H4350, H4831, H1000, Retumbo - Which does not flash?

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I know some powder flashes and some don't. I have used Varget and H335 in my .223 Rem. and the H335 will perform a light show where as the Varget would just pump the bullet out. I found out from a movie gun-tech guy that knows H335 has no flash inhibitor and use that a lot in movies.

I also have experienced with my 338-378 wby mag load with H50BMG and the rifle shot out a 4-foot flame. I am hoping to gain knowledge of a non-flashing equivalent to the H50BMG like H4350, H4831, H1000, & RETUMBO and that burns relatively clean.

Would you share your experience if you have used these powders?

Thank you very much.
 
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The reason for excessive Flash is that the powder is not fully burnt by the time the bullet exits the barrel. Ideally, you should see little Muzzle Flash so that you are getting the maximum velocity from the powder burning to almost 100% inside the barrel.

By using the recommended powders and amounts for the cartridges you are loading, you will be getting the most from your handloads.
 
The combination of short barrels, large capacity cartridges, small bores, and slow burning powder will produce brilliant muzzle flashes. It all comes down to the volume of powder being burned and the volume of chamber and barrel you have to do the burning in.
 
CyaN1de said:
The reason for excessive Flash is that the powder is not fully burnt by the time the bullet exits the barrel. Ideally, you should see little Muzzle Flash so that you are getting the maximum velocity from the powder burning to almost 100% inside the barrel.

By using the recommended powders and amounts for the cartridges you are loading, you will be getting the most from your handloads.
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Boomer said:
The combination of short barrels, large capacity cartridges, small bores, and slow burning powder will produce brilliant muzzle flashes. It all comes down to the volume of powder being burned and the volume of chamber and barrel you have to do the burning in.
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Thank you very much CyaN1de and Boomer. However, the flash is not the problem in my post. My main question in the original posting is:

"I am hoping to gain knowledge of a non-flashing equivalent to the H50BMG like H4350, H4831, H1000, & RETUMBO and that burns relatively clean.

Would you share your experience if you have used these powders?"

I would appreciate if there is a similar experience as provided by the movie gun-technician who said Varget uses flash inhibitor and H335 does not. And it is true that I tested on with a 20" barrel .223 rem that max load of 27.8 gr of Varget (per Lyman's 48th) has no flash yet the min load of 24.3 gr of H335 produced a bright white flash.
 
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ok, maybe i'm mis-understanding the question but if it's equivalent (equal) won't you get equal flames ???
anyways, check the Hodgdons's site they list a burn rate chart, find the H50BMG powder, 2nd to 3rd from the bottom if I remember right and move up a few steps, I think Retumbo is a little faster, I know H1000 is I don't use it for the 50, too quick.

M.
 
Ice-Pick said:
ok, maybe i'm mis-understanding the question but if it's equivalent (equal) won't you get equal flames ???
anyways, check the Hodgdons's site they list a burn rate chart, find the H50BMG powder, 2nd to 3rd from the bottom if I remember right and move up a few steps, I think Retumbo is a little faster, I know H1000 is I don't use it for the 50, too quick.

M.
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Thanks for pointing out the misuse of the word "equivalent". I believe I meant to say "powder within relative and neighboring burn rate". In the list of powder I quoted, they are of Hodgdon brand and easily available at the local retail stores. The list could have included IMR (7828), Winchester (WMR, WXR), or Vihta Vuori (N160, N560, N170) powders. I am trying to find a powder that uses flash inhibitor within the range of burn rate of the H50BMG.

As in my reference to Varget and H335, they are within the same range of burn rate. While Varget having a slower burn rate than H335, it exhibited no flash at max load as used in my test with the .223 Rem. H335, being faster than Varget, still flashed brilliantly with min load. The test did confirm the movie gun-technician's knowledge of the use of flash inhibitor with Varget while none is used with the H335.

The use of flash-inhibitor in a powder is not disclosed with the specification of a powder.

Specifically, I have developed a good load of 338-378 Weatherby Magnum
using a 225gr ballistic tipped bullet...
propelled by H50BMG...
through a 28" 1:10 twist barrel...
exiting the muzzle with a velocity of 3050 fps...
followed by a 4-foot flame that blinds the shooter through the scope...
​
but resulted in excellent accuracy. That's why I am seeking some similar powder that could do it without the 4-foot flame.

At the original post, I asked about powders at the slow end of burn rate hoping to see if anyone has experienced no flash with them with any large caliber mag/ultra mag rifles. Now I would specifically ask if anybody HAS actual experience, with reloading large capacity round similar to the 338-378 Wby Mag which takes 7.80cc of powder, please share your choice of powder which burns clean and does not flash.

Thanks again.
 
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In the past it was said that ball powders produce more flash then other types, don't know if that is true as it doesn't matter to me.
 
Like I said, large capacity small bore = brilliant muzzle flash. I think all you can do is to try powders that are progressively quicker, although you will probably find 4350 is too quick for the .338-378. Perhaps give US 869 from Hodgdon a try.
 
I do remember reading somewhere that mil-spec powders are treated with a flash inhibitor. Sorry but I can't remember what powders they were. Have you tried asking the different manufacturers which specific types were treated?
 
colt45cz75 said:
I do remember reading somewhere that mil-spec powders are treated with a flash inhibitor. Sorry but I can't remember what powders they were. Have you tried asking the different manufacturers which specific types were treated?
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Thank you very much. "Mil-Spec", that's another good clue.

The clues are getting fun!

We have now:
  • non-BALL (ben hunchak)
  • MIL-SPEC (colt45cz75)
 
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