If you suspect N-217 to be the same powder as RL 25 then you may very well be correct.
I read the two powders are nearly identical if not the very same and after today, I am convinced they are identical. The 208 Amax calls for 70.0 to 73 gr of RL 25, according to Alliant. Using Federal brass and 215GM primers, I started at 70 gr of N-217 which showed an average velocity of 2817. 72.5 gr printed the best with a 1.435" three shot group at 300 yards and showed 2887 fps from a 28" 5R Krieger. The SD at 72.5 gr with 5 shots showed 9. I moved all the way to 74.5 gr but accuracy fell way off and the bolt became heavy with enough primer cratering to call it quits. It was 81F with 22% Humidity and 5-13 mph 270 degree wind at 3100 elevation. I expected to get more velocity, closer to 3000 because according to Norma, "217 matches the .338 Lapua perfect." I call BS on that. Maybe perfect for heavy 7mm Mag but way to fast for "perfect" in the 338 Lapua. Also, this is a brand new gun sporting a Grizzly Gunworks brake and I can tell you, the Fat Bastard is a better brake. I have about 3 pounds of H1000 and 6 pounds of VV N570 which have very well known loads so I am going to try RL 33 next. I think I will start with Retumbo data for RL 33 and stop when pressure shows up, expecting it to be around 82 gr. I would like to thank everyone here for such insight with precision rifles, if anyone reads this.
I read the two powders are nearly identical if not the very same and after today, I am convinced they are identical. The 208 Amax calls for 70.0 to 73 gr of RL 25, according to Alliant. Using Federal brass and 215GM primers, I started at 70 gr of N-217 which showed an average velocity of 2817. 72.5 gr printed the best with a 1.435" three shot group at 300 yards and showed 2887 fps from a 28" 5R Krieger. The SD at 72.5 gr with 5 shots showed 9. I moved all the way to 74.5 gr but accuracy fell way off and the bolt became heavy with enough primer cratering to call it quits. It was 81F with 22% Humidity and 5-13 mph 270 degree wind at 3100 elevation. I expected to get more velocity, closer to 3000 because according to Norma, "217 matches the .338 Lapua perfect." I call BS on that. Maybe perfect for heavy 7mm Mag but way to fast for "perfect" in the 338 Lapua. Also, this is a brand new gun sporting a Grizzly Gunworks brake and I can tell you, the Fat Bastard is a better brake. I have about 3 pounds of H1000 and 6 pounds of VV N570 which have very well known loads so I am going to try RL 33 next. I think I will start with Retumbo data for RL 33 and stop when pressure shows up, expecting it to be around 82 gr. I would like to thank everyone here for such insight with precision rifles, if anyone reads this.
