Powder for cast? Burn rate questions.Pistol

[JesterGrin_1]

I load mostly .38sp/.357Mag 44sp/.44Mag and the powders I have used are TightGroup and W-296 or H-110. Thinking that the slower burn rate of 296 and H-110 would work better with cast?

As I look at this http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html chart though it shows No 67 to be 2400 which seems very popular not sure the reason for this is that it has been around a long time or not? Then it moves up to No 71-72 with H-110 and W-296. And down to 77 with IMR 4227 and H-4227.

Just trying to rationalize powder burn rate with cast Boolits for pistol both plain base and Gas Check.

[JesterGrin_1]

I guess this is a bit of a mind bender lol. :)

[spqrzilla]

Not sure what your question is. In pistol calibers, roughly the same powders work well with either cast or jacketed. This is because similar pressures are used to reach roughly similar velocities.

In rifles, things change more between jacketed and cast bullets. In rifles, lower pressures and lower velocities are more common and thus usually faster powder burn rates more desirable.

[JesterGrin_1]

Sorry if I put the questions wrong.

But what I am asking about is powder burn rate for cast. As in the chart is shows from fast to slow.
2400

H-110 W-296

and IMR-4227 and H-4227.

I have not heard many good things about IMR or H-4227. But many still use 2400 as well as H-110 and W-296 which is now the same powder. So I am trying to ask is 2400 better with cast boolits than the H-110 W-296? Or is it simply that the 2400 can be reduced far more than the H-110/W-296 powders to give a wider use for said powder?

[spqrzilla]

2400 does have the advantage of being more suitable for reduced loads than WW296/H110 ( which have always been the same powder ) is. That is of course because the manufacturer of WW296/H110 states that that powder should always be used with the specified loads to avoid detonation.

There is not a "correct" burn rate for cast bullets in pistol calibers.

[JesterGrin_1]

Maybe not a correct burn rate but one more suited to cast boolits.

But it looks as though I will just stick with the H-110 and W-296 and keep my TightGroup for low to mid range loads.

[spqrzilla]

Maybe not a correct burn rate but one more suited to cast boolits.


In my opinion, no there is not a burn rate "more suited" to cast bullets. I've used all the normal range of pistol rate powders under cast bullets with good results.

[JesterGrin_1]

Thank you spqrzilla so it looks as though I was trying to solve a problem that was not there lol.

[spqrzilla]

Well, the question of a suitable burn rate of powder is quite a bit more significant in rifle calibers with cast bullets.

[JesterGrin_1]

I think I am ok with rifle with IMR-4350 and IMR-3031 and H-322. :)

[SciFiJim]

Well, the question of a suitable burn rate of powder is quite a bit more significant in rifle calibers with cast bullets.

So far I have only shot cast in pistol calibers. Can you explain a little more about suitable burn rate for rifles? I recently bought a 8mm mauser and am doing my homework for cast reloads.

[wiljen]

Your gun will tell you what it likes. I've had guns that loved H110 and others that shot better with 2400.

As for burn rate in rifles, for plinkers it is hard to beat Red dot or unique. For higher velocity hunting loads, I've had good luck with IMR 4831 in 8mm and 30-06.

[excavman]

From what I have read on this forum and 40 years of personal experience I would say the most used powders for cast boolits in rifle loads would be Unique and 2400. In pistol loads I would add Bulseye or Red Dot but Unique and 2400 would still be top of the list

Larry