reloader 17 284 win 162 bthp test loads and chrony data

[bubbapug1]

Loc: SoCal All shot through a 24" EW shaw barrel. Very good groupings on the 53.9 and 53.4 loads. Less than 0.5 moa...windy and a rocking bench...First attempt at testing out a new/used rifle.

53.1 Grains RL17 162G bthp - 2914 2934 2904 2923

bolt was not tight, brass still fits in a case gauge- primers look normal

53.4 grains RL17 162 g bthp - 2975 2965 2973 -

bolt a little tight, cases almost fit into a case gauge. Primers look normal

53.9 grains RL17 162 G BTHP - 2970 2982 2972 2980 2999

Bolt is very tight. Cases only drop 1/2" into case gauge, primers look like the 53.1 load - no change

53.9 grains - RL17 162 G BTHP - 0.02" less than above load OAL

2945 2974 2964 2958

Cases only drop 1/2" into case gauge, primers look like the 53.1 load - no change

[Bill Steele]

I would say if you are getting .5 MOA on a windy day with a rocking bench, I think White Rabbit would call those loads "robust".

[Mikeb]

So what have we learned? OAL matters and can raise pressure.
Good work with the testing.

[bubbapug1]

Actually we didn't learn anything about OAL on this test as the data indicates the shorter load was more inconsistent and also had similar pressures. the highest velocities came from the longest oal. both loads produced very expanded cases. a pressure tap would be needed I think to really make that call on pressures.

Note the velocoties between 53.4 an 53.9...almost identical. There comes a point where velocity taps out and pressure just keeps rising. Thats the spot I want to find to save wear and teat on my brass...as long as accuracy doesn't suffer!!!!

[Mikeb]

I think you are right on the money and that points out the advantage of crony testing. I'm told that the most accurate load is just at the point that the speed curve starts to flatten. But the groups will tell. But like you say keeping it in the range where the brass doesn't stick will make it last longer.

[bubbapug1]

The only butch with chrony testing is shooting the chrony!!

Why reload rifle without a chrony? You'd never know your trajectories past what you quantify empirically.

I have noticed the most accurate loads are the ones where the powder fills the case to darn near 100%. At that point velocities do seem to level off, pressures begin to head up, and fps variations decrease.

The loads I had are right around +\- 10 fps at near 3000 fps. That's a very tight range considering I dropped powder on a dillon 550. I bet if I weigh charges i can drop the spread even more.

[rusty815]

Hey bubba, I commented on your thread in Snipershide, I think you're right about the best load being near 100% fill with Reloader 17, that has been my experience with my 300WSM, 243 and 284. My current load for the 180gr. Bergers in my 284 is 51.5gr (Hot load, work up to it if you want to try it), and its about 94% fill I think. For my 300WSM, with Barnes 200gr. LRX and 63gr. of Reloader 17 I get around 98% fill and 3000fps without pressure signs (again, proper work up is required), needless to say Reloader 17 is an amazing powder in the right cartridges.

[bubbapug1]

Thanks for that Berger data. I get some 180's in a few days.

I will check the primer pockets in my heaviest 53.9 grain load to see if I blew them out.

R17 has a lot of excellent attributes, it really is the best way to go for larger 7mm and 30 cal cases. It's a shame alliant is so horrid at supplying load data on R17 and most of its other powders.

[rusty815]

53.9 sound a bit too hot, I used 53gr. with the 162gr. AMAX and it was pretty close to max, maybe backing it down to 53.4gr. should be good.

The 180gr. rounds look really good in my rifle, I'm getting 2830fps with my current load and great accuracy. This is a very good long range load.

[bubbapug1]

Rusty whats your barrel length?

[rusty815]

my barrel is 25 inches, so my velocity won't be too far off or yours, my smith recommended it as the best compromise between performance and weight in the 284, since I wanted it to be light enough to hunt with. I get about 30fps more velocity than a 24" barrel I think, not much of a difference.