5 shot groups with single digit spreads and it shoots some very good groups but not really any better than the results I was getting with RL15. I've heard that the new Alliant Power Pro powders may be a better fit for cartridges based on the 30-06 case but I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

There's an article in the current Rifle magazine entitled "Designer Powders" if I recall correctly.

It discusses RL17 specifically, and found that in some cartridges it yielded inferior results than other more established powders.

Worth a read if you get a chance.

-nosualc