Powder accuracy ??
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RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Taken out of context, any powder could be accused of being out of tune, and by the same token, any powder could claim to be the best.... Does powder make a difference? You bet.
There probably aren't managers sitting around a table trying to produce powder that nobody wants, but I am just guessing.....
At some point or another, just about every powder sold has a likelihood of being "The One" in some context. Some more than others. YMMV
There probably aren't managers sitting around a table trying to produce powder that nobody wants, but I am just guessing.....
At some point or another, just about every powder sold has a likelihood of being "The One" in some context. Some more than others. YMMV
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
The best powder is the one that gets the best results in your rifle. There are no absolutes. Many people swear by Varget. I tend to swear at it. I've never had any luck with it, but many others get brilliant results. You will need to find yours.
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
Is there a powder that is "the best" for your barrel/application? The answer to that is a resounding "yes".
The problem is it can depend on every barrel, but you can usually narrow it down ahead of time as to which 2-3 will be the most likely candidates.
Shooting a 6PPC in SR? You'd probably want to test LT32 and N133
Shooting a 308 in FTR at 1k? You'd probably want to test Varget and N150
Shooting a 6BRA at mid-range? You'd probably want to test H4895 or Varget
etc.
In any of the above mentioned applications, one of those two powders will very likely be "the best", even if you tried 15 that fit the application. One will usually yield both better accuracy, and will give you wider stability nodes.
Some barrels will shoot all powders pretty well, but I've never come across one that didn't show a favorite.
I know what you're talking about though, where folks on the internet say XYZ is "the best" in that platform. Whenever I read that and it's not in the context of competitive shooting, I take it with a HUGE grain of salt; there are a lot of idiots talking on the internet, and without some standardized frame of reference it's pretty meaningless.
Sometimes you can identify trends from comments, but it takes a lot of data points IMO.
The problem is it can depend on every barrel, but you can usually narrow it down ahead of time as to which 2-3 will be the most likely candidates.
Shooting a 6PPC in SR? You'd probably want to test LT32 and N133
Shooting a 308 in FTR at 1k? You'd probably want to test Varget and N150
Shooting a 6BRA at mid-range? You'd probably want to test H4895 or Varget
etc.
In any of the above mentioned applications, one of those two powders will very likely be "the best", even if you tried 15 that fit the application. One will usually yield both better accuracy, and will give you wider stability nodes.
Some barrels will shoot all powders pretty well, but I've never come across one that didn't show a favorite.
I know what you're talking about though, where folks on the internet say XYZ is "the best" in that platform. Whenever I read that and it's not in the context of competitive shooting, I take it with a HUGE grain of salt; there are a lot of idiots talking on the internet, and without some standardized frame of reference it's pretty meaningless.
Sometimes you can identify trends from comments, but it takes a lot of data points IMO.
wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't want to be unkind here, but I see you have only been on the forum for a month (exactly). I would suggest that you use the "search" function and read the 1,000's of post regarding powder. There is a world of difference between powders and their applicability for any given cartridge. From you question I would assume that you are not an experienced hand loader. Read, read, read, everything you can and answer your own question.
We all start somewhere, the key is learning from other's experience, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. I truly wish you the best! There is an amazing amount of very knowledgeable people on this forum (me not being one of them). But in order to get them to share their knowledge you first have to show that you have done your home work.
We all start somewhere, the key is learning from other's experience, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. I truly wish you the best! There is an amazing amount of very knowledgeable people on this forum (me not being one of them). But in order to get them to share their knowledge you first have to show that you have done your home work.
I can tell you at least in my world (284win) some powders are like putting on a pair of comfy pajamas and other are like putting on a suit when you're a 6 year old. Some are more forgiving, some are easier to meter and some just plain lay down better results. Have I worked to tune less forgiving powders and had them succeed?,Yep but you're always on edge with it compared to comfy powders.
On my SA284 (Shortened 284 Win) and with 183 SMK's, I ran
for testing, R-16, 17, and 23. Reloder 17 was the best at 500.
I finally found a lb of H4831 and was excited that this was the
powder for my new cat. It gave me great case fill and good
velocity, But it was a dog compared to R-17.....Next on my list,
I came across some Ramshot Hunter (ball powder) At $21 bucks
sitting on the shelf, why not !! Well let's just say that after that
session, I ordered in an 8lb jug of Ramshot Hunter. Next on my
list, and with the new Brux barrel spun up. I lucked out and found
a lone 8lb jug of Vhitavouri N555 at PV. No testing done on it yet.
I need to process fresh brass.
And my usual side note.....I did try Staball. So far it has been the
worst tested in my application, and now relegated to fire forming
duties.
