Here is what I came up with.
4/17/10
38 degrees F
358-WSM shooting 250 gr. Hornady RN over RL-17.
-Cases 325 Winchester-Trim 2.090"
-Primer Federal No. GM215M
-Hornady 250 gr. RN
-C.O.L. 2.890"
-Alliant Reloader 17
1) 67 gr. = 2571 fps
2) 68 gr. = 2615 fps
3) 69 gr. = 2673 fps
4) 70 gr. = 2721 fps
5) 71 gr. = 2768 fps
6) 72 gr. = 2803 fps
-Case head expansion just forward the extractor groove measured an increase of .0015"
-Extraction was easy, smooth, and Not sticky.
-Primers showed some flattening, but retained a radius edge and were Not cratered.
For compasison:
-Alliant Reloader 15
1) 65 gr. = 2679 fps
2) 66 gr. = 2697 fps (Max. in my gun)
3) 67 gr. = 2756 fps (slight sticking of bolt)
-Hodgdon H4895
1) 61 gr. = 2612 fps
2) 62 gr. = 2661 fps (Max. in my gun)
3) 63 gr. = 2698 fps (very sticky bolt lift)
It was more than a little windy today, so I didn't attempt to bother with group size comparisons, But I will.
This was just a pressure/velocity check for my gun ONLY... and what I learned is that my gun likes RL 17 just fine.
YMMV
