I have read that RL-17 has a burn speed similar to IMR-4350.

Can I use IMR-4350 reloading data (reduced below Max and work up) as a starting point?

The little I tested Reloader-17,I found it to be similar to IMR-4350.I was getting 100-150fps faster velocities with Reloader-17 compared with the same charge of IMR-4350,but I was not getting the accuracy I was looking for.My notes show to lower the charge next time.So I would start at least one to two grains less and work your way up to what you would be loading with IMR-4350.

Before you rely on IMR4350 starting loads, both QuickLoad and Alliant Powder on-line reloading manual offer RL17 data. Maybe your caliber is listed...

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Before you rely on IMR4350 starting loads, both QuickLoad and Alliant Powder on-line reloading manual offer RL17 data. Maybe your caliber is listed...

- mike

I'm wanting to try RL-17 in my 300H&H with 180gr and 200gr bullets.

QL calculates RL17 as being about 2 grs hotter than 4350. Might explain why Baldhunter was seeing higher velocity for RL17.

QL prefers slower powders for the 180-200 in the 300H&H. RL17 is only using about 85% of the case capcity at max pressures.

MIKE
i would stick to the slower burning powders for the 300 H&H R22, R25, MRP, MRP2 .you cant go wrong with any of those, especially the MRP powders
Daniel

I agree with Daniel ( Hi ya mate ). 17 is a little too quick for the best results from 300 H&H. I found that RE17 fits best in any cartridge where 4350 is an appropriate speed but you can't quite squeeze enough 4350 into the case to get the job done. It is excellent in the 375 H&H for instance. I also bet that it would do well in 358 Norma, 9.3x62 and others of that expansion ratio that are challenged to hold enough 4350.

Just wondering say 9.3x62 what would you start with r-17 with 250 tsx compared to what with imr 4350 2 grains less or same

1 to 2 grains less than the lowest book load for IMR 4350 is a good place to start with any cartridge.
I have used RL 17 in the 300 WSM,25-06,257Roberts IMP and some others and all were started with the lowest load listed.

The reason behind my initial question on RL-17 vs IMR-4350 "is" I have a Handloader Mag. (Dec. 2009) that listed IMR-4350 as a "top choice" for the 300H&H.

The article listed the following 300H&H loads using IMR-4350 (see below) and I "reasoned" that since RL-17 has a similar burn speed to IMR-4350, that I might also try to see how it worked.

Here are the two loads given in the Hanloader article:

180gr Nosler Partition with 68.0grs of IMR-4350 giving a velocity of 3118fps from a 26" bbl

and

200gr Nosler Partition with 66.0grs of IMR-4350 giving an "honest" 2900fps from a 26" bbl

When I contacted Alliant about reloading for the .375 H&H they told me that the burn speed was very close to IMR 4350, and if I had a published load for IMR 4350, to work up to that point (weight wise) with RL 17.

If you have questions, they will answer them, but it seems to take a little time.

quote:

180gr Nosler Partition with 68.0grs of IMR-4350 giving a velocity of 3118fps from a 26" bbl

and

200gr Nosler Partition with 66.0grs of IMR-4350 giving an "honest" 2900fps from a 26" bbl

Just a piece of info. QL for the 180 is 63378 and 3009. for the 200 the results are 65345 and 2882.

Neither RL17 nor 4350 would be powders I would use in a 300 H&H at least not with these two bullets.

I really appreciate all of the input.

I have three 300H&H rifles and have done a lot of reloading for all three.

They act like "women", because they each seem to like a different bullet/powder combination.

Two of the three, have their "magic load" and the odd one isn't a couch potato. So....since Rl-17 is one of the few powders I haven't experimented with......well I guess I will just have to find out for myself (plus I have thirty pounds of it.....hey it was on sale!!!). It may be a short lived exercise, but it isn't going to cost much and I don't plan on hurting anyone.

For the record.....I am really only interested in the 200gr bullet loads. On that note, if you have a favorite 200gr/300H&H "load" I would be interested in hearing about it.........Thanks

Here ya go on a couple my pre 64 dote on w/200 TSX and 200 Aframe, at 64, and 63 gr H4350, respectively. AFrame 3.575 .02 off lands and TSX 3.575 .06 off lands. Work up as I approach 66 gr was getting hard bolt lift on this rifle.

On the latest Hodgdons burn rate chart RL-17 sits between H3450 and AA4350 and slightly slower than IMR4350.

Check out Hodgdons site for loads(except RL-17) comparing bullet wt, powder and pressures.

Nothing wrong with any of the 4350's in the 300H&H and you can use the data powder weight for powder weight, but start at the bottom end and work up slowly.

It basically boils down to what you said and what I've learned, over many years and many rifles, about rifles being like "women(and men to)" and each having preferences which take time to learn.

Luck