Powders-Age Old Question

[paperboy98]

I'm new to reloading and I've noticed that everyone has a favorite powder and most will swear by theirs. My question is this: how do reloaders evaluate a powder somewhat scientifically, rather than emotionally? Don't get me wrong, I'm not a data nut, but I am confused about how so many people can recommend a powder as the best.
I'm just a target shooter and don't care a lot about muzzle velocities, etc.
So help me decide how to evaluate a powder for my reloading program. Thanks in advance for all comments, suggestions, etc.
Paperboy98

 

[OKFC05]

Well, first you decide what calibers you are going to reload, and the purposes of the ammunition. Hunting plinking, competition, or ? Don't call it "target shooting" if you really mean plinking. The various target disciplines and competitions have ammo specs to consider.
Then consider your loading system, because progressive loaders favor powders that meter easily.
Then decide if you are an experimenter that wants to try every possible powder, or do you want to use loads that are proven, reliable, and easy to reload.
Then comes your personality. Do you like smooth and accurate, or balls of fire and sonic booms?

 

[Gatofeo]

Numerous criteria are used by reloaders -- at least, the objectively honest ones -- to rate a powder. Not all of these may apply:

1. Accuracy
2. Velocity
3. How well it meters through a measure
4. How much fouling it leaves behind
5. Are cartridges assembled with it affected by extreme cold, heat or humidity?
6. Cost per load
7. Burning rate
8. Availability
9. Versatility -- Can I use it in rifles, pistols and/or shotguns?
10. Applicability -- Will I use it with cast or jacketed bullets?
11. How much of the case does it fill, so I don't end up putting in two charges and creating a dangerous cartridge?
12. Streamlining of inventory. Why buy two or three powders of nearly identical capability when one will do?

There are surely other factors, but you get the idea.

I admit that Nostalgia factors into my own selection. The first rifle reload I ever assembled used IMR3031 powder, for a .32 Winchester Special. Actually, that's still a darned good powder for .30-30 class cartridges.
The first pistol reload I assembled used Unique powder. I still use it, though there may be others better for certain pistol cartridges.

 

[PDL]

I think if you're only going to determine you powder 'scientifically' the only criteria would be accuracy from your firearm.
But actually, Gatofeo pretty much laid out the reasons why a particular powder is used. I probably would have numbered them differently, but that's what makes the world interesting.
Availablily has to be #1, might be the best stuff since sliced bread but if you can't get it it won't do you any good.
After that you're free to pick the order of your choice. And it won't be carved in stone, cause what's important now, might not be so critical later.

 

[Dragon88]

Scientifically, I have a target velocity in mind and then look for a powder that will achieve that velocity. I tend toward the slower powders in handguns, and the medium powders in rifles because they often achieve my velocity and accuracy goals. As mentioned above though, there are so many criteria for choosing a powder. It is individual to each reloader and load and usage.

Also, some don't like having a lot of different powders on the shelf. That's why powders like Unique come up so often for pistol loads. It had so many uses, a jug of Unique will keep all or almost all of your handguns shooting for a long time.

 

[Harrison]

You can try to re-invent the wheel, or you can do it the easy way.

If you are primarlily interested in target to mid-range loads, find out what the target shooters generally use. There will be two to four powders that most all target type shooter agree work well for target shooting and/or mid-range loads. If there is a general concensus that bullseye, W-231/HP-38, titegroup or clays works well in 38 special then try one or more of those. 45acp may be slighty different, but many of the same powders work in it all so.

 

[buckbeans]

Don't mention 231 and hp38!!! two of the most versatile and consistent powders( they are the same) I have used, so I can buy more. I have buckets of unique but will not be be buying more because of metering problems.

 

[paperboy98]

Great Responses

Thanks for all the great responses. I started using Titegroup (all pistol loads) and have noticed that I have lots of static issues in the powder measure. Hornady advised to "swish" the powder around in the measure to coat it before loading. Others advised swishing some graphite in the measure before adding powder.
As to accuracy of a powder, I'm not sure I'm consistently good enough to evaluate my shots by powder type. Is there a really noticible difference between certain powders?
Thanks for entertaining my silly questions. I'm a newbie and I want to learn right and be safe. You folks are always very helpful.
paperboy98

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hi paperboy98;

I think I'd just load with the measure. Perhaps you could "swish" the powder in the measure as you say Hornady advises but I'd leave the graphite out. It seems unnecessary to add a possible contaminant, even if it is only a wee bit.


