Powder burn rates - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

KEVWYO · 03-01-2008, 10:47 PM

Another thread got me to wondering about some powder issues ... fredj338 are you out there?

What is the relationship between burn rate and pressure production? I know that all powders have different burn rates. Does that affect the amount that is used per se? For instance, would a slower burning powder require "more" as oppossed to a faster burning powder? In terms of providing for a margin of error would one be better than another? Does it just come down to what you like?

I really like Titegroup and knock on wood (hitting myself in the head

) I have had great luck and no issues so far. But, in another thread there was a point made about it relative to pressure and the small amount of powder.

This all stems from this comment by fredj338: "I'm not a big fan of TG, BE or Clays, etc. Just not enough powder in the case & the pressure curve is almost vertical" on this thread Looking for a good cheap load for .45acp plinking ammo

fredj338 · 03-01-2008, 11:24 PM

Hey KEV. Yes slower powders require more of it to generate the same pressures as faster powders. The pressure curve is slower/gentler/not as steep. The issue I have w/ uberfast powders is they take up very little volumn in a case, easy to miss a double charge. I know, for alot of auto indexing guys, they don't see the double charge as a problem but I load on a 550B so I worry. The other issue is, especially in high pressure rounds like 9mm, 40s&w & 357sig, the pressure curve is almost vertical. Pressure builds so fast that any mishap during the firing cycle can really jack the pressures to the point where there is a failuer or KB. If you are running max. w/ say TG & the bullet sets back, your pressures can almost double instantly. Bullet setback is probably the biggest cause for KBs in many Glock 40s. Same if you accidently use magnum primers instead of std. in you already hot load. Pressures are not likely to double but they will be higher. For me, there just is no upside to the uberfast powders but cost & powder is the cheapest part of the handload in a pistol round. JMO, & it's what I recommend for new handloaders to keep them out of trouble. The other upside to med. & slow burners is accuracy is often abit better. The downside to slower powders, the cost abit more to alot more & need to be run near max. for "cleanest" burning.

KEVWYO · 03-02-2008, 05:55 PM

Thanks fred.

03-01-2008, 10:47 PM	#1
KEVWYO XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,633	Powder burn rates Another thread got me to wondering about some powder issues ... fredj338 are you out there? What is the relationship between burn rate and pressure production? I know that all powders have different burn rates. Does that affect the amount that is used per se? For instance, would a slower burning powder require "more" as oppossed to a faster burning powder? In terms of providing for a margin of error would one be better than another? Does it just come down to what you like? I really like Titegroup and knock on wood (hitting myself in the head ) I have had great luck and no issues so far. But, in another thread there was a point made about it relative to pressure and the small amount of powder. This all stems from this comment by fredj338: "I'm not a big fan of TG, BE or Clays, etc. Just not enough powder in the case & the pressure curve is almost vertical" on this thread Looking for a good cheap load for .45acp plinking ammo __________________ "the facts don't matter and the truth isn't important in American politics" AZXD But if it takes bold faced lies to keep Obama from winning ... I will not only support the lies, I'll help spread them. AZXD This is the political section there is no room for truth, justice and anything that's fair and right. - (one eyed fatman)

03-01-2008, 11:24 PM	#2
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,229	Hey KEV. Yes slower powders require more of it to generate the same pressures as faster powders. The pressure curve is slower/gentler/not as steep. The issue I have w/ uberfast powders is they take up very little volumn in a case, easy to miss a double charge. I know, for alot of auto indexing guys, they don't see the double charge as a problem but I load on a 550B so I worry. The other issue is, especially in high pressure rounds like 9mm, 40s&w & 357sig, the pressure curve is almost vertical. Pressure builds so fast that any mishap during the firing cycle can really jack the pressures to the point where there is a failuer or KB. If you are running max. w/ say TG & the bullet sets back, your pressures can almost double instantly. Bullet setback is probably the biggest cause for KBs in many Glock 40s. Same if you accidently use magnum primers instead of std. in you already hot load. Pressures are not likely to double but they will be higher. For me, there just is no upside to the uberfast powders but cost & powder is the cheapest part of the handload in a pistol round. JMO, & it's what I recommend for new handloaders to keep them out of trouble. The other upside to med. & slow burners is accuracy is often abit better. The downside to slower powders, the cost abit more to alot more & need to be run near max. for "cleanest" burning. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER!

03-02-2008, 05:55 PM	#3
KEVWYO XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,633	Thanks fred. __________________ "the facts don't matter and the truth isn't important in American politics" AZXD But if it takes bold faced lies to keep Obama from winning ... I will not only support the lies, I'll help spread them. AZXD This is the political section there is no room for truth, justice and anything that's fair and right. - (one eyed fatman)

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