Stick powder vrs ball powder weights

[jimmb]

New to reloading. was working up a couple batches of .270. I first weighed out some ball power say 47 grains and loaded up a box of shells. Went to my loading manual found a load for some IMR stick powder which also showed 47 grains. So changed over to the ball power in my measure but left setting at 47 grains. I dropped a charge and weighed. Seems the ball powder meatered out of my measure was considerably heavier then the stick Came in around 52 grains on my scale. So my question is using a power drop measure am I correct in saying that ball will weigh more than stick do to the airspace the stick powder has between sticks.... Hope I am clear on my question. best,Jim

 

[nettle]

Ball powder gives more consistent weights than stick powders when measured by volume.

 

[SSL]

Ball powder, being a "ball" and considerably smaller than the "sticks" of stick powders will pack more (by weight) into a given volume. It does indeed fill in those miniscule air spaces left by the random stacking of stick. So...your surmise is correct. Good thinking and keep asking those questions. Stay safe.

 

[DiffEQ]

Powder density and energy per gram varies significantly across powders. If a stick and ball powder yield the same energy at the same weight, that tends to be a rarity in my book.
However, the volume of the two might be significantly different.

 

[nettle]

When throwing charges on a volume measure the measure has to "shear" the kernels on stick powders unlike ball powder. "Shearing" the stick kernels causes the measure to vibrate. Vibration using a volume measure is not so good.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The charge weight variation by powder type is an important reminder to only have the powder you are actually using out and make sure the measure is empty after use. I usually throw 5-10 charges using an average to make powder measure adjustments and check charge weights as I load. With some powders(especially long stick) throw slightly low and trickle up is more accurate/consistent than throwing straight to case charges. Details matter for safety and accuracy.

 

[jelenko]

As SSL said, ball/flake powders pack denser than stick => a given volume of ball will weigh more than the same volume of stick.

 

[Krogen]

. . . changed over to the ball power in my measure but left setting at 47 grains. . . .

I wanted to highlight a key point. A volumetric powder measure doesn't have weight settings like 47 grains. As others have said, powder density varies. For a given setting on the measure, you're more than likely to get different weights with different powders.

 

[jelenko]

I wanted to highlight a key point. A volumetric powder measure doesn't have weight settings like 47 grains. As others have said, powder density varies. For a given setting on the measure, you're more than likely to get different weights with different powders.

Great point. Even different ball powders will have different weights at the same setting on powder measure that uses volume.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Powder volume metrics is usually displayed in most of the older manuals (I don't have any newer one's to check). Also those numbers on powder measures are not equal to grains. They are simply evenly spaced volume measurements that allow you to get close when returning to a powder that you have previously used and recorded the setting.

Frank

 

[Doom]

All powders have two densities (g/cc) that come into play. One is the actual kernel density and the other is the bulk density of multiple kernels. The latter is a strong function of kernel shape and size. Lee Precision publishes a chart of bulk densities of powders to help with setter up there powder measures and dippers.

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