What cartridges were likely candidates for R-17. 
Cheese
Hey Cheese, sorry it took me so long. Internet connection problems at home.
In that I haven't seen a review of this powder from a respected individual, I can only make my decision on what to try it in based on the advertising hype I read. It listed three advantages of this powder:
1. Burning rate similar to 4350: Of course burning rate relationships on a chart don't mean much, but I'm looking at one that lists three hundred and eight powders. IMR and H 4350 are numbers 253 & 254. The next lowest Alliant is Rel15 @ 234, and the next highest is Rel19 @ 261. So, assuming it was named following the existing numerical order, we have some idea where it lays. And, if it's right there with the other 4350's, like Accurate 4350 is being at #252, I can come up with a lot of choices pretty quick!
For example: my favorite 165 gr 30/06 load is 57.0 gr of IMR 4350 and my favorite 150 gr. load is a couple grains more. I've already loaded up some 150's with H4350 to compare with the IMR powder. Now I've got another one to try! And, the ballistics table the included in the add showed a distinct light for caliber, to my way of thinking anyway, bent to the information contained. But, they do show a 150 gr at over 3K fps from the '06.
And, even though I'm more of a heavy and slow kinda guy, I'd like to see if it will do that in MY M700. So, if it has a burning rate the in the same group as the other 4350's, there ain't nuthin wrong with that! Might be just right for other calibers I'll note hereinafter.
2. Powder density developed for short magnums:
Unfortunately I don't have a density chart, or an energy chart, sitting right here in front of me, so this boast doesn't mean a lot. At first I thought the density would be higher so you could get more in a case. But that can't be it. Now I may be wrong but I think most SM's have just about the same capacity as the "other" case anyway. So, the only thing I can think of is this: It's been my experience that IMR 4350 likes a little bit of compression to perform at it's best. It gets that in most calibers I use it in. Therefore, it seems to utilise most of the case capacity of a given cartridge without creating an overpressure condition. If Rel17 is more dense, mayhaps more powder by weight and volume, can be put in a case and the pressure curve adjusted (by burn rate maybe?) so pressures don't exceed Saami limits. Either that or Alliant has discovered that powder burning characteristics and velocities achievable from SM's can be significantly altered by tailoring a powder's density to a cartridge's shape!
3. More temperature insensitive: Now I don't think temperature sensitivity has been a real issue since cordite in DG stoppers went out of style. However, I am nothing if not a mass of contradictions. Guess that comes from having to argue either side of an issue depending on who was paying me.
Now, I'm all hot to try Rel 17 in a bunch of calibers; Rel17's big selling point was more velocity then existing powders; I've often said I don't worry much about velocity as long as it is "acceptable" in my viewpoint, accuracy is the "Holy Grail." Now I've just said I don't think temperature sensitivity is much of an issue, but the reason I'm trying more of the Hodgdon powders is the temp. insensitivity of their Extream line!
Of course Alliant may have a reason for adding this as a little perk of this powder, however ambiguously it was worded, because as I remember some time ago they got a bad rap about this very thing with their other powders.
So I came to the conclusion that, their advertisement notwithstanding, the information we have so far on this powder is pretty thin. Basically a burn rate somewhere around that of the 4350's. Okay, I'll go with that! So on to your question of me Cheese!
I can see me trying this powder in the following cartridges:
.243 Win: I swore I'd never use it on deer again after killing 2 8 pointers a couple years ago with standing broadside shots behind the shoulder and not getting exit wounds using 100 gr. Sierra BTSP's @ 2950 +/_; Rel22 BTW. But my .243 is a Browning Low Wall that is just such a joy, and I've got a box each of Nosler partitions and Spear Grand Slams plus a bunch of 55 gr. bullets I need to shoot up...
257 Roberts: Never could get this one to shoot better then 1.5 in. but I never did my normal "must do's" that I do to my bolt guns to this Ruger. So I'm gonna start over with it and since 4350 is supposedly "the" powder for the Bob...
260 Rem: If 4350 is good enough for the .243 & the .257, well...
6.5x55 Swede: Swede's generally like slower powders, but with the lighter bullets and Alliant's add showing mostly light bullets,...
7x57 Mauser:see 6.5x55. Enough IMR 4350 to get me just under 2800 fps is my load of choice right now. I've also got a bunch loaded up with H-4350 to compare!
7/08 Rem: If it's good enough for the 6.5 and 7mm! ...
.308 Win: They didn't list this in their chart. Maybe the point of diminishing returns is down around 7mm for this case size.
30/06: Done talked about her!
.300 WinMag: Do they make cheese in Wisconsin!?
What you think bro?
