Where to learn about different powders?

[dzlfarmboy]

Where's the best place to learn about the different types of powders, such as the burn rate, temp sensitive, etc.

I'm fairly new to reloading and trying to learn some for my .308 and soon to be .243wssm

Thanks, Brett

 

[JALVI]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

Check this out:

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dzlfarmboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where's the best place to learn about the different types of powders, such as the burn rate, temp sensitive, etc.

I'm fairly new to reloading and trying to learn some for my .308 and soon to be .243wssm

Thanks, Brett </div></div>

Most common reloading manuals will have powders listed from various manufacturers and usually in order of how they 'grade' burn rate.

Don't get too hung up on 'burn rate' charts, as they're only a very rudimentary visual aid.

One powder might be faster than another, in the 308 case, but burn slower if it's used in say...a 223 case. It's not etched in stone, by any means.

Burn rates seem to be more dependent on case size/capacity.

Now with the internet, you can go to any powder maker's website and learn about their products.

Chris

 

[dzlfarmboy]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

What about temp sensitivity? Seems that with my .308 shooting 175gr SMK with 43gr of R15 varys a fair amount in velocity with the different temps. Just looking to see whats more consistent with temperature changes.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

I'd study the different burn rates of the powders. Any ball/spherical powder will be sensitive to temps. You're Hodgdon extreme powders will be the least temp sensitive. Keep reading all you can on here and other places about powders. Handloader magazine also has good info on powders and such. They have a powder profile topic that talks in detail about different powders.

 

[5RWannabe]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

i have found in my online research, that Hodgdon Varget has the best temp range. It was recommended for me because i live in the Pacific North West where we get a full range of conditions sub freezing- 100+.

"The first of Hodgdon's revolutionary Extreme Extruded Powders, VARGET features small extruded grains for uniform metering, insensitivity to hot/cold temperatures and higher energy for improved velocities over other powders in its burning speed class" --straight from the manufacturer




but get yourself any reloading manual, preferably 2 or 3 of them... Why you ask get more than 1...

they have slightly different stats for the loads (siearra book is known to Have slightly lighter loads, where as the layman book has slightly hotter loads. these books also contain many powder descriptions and their intended usage.. and usually how they perform best.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

^^^ What he said. I would also go as far as to suggest you become a reloading manual collector. They are like guns, you can never have too many. I have 5 different Lyman manuals alone. Plus numerous others I have collected over the years.

 

[dzlfarmboy]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

Thanks for the suggestions, I do read alot, im on the computer too damn much actually. But my buddy I reload with that has all the equipment has some loading manuals. Varget does seem to be a pretty good canidate, and I did start out with both Varget and R15 when I first started loading for this .308 but seemed to have better results with the R15 as far as accuracy.

But im looking for a good powder for my new .243wssm I will be getting soon and was looking at the H4350 & H4831 powders possibly. Any thoughts on those two for that round?

 

[rymart]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dzlfarmboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where's the best place to learn about the different types of powders, such as the burn rate, temp sensitive, etc.

I'm fairly new to reloading and trying to learn some for my .308 and soon to be .243wssm

Thanks, Brett </div></div>

The Sierra reloading manual has a powder burn rate chart with all of the major brands of powder in it.

 

[rweaver00geo]

Re: Where to learn about different powders?

I do a lot of research on the web, I like to start with a popular or "proven" powder/bullet combo, most people suggest 10% below max. There is nothing worse than trying to use some odd powder and getting mixed results when everyone else is using powder x and shooting sub-min groups. Once you get good at reloading its always fun to pull out some oddball load that you finally got to work.