Thread: Is RL17 a barrel burner?

I'm thinking about upping the game with my dirty old .284 which apart from a trip to Stewart Island, its basically gone unused for far too long.

"Mr Google" says that RL17 is basically the New black, when it comes to .284 performance. This sounds almost to good to be true, the velocities quoted online where faster than my 7mmwsm! So if RL17 is this fast - what's the cost? Is it barrel life?

Anyone got first hand experience, how many shots fired, what barrel length, load details, velocities...

Many thanks in advance

Kj

I'll be following this with interest, my 708 just got converted and re17 was giving velocities much higher than anticipated

See if you can find a decent supply first, there is very little of it around .....

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

See if you can find a decent supply first, there is very little of it around .....

Yeah but our calibres dont need 120gr a load....

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

See if you can find a decent supply first, there is very none of it around .....

fixed.

I was using reloader 17 for some time, just sold my last pound i had cause it was a bit of a joke how unavailable it had been for a while.. I was using it in a 300wsm, velocitys were good.

I have now changed to adi powder for everything as its always available

I know a few people who have gone down the R17 path. At the longer distances you may find the accuracy not as good or temperature stability not as good.
I am not sure the powder itself is a barrel burner but getting the heavier projectiles up above 3000fps seems to burn barrels pretty good.

You don't get speed for free.

Once my re17 is used up might try vihtavourI n550 in my 284 Tikka

Thanks for the replies, so a few things to consider. Monday just stick with ADI then, as it's served me well over the years.

Kj

I use it in one caliber that gets velocity with 1.5 grns less than any others I have tried.
It does not seem sensitive in any temperature I have tried and would suggest it may be in extremes that you get overseas.
Very accurate. No complaints and I have a stash to last me a few yrs😆

Pretty well covered already but when I was building up my 284 I acquired 1 can of RL17 - that was all the shop had. After reading a few alarming reports on forums about shortening barrel life (can't believe everything you read of forums but there seemed to be a reasonable amount of evidence), I returned the can and swapped for ADI. As already said ADI is generally always available notwithstanding the 2206H shortage last year.
Ignoring the barrel life issue I just couldn't see the sense in doing load development only to then not be able to get more RL17. I usually don't just buy one can of powder on its own - buy several of the same lot, but RL17 was just not available in quantity.

I forgot to say if it is a barrel burner, which I doubt. It is not a worry for me as I will be dead before it is an issue as I only use it in a hunting load.

I find my 284 likes adi 2213sc, couldn't tell you speeds but 140 gr gamekings are one large hole at 100meters.

got some RL17 to try with 162 amax when I get bored.

N550 is rocket fuel with 120gn slugs in my 25yrs old .284, 3350 and good hunting accuracy. Best performance with 140s has always come from a case-full of WW ball powder, currently 780. Mine has the standard short-throat and no doubt gives different results compared to that obtainable from long action conversions.

Originally Posted by killroy

N550 is rocket fuel with 120gn slugs in my 25yrs old .284, 3350 and good hunting accuracy. Best performance with 140s has always come from a case-full of WW ball powder, currently 780. Mine has the standard short-throat and no doubt gives different results compared to that obtainable from long action conversions.

Have you tried the N550 with 140gn projectiles? When I got my .284 I got a can of RL17, but now its running out I can't seem to find any anywhere, so am looking at other powders. Have heard that H4350 is also good. Any .284 users tried that?

Without to much of a thread steal has anyone used the Berger 140gn VLD Hunting projectiles on deer?