I'm trying to figure out why Ramshot has True Blue and Silhouette as offerings. They look to be so close in burn rate on paper. I have used Silhouette with success but have seen True Blue recommended by several reloaders as of late.
I'm trying to figure out why Ramshot has True Blue and Silhouette as offerings. They look to be so close in burn rate on paper.
Of course they can do whatever they want. I was just curious if there was something beyond that.Many companies offer powders that are very close on a burn rate chart.
Powder companies can offer anything they want. At least one brand offers the exact same powder with different names. Why? Because they can.
They use different flash suppressors and burn inhibitors. Like @Walkalong says, that changes how each powder acts/reacts under pressure.I'm trying to figure out why Ramshot has True Blue and Silhouette as offerings. They look to be so close in burn rate on paper. I have used Silhouette with success but have seen True Blue recommended by several reloaders as of late.
Form factor.... Silhouette is a flake and tb is a ball. Tb is slightly slower. I load 8.4 Silhouette vs 8.8 true blue.I'm trying to figure out why Ramshot has True Blue and Silhouette as offerings. They look to be so close in burn rate on paper. I have used Silhouette with success but have seen True Blue recommended by several reloaders as of late.
^^This^^Silhouette is a fairly fine flattened ball powder.
100%Together on the chart is one thing, how they react in different applications is another.
I was looking at load data when comparing them. There is only a difference of 0.2 grains on some of the loads.Together on the chart is one thing, how they react in different applications is another.
I have used both, both are good powders with different properties. TB is a very fine ball powder ands tends to give better ES/SD numbers. Silhouette is more “forgiving” as you approach max. It is a similar size to, and behaves more like, the typical medium speed ball powder than TB IMHO.
Must be True Blue because Trail Boss is no more.100%
Also... TB = TrailBoss, or TrueBlue? Be careful when abbreviating some things... particularly in load data.
We're discussing True Blue!! TB is True Blue, based on the title of this thread.Must be True Blue because Trail Boss is no more.
I have a pound of True Blue that I want to try in 38 loads.
Good to know. I have a lot of 357 brass sitting here...I don't think TrueBlue would be a good choice for .38SPC loads. It is similar in burn rate to BlueDot, and... in my experience, BlueDot was a horrible .38SPC powder, it was simply too slow. It would be better as a .357MAG, et al, powder.
My experience with True Blue is in 9mm, 40S&W and .45ACP and all good. In .38Spl it's not very special and it's not a good .357 mid-range powder, IMO. Basically, True Blue fills the same niche as No.5 and WAP/Silhouette but it does so differently.I was looking at load data when comparing them. There is only a difference of 0.2 grains on some of the loads.
My experience with Silhouette in 45ACP has been very good for providing high velocities, used in pin matches.
I have a pound of True Blue that I want to try in 38 loads.
8.8 with a cast 158 is gooderGood to know. I have a lot of 357 brass sitting here...
I don't think TrueBlue would be a good choice for .38SPC loads. It is similar in burn rate to BlueDot, and... in my experience, BlueDot was a horrible .38SPC powder, it was simply too slow. It would be better as a .357MAG, et al, powder.
Silhouette is more “forgiving” as you approach max.
"WAP Action Pistol® propellant is the ammunition industry’s powder of choice for 9mm, 40 S&W, 38 Super, and the new Winchester 9x23mm.
I took a defensive night class with 9mm ammo loaded with Silhouette and it performed well.
The burn rate of True Blue and Blue Dot is not similar. True Blue is #20 on the Hodgdon Chart, Blue Dot is #48.
Agreed. I’ve tested True Blue, No.5, Unique and WAP (not Silhouette!) SxS and found True Blue to be about the same as No.5 in performance, faster than Unique and almost on par with WAP but cleaner.In my real life load testing, using loads from Speer, Wester Powder, and Alliant, True Blue and Blue Dot are indeed fairly far apart in burn speed.
Yep, gotta take burn charts with a grain of salt, useful, not gospel. Always check load data from trusted sources.
This is the bad burn rate chart that Hodgdon put out. I can't believe they haven't removed it.The burn rate of True Blue and Blue Dot is not similar. True Blue is #20 on the Hodgdon Chart, Blue Dot is #48.
Here is what Hodgdon says about True Blue: TRUE BLUE is the perfect powder for classic calibers such as the 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 Long Colt. Its a double-base, spherical powder with great metering properties that make it an ideal choice for consistent results using high volume, progressive reloading equipment. It works well with cast bullets and is also an excellent choice for 9mm law enforcement rounds. Made in Belgium.
Ramshot True Blue
TRUE BLUE is the perfect powder for classic calibers such as the 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 Long Colt. Its a double-base, spherical powder with great metering properties that make it an ideal choice for consistent results using high volume, progressive reloading equipment. It works well with...www.hodgdonreloading.com