Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Any published RL-17 data for .375 Ruger/.375 H&H?

I tried loading Rl-17 for the first time yesterday in my .375 Ruger using 300gr Accubond bullets.

Very accurate but I was expecting velocity in the 2500-2600 fps range but was up to 2725fps with my 20" barrel rifle in no time as I worked up. I maxed out with 81.5gr, but backed off,even though there was no traditional pressure signs and primers and their pockets were fine.

I question "miracle" powders that can give such velocity safely, so in the absence of published data, I thought I'd ask here as maybe one of the gun writer types may have had some RL17 loadings pressure tested.

To my knowledge, there is no published data yet using RL17 in the 375 Ruger.

After RL17 first came out and before I got my hands on some, I made a phone call to Alliant and asked Ben Amonette (if I remember his name correctly), if they had any plans to develop RL17 load data for the 375 Ruger.

His answer was,,,,"there were no plans to!"

So the only thing you can do, is what you`re doing; work up your loads and watch for any pressure signs!

As I recall, 300 gr factory ammo out of a 20" barrel got around 2560 to 2590 fps or so. Your max of 81.5 gr @ 2725 fps, is excellent from the 20" barrel.

RL17 seems to work in the 375 Ruger like it does for the 300 WSMs and other shorty mags. The 375 Ruger imo, is simply just a larger version of the shorty mag design in a 30-06 length, which would explain the increased velocity using RL17.

Time for me to get busy here!!!

Alaskan version I presume??? Just like mine!!!

Yes, mine is an Alaskan with a Macmillan stock



Here is a pic of 4 shots. The flyer was the third shot, and I knew I had yanked the trigger and screwed the shot even as the gun when off, so I shot another.

[img]http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0da06b3127ccef9a24c04f44f00000040O02AaNWrNu4Zsge3nw4/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/[/img]

2725fps is extraordinary, which is why I question if it's a safe pressure. There were no pressure signs, but I've read too many comments from John Barsnes about reading pressure via traditional pressure signs to start jumping for joy. Besides- anyting 2725fps will do can be done by 2600fps.

Target image isn't working for me...weird...

Nice looking rig, did you only shoot the one group or did you shoot others?

I called alliant a while back for info for my 375 Wby. They didn't have any and basically told me to work with the IMR 4350 data and on up.

Dober

that actually is a load work up with

79gr- 2540fps
80-2595fps
81 -2615fps (flyer)
81.5- 2685fps

Shot another group with 3 loads of 81.5, that was about .65"

3 shots were 2698, 2725, 2710

I figured I was going fast enough to stop and get more info.

They told you to use IMR 4350 data and go above it? I think IMR4350 max load is around 80gr with 300gr bullet.

Gatehouse, I have not tried R17 yet but from what I can gather from looking at data,the stuff seems very similar to the old and now defunct H205, which was an excellent powder in many cartridges,the 375H&H among them. So I see no reason why R17 should not work well in the 375 Ruger as well.

I'd take those cases you fired with the top load and watch for primer pocket expansion through 5-6 firings and see how things go.

That is a very slick rig you have there. Thanks for posting this info as well.

Hey Gatehouse what is the scope you have on that rig? It looks to me like it has a turret on top?

Thx
Dober

I have a custom .375 Ruger that turns 2750 fps. with 82 gr. of IMR 4350 and a 300 gr. Sierra from a 24 in. PacNor barrel. IIRC that is 1 gr. under the Nosler book and a few fps. more. Primers are not flat and no bolt lift issues. I will have to try some RL 17. I have some 80 gr. of RL 19 loaded but haven't found range time.

It's a Leupold Vari X III 2.5-8x36 with a elevation turret. I snagged it off a 7mmRM I wasn't using. I've tried a 1.5-5x20 on the rifle, too, but I think I like the 2.5-8's better..

Totally with you about the 2-8's over the 1-5's. I've got a 3-10 Leo with a m1 on top of my 375 Wby at this time. It's a heck of a yote rig...grin

What does that rig of yours weigh in at?

Thx

Dober

Just over 8lbs with scope, IIRC. Seems a little lighter than with the Hogue stock.

grin

Thought I would bump this up and see if anyones seen any RL-17 data for this cartridge yet?

............Nope! I haven`t seen any yet! And if there were, I doubt you`ll see any data from a 20" barrel.

BTW! Although I could be mistaken, I don`t think there is a 24" or 25" barreled 375 H&H anywhere on the planet, which will duplicate the 300 gr velocities you are getting out of your Alaskan using RL17.

A 300 grainer at 2700+ fps, and out of a 20" tube no less?...Uh oh! The H&H fans won`t be pleased...

RL17 and the 375 Ruger looks like it can be a darn good combo. I don`t think that the RL17 will give the H&H as much a boost as it does with the 375 Ruger.

I worked it a little in my H&H. Went as high as 82 gr. in W-W brass and got 2696 fps. in a 24" bbl. That's a pretty full case with a 300 gr. NPTN.

1flier

RL 17 has been around for awhile now, so wondering if anyone has seen any published data for it and the .375 Ruger or H&H?

What bullet are you shooting?

I've used
260gr NAB
300gr NAB
270gr Hornady SP
270gr TSX
235gr TSX
300gr Hornady RN

I only tried the 300gr NAB with RL17. High velocity but H4350 was more accurate with that bullet.

I've got 2 boxes of 250gr TTSX sitting at the PO waiting for me to pick them up on Monday.

Look under the big bore threads for 375 ruger. There's some RL 17 recipes that others have used.

Published data is hard to find.

I've loaded some 270 gr Hornady bullets w/ RL 17 and gotten about 2800 fps from my ALaskan. They may be a bit over pressure...hard to tell from external signs. My hunting loads will be backed off to mid 2700's. Clearly a better powder than RL 15 for this caliber in heavier bullets.