My 284-ELF cat is a work in progress. So far IMR-4166 and Lovex
Precision rifle are neck and neck. Looking forward to trying out
the new batch of Reloder 15.5 and maybe some Vhitavouri N140
next to it. These two are on the unabtainium list at the moment.
for testing, R-16, 17, and 23. Reloder 17 was the best at 500.
I finally found a lb of H4831 and was excited that this was the
powder for my new cat. It gave me great case fill and good
velocity, But it was a dog compared to R-17.....Next on my list,
I came across some Ramshot Hunter (ball powder) At $21 bucks
sitting on the shelf, why not !! Well let's just say that after that
session, I ordered in an 8lb jug of Ramshot Hunter. Next on my
list, and with the new Brux barrel spun up. I lucked out and found
a lone 8lb jug of Vhitavouri N555 at PV. No testing done on it yet.
I need to process fresh brass.
And my usual side note.....I did try Staball. So far it has been the
worst tested in my application, and now relegated to fire forming
duties.
My 284-ELF cat is a work in progress. So far IMR-4166 and Lovex
Precision rifle are neck and neck. Looking forward to trying out
the new batch of Reloder 15.5 and maybe some Vhitavouri N140
next to it. These two are on the unabtainium list at the moment.
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While most of my reloading and shooting has been centered around hunting and informal target shooting, minute of deer is simply not acceptable to me.
I'm a late comer to the short range bench rest competitions.
But even with that, i've noticed that, yes some powders are more accurate than others. But with several caveats.
It greatly depends upon caliber, case capacity, and bullet weight and construction. And of course the barrel itself.
I'm a late comer to the short range bench rest competitions.
But even with that, i've noticed that, yes some powders are more accurate than others. But with several caveats.
It greatly depends upon caliber, case capacity, and bullet weight and construction. And of course the barrel itself.
Do you suppose this is due to burn speed or powder density just matching up to the "optimum" for any given load? Or is it variations within a given powder that make it "less than optimum"? It just seems to me that powder burns very quickly,and aside from the pressure of one powder being different from burn speed or gas volume, how much difference can there be? As pointed out, some people swear by one powder, and others swear at it, even in the same cartridge. On the other hand some powders like IMR 4064, seem to receive near universal praise .
Component Optimizing and shrinking the variables. IMR- 4064
gets good praise because it is universal, but not as accurate in
a given load compared to others. For shooters that have put in
their time and compete, most will choose Varget over 4064.
The old truth applies....."Let the target be you r guide"
gets good praise because it is universal, but not as accurate in
a given load compared to others. For shooters that have put in
their time and compete, most will choose Varget over 4064.
The old truth applies....."Let the target be you r guide"
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I keep wondering the same. But, I think a key issue is the level of accuracy and who is saying.
I.e., I think if all someone is looking for is well less than a minute - down to ~ 1/2 MOA, the differences in powders might not show up. So people in that group could decide that a certain powder is best because it's what first worked in their rilfe or they really liked that the powder worked in several rifles or for other reasons. People in this group generally spend less time on load development compared to benchrest shooters who are looking for << .2 MOA.
I'm not saying that .5 MOA just falls right out of a barrel, but going after .1 is a completely different world
Short and sweet:
Tips to select best powder for given Case/Bullet/Rifle
1) Powder with most temp stability, very critical for long range shooting example H4350, H1000, Varget
2) Powder that can fill the case while producing max MV under the max Pressure
3) Use a little faster powder than 2) may produce more accuracy in certain applications. max fill rate is around 98%
GRTools (free) or QL (not-free) can help find your the correct powder for your application
You can also find the correct powder if you can read reloading data book load table
Tips to select best powder for given Case/Bullet/Rifle
1) Powder with most temp stability, very critical for long range shooting example H4350, H1000, Varget
2) Powder that can fill the case while producing max MV under the max Pressure
3) Use a little faster powder than 2) may produce more accuracy in certain applications. max fill rate is around 98%
GRTools (free) or QL (not-free) can help find your the correct powder for your application
You can also find the correct powder if you can read reloading data book load table
I have only been loading for 2 years now, and just started precision loading. Can't say Ive noticed any difference among powders yet. Only using 3 different powders at the moment, with no real observed difference. Still I think it must take a lot of time and money to chase that last .2 MOA
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
Perfect example to the question . My last barrel was in love with Varget in the winter season ( Arizona ) , and became more accurate as the temps warmed to 90 and above , switching to H-4895 . That barrel went away recently , and my new barrel , same mfg. same type and twist has started a affair with IMR-4064 . No rhyme or reason , so I'm loading 4064 . Barrels are like high maintenance women . They want what they want . So find out what it wants , and give it to "Her" . 
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