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How much difference in powder lots

Fern

Silver $$ Contributor
Was loading some more test loads for my tikka 223 varmint. I recently picked up some lapua brass and stepped down known charge by .5 gr and working back up.
Went to go get the another bottle of exterminator as this one was just about done and I do not have another one of the same lot. My next two bottles are same lot.
My question is how much difference do you guys see between different lots?
I’m loading 40g noslers in lapua brass 205m primers and exterminator powder.
 
They all can vary somewhat that is just the nature of mass production however I have no experience with the powder posted.

Because I shoot all year long, I've seen the most significant effects from changes in ambient temperatures from season to season, even with extruded powders. Ball powders were especially affected when I used them which I do not anymore.

In the normal days of supply chain dynamic of a by gone era, I always tried to purchase my powder in 8 lbs. kegs which minimized variation. Today, I have to take what they have so I am diligent of checking POI when I change lots. Usually, most are well within my varmint grade POI under similar ambient temperatures.
 
I've seen lot to lot variation with several powders. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it can sometimes be significant.

My most extreme experience was years ago, using Accurate2495 in 223. One bottle was manufactured in Israel, the other the CZ republic. This was a red flag to me so I started low with the newer bottle and out of curiosity chronographed it side by side with the older bottle's pet load. Had over 75 fps difference with the same powder charge.

IMO, it's always best to break out the chronograph whenever using a different lot
 
Last edited:
Fern said:
Was loading some more test loads for my tikka 223 varmint. I recently picked up some lapua brass and stepped down known charge by .5 gr and working back up.
Went to go get the another bottle of exterminator as this one was just about done and I do not have another one of the same lot. My next two bottles are same lot.
My question is how much difference do you guys see between different lots?
I’m loading 40g noslers in lapua brass 205m primers and exterminator powder.
Click to expand...
First....I always set the powder measure to the setting using the old powder lot and check the weight. Second...using the same powder measure setting and the new lot,I weigh and compare weights. Then test on target . Moreover I go by whatever the target says.
Good luck and stay safe.
 
There can be LARGE variations too. H 414 and Win 760 are supposed to be the same. Lots 4-5 years apart were 3 PLUS grains different.
 
I think it really depends on the powder… some are worse than others. Of the powders that I use CFEBlack is notable for batch to batch variation. A safe load can jump to Hot from one lot to next or vice versa. Really taught me to buy in #8 jugs :)
 
Thank you all for all the info. My go to charge was 27g but since I switched brass I stepped it down to 26.5 and worked my way back up and had another good group around 26.8 so reshooting 26.8, 26.9 and 27 again and will do same with new lot. I will be chrono all groups to compare
 
Fern said:
Thank you all for all the info. My go to charge was 27g but since I switched brass I stepped it down to 26.5 and worked my way back up and had another good group around 26.8 so reshooting 26.8, 26.9 and 27 again and will do same with new lot. I will be chrono all groups to compare
Click to expand...
Good luck. In my opinion you will not see any consistent variance over .3 grains.
 
Last edited:
Fern said:
Was loading some more test loads for my tikka 223 varmint. I recently picked up some lapua brass and stepped down known charge by .5 gr and working back up.
Went to go get the another bottle of exterminator as this one was just about done and I do not have another one of the same lot. My next two bottles are same lot.
My question is how much difference do you guys see between different lots?
I’m loading 40g noslers in lapua brass 205m primers and exterminator powder.
Click to expand...
Work your load up again.

Danny
 
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