Re: TRG-22 in .260 Rem loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 2 Taps</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice work, Lakeway, and nice shooting; 10-15 will certainly push them around a little, even at 100 yards. It's remarkable, with fundamentally just a (minor?) change in bullet and jump distance, how much difference shows up in velocity, ES, and SD. Your points about RE-17 vs H4350 and H4831 are well taken and I do have some H4350 I will now try.
In my research of 260 loads, I was struck by several reports of very impressive velocities using RE17. For example, Zak Smith wrote in 2009:
"In the end, neither of these new upstart cartridges did anything for me that the .260 didn't. With the new Reloder 17 powder, I am now launching the 139gr Scenar at just over 2900 fps from my 26" Rock Creek barrel. Some of my associates are shooting a load using this powder at 2980 fps; however, the large firing pin hole in my AI-AW does not allow this." (
http://demigodllc.com/articles/6.5-shootout-260-6.5x47-6.5-creedmoor/?p=5)
So when I didn't break 2800 FPS with 43 gr. of RE17, a substantial load, I was surprised and puzzled. I'm curious (stubborn) enough to try this again with 139 Scenars and CCI primers. If there is 2900+ FPS out there, I want to find it.
Thanks again for your experimental work and opinions.
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I have tried RL17 in three different cartridges, .260, 6mm Rem and 25 wssm. Only in the 25 wssm did I see significantly improved velocities over other powders (as much as 400 fps faster). Accuracy with RL17 is usually good, but never great in any of the cartridges I have tested with it.
I did get a couple rounds at over 2900 fps with the 260 and was not seeing any high pressure signs, so it is probably possible to get consistent 2900+ out of this powder in our rifles. But to me, it's not worth the extra wear and tear on barrels and brass, especially when the accuracy is not that great.