Comparative Powder Burn Rate Chart

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Llywelyn

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hey everyone,

Dont slam me if this seems like a crazy question, but never seen it answered anywhere before. I've seen comparative powder burning rates and a number of different charts. They are fairly consistant... Is it possible to substitute other powders that are close or lower down on that chart. For example if powder B is right below powder A, is B safe to use in place of A to develop starting loads.(assuming of course there is no load data for powder B, or powder A is unavailable) obviously I would think there is more danger in going up the list to far, but would there be an issue with going down the list to far. Or maybe this is a screwed up idea to begin with.


Thanks
 
It's about the cartridge and what your manual tells you. However, you can usually go up or down with no fuss. This chart(http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html) has a good selection of manufacturers, so it's a good place to look.
Look at IMR4895(#114) vs IMR4064(#120). Both are well known .30-06(et al) powders. So are H4895(#110) and BLC-2(#105). There are ranges of powders that are suitable for different cartridges. However, if you change powders, you have to work up the load again. There ain't no free lunch.
And yes there are dangers of going too far down. Slower powders aren't for everything. Usually for big cartridges with big bullets. IE. .50 BMG. Takes a while to get those big SOB's moving so they use powders that burn slower.
 
Llywelyn said:
hey everyone,

Dont slam me if this seems like a crazy question, but never seen it answered anywhere before. I've seen comparative powder burning rates and a number of different charts. They are fairly consistant... Is it possible to substitute other powders that are close or lower down on that chart. For example if powder B is right below powder A, is B safe to use in place of A to develop starting loads.(assuming of course there is no load data for powder B, or powder A is unavailable) obviously I would think there is more danger in going up the list to far, but would there be an issue with going down the list to far. Or maybe this is a screwed up idea to begin with.


Thanks
Click to expand...

First, I'm a relatively new reloader so take my advice with a grain of salt. I've been reading a lot and wondered the same thing.
According to my Hornady manual, it is not a safe assumption to use a powder that is right next to another one on a comparative chart. There can be significant differences from one to the next.
Also, there are differences due to case volume and case shape that cause some differences in how one powder burns compared to another. I read a better description of it but I cannot find it just now. (possibly also in the Hornady manual but maybe in Handloader magazine)

I'll let more experienced handloaders chime in though. <Back to newbie stealth mode>
 
There are many people who develop loads with powders not found associated in published tables with that cartridge and/or bullet. It is precisely the various powder burn rate tables that guide them, sometimes aided by pressure estimators like Quickload.
 
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