Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL17, quick load, & 300WSM?

I worked up to 63.0 grains of RL17 with 168 TTSX (quick load max for this combo) but I only got to an average velocity of 2994 fps. QL projected max was 3080 fps. Would it be unwise to continue further? Of the powders I've tried (vihtavouri n550, n560, H4350, H100V, and rl15), this powder has been the most consistently accurate across all the test loads developed.
57.5 g of RL 15 has the single most accurate load thus far, with 3/4, 3 shot groups going sub-moa! with the largest group going 1.30" (ave. vel.=3030 fps) problem is I used all my RL15 up and can't find any up here in Canada. However, given how consistent my rl17 test loads have been to each other (.98"-1.35" across all 5 of my test loads) has me believing this powder could be the best so far in my rifle.

Alliant list 68 with a 165BTSP and 66 with a 180BTSP. It's no shock that 63g produced such low MV.

I've had no issue at all using CNC bullet data with Barnes' TSX line in any cart.

My favorite load is 66.5 gr RL 17 with the 165 gr ttsx, runs 3166 and shoots groups under 3/4 inch.

................Setting aside what QL is telling you, what instead is ""your own individual"" rifle (casings, primers and such) telling you?

If there are no pressure signs using the 63 gr of RL17 behind the 168 Barnes, then increase the charges by 1/2 gr increments and see what you get in added velocity and accuracy. Keep in mind that your bore may be a little on the slow side.

Using max loads of RL17 with a 168 should get you at least 3100 fps in my view (24" barrel). And that is still a little conservative imo.

Step it up a little and see what happens. If your accuracy goes south then stay with the 63 gr charge.

I get 3260-3275 with rl-17 and the 168 ttsx in my tikka. 63 gr is really conservative. Pour the coal to it and see what that thing will do. My load Is with 68 grns and 1" @ 200 yrd.

Can you post your Quickload data, your numbers do no jive with mine? My QL says that 63gr of R-17 is under 57K psi.

Also, what is your fired case capacity in Grains of H20?

Hi Steve,

Below is the it the QL data I pulled from Nosler forum (i.e., not for my firearm). Unfortunately I had already resized all my cases (with shoulder set back .002-.003). I measured the volume of 9 resized cases (weight case, weight of case + water to very top of neck, then subtracted). My average volume was 5.234 grams (5.234 cc), which is quite different from the case capacity shown in the quick load data - am I measuring incorrectly?

Cartridge : .300 WSM (CIP)
Bullet : .308, 168, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30878
Useable Case Capaci: 69.495 grain H2O = 4.512 cm�
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 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 75 50.40 2523 2374 34168 8621 96.5 1.435
-18.0 77 51.66 2580 2484 36335 8841 97.3 1.401
-16.0 79 52.92 2637 2595 38636 9047 98.0 1.368
-14.0 81 54.18 2694 2708 41081 9239 98.6 1.336
-12.0 83 55.44 2751 2823 43676 9416 99.1 1.305
-10.0 84 56.70 2807 2939 46446 9577 99.5 1.269
-08.0 86 57.96 2863 3057 49387 9721 99.8 1.234
-06.0 88 59.22 2918 3177 52518 9847 99.9 1.200
-04.0 90 60.48 2973 3297 55852 9954 100.0 1.167 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 92 61.74 3027 3418 59412 10050 100.0 1.135 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 94 63.00 3081 3541 63205 10142 100.0 1.105 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 96 64.26 3134 3664 67256 10232 100.0 1.075 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 98 65.52 3187 3788 71584 10318 100.0 1.047 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 99 66.78 3239 3914 76216 10402 100.0 1.019 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 101 68.04 3291 4041 81176 10482 100.0 0.993 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 103 69.30 3343 4169 86493 10559 100.0 0.967 !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 94 63.00 3180 3772 75116 9786 100.0 1.034 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 94 63.00 2931 3204 52314 10427 98.5 1.198

Don't know grams and cc. I use Grains of H20.

Take a fired case, weigh it in grains, then fill it with water and weigh it again in grains. Subtract.

You can also use the QL default case capacity. In the 300WSM that would be 81.3gr of H20, that would be 69.495 od usable case capacity with your bullet and your OAL, same as your data.

Post a link to this Nosler Quickloader, I would like to compare with him/her directly.

My load is 66.5 gr RL17 under a 168 Barnes TSX in WIN brass and a FED 215M primer. Very accurate and plenty of power for a big bull elk.