280 AI replacement for 270 Win.

[woods]

I suspect, and I could be wrong, that RL17 is going to be most useful in those calibers that run out of case capacity before they can reach potential velocity, either because of intrusion of bullet base or just capacity. Like the 30-06, about which it has been said that it is almost impossible to stuff enough slow powder like RL22 or H4831 into and get overpressure.

I would think some others that would be good candidates would be 7-08, 308, 270 WSM, 7 WSM, 300 WSM, 30-06, 338-06 and maybe 257 Roberts. Essentially the underbore calibers that are lacking somewhat in performance.

The opposite effect would be that RL17 would be least useful in calibers that have voluminous capacity such as the 257 Weatherby, 264 win mag, 300RUM etc. Marginally useful in calibers with a good ratio of case capacity to performance possible with the powders of appropriate burn rate, like the 270, 280 Remington, 7 mag and 300 win mag.

JMHO

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I suspect, and I could be wrong, that RL17 is going to be most useful in those calibers that run out of case capacity before they can reach potential velocity, either because of intrusion of bullet base or just capacity. Like the 30-06, about which it has been said that it is almost impossible to stuff enough slow powder like RL22 or H4831 into and get overpressure.

I would think some others that would be good candidates would be 7-08, 308, 270 WSM, 7 WSM, 300 WSM, 30-06, 338-06 and maybe 257 Roberts. Essentially the underbore calibers that are lacking somewhat in performance.

The opposite effect would be that RL17 would be least useful in calibers that have voluminous capacity such as the 257 Weatherby, 264 win mag, 300RUM etc. Marginally useful in calibers with a good ratio of case capacity to performance possible with the powders of appropriate burn rate, like the 270, 280 Remington, 7 mag and 300 win mag.

JMHO

From what I've seen/read, it does very well in the .06 and .08 variants and the WSM's. I tried it in the 300 RUM pushinga 180 E-Tip and it essentially tied if not very slightly out perform Retumbo and H1000. However, being a faster powder, it left a lot of space in the case, maxing out at 86 gr, which I estimate to be about 86% capacity. I've read a couple of good reports with both the 7RM and the 300 WM. I'll see what it does in my 7RM compared to Retumbo.

And I also saw a good report of RL17 in the 375 Ruger.

 

[woods]

And I also saw a good report of RL17 in the 375 Ruger.

I'm working with it now in my new 375 Ruger and (not having any data) started low and will work up. I started at 74 gr for lack of a better starting point, hoping to hit 2600 fps or so with the 270 gr TSX and got these results

TSX 270 RL17 74.0 3.285 2552
TSX 270 RL17 74.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 75.0 3.285 2578
TSX 270 RL17 75.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 76.0 3.285 2572


At these loads the velocity essentially stayed the same which tells me I have a ways to go. So I am going to load some at 77 gr, 78 gr and 79 gr for the next range session. No telling where max is but I will be watching for pressure signs and may well end up well above these levels.

The accuracy is there at these lower levels

Once I get decent velocity I will either decide to continue to find max or search for the load.

 

[Limbic]

From what I've seen/read, it does very well in the .06 and .08 variants and the WSM's. I tried it in the 300 RUM pushinga 180 E-Tip and it essentially tied if not very slightly out perform Retumbo and H1000. However, being a faster powder, it left a lot of space in the case, maxing out at 86 gr, which I estimate to be about 86% capacity. I've read a couple of good reports with both the 7RM and the 300 WM. I'll see what it does in my 7RM compared to Retumbo.

And I also saw a good report of RL17 in the 375 Ruger.

I'd like to see your report on this. I usually run about 66-69g of 1000 or Retumbo. What would be a good start for the miracle powder known as RL17

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I'm working with it now in my new 375 Ruger and (not having any data) started low and will work up. I started at 74 gr for lack of a better starting point, hoping to hit 2600 fps or so with the 270 gr TSX and got these results

TSX 270 RL17 74.0 3.285 2552
TSX 270 RL17 74.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 75.0 3.285 2578
TSX 270 RL17 75.5 3.285 2564
TSX 270 RL17 76.0 3.285 2572


At these loads the velocity essentially stayed the same which tells me I have a ways to go. So I am going to load some at 77 gr, 78 gr and 79 gr for the next range session. No telling where max is but I will be watching for pressure signs and may well end up well above these levels.

The accuracy is there at these lower levels

Once I get decent velocity I will either decide to continue to find max or search for the load.

This gentleman is getting....

RL-17 @ 81.5gr @ 2728 FPS
Hornady Brass trim 2.572
CCI 250
Barnes TSX 300gr

in a 20" barrel

Alaska Outdoors Forums

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I'd like to see your report on this. I usually run about 66-69g of 1000 or Retumbo. What would be a good start for the miracle powder known as RL17

I've found RL17 to run about 1gr more than H4350. I would probably start about 56 gr with 160 ABs.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I've found RL17 to run about 1gr more than H4350. I would probably start about 56 gr with 160 ABs.

On second thought, 54 might be a better place to start.

 

[Pdvdh]

Re: RL-17 in 280 RCBS Data

One last tidbit of info on RL-17 powder and my 280 RCBS Improved. I was at the range chronographing again today.

The ES and SD are too excessive for LRH. Shot 4 rounds at 54.4 grains RL-17 with 168 VLDs and Fed 210M primers.

Average MV = 2940fps
ES = 58
SD = 25

I'm giving up on RL-17 in this rifle. I think I'll be using H1000 or Retumbo. Retumbo gives the best velocity but the ES & SD is running higher than with H1000.

 

[fj40mojo]

All this talk about the .280AI has me frothing at the mouth for my next project.

Rem 721 Donor Action
Pacific Research Stock
Probably go with a Krieger barrel (but what twist?)

Would like to shoot 140-160 grn Bergers, AMaxs

 

[Pdvdh]

A 9 twist will handle the 180 gr Berger VLDs. Mine is a 9 twist and shooting the 168 Berger VLDs fine. I have not tried the 180 VLDs.

But a 1 in 10" twist is sufficient to stabilize the 168 VLDs according to Berger's web site.

 

[trueblue]

phorwath,
thanks for posting your info on RL17.
Have not tried it, but at this point I will stick with Retumbo.

 

[X3MHunter]

Re: RL-17 in 280 RCBS Data

One last tidbit of info on RL-17 powder and my 280 RCBS Improved. I was at the range chronographing again today.

The ES and SD are too excessive for LRH. Shot 4 rounds at 54.4 grains RL-17 with 168 VLDs and Fed 210M primers.

Average MV = 2940fps
ES = 58
SD = 25

I'm giving up on RL-17 in this rifle. I think I'll be using H1000 or Retumbo. Retumbo gives the best velocity but the ES & SD is running higher than with H1000.

So you give up on a powder after four shots? Not very persistent are you?

-X3M

 

[Pdvdh]

Re: RL-17 in 280 RCBS Data

So you give up on a powder after four shots? Not very persistent are you?

-X3M

You reach and post incorrect conclusions based on faulty and incomplete facts without much thought, don't you?

 

[X3MHunter]

Re: RL-17 in 280 RCBS Data

You reach and post incorrect conclusions based on faulty and incomplete facts without much thought, don't you?

Maybe?

All I'm saying is that RL17 is working excellent for me in my 6.5 x 47 Lapua, it took a little load development to get it there, but when I got there I was really happy with the results. But my setup is way different than yours, so maybe what worked for me just wont work for you because of the case size difference.

-X3M