Powder charge burning characteristics information?

[NFG]

Good morning,

I would like to get into a discussion into this fantastic group about Powder burn rate characteristics and understanding them in use of various calibers. My insufficient research has given me basic understandings of powder shapes, sizes and it's affect on performance. I am looking to solicit this group to understand more about powder characteristics for reloading rounds and knowing when a book says "do this," that it may not be in my best interest. First hand experience matters to me.

Current Reloading Calibers

• 44 Remington Magnum (T/C and pistol / rifle)
• 35 Remington Magnum
• 45 ACP
• 9mm Parabellum (at a later time)
• 410 Ga Shotshell

References I have looked at

1. Lyman Shotshell reloading manual 4th edition
2. Lee reloading manual 2nd edition
3. https://reloadingpowder.com/blog/reloading-powders-differences/
4. Why Burn Rate Is Meaningless
5. Reloading - Different powder types | Powders | Gun Mart

 

[Tisto]

So.....what is your question exactly ?

 

[repete]

About the only time I've looked at a burn chart is out of curiosity. Even developing new loads with a surplus powder it's of no real help.
Start low and build a progressive 'ladder' one or two tenths at a time.

 

[NFG]

About the only time I've looked at a burn chart is out of curiosity. Even developing new loads with a surplus powder it's of no real help.
Start low and build a progressive 'ladder' one or two tenths at a time.

Thank you for that. Just reaffirms my intuition is correct. Making sure there isn't any gotchas.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

Classical rule of thumb is your fastest burning powder is used for pistol cartridges and your slowest burning will be your magnum rifle cartridges. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule.

Instead of focusing on the technicalities of the powder, focus more on reliable load data and go from there. This especially important with pistol cartridges. You absolutely can double charge a case and the consequences will not be pretty. I have done it, but caught the error with a quality control check.

 

[spat]

Classical rule of thumb is your fastest burning powder is used for pistol cartridges and your slowest burning will be your magnum rifle cartridges. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule.

Instead of focusing on the technicalities of the powder, focus more on reliable load data and go from there. This especially important with pistol cartridges. You absolutely can double charge a case and the consequences will not be pretty. I have done it, but caught the error with a quality control check.

I've always figured anything other than following an established recipe is essentially very advanced reloading, and shouldn't be attempted by anyone who doesn't already know all that stuff from previous experience.

Sorta like brain surgery, if you have to ask where to find information, you shouldn't be even thinking about it LOL.

I think it's one step shy of full on wildcatting.

 

[dsdmmat]

I try and find the powder that gives me the best velocity at the mid pressure point, while filling the case to at least 80%. I usually try to use compressed loads. That way I won’t get a double charge.

burn rates are important for cycling Semi-Auto and Full Auto actions. It is also important when you are looking for the best velocity out of bolt action.

For example
if you use the wrong powder one that makes too much pressure at the gas port of an M1 Garand you could bend the operating rod.

if you use a powder that does not produce enough pressure in an AR it won’t cycle properly.

use a slow burning pistol powder in an auto loading pistol and it wont burn completely or cycle the pistol properly.

so while burn rate is important, following the recipes in a load book will get you where you want to be without knowing anything about burn rates.

 

[Mosinitis]

You can get seriously injured or killed if you load rifle rounds with pistol powder. Always label the powder wherever you pour it, don't rely on your memory. That's all you really need to know about burn rates.
Like others have said use known recepies from load manuals or people you trust.
Using multiple manuals is a plus, some of them are too cautious if you want higher velocity.

 

[spat]

You can get seriously injured or killed if you load rifle rounds with pistol powder. Always label the powder wherever you pour it, don't rely on your memory. That's all you really need to know about burn rates.
Like others have said use known recepies from load manuals or people you trust.
Using multiple manuals is a plus, some of them are too cautious if you want higher velocity.

I have 2 kinds of powder.

Stuff in original containers, and fertilizer for the garden (occasionally used for generic screwing around)

 

[Mosinitis]

I have 2 kinds of powder.

Stuff in original containers, and fertilizer for the garden (occasionally used for generic screwing around)

Powder in powder measures and powder dispensers when continuously used or switched is what needs to be labeled.

 

[spat]

Powder in powder measures and powder dispensers when continuously used or switched is what needs to be labeled.

I will typically not put more in the dispenser than I will use in a single session.

 

[Acer-m14]

@NFG

if you want to experiment .. use a rope on the gun and hide behind a solid object

got 2 vids for you 5:22 mark for mosin Black powder loads lol





RIP Berry .. i need to make more cut shells

 

[repete]

Powder in powder measures and powder dispensers when continuously used or switched is what needs to be labeled.

Aint that the truth! After 30 years of wondering just how the hell a person can mix up two different powders and how stupid they must be, I now know. It only took a moment of inattention and didn't notice the remaining powder down in the bottom of measure. I popped the top off and added about 5 or 6 oz of Unique and started to make adjustments for the proper weight and .. "whats this? Looks a bit shiny, that looks more like 231 than Unique.. AHH SHIT!"
Considering 231 was on the approved load list and the amount was small I was tempted to save it and go ahead but I didn't. It all went into my 'junk' powder can that has sat on my bench for 20 years or more and never collected more then 2 oz. or so, now it's half full. Live and learn!