I pulled 20.3gr of Sharpshooter from a factory 1909 44-40 W.H.V. load, and pulled 25.3gr of Lightning from a Factory 1919 REM-UMC .303 Savage load.
I weighed 20.3gr of the Lightning and took a photograph of them side by side. They are identical by the eye, but highly different in burn rate. This is why it was extremely important back then to not shoot any powder that was not 100% properly identified.
Can you guess which is which?
23.5gr for both Sharpshooter and Lightning
According to Laflin & Rand, the Thickness of the grains is what is supposed to be the dead giveaway....but over the years, by the time Hercules got the powder.....
According to Sharpes 1937,
Sharpshooter #1, from 1897 to 1937, Diameter .08", Thickness .015"
Sharpshooter #2, from 1902 to 1914, Diameter .07", Thickness .02"
Lightning#1, from 1899 to 1937, Diameter .08", Thickness .02"
Lightning#2, from 1903 to 1929, Diameter .06", Thickness .05"
On a side note:
W.A. .30 Caliber powder, 1898 to 1930, Diameter .08", Thickness .045"
Also, the burn rate balance points;
Powder..............CUP..........Tolerance
Sharpshooter...18,000lbs.......wide
Lightning.........30,000lbs....medium
W-A .30 Cal.....36,000lbs.....narrow