Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL-17 is going to be a very interesting powder

Bumped into this article on RL-17.

http://www.6mmbr.com/reloder17.html

"RL-17 is a slow powder, very roughly speaking, somewhere between H4350 and H4831"

"Reloader 17's unique penetrating burn-rate regulator smooths out the pressure curve, allowing RL17 to maintain high energy for a longer period of time."


This is billed as being very different than other powders. I look forward to giving it a try. Last I read it will be introduced to the market in March.

Not carried anywhere I've looked.

I gave up on it, and have gotten into H100V..

Interesting info. I'd like to see more data on the RL-17 as it becomes available. I do worry about the "free lunch" of 200 fps increase with no pressure increase. If it seems too good to be true, etc.

Steve

Steve,

Did you read Bob Jensen used a Ohler 43 with a strain gauge and determined loads that were within the pressure limits? The "magic" to this unique powder (quote): "After RL-17 hits peak pressure, the energy level doesn't drop as rapidly as with other powders. So there is more energy pushing your bullet for a longer time."

I would like to see some slower versions of this powder in the future.

Got a pound last week........haven't done anything with it yet though.

Plan to try it in 25-o6, 270 & 280.

MM

Where did you found it. Everywhere I have looked has it out of stock and none of the stores have it locally.

Keep us informed, as this powder has the potential to change a lot of things for a lot of midrange cartridges (if it lives up to the hype).

Alliants data isn't too spectacular. Does Alliant even make it's own powder or.....is this being bought somewhere and already in existance under another name....ie possibly a VV spin off???

Azshooter,

I did read about the tests with the strain gauge. Just not sure I'm willing to believe it, based on nothing more than the "free lunch" syndrome. But I would be delighted if it were to proven accurate. I'm a true believer in free lunches, just don't think they occur that often.

Lil Gun, which I use in my 22Hornet, has a relatively flat pressure curve, which I take full advantage of. I'd be glad to make the RL-17 my powder of choice. Just would like to get some verification of the data from other sources.
And then, I'd try to buy some of it, which seems problematical for the time being.

I'll stay tuned. And thanks for the info.

Steve

not to change the subject but what bullets are you running with lil gun in your hornet and what kind of speeds are you getting.

armst,

13.0 Lil Gun/40gr BT or V-Max/2900-3000 fps in my Ruger #1.

It seem to be a pretty well respected Campfire load.

Check the Hodgden site for pressure data.

Steve

I use RL19 in my 300WSM, it looks like you get a few more fps with RL17?

I happen to know Bob Jensen, the guy doing the pressure testing. He is a long time hi-power shooter and a very knowledgable rifleman. If his testing shows velocity gains over other powders I believe him.

Here is the link for Alliant's article on RL-17.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/alliant-releases-new-reloder-17-powder/

Quotes from above linked article:

"Reloder 17, a state-of-the-art propellant, promises to deliver higher velocities than competitive powders for many popular calibers."

"This is an all-new, double-base powder produced in Switzerland by NitroChemie for Alliant. It is a high-energy powder with a burn rate close to IMR 4350, and �midway between Reloder 15 and Reloder 19.�

I couldn't copy and paste their velocity gain chart. It has impressed me.

One more quote:

"Reloder� 17 was created with new technology to provide velocity greater than the competition in the most popular standard rifle calibers and the new short magnums."

It can be bought here:

RL17

IMR 4350 has been my goto powder for 160 Partitions in my 270 as well as 165 Speers out of the 300 H&H.Given the mid point between 4350 and 4831 I suspect that R-17 just might be interesting.

the part about the pressure spikes being reduced is very interesting to me. It sounds like I need to try it.

I would like to find out what a starting load and max would be for a 338-06. Since it is in the neighborhood of 4350 it ought to work real well in the 338-06.

Locally.........had asked if it was available couple of weeks earlier and they got some in shortly after.

Don't know what distributors have yet it though but I'm betting Powder Valley will get it soon.

MM

Powder Valley is sold out. checked earlier today. A buddy of mine ordered 10 lbs from them a while back. He will sell me a lb so I can get started. Not worth paying the hazmat fee for a couple of lbs.

As soon as I get it figured out in my 284 I'll come back and share.

I believe R17 is practically the same as Norma URP. Just like R15 correlates to N203B, R22 to MRP, R25 to MRP-2...
BBerg