DartonJager
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Messages
- 992
I have read much about powder burn rates and burn rate charts, some "experts" claim they are useful aid in powder selection, other "experts" claim they are useless. Which lead me to this question I have not the knowledge or experience to answer.
Not to long ago I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 300 WSM. At the time well over a year ago OTC selection for suitable powders near me for the 300wsm and 180 grain bullets was rather limited. Of the most strongly recommended powders by members here I was able to only get RL17, the others IMR 7828ssc, H4831sc, MagPro, and Retumbo were no where to be found OTC and even mail order was little better and the Hazmat fee required I order several pounds or it was IMHO to expensive.
Well the RL17 experienced pressure signs just as its accuracy was peaking so I was kinda at a dead end for powder selection. I wished to avoid using a powder that was available only a few times a year and wanted that powder to be available OTC if at all possible. I was sitting in my reloading room mulling over my powder options, when I noticed I had IMR4831 I had bought to try in my 338wm but never used and figured WTH, it cant hurt to try it.
I loaded up reloads in .5 grain increments from 65.0 up to 67.5 grains. I got pretty good accuracy with no pressure signs with every loading, but the 67.5 grains was hands down best. I reloaded more of the 67.5 IMR4831 with 180 grain bullets and shot three consecutive 3-shot 100 yard groups all under .6" the third and best group was right at 3/8" and decided to try a 5 shot group and it opened up to only .5". My 200 yard groups were all well under MOA.
Needless to say I have found FOR ME and my accuracy standards, the powder for my Tikka T3 and 180 grain bullets. Unfortunately for me I am an insatiable tinkerer and as fate would have it most of the powders I couldn't get before are now available OTC.
Now for my question. To help in narrowing my powder selection can I use a relative powder burn rate chart by finding a powder who's burn rate is very close or equal to that of IMR4831 and try it? MagPro, Hybrid 100v, and H4831sc are listed as very close to having the same burn rate as IMR4831 so should I consider them more likely to yield equal or better accuracy as does IMR4831 based on them all having very similar burn rates? Or are burn rate charts not reliable enough to be used or are not intended to be used to aid in powder selection.
Thanks,
DJ/Art.
Not to long ago I purchased a Tikka T3 Lite in 300 WSM. At the time well over a year ago OTC selection for suitable powders near me for the 300wsm and 180 grain bullets was rather limited. Of the most strongly recommended powders by members here I was able to only get RL17, the others IMR 7828ssc, H4831sc, MagPro, and Retumbo were no where to be found OTC and even mail order was little better and the Hazmat fee required I order several pounds or it was IMHO to expensive.
Well the RL17 experienced pressure signs just as its accuracy was peaking so I was kinda at a dead end for powder selection. I wished to avoid using a powder that was available only a few times a year and wanted that powder to be available OTC if at all possible. I was sitting in my reloading room mulling over my powder options, when I noticed I had IMR4831 I had bought to try in my 338wm but never used and figured WTH, it cant hurt to try it.
I loaded up reloads in .5 grain increments from 65.0 up to 67.5 grains. I got pretty good accuracy with no pressure signs with every loading, but the 67.5 grains was hands down best. I reloaded more of the 67.5 IMR4831 with 180 grain bullets and shot three consecutive 3-shot 100 yard groups all under .6" the third and best group was right at 3/8" and decided to try a 5 shot group and it opened up to only .5". My 200 yard groups were all well under MOA.
Needless to say I have found FOR ME and my accuracy standards, the powder for my Tikka T3 and 180 grain bullets. Unfortunately for me I am an insatiable tinkerer and as fate would have it most of the powders I couldn't get before are now available OTC.
Now for my question. To help in narrowing my powder selection can I use a relative powder burn rate chart by finding a powder who's burn rate is very close or equal to that of IMR4831 and try it? MagPro, Hybrid 100v, and H4831sc are listed as very close to having the same burn rate as IMR4831 so should I consider them more likely to yield equal or better accuracy as does IMR4831 based on them all having very similar burn rates? Or are burn rate charts not reliable enough to be used or are not intended to be used to aid in powder selection.
Thanks,
DJ/Art.