I have dug through countless forums for the last few weeks and hoping for guidance. So how temperature stable really is RL 17? I know it's not the best for stability but it's what I have, I can get, and seems to shoot quite accurately. I will likely not be shooting in the dog days of summer at 100+ degrees, instead I am more worried about the colder winter days that are down to zero and below. I really have not found much indicating issues with the colder temperature, maybe this is because heat and pressure go 'hand-in-hand' but before I put all my eggs in the RL-17 basket I figured I'd ask. By the way, new reloader here so don't make me out to be to dumb. Thanks!
Reloader 17 Temperature Stability
- Thread starter Jonathan_T
- Start date
As a new reloader you should first learn how to reload using proven bullet/powder/primer/case combos before worrying about temperature stability of a powder many people use to hotrod their ammo.
Most guys report a swing of 75-100 fps between summer and winter. Its a headache id rather not deal with, so i shoot RL16, which gives the higher fps over most powders with similar burn rates, but with temp stability. I'e shot in 20 degree weather and 90 degree weather with no noticeable change,
Don't worry about it.
If you must worry about it, just do some testing. Run eight or ten rounds over your chrono every time you shoot, and record the temp. Put that info into your calculator/logbook, and devise your curve. Then don't worry about it.
If you must worry about it, just do some testing. Run eight or ten rounds over your chrono every time you shoot, and record the temp. Put that info into your calculator/logbook, and devise your curve. Then don't worry about it.
Thanks guys, I have a great load worked up for my 30-06 of 52 grains RL 17 with a 180 gr berger bullet, so it is certainly not causing pressure issue with a max in the Berger book at 55.2 grains. As far as testing goes I have tried down to 20 degrees with no change but it rarely gets to zero where I live, but I will be taking some hunting trips to area that have the potential of getting well below zero so just seeing if anyone has used RL 17 that can vouch for it.
I'd highly recommend that your gather your own data here. I'm not sure how much you have of 17 on hand, but a lot# change may produce different results also. I'm not saying 17 is a bad offering, it's a powder that thrives in 60-90deg temps, and historically does really weird shit under freezing temps, most wont deal with it.
Basically you load winter, you load summer and sometimes in between. You record and if you're into bulk reloading make three loads and if you load on demand you load according to season. No big deal as usually if you follow OCW temperature interval will be wide enough to cover all seasons with three different loads.
Alternative (as any sniper as fuck person does) is that you put first round up your arse to keep it at appropriate temperature ensuring first round hit....
Alternative (as any sniper as fuck person does) is that you put first round up your arse to keep it at appropriate temperature ensuring first round hit....
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