308 and RL-17

[khmer6]

First time I've asked for load data. I can't seem to find any data for Alliant Reloder 17 and 308 with 165 and 180gr SST. My manuals don't have the powder or bullet listed. Alliant lists 47.6? for speer bullet. This will be shooting from a Savage long action with 1:10 twist 22" BBL. I tried some H335, but rather reserve that powder for something else. Got a sweet deal on a 5# keg of RL17 and saw it is a nice powder for some extra FPS. If else I would start at 43/44 and work up in 0.5 increments and seat just off the lands. I only ask because some people were reporting upwards of 50gr of RL 17 in the 308 with some serious speeds but without any pressure signs.

[AZ-JIM]

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/11/reloading-alliant-reloder-17.html?m=1

There is a little info in the link, it is reliable I have met German in person FWIW.

az-jim

[wordsmith]

I've used RL 17 in 30-06 and 300 WSM, and it's outstanding for those applications. For the 308, RL 17 is a bulky option, and magazine length loading will cause very compressed loads as you get close to max pressure.

Since you're loading for a bolt action, you may be able to seat closer to the lands and past 2.810". Running default values for Quickload at 2.810", you're looking at roughly 48 grains and 109% filling ratio with the 180 SST (2740 fps), so you're going to be seriously crunching powder. Over 50 grains for the 165 SST, with similar filling ratios.

I love RL 17, but I'm not sure it's gonna work great in 308 due to the high compression levels, which is probably why you can't find much data.

As always, use this information at your own risk and start low.

[khmer6]

Thanks guys! It is in a long action so I can seat it out a bit for the box. I have heard its temperature sensitive, so I'll have to make sure I have a AZ winter load and summer load. Our fall hunting season is still quite warm so trying to match those temps would be ideal. Thanks for the quick load data, exactly what I was looking for to STAY away from. Very interesting and informative article. Found similar articles from the time RL17 was introduced but not much else.

[wordsmith]

If I was hell bent on using up my RL 17 in 308, I'd focus on developing a low speed accuracy node. Based on a lot of guesstimating (since I don't know your components), the low speed accuracy node for the 180 SST will occur ROUGHLY around 45.9 grains, giving 2536 fps and 102.8% fill ratio. So, you'll still be crunching powder slightly, but it's manageable. You'll be getting a burn ratio of 97.5%, which is very good and should be pretty darn accurate. The exact load may be off a little bit, but the best velocity (2536 +/-) will end up being pretty close to ideal.

The low speed accuracy node for the 165 is 48.8 gr at 2697 fps and 105.5% fill ratio with 97.2% burn. This is getting pretty high compression, so you may want to use the vibratory tumbler settling trick before seating bullets to make it easier.

Once again, start low and use at your own risk :).

[khmer6]

Thanks wordsmith. Not exactly hell bent but heard lots of good things about rl17 in 308 and other cartridges. I may go with a faster powder in the lighter bullets for it