Powder burn rate pondering

OldDude

OldDude

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I come up with some curious questions sometimes.....

Is there a correlation between a powder's burn rate and its peak flame temperature? Other than large capacity overbore magnum cartridges, would it matter?

Also, is there a correlation between powder burn rate and barrel lead fouling at a given muzzle velocity? Has anyone noticed one type of powder to lead foul less than another?
 
Very Far from a expert but

You are over thinking it... you are going to start pulling out your Hair

Burn Rate and how it reacts

Is affected by kernel size / chemical makeup / pressure / too low pressure / Size of the case - dia - length / temperature / spark .. Ratio of case size vs barrel size / weight of projectile / and other stuff- all affect how powder burns.. My head is starting to hurt :)


The best thing to do is go By what your reloading manual says / Recommends -- Yes some powders are better than others
 
OldDude said:
I come up with some curious questions sometimes.....

Is there a correlation between a powder's burn rate and its peak flame temperature? Other than large capacity overbore magnum cartridges, would it matter?

Also, is there a correlation between powder burn rate and barrel lead fouling at a given muzzle velocity? Has anyone noticed one type of powder to lead foul less than another?
Click to expand...

Powder speed is probably only one of the variables that influence peak temperature. Ganderite will probably be along to comment.

There are different causes for lead fouling and powder type does influence some of them. Lead fouling at the start of rifling is thought to be caused by a lead bullet hitting the lands at high peak pressure causing the bullet material to shear slightly as the spin is imparted - the bullet material does not have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the sudden rotational acceleration while initially entering the lands and some bullet material is deposited while the bullet body is catching up to the rotation of the lands. Using a slightly slower powder can often clear up this problem.
 
I'm starting to think this may end up as one of those questions without solid answers.

The comment earlier about high pressure at the start of the rifling makes sense.

Regarding flame temperatures, I was contemplating whether or not a higher flame temperature would melt the base of the bullet more, possibly depositing more fouling in the barrel. It makes me wonder if a combination of high pressure and high flame temperature would be even worse.
 
Hmmmmmmm????

To my limited knowledge, most common ball and extruded powders are of similar chemical make up and the speed is regulated by the coating.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Slower powders, in my experience will cause longer throat erosion because the peak curve isn't quite as hot but it's also extended further down the bore.

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bearhunter said:
Hmmmmmmm????

To my limited knowledge, most common ball and extruded powders are of similar chemical make up and the speed is regulated by the coating.
Click to expand...

Traditionally, extruded powders were formulated from nitrocellulose, while most rifle ball powders were based on a blend of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine.

I'm not sure if newer powders such as the IMR Enduron line follow this rule or not.
 
Lots of extruded powders are double base.

I have always assumed that ball powders are always double base, but have been told (can't confirm) that there are single base ball powders out there.

A double base powder burns hotter and is usually more temperature sensitive. But it stores well and seems to last forever, if it was well-made.
 
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