Powder Burn Rates & Substitutes

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Powder BURN RATES what to substitute.

I have a variety of calibers and powders to go along with them for reloading. I have proven loads for current calibers and in the process of some new builds and had suggestions on what powder to use for each new caliber. Some of the powders suggested are very difficult and almost unobtainable to get from retailers or private shooters.
I am aware of the "Burn Rate Chart" and was advised to try and get a powder close to what I want. The other powders may have a close burn rate, but may not perform the as well or perform better.

I just want to put this out there for possible real time experience on loading certain powders for compared performance.
I currently have powders starting with the fastest: (rifle powders only)

#94 H4895
#108 Varget
#109 Win 748
#111 CFE223
#124 H4350
#128 H100V
#129 Staball 6.5
#137 H4831SC
#152 H1000

I use:
#94 H4895 & #109 W748 with great performance in my .204 with 39gr bullet & 223 Rem with 55 to 65 gr bullet (cannot find 4895 anywhere) I can substitute CFE-223.
#124 H4350 great performance in my .243 with 100+ gr bullets, .260 with 123 to 142 gr bullets, 270WSM with 130 to 140 gr bullets, 325WSM with 200 & 220gr bullets.


Now the next builds are:
6mm BR with105 Hybrids – Suggested to use #108 Varget – limited supply was thinking substituting #111 CFE-223, maybe #105 RL-15, #107 N140

6.5 X 284 with SMK 140 to 150 gr. ??? #124 H4350, #137 H4831sc. Any other suggestions?

338 LMAI with 300gr OTMs & Scenar 250gr. #152 H1000 (limited supply). Want #154 Retumbo (can't find) Maybe sub with #151 RL26 or #156 N570

Any thoughts, suggestions that you may have if you own any of the three builds listed for powders used and load data.

Also looking to trade H4350, CFE-223 & H100V for Varget, Retumbo, & H1000. I live off of I-20 East of Atlanta - West of Augusta, GA.

Thanks much

Len & Jill

 

[Scythe]

You might find this handy.
Link to ADI

 

[Veteran]

Don't know if you saw this post from a few days ago. Some possible substitutes for Varget, H1000, and Retumbo.

Some Possible Substitute Powders for Varget, H1000, Retumbo

Here are some possible substitutes based on model burn rates ranked by relative burn rate. Not to say they will work perfect in your rifle, and you have to do safe load development starting low and working up cautiously, or using a model to formulate a safe program at safe pressures. For...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Don't know if you saw this post from a few days ago. Some possible substitutes for Varget, H1000, and Retumbo.

Some Possible Substitute Powders for Varget, H1000, Retumbo

Here are some possible substitutes based on model burn rates ranked by relative burn rate. Not to say they will work perfect in your rifle, and you have to do safe load development starting low and working up cautiously, or using a model to formulate a safe program at safe pressures. For...

www.longrangehunting.com

Missed that thanks!

 

[lancetkenyon]

Just because powders are close on the chart, does not mean charge weights will necessarily be similar. A lot of the Alliant RL powders will take 2-3gr less than their Hodgdon/IMR counterparts. VV N5xx series are not a direct correlation to the VV N1xx or N3xx series either. Meaning N570 and N170 are not necessarily interchangeable.
Same with the new IMR Enduron repqlcement powders like IMR7977 and H1000 or IMR8133 & Retumbo.

 

[dougduey]

In your 6.5-284, H4831 is the gold standard. You'll get more velocity out of RL23, RL26 & Retumbo. The benchrest shooters love H4831

I use Retumbo &RL26 exclusively in my 338 Lapua. That being said, H1000 is probably the most consistent but may not give you the velocity of the others.

HV100 works really well in the .243 just to let you know.