Lightning Powder

[Dan Cash]

I would like to know what modern propellant would equate to or even be similar to the long obsolete Lightning. I have been at this reloading business since 1960 or so but the Lightning propellant predates me a bit.

[tobywan45]

I would like to know what modern propellant would equate to or even be similar to the long obsolete Lightning. I have been at this reloading business since 1960 or so but the Lightning propellant predates me a bit.

Lightning was introduced by Laflin & Rand in 1899 for lever action sporting rifles like the .30-30 Winchester and .303 Savage. Production of 2 mm diameter flakes was discontinued after World War II. Tubular Lightning # 2 was manufactured from 1903 to 1929.[17]

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[Larry Gibson]

I would like to know what modern propellant would equate to or even be similar to the long obsolete Lightning. I have been at this reloading business since 1960 or so but the Lightning propellant predates me a bit.

I would say RL 7 or IMR 3031 would be close to the same burning range and applications as were Lightening #1 & #2 powders. Of course that is with respect to only the burning rates and not the charge weight to weight comparison. According to Sharpe Lightening #1 was applicable to cast bullets either PB or GC'd and with jacketed bullets up through 50,000 psi (CUPs).

[Dan Cash]

Thank you Larry. I have been reading some old books that discuss Lightning and thought maybe 3031 from their charge suggestions but was not sure.