I suppose Unique has metering problems. Perhaps it matters most with volume loading but for those using a single stage press, Unique works well in powder measures like the RCBS Uniflow. I don't find powders like Unique to be annoying when throwing charges, nor can see velocity variations or accuracy problems resulting from flow characteristics of Unique or similar powders.

It is so easy to find suitable powders with granular shapes that suits the handloader's notion a smooth powder flow that no one has to live with a powder that is troublesome in their opinion.

 

[OKFC05]

I rub the OUTSIDE of the powder measure assembly with a dryer sheet to reduce it's ability to hold a static charge.
There is a scientific basis for this screwy procedure, in that the static charge tends to drain away through the trace coating the dryer sheet leaves. That's how it works on clothes, too.

 

[Dan Cash]

+1 on what Gatofeo said plus you learn what a group of powders will do so upon taking up a new cartridge you are saved a lot of tinkering. I use Alliant powder almost exclusively for everything from .222 through .45-70 with a bunch of .25 and .30s inbetween to include pistol cartridges. There are 5 different powders on the shelf. Yes, some cartridges might be improved by yet a different propellant but these 5 makes everything I posess go bang with reasonable accuracy and sufficient velocity to meet my needs. I am too old to tinker.

 

[FEG]

I'm new to reloading and I've noticed that everyone has a favorite powder and most will swear by theirs. My question is this: how do reloaders evaluate a powder somewhat scientifically, rather than emotionally? Don't get me wrong, I'm not a data nut, but I am confused about how so many people can recommend a powder as the best.
I'm just a target shooter and don't care a lot about muzzle velocities, etc.
So help me decide how to evaluate a powder for my reloading program. Thanks in advance for all comments, suggestions, etc.
Paperboy98

I certainly DO NOT have a favorite powder, even for particular cartridges. Every handgun is different, even specimens of the same make/model.

Here is an internet article I have written on the subject:
Handloading Tips: Part 4 (Powders)

 

[RussellD]

I look at the following:

How many calibers can I use this powder for?

Does it meter well through a Dillon powder measure?

Is it easy to locate when I need more?

How many pounds of it do I have in the closet on my day off when I want to reload.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've purchased over 20 different pistol powders over the past 20 years looking for "perfection". Unfortunately, perfection doesn't exist in the real world, so I've learned to accept superior performance instead.

I reload on a Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk powder system. Any handgun cartridge I load today (along with .223 Remington) must use a powder I trust to measure well through the Pro Auto Disk. I also use QuickLOAD to help me determine which powders are the most efficient for my needs (which I define as having 90% or more of the powder burned before the bullet exits the barrel).

In my mind, the "keepers" are Accurate #2, IMR Trail Boss, VV N340, VV 3N37, VV N105, and VV N110. YMMV (a lot).

 

[fredj338]

There i sa lot of touchy feely about powder choices. There are many that do the same thing in slightly diff fashion. Example, I don;t like TG for anything. Burns too hot, occupies to small a volumn, narrow load range. My choice is WST for sim purposes. Burns clean, occupies about 1.5x the volumn, burns cooler. Accuarcy is phenominal.
For the most part I choose a powder for the performance level I am looking for. I mostly match factory vel so look for powders that get me there w/ some pressure room to spare. Test for accuracy & go with the one that I like. Price rarely figures into it, in handguns, powder is the cheapest part anymore. In rifles, performance leve again, then test for accuracy. No sense having a 7mag that hits 7-08 vel to achieve my accuracy.
BTW, yes, powders can have quite an affect on accuracy in any load, rifle or pistol. The only way to test for accuracy is off the bench, at least 15yds for handguns & 100yds for rifles.

 

[acl864]

I'm a tinkerer. I have lots of different powders on the shelf and I'm constantly tweaking loads. The things I look for when evaluating loads are accuracy, recoil and velocity. Each powder/bullet combo has a different pressure curve and my goal is to find the sweet spot on that curve where the powder burns cleanly and efficiently transfers it's energy to the bullet in the given barrel length. For example I've got a great full house load using 2400 for my 6" M19, but it's not a great load for my 2 1/2" M19. The powder is too slow to efficiently transfer the energy to the bullet in that barrel length. They still shoot fine out of the snubbie but I'm absorbing extra recoil without reaping the benefit of extra velocity, so I use a slightly faster powder for my full house snubbie loads. You can certainly pick one favorite and load most everything with that one powder. But for me the fun and skill of reloading is trying to customize the load to each individual gun. That's not always easy if you limit your powder choices.

 

[Jeff423]

Bullseye

Along with 231/HP38 and Titegroup, you could also try Bullseye. These are the three that I buy in 8lb containers when I can find them. They are all good for target loads for pistols.

Jeff