I've always tried different powders in the burnt rate range of what I'm looking for and let the rifle tell me what it liked best in combination with the best velocity(AKA...the "Node") before buying a jug of powder. Most likely, the jug I buy isn't going to be from the same lot of the powder I tried and liked anyways, so am I just wasting my time and components? Example, I have a xxx and everyone says that yyy powder is great in their xxx and yyy is producing good velocities as well in their xxx. Should I just buy 8 lbs of yyy powder and start my load development or is there a big chance I just bought 8lb of powder that my rifle isn't ever going to like?
Are most powders equally "accurate"?
- Thread starter desertcj
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It's an interesting question. I hate just saying a rifle 'likes' a certain powder or bullet, I'd really like to understand the physics behind it so it's not such a guessing game.
But there are some things you can almost guarantee. A 30-06 and 4350 almost always will go together. a 223 and Varget are almost always going to be a good match. So I'd say, at least to some extent, you can make some assumptions on what will work before you try it.
But there are some things you can almost guarantee. A 30-06 and 4350 almost always will go together. a 223 and Varget are almost always going to be a good match. So I'd say, at least to some extent, you can make some assumptions on what will work before you try it.
royinidaho
Well-Known Member
Nope,
LOL....good thing....
Mikecr
Well-Known Member
No predicting results, but I believe it's possible to determine best powder overall using QuickLoad. Only problem from there is finding or holding enough of a matching lot of that powder.
Generally this would be the fastest/coolest of that speed, that provides good load density and target pressure potential.
I make sure I can acquire all I need of lot xxx as QL determined, before I waste any load development efforts with a little bit of it.
That is, enough for the expected life of that barrel, or in some cases pairs of barrels.
Same with bullets and primers.
My chambers(my best dies) are based on what I intend to make from new brass dimensions.
So as far as brass, I'll hold as much as ever needed, before I even fill out the reamer print.
And then I'll make the best of that brass last forever.
Generally this would be the fastest/coolest of that speed, that provides good load density and target pressure potential.
I make sure I can acquire all I need of lot xxx as QL determined, before I waste any load development efforts with a little bit of it.
That is, enough for the expected life of that barrel, or in some cases pairs of barrels.
Same with bullets and primers.
My chambers(my best dies) are based on what I intend to make from new brass dimensions.
So as far as brass, I'll hold as much as ever needed, before I even fill out the reamer print.
And then I'll make the best of that brass last forever.
johnnyk
Well-Known Member
desertcj,
That's a fair question but not sure anyone can give you a definate answer. A lot of reloading is trial and error and there are some things that are tried and somewhat true. For example, the .308 Win, it has been around for a while, a lot of people have had fine accuracy with it. There is a ton of information on this cartridge and what it "likes", heck there's even been factory Match grade ammo for it for quiet a few years now. You could probably get on the PA system at any gun shop and ask volunteers to come up front and give you their go to load for their .308. Undoubtedly, some will be the same or very, very close. The bugs have been worked out of this baby, but it's not 100% that all will like the same load.
Other cartridges don't have that luxury and that's where reloaders (us) come in. When I get a new rifle or cartridge, I usually have some idea what its preferred powder burn rate range is. By that I mean I know a .223 is probably not going to handle Retumbo very well. I probably can't get enough powder in the case to get the velocity I'm after. Never tried it though (hum?).
The thing that sucks, for me, is when I have my blinders on and I limit myself to one powder (or bullet) beforehand. I just know, in my mind, that this powder or component is going to be the one. If a rifle truely doesn't like that component I sometimes waste a lot of time, effort and components before the rifle changes my stubborn mind.
I have quiet a few powders on hand and do not usually buy bulk. I have never had difficulty finding the sweet spot again, especially after I have the bullet, seating depth, powder and primer all figured out already. That's me though, I'm sure everyone has a different story. I really enjoy reloading and do not mind switching bullets, powder, brass or primers if I think I can get precision, accuracy and more velocity! Then again, it's the chance you take. Good luck. JohnnyK.
That's a fair question but not sure anyone can give you a definate answer. A lot of reloading is trial and error and there are some things that are tried and somewhat true. For example, the .308 Win, it has been around for a while, a lot of people have had fine accuracy with it. There is a ton of information on this cartridge and what it "likes", heck there's even been factory Match grade ammo for it for quiet a few years now. You could probably get on the PA system at any gun shop and ask volunteers to come up front and give you their go to load for their .308. Undoubtedly, some will be the same or very, very close. The bugs have been worked out of this baby, but it's not 100% that all will like the same load.
Other cartridges don't have that luxury and that's where reloaders (us) come in. When I get a new rifle or cartridge, I usually have some idea what its preferred powder burn rate range is. By that I mean I know a .223 is probably not going to handle Retumbo very well. I probably can't get enough powder in the case to get the velocity I'm after. Never tried it though (hum?).
The thing that sucks, for me, is when I have my blinders on and I limit myself to one powder (or bullet) beforehand. I just know, in my mind, that this powder or component is going to be the one. If a rifle truely doesn't like that component I sometimes waste a lot of time, effort and components before the rifle changes my stubborn mind.
I have quiet a few powders on hand and do not usually buy bulk. I have never had difficulty finding the sweet spot again, especially after I have the bullet, seating depth, powder and primer all figured out already. That's me though, I'm sure everyone has a different story. I really enjoy reloading and do not mind switching bullets, powder, brass or primers if I think I can get precision, accuracy and more velocity! Then again, it's the chance you take. Good luck. JohnnyK.
I'm with you. I do this because I enjoy detailed "things". I obviously don't have to reload at all and I for sure don't have to reload for the for the utmost accuracy I can squeeze out of my guns. I'm not new to reloading but there are people out there that have a lifetime of experience on me. I load for a couple different .243 ' s and a 7mag (Remington). Coincidentally, they pretty much use the same powders and there's a lot of them.
Yep!
With a little research you can generally limit your loads to about two powders in a caliber. I always go to the temperature insensitive first. I keep 8 lb jugs of varget h4198 h4350 H1000 H4831SC IMR 4166 and now RL17 and 26. I have smaller lots of lesser powders that are not my mainstays. I have a metal powder locker for powder and primers.
If you are working up a load for a gun that is going to be shot a lot it is important to keep the same lot. Changing lots requires shooting the new lot over a chrono to check speed and tune.
QL cannot account for lot variance until you go in and make manual adjustment but it is a research tool.
If you are working up a load for a gun that is going to be shot a lot it is important to keep the same lot. Changing lots requires shooting the new lot over a chrono to check speed and tune.
QL cannot account for lot variance until you go in and make manual adjustment but it is a research tool.
Kansaswoodguy
Well-Known Member
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- Aug 26, 2014
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I'm with the yep and nope crowds. All powders are accurate under the proper conditions. The problem is your rifle/caliber/bullet weight is not the right conditions for all powders to be accurate.
Generally no, but it really depends on the particular rifle/load, and most importantly, "your" requirement for accuracy.
Buttermilk
Well-Known Member
Powder types play a role in affecting barrel harmonics so in my opinion they are not equally accurate.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Been staying away from this thread on purpose.....
No comment.
No comment.
Buttermilk
Well-Known Member
You just did....
