RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

[kombayotch]

Revisited 208/210 grain bullets for the first time since getting Pressure Trace. RL-17 is "THE" powder for the heavies (in my short chamber, at least).

26" Schneider 1-11", GAP chamber

208 AMAX
Hornady Cases
210M
2.930" COAL
2.200" OG (0.020" from the lands)

Worked up to:

N550: 45.5 gr. 2543 fps 59570 psi
RL-17: 47.5 gr. 2611 fps 57880 psi

Here are the equations from the trend lines (both R^2 greater than 0.99) applied to the work-up data:

N550
V= 57(charge wt.) - 46.167
P= 3658.7(charge wt.) - 107017

RL-17
V= 60.488(charge wt.) - 249.2
P= 2357.9(charge wt.) - 54090

So, at 58000 psi average:

N550 gives 2525 fps
RL-17 gives 2626 fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">WARNING: your rifle is not my rifle, so don't assume the pressure numbers to be the same. Pressure may also increase to dangerous levels as it gets warmer out.</span>

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

Good info, thanks. That RL17 looks like the biz for heavies in the 308 all right. What bbl length are you running? (CRS....again)

 

[psinclair]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

Thanks! Ill have to try that out...Ive been using the 17 in my 6XC with good results.

 

[desertHK]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

But I am getting 2650 fps with RL15 (44 grains) for the same bullet out of my 1:12" twist. OAL at 2.940". I thought that it would out perform the RL15 as well. Anyone with info on that?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MontanaMarine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good info, thanks. That RL17 looks like the biz for heavies in the 308 all right. What bbl length are you running? (CRS....again) </div></div>

I seem to remember reading in another post that kombayotch is using a 26" & palma chamber by GAP.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seem to remember reading in another post that kombayotch is using a 26" & palma chamber by GAP. </div></div>

Yep.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But I am getting 2650 fps with RL15 (44 grains) for the same bullet out of my 1:12" twist. OAL at 2.940". I thought that it would out perform the RL15 as well. Anyone with info on that? </div></div>

Haven't tried RL-15, but my guess is that you may be running it at a higher pressure. The first time I tried comparing N550 and RL-17 (reading the brass), I thought they were equivalent (older batch of RL-17 though). But, the pressure testing equipment told a different story. RL-15 should not produce higher velocities at the same pressure.

 

[Falar]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

That velocity is great for a .308 w/208s. I get that with 175s.

 

[DocB]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

KB,

Your velocity with the 550 is about 75f/s below what I'm getting. What year was your N-550 made?

Thanks,
DocB

 

[kombayotch]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

I'll have to check. I bought it at the end of last summer. Pretty sure it's 2008 production. Are you comparing max velocity or velocity at a given charge weight?

 

[Belisarius]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

I get 2700 fps with 46.5 gr of N550 out of a 30" Krieger, col is 3.000 accuracy is perfect. The problem is $40 a lb of powder! Definitely gonna get some RL-17 and try it in my 6.5x55 too. Much cheaper.

 

[desertHK]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Belisarius</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get 2700 fps with 46.5 gr of N550 out of a 30" Krieger, col is 3.000 accuracy is perfect. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">The problem is $40 a lb of powder!</span></span> Definitely gonna get some RL-17 and try it in my 6.5x55 too. Much cheaper.

</div></div>

Amen bro. That's the powder I use for my 243 win with great success. Just can't afford to shoot with that. Try to find something else. That's why I lean toward the RL17 also for my 243. Haven't had time to try it out however.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

Tag

 

[esromvre]

Re: RL-17 beats N550 in 308 Win. w/ 208 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Revisited 208/210 grain bullets for the first time since getting Pressure Trace. RL-17 is "THE" powder for the heavies (in my short chamber, at least).

26" Schneider 1-11", GAP chamber

208 AMAX
Hornady Cases
210M
2.930" COAL
2.200" OG (0.020" from the lands)

Worked up to:

N550: 45.5 gr. 2543 fps 59570 psi
RL-17: 47.5 gr. 2611 fps 57880 psi

Here are the equations from the trend lines (both R^2 greater than 0.99) applied to the work-up data:

N550
V= 57(charge wt.) - 46.167
P= 3658.7(charge wt.) - 107017

RL-17
V= 60.488(charge wt.) - 249.2
P= 2357.9(charge wt.) - 54090

So, at 58000 psi average:

N550 gives 2525 fps
RL-17 gives 2626 fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">WARNING: your rifle is not my rifle, so don't assume the pressure numbers to be the same. Pressure may also increase to dangerous levels as it gets warmer out.</span> </div></div>

Great Job!
That RL17 is good for my 6.5 but be aware as with his warning RL 17 will jump up with the temp remember a chambered round will gain heat fast...