Burn Rates

[donut757]

Getting into reloading and just want to have a visual and something to help learn a bit.

is there any charts out there that compare the burn rates of the popular powders all in one?


I have found the here and there comparing some but just wanting to learn as much as i can.


P.S. I think im gonna start out with Unique, especially until i really get the hang of it.

 

[Snake45]

Getting into reloading and just want to have a visual and something to help learn a bit.

is there any charts out there that compare the burn rates of the popular powders all in one?

Yes, there are several such charts "out there" and you can prolly find several with a net search.

Don't take any of them as gospel. If you look at them, no two agree 100%. And I have even seen two powders that are really the same thing sold under two different names (such as WW231 and HP38) listed several places apart on the same chart! :shock: :shock: :shock:

The charts are interesting and entertaining to look at, but are only a general guide.

 

[Chief 101]

http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html
try this one,

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Here is another one that is laid out a little different.

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/equivalents.asp :D

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Just remember when reading the charts that "burn rates" have NOTHING to do w/ being able to work up or predict your own loads w/o the use of lab equipment...

I've known guys who thought they could substitute powders simply based on a burn rate chart, as in "Hey, I'm out of Powder A, and Powder B's close enough, so I can save a trip to the store."

Please don't even THINK of doing that... That's a "Here, hold my beer!" moment waiting to happen. And w/ stuff that goes "BOOM" those aren't good.

Rick C

 

[WIL TERRY]

MOST handloading manuals have a propellent burn rate chart in them.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I think I have about eight burn charts; all differ.

Start with Universal INSTEAD of Unique (and you won't be frustrated by poor metering or extreme filth).

 

[mikld]

Check your reloading manual, you do have at least one manual, don't you?

BTW; the listings aren't linear. The difference in burn speed between #22 and #23 isn't necessarily the same difference between #23 and #24 (random numbers just for example). My explaination may not be too clear, but for example, #22 to #23 may be waaaay different and #23 to #24 may be very close...

 

[Lost Sheep]

I think I have about eight burn charts; all differ.

Start with Universal INSTEAD of Unique (and you won't be frustrated by poor metering or extreme filth).

I don't have 8 charts, but have found that the ones I have seen usually have a disclaimer like "This chart shows relative burn rates and are not to be taken as absolute."

Burn rate apparently changes with pressure (and temperature) and it appears to me that some powders have a narrow range where the burn rate is constant (and gets erratic outside that range), others a wide rage where they maintain a stable rate (or at least the rate stays in a predictable relationship to pressure and doesn't spike).

Without knowing what caliber(s) you are loading, I cannot offer a suggestion for powder. Unique is a good one for pistol cartridges in moderate power levels (moderate is where you should start while learning the mechanics of loading).

If you are loading large capacity straight-walled cartridges, I did some research before mentoring my friend and decided Trail Boss was a good one to learn with. It is almost impossible to overcharge a straight-walled case and since it has a high volume-to-power ratio, you will be able to see the powder even in tall, skinny cases.

By the time you get through one bottle of TB, you will likely have the mechanics of loading down and confidence to use a more energy-dense powder like Unique or the others suggested.

My friend still uses TB in his 500 S&W. It makes for great fun (you can actually see the bullets fly downrange at 750-800 fps), provides trigger practice and is great for showing newcomers who just want to shoot the giant revolver. They recoil like a 22 rimfire in that big gun. After a couple of those, a newcomer can move up to more powerful loads and "ease into" the full-power, hand-stinging "bear stomper" loads -- if they want to. We always keep a handful of 350 grain 750 fps (Trail Boss), 1,000 fps (Unique), 1300 fps (Unique, I think he uses) and 1500 fps (H110) loads, so a novice can stop when the recoil gets uncomfortable. Handloading allows that kind of flexibility.

Good luck and welcome to reloading.

Lost Sheep