Rifle powders. Stick Vs Ball?

[Rule3]

Just a general Question on rifle powders. Many are extruded or stick others are ball/ spherical. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to either type as to performance not just measuring.

Not what powder is the best for xyz use or caliber.


Ball powders are certainly easier (for me) to measure or charge. No cutting of the sticks and just goes through the powder measures easier.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

generally, stick powders shoot more accurately

 

[taliv]

think about the relationship between mass and surface area, and how that would affect burn rate

 

[blarby]

Generally ball powders tend to be more finicky about operating parameters and temperature.

As an example, H and I 4895 tend to be the least temperature and volume specific ( charge to case volume) powders I use. H110 and 748 have proven to me to be the most temperature varying/ case to volume specific powders on my bench. Granted, they both have properties that make them very useful, just not as widely usable.

Not that I use h110 as a rifle powder often- only in 44mag....for rifles....would it fit the question. Its given for example.

 

[Bart B.]

Ball powders seldom produce accuracy to what stick powders do. Which is why ball powders are not popular among competitors producing the best results with rifles.

Virtually all stick powders thrown direct from the measure with a 2/10ths grain spread will produce better accuracy that ball powders weighed to exact charge weights. But it takes proper testing achieving about 1/4 MOA accuracy at short ranges to tell the difference. If one shoots their stuff to 1/2 MOA or more at 100 yards and depending on how they do the accuracy tests, either type may well show them one's better than the other.

 

[Rule3]

think about the relationship between mass and surface area, and how that would affect burn rate

Yes, this I can grasp So the more surface area gives a more controlled burn rate, which relates directly to accuracy.?

For mere mortal (non benchrest competitors) would we (I) be able to tell the difference??

blarby,

Not that I use h110 as a rifle powder often- only in 44mag....for rifles....would it fit the question. Its given for example.

Yes, I understand your example, I do however use H110 in 30 carbine,