Over the years I've read many posts by people saying such and such a powder, usually a ball powder, results in serious and often unacceptable forcing cone erosion or "cutting" of the top strap.
Since I have a modest relationship with one of Hodgdon's senior powder gurus, Ron Reiber, I asked him what his thoughts are. He's pretty blunt that the claims of severe erosion from ball powders are a myth. Here's what he said.
"People have various opinions regarding top strap erosion, but, they do not know the facts. Yes, some are slightly worse than others, but not excessively so. IMR 4227 is a single base propellant with a flame temp less than the ball powders. Ball powders with more NG content have a higher flame temp and give a bit more erosion. How much? Takes thousands of rounds to overhaul a forcing cone with any of the available powders. The difference is small enough that one could not tell which was the worst. There is more variation in barrel steel than the effects of erosion by different powders. In other words, ignore their claims, and shoot what works best in your gun. If and when erosion becomes a factor, new gun or new barrel, problem solved!"
To me, that says the issue is just another internet myth. Don
Since I have a modest relationship with one of Hodgdon's senior powder gurus, Ron Reiber, I asked him what his thoughts are. He's pretty blunt that the claims of severe erosion from ball powders are a myth. Here's what he said.
"People have various opinions regarding top strap erosion, but, they do not know the facts. Yes, some are slightly worse than others, but not excessively so. IMR 4227 is a single base propellant with a flame temp less than the ball powders. Ball powders with more NG content have a higher flame temp and give a bit more erosion. How much? Takes thousands of rounds to overhaul a forcing cone with any of the available powders. The difference is small enough that one could not tell which was the worst. There is more variation in barrel steel than the effects of erosion by different powders. In other words, ignore their claims, and shoot what works best in your gun. If and when erosion becomes a factor, new gun or new barrel, problem solved!"
To me, that says the issue is just another internet myth. Don