Alliant Releases NEW Reloder 17 Powder
Alliant Powder, a division of Alliant Tech Systems Inc., (ATK), will be shipping new Reloder 17 powder in mid-March, 2008. This is an all-new, double-base powder produced in Switzerland by NitroChemie for Alliant. It is a high-energy powder with a burn rate close to IMR 4350, and “midway between Reloder 15 and Reloder 19.” The powder density is optimized for the short magnum cases such as the 7mm WSM and 300 WSM, but it also will work very well with cartridges such as .243 Win, .270 Win, 6XC, and 6mm Remington, according to Alliant Product Manager Dick Quesenberry.
Reloder 17, a state-of-the-art propellant, promises to deliver higher velocities than competitive powders for many popular calibers. If you have the “need for speed”, Reloder 17 is worth trying if you’re shooting IMR4350, H4350, N550 or similar powders right now. The new RL17 will be offered in 1-lb. and 5-lb. containers and will cost about the same as other Alliant Reloder powders, such as RL15 and RL19.
Mr. Quesenberry noted that Alliant tested many formulations, from a variety of makers, before choosing the Swiss-made Reloder 17. Alliant’s new RL17 is NOT the same as Norma URP, produced by Bofors in Europe. According to Alliant, the new Reloder 17 tested superior to URP (and most other powders in that burn range) in all major criteria: Velocity, Accuracy, ES/SD, material consistency, and resistance to ambient temperature-induced pressure changes.
Reloder 17 features an advanced, penetrant-type kernel coating. Alliant believes this is superior to typical surface powder coatings because it provides a more consistent, progressive burn. The powder pressures do not spike as sharply as with surface-coated powders, but remain more consistent throughout the burning process.
Testing has shown that Reloder 17 offers big velocity gains in many cartridges compared to other powders in the same burn range. For example, in the 6mm Remington, using an 85gr BTSP, Reloder 17 delivered a +156 fps gain over all other powders listed in the current Speer Reloading manual. Likewise, in the 300 WSM with a 180gr BTSP, Reloder 17 offered +104 fps edge in velocity over all powders listed in the Speer Manual. Below is a chart showing projected velocity gains compared to other Speer Manual-listed powders.
VELOCITY GAINS with RELOADER 17 POWDER
Alliant has already done extensive load testing in its ballistics laboratories and has load data available for 20 popular cartridges, including .243 Win, 6mm Rem, 6.5×55, .260 Rem, .270 Win, .308 Win, 30-06, 7mm WSM, 300 WSM, and 300 Win Magnum.
CLICK HERE for ALLIANT RELODER® 17 LOAD DATA
NOTE CONCERNING LOAD DATA:
Reloder® 17 was created with new technology to provide velocity greater than the competition in the most popular standard rifle calibers and the new short magnums. For the recipes developed in Alliant’s Ballistics Laboratory, all loads used Speer bullets and list the correct Overall Length — DO NOT SEAT THE BULLETS TO A LESS OVERALL LENGTH. These recipes are maximum loads and shall not be exceeded. Always start at least 5% low and work up.
That is a very excellent write up on RL 17 in todays Daily Bulletin. I cannot wait to try the powder out in a variety of cartridges. If RL 17 is anything like RL 15 is to powders in its respective burn rate, the results for RL 17 should be good. I can see immediate uses for this powder in cartridges like the 6XC, 6×47 Lapua (i.e. necked down 6.5×47 Lapua), 284 Win, maybe the 6.5×284 in lieu of the regular favorite H4350. While I love some of the Hodgdon powders, most of their stick powders tend to leave that glazed carbon build up just forward of the throat in barrrels (that’s a pain to get out), and I have never had that issue with RL 15 and presumably RL 17 will not either.
Great report – can’t wait to give it a try.
Robert Whitley
Appears to be an ideal candidate for both Hornady’s new 6.5 Creedmoor
and, even more importantly, the 6.5 X 47 Lapua…and I hope to see tested
data soon!
WIll data be developed for the 25 WSSM. I know it is not too popular but might be just the ticket for the Super Short Mags as well!!
THanks in advance!
Greg Harrison
Where con RE 17 be purchased?
My zip is 14810
Mail addess is 12 Robie St, Bath NY.
Has the data on the propritary .243 – .260 – 7mm-08 –
.308- ect. with medium weight bullets been done yet?
i.e. 90gr. – 120gr – 140gr – 150gr respectivly,
I have appreciated your great powders from Alaska to Montana. Thank you, Roberoo
My zip is 20902. Could you pls tell me where I can buy RL-17?
