D4064SSC vs. D4064... um, non-SSC?

Keep me posted I’d like to try this powder the cost is tempting. Just a bit of a concern of the space in a small case like 223.

I’m sure it would be fine. Lots of folks use Varget in 223. If you check some of the pics in this thread you’ll see the D4064SSC is very close to the same size cut.
 
I bought a jug of the D4064SSC powder just before Christmas. I tried some 223 loads with it over the new year. I started at 23gr, to 24gr, and had space left in the case after loading the 55gr hornady SP. It shot ok in my Tikka T3. I did load some more test rounds at 24.5, 25, and 25.5gr, but have not fired those yet. 25.5gr is where there was where the case was full, but the charge not compressed.
 
Got some SSC today...first thing I noticed is how inconsistent the kernels are. Top is regular D4064, bottom 2 are the D4064SSC.
Meh...

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If those samples are representative, then it's all over the map - unless that's mouse turds. I've seen very slight variations (to the eye) before, but not like that.

Ganderite will know this: "Do they start out long and are divided up, or are they extruded to final length?"

The real test is how consistent it will be.
 
I did finally get out with some warm 223 loads with the SSC, worked fine, held it's own against the Varget loads I was using so no real issue with the kernel size being all over the place.
On a side note, my powder thrower jammed up solid when I was using some OEM IMR4831. The culprit was a 1.5" long kernal that somehow slipped through lol.
Being the cheap bastard that I am I grabbed some scissors and cut it to proper length. Surprised me how dense it was, like cutting hard nylon.
 
Ok. So you’re saying the D4064SSC will likely perform and meter more similarly to IMR4064 than the regular D4064 would?

The way I understand it:

Neither D4064 or D4064SSC are canister grade - which means each batch of each one is a law unto itself. There is no shortcut that says ssc is closer to D4064 or IMR4064 until you prove it to yourself.
 
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I was just working on some loads with the D4064SSC and some Western Munitions 62gr. FMJ bullets when I ran across a kernel of "D4064SLC" (super long cut).

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Auggie D.
 
Seems to be decent powder despite the irregular length of the kernels. The first batch I tried was regular D4064 which has very even (but long) kernels and it holds it's own against my Varget loads. That lot is a hair slower then IMR4064 and 1/2gr less then Varget gets me the same velocity as my Varget loads.
The SSC D4064 lot I have is just about bang on IMR4064 velocity.
Some D4350 would be a nice addition.
 
I've always found 40464 to give excellent accuracy in my 303, not quite the same velocity but for me it isn't an issue. It's the Rodney Dangerfield of powder, and I've never seen a time when it was out of stock - shhhh.
 
If those samples are representative, then it's all over the map - unless that's mouse turds. I've seen very slight variations (to the eye) before, but not like that.

Ganderite will know this: "Do they start out long and are divided up, or are they extruded to final length?"

.

The powder is a yellowish dough. Looks like bread dough. It goes through an extruder that has a bunch of holes the powder dough is pushed through. If it was not cut, it would look like long strands of raw spaghetti.

At the end of the extruder is a spinning cutter. This cuts the strands into kernels.

After cutting the kernals are treated with a surface deterrent (like DNT) tumbled with graphite and dried.

After the powder is made it is tested and rated for speed. The buyer (of all 1 or 2 tons) is told that it is a 4895 powder with a certain speed. The buyer would note "Slow 4895", etc. and develop a load for it.

The buyer has a target velocity that is easy to reach with a suitable powder, so all has has to do is find out how much powder is required to reach that velocity.

Slow 4895 could be used for 308 and 3006, wheres as fast 4895 might get used for 30-30, 303 and 308.

If the powder is very close to the canister spec for 4895, it will get packaged into small containers as canister grade 4895.
 
The powder is a yellowish dough. Looks like bread dough. It goes through an extruder that has a bunch of holes the powder dough is pushed through. If it was not cut, it would look like long strands of raw spaghetti.

At the end of the extruder is a spinning cutter. This cuts the strands into kernels.

After cutting the kernals are treated with a surface deterrent (like DNT) tumbled with graphite and dried.

After the powder is made it is tested and rated for speed. The buyer (of all 1 or 2 tons) is told that it is a 4895 powder with a certain speed. The buyer would note "Slow 4895", etc. and develop a load for it.

The buyer has a target velocity that is easy to reach with a suitable powder, so all has has to do is find out how much powder is required to reach that velocity.

Slow 4895 could be used for 308 and 3006, wheres as fast 4895 might get used for 30-30, 303 and 308.

If the powder is very close to the canister spec for 4895, it will get packaged into small containers as canister grade 4895.


Bump for an interesting description of powder manufacturing. Good thread
 
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