RL-17 and Barrel life

[KevinSC]

Hello all,

I'm having a custom 6.5 Creedmor bolt rifle built, and like everybody else I've been trying to scrounge around for reloading components for it. My LGS like most everyone else's I'm sure, has a powder rack that's stays pretty empty. I know that H4350 seems to be the front runner powder for most Creedmor builds, but it might as well be nonexistent right now. However, my LGS has RL17 and Hybrid 100V every time I stop by. I've been reading that people have been having some really good success with both of these powders, especially the RL17. While trying to research RL17 it seems as though it burns hotter for a longer period of time, which gives that extra velocity that everyone is getting from it. Aside from continuously running RL17 loads as shit hot through your gun as you can get them, does anyone have any comments or thoughts on the effects it may or may not have on barrel life?

Kevin

 

[fnbrowning]

Wear on a barrel is determined by:

1. The amount of powder burned (how many BTUs of heat are produced)
2. The diameter of the bore (what area in square inches is exposed to the heat)
3. The pressure of the load (higher pressure increases heat transfer)
4. The heat build up, at a match firing twenty rounds in 20 minutes gets a barrel good and hot.

I've read no concerns about increased erosion from modern powders except insofar as increased performance = shorter barrel life, all other things being equal. Double base powders were once notorious for rapid barrel throat erosion, but that was a long, long time ago. It's the bullet weights you're running, the velocities they're running at, and the pressures you need to achieve them that determine 99% of barrel life. Speed costs!
Find the powder that gives you the results you want and don't worry about its composition.

If you are concerned about throat erosion vs. barrel life, have that barrel nitrided. Then the barrel life is significantly longer, and the barrel itself is far more corrosion resistant than stainless can be. You can double the accuracy life of a barrel with very little increase in cost.

 

[VKC]

I've been very happy with the accuracy and extra velocity I've gotten from switching to RL-17. As far as barrel life, I think it depends on how hard you push your loads. Push them hard close to 6.5x284 velocities, then you get something close in barrel life.

 

[VKC]

If you are concerned about throat erosion vs. barrel life, have that barrel nitrided. Then the barrel life is significantly longer, and the barrel itself is far more corrosion resistant than stainless can be. You can double the accuracy life of a barrel with very little increase in cost.

I wish "double barrel life" was true, as I've had multiple barrels nitrided. Personally, I've found 20-30% increase reasonable.