Thanks,
Steve Carberry
Can you please give me load data for the RL17 and RL19 to suit a 25-06 with a 85gr ballistic tip nosler. In your opinion which would be the better powder for this cartridge. Thank you. I await your reply.
Can I use steel powder to load 20 gauge sabot slugs? What is it’s burn rate?
Jim
Suggest a load for 70 gr in 243 win.
Thanks
I had a Rem 700 LSS in 375RUM shortened to 21″ and was getting 2820fps with 95grs IMR4350 & 260gr Accubonds after carefully working up with RL17 to 95grs I was amazed that I was getting the same accuracy but my chrono was now showing me an average of 3030 + fps…
I was also shooting my 280 Rem & a 300RUM with their regular loads over the chrono that day and their velocities were what I was used to so my chrono was working right.
Just bought another 3 lbs of RL17 so I don’t run out…
Can you give me recommended loads for .338 win mag, 225gr Nosler Accubond, RL17, primer ??.
loads for 303 Brit?
I used 69 grains R17 in 338 WM
with 225 TTSX Barnes
and Fed 215Match primer
in Nosler brass
for about 2800-2825 fps.
properly seated bullets, 3.31″ COL, produced .75″ three shot groups in Tikka T3
Got back out to the range a couple days ago and chronographed my RL17 300gr Gameking 375RUM loads in my 21″ barreled Rem 700 LSS.
300gr Gameking + 91.5grs RL17 + Fed 215 primers = 2730fps and cloverleaf 100 yard groups.
92grs gave an average of only 10fps faster so I decided to go with the 91.5gr load.
For comparison I used to load 92grs IMR4350 = 2620fps for an average of 110fps velocity gain and so far the same excellent accuracy.
i have yet to put them over a crono but i have no presure signs and good groups in mt 260 rem with 40 gr rl-17 under a 140 gr nosler custom comp …. i will be working up to 2850fps “ish”(with a crono) and see how the groups go before i start buying in bulk,,,, rl-22 seemed good but the great groups just aren’t consistant….i did get the 140s to over 2900fps with 46.4gr of 22,,,, just not consistantly accurate. any one else playing with the 260 rem and speed????
Loaded my 300WSM with 68grs of R17 using Federal 215 primers and the Barnes 168TTSX. Getting avg velocity of 3240. WOW. Started at 65 grains and worked up with no signs of excessive pressures, this is a super powder. Anybody have data for the 130gr TTSX and R17? Test gun is a Kimber 8400 Montana.
Hey Scott, what kind of groups are you getting with 168TTSX and 68grs of R17. I have a kimber montana and theats the powder and pullets I bought the diffences is I have Winchester Primers.
I recently began using R17 in my .25/06 It is essentially a HV bench rest rifle with a hunting type carbon fibre stock on it. The claims Alliant are making about this powder seem to be accurate. Velocity with 87gn and 90gn projectiles increased by 180 and 200 fps respectively. I also gained sub moa accuracy again at 300m.
Andy.
Loading data for 6.5-06 using 129 gr. Hornady bullet with Reloader 17 powder?
Hi,
I just purchased R17 knowing it was somewhere near the burn rate as 4350. I would like to try it in 350 Remington Magnum at 200, 225 and 250 grain bullets. Any recommended starting loads? Primers?
Steve Bocker
57 gr with a 200 gr Hornady JSP averaging 2350 fps is by far the most accurate load I`ve found in my Model 71 Win.(.348) Would it be unwise (dangerous) to try it in slightly reduced loads with 200 gr cast gc bullets?
I’m currently working a load for my 30/06 – Thus far I’ve been following customary wisdom meaning this is my elk rifle for late season so I’ve been using cci 250 primers, no mention of that in any forum I’ve read but I’m suspecting that if I drop to a 210M primer I’ll see better accuracy yet won’t need to worry about ignition troubles with the new technology of RL-17 – Any comments from anyone would be greatly appreciated
I could use some advice on rl-17 140 gr. eld 42.5 gr.of rl-17 is this too much
@tony
Write caliber, bullet brand and type (Hornady ELD?), COAL, case MEASURED H2O capacity, and I will try to help you with rl 17
I have a Rem 600 in 6.5 Rem Mag and 120 TSX
I have used IMR 4350 for years, but thinking about using some of the new powders.
RL 16 / RL17 or maybe RL 23 / RL 26. Anyone have a suggestion?