I guess my thinking is different regarding this. I use it as a shopping list. When my favorite powder is out of stock, I refer to the powder burn rate chart to what other powders are nearby. Then I look at my loading sources, to see if there are loads worked up for these different powders.
Burn rate charts
- Thread starter AJC1
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IMO; burn rate charts are for entertainment, so-so research at best. Any data of any kind dealing with powders should be found elsewhere. Most published manuals have a section describing powder characteristics and most uses, and another section for exacting data. I'm sure there are reloading texts with powder info. besided a relative burn rate chart (I believe the last time I used a BRC was when I was starting to reload for my Garand and it was highly suggested to use only powders between IMR 3031 and IMR4320 and wanted to see if I had a suitable powder)...
Austin Albright
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One: Quickload's not a panacea, it's a tool. And like many useful tools, you can smash your fingers if not used intelligently.
Two: It's part of a 2-Tool set. The companion is a chronograph.
Either used singly -- You're at the end of the runway in Steamboat Springs, your right hand's on the stick,
left hand on the throttle, a bag over your head and plugs in your ears.
(Look at the terrain around Steam Boat sometime.)
Used together -- with understanding and discipline -- a whole new world opens up.
.
I like your analogy. Paints a pretty picture in your mine.
There is a landing strip in the back country of Idaho. I don't remember which one where you take off into a canyon. There are three canyons you can choose. Only one will let you come out alive. Choose wisely my son.
tightgroup tiger
Member
What I don't like about burn rate charts are the differences of opinion of the authors. Or is it typo's and mistakes. Either one could cause injury.
Look at the Western burn rate chart, https://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf
to me it's all jacked up because they have 231 listed as a faster powder than Titegroup and we all know that isn't true.
Look at Hodgdon's chart, https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/burn-rate-color.pdf , and you will see Titegroup in it's proper place (in my opinion) with the convention that both charts are using from fastest to slowest.
Someone new to reloading would look at the Western chart and think they could maybe use more Titegroup as a substitute for a slower burning powder's role.
This is why I don't pay much attention to them except from an educated observers approach. When I see something like this listed in the Western Burn rate chart, I know better, but would a someone new to reloading? With what is at stake here these matters are definitely for the advanced reloaders who can spot something like this immediately.
Edit to correct my mistake. Burn rate not load chart in first sentence.
(I have a prime rib in the smoker and it's taking all my attention.)
Look at the Western burn rate chart, https://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf
to me it's all jacked up because they have 231 listed as a faster powder than Titegroup and we all know that isn't true.
Look at Hodgdon's chart, https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/burn-rate-color.pdf , and you will see Titegroup in it's proper place (in my opinion) with the convention that both charts are using from fastest to slowest.
Someone new to reloading would look at the Western chart and think they could maybe use more Titegroup as a substitute for a slower burning powder's role.
This is why I don't pay much attention to them except from an educated observers approach. When I see something like this listed in the Western Burn rate chart, I know better, but would a someone new to reloading? With what is at stake here these matters are definitely for the advanced reloaders who can spot something like this immediately.
Edit to correct my mistake. Burn rate not load chart in first sentence.
(I have a prime rib in the smoker and it's taking all my attention.)
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AJC1
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Some are listed by velosity, some are listed by burnrate, and yet others seem haphazard.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Well, there is this from Western Powders, "Burn rate charts can never reflect the differences between powders in the correct proportion and can only place powders in approximate burn rate envelopes." I think that kind of says a lot about how to use the charts. W231 and HP38 are the same powder - we know this because the manufacturers have said so - and are on the same line of the Western burn rate chart. However, Red Dot, Accurate No.2 and TiteGroup are also on the same line of that chart but are most definitely not the same powders. Not even close to the same. But they burn at the same rate in testing. That's about as close a we can get to a "How To" manual for the Western Chart. Other charts will need different instructions. You're right that this would make a great article for Handloader Magazine.
Soonerpesek
Member
Burn rate charts are just what they say.....they list the powders according to burn rates----from fast to slow...
Doesn't matter if it's 1 grain or 200.....the burning ( consumption ) rate is the same for that powder...
This does not say that powders with similar burn rates are equal in the fact of charge weights....they just burn at the same speed...
Doesn't matter if it's 1 grain or 200.....the burning ( consumption ) rate is the same for that powder...
This does not say that powders with similar burn rates are equal in the fact of charge weights....they just burn at the same speed...
GeoDudeFlorida
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I use the burn charts to tell me how much barrel I need to consume the full charge of powder listed in the loading charts, no more and no less. We all know all powders burn in the case, not the barrel, but the expanding volume of gas has to fill the case, chamber, and barrel to force the bullet out under pressure. A powder that stops making gas - and therefore stops making pressure - BEFORE the bullet has exited the barrel, or is still making gas (pressure) long AFTER the bullet has exited the barrel will not burn as efficiently as one which is exhausted AS the bullet exits the barrel. A burn chart tells me where in the expansion process two relatively close powders will be in relation to one-another at that point in time of powder consumption/gas exhaustion. Short barrel may not always equal fast powder and long barrel may not always equal slow powder - but that logic does typically follow.
There are no agreed-upon industry standards for compiling a burn-rate chart (some burn the powder sample in the open, others burn theirs in confinement) so the chart from one manufacturer does not necessarily bear any relationship to somebody else's chart.
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