Powder Burn Rate Comparison Chart

skrazo

skrazo

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Anyone have links to some charts? Just want something to have handy while "shopping" for powders. I did a search on this forum and did not find anything. Am sure it has been posted many times. :)

P.S. I did an internet search, but all the charts I found seemed more focused on "disclaimers" than just providing basic data.
 
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Lots of them! Try this google search :) NOT trying to be a smarty pants!!!!

powder burn rate chart

skrazo said:
Anyone have links to some charts? Just want something to have handy while "shopping" for powders. I did a search on this forum and did not find anything. Am sure it has been posted many times. :)

P.S. I did an internet search, but all the charts I found seemed more focused on "disclaimers" than just providing basic data.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Bkreutz

That's what I was looking for. I can print it and carry it along when I visit reloading suppliers. :)
 
Badquaker said:
... Sometimes a linear list just doesn't tell the whole story.
Click to expand...

Linear burn rate lists can be very misleading.

On such a list, powders listed as numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 might all have the same burn rate. There might be a very small difference between numbers 4 and 5, but a huge difference between numbers 11 and 12.

I wish there was a chart or list of what powders go best with what calibers.
 
I've wished for.....

I wish there was some standard measurement of burn rate so that a VALUE could be assigned that would make the linear chart a thing of the past. I'm sure it will never happen because people will find a way to abuse the info.
 
skrazo said:
Anyone have links to some charts? Just want something to have handy while "shopping" for powders. I did a search on this forum and did not find anything. Am sure it has been posted many times. :)

P.S. I did an internet search, but all the charts I found seemed more focused on "disclaimers" than just providing basic data.
Click to expand...
Try this one
Burn Rate
 
I would be decidedly judicious using a burn rate chart to buy powder. Certain powders, Accurate Arms #9 being a specific example, actually burn slower in certain applications. AA #9 actually slows to somewhere around H110 when used behind a heavy projectile.

I state this from experience; this is not something I made up.
 
Doubless said:
I would be decidedly judicious using a burn rate chart to buy powder. Certain powders, Accurate Arms #9 being a specific example, actually burn slower in certain applications. AA #9 actually slows to somewhere around H110 when used behind a heavy projectile.

I state this from experience; this is not something I made up.
Click to expand...

I know you didn't make this up, because it's a known fact. The reason for all the disclaimers is that the relative burn rate charts, like all the ones referenced above, is because it is a dangerous practice. The relative burn rates are determined from igniting a small charge of powder in a "bomb" at the factories, they will vary widely from that when placed in various cases with various bullets.

If you want to carry a list to the store, go to all the manufacturers websites and write down what is suitable for your purposes.

It's not rocket science, but it is close.
 
My previous post was lacking some important details. I would not buy powder or reload ammo based solely on a burn chart. A burn chart may give you hints as to what powders could work, it is far from definitive. Some powders are not listed in reloading manuals though, so you need more information to make a choice on the limited supply we currently have.

Example: I need magnum pistol powder for 300blk and it's almost impossible to locate around here. I was able to locate some PP300MP, and it shows to be "close" to H110/296 which would work. I contacted Alliant and they provided me with load data. I am now able to reload and shoot my 300blk, because factory ammo was way to expensive to shoot otherwise.

Point: burn charts are only one piece of the puzzle, without the rest of the information, it's worthless. Do your due diligence.
 
Something to consider is "Relative Burn Rate". The charts may list the order of burn speed, but they don't tell how much faster or slower one powder is to the next/adjoining powder on the list.
 
I agree with most of the advice given. A burn chart is only part of the puzzle, one important factor it doesn't address is the density of a particular powder. It may be close on the burn chart but too "fluffy" to fit in a particular case. I've done as others have suggested. I have a list that I've made from various reloading guides for possible 9mm loads, that list contains 33 different powders that will work. The I highlight the powders that I prefer (about 6). When I come across a powder that is on the list, I'll buy it immediately if it's one of the "preferred 6", if it's one of the others, I then consider what I have in stock (and how much) and make the decision based on that.
 
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