'fast' powders for hot loads ?

gotstolefrom

Re: the post on 45LC hot loads using 231.
I have heard of folks mistakenly "double loading" with the fast powders because they are generally a small volume charge. I am more fond of the Dupont IMR powders for full house loads. You couldn't double load, even if you charge primed cases in a block, because most are near full case and/or compressed. I find those loads group closer also, maybe from the "loading density", where powder occupies most of the case volume. I don't use a progressive press, or load in 'block' style. Once brass is primed it does not leave my hand until the bullet has been seated.

But back to the quick powders. I have been at the range when a fellow in the next booth with a 45 acp fires off one round of the 7 that is BAAAM ! , and he says 'whoa, must have double charged that one' ! I guess if you were loading light, a double would not be too much over the top for a strong gun.

Anyone out there have repeatable good performance with fast powders loaded to the hot side ? If there is a little twist that I am not aware of, I would sure try it. Sure, I like 2400, 231, etc. 'cause you can get a lot of mileage out of a pound.

Any tips ?




If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.

Iconoclast

While I prefer powders which will overflow the case if double charged, I do use some light weight charges of the "hotter" powders in some caliber / bullet combinations - e.g., Bullseye in .45 ACP. I've always tipped my loading blocks and held them up to the light to eyeball the powder levels before proceeding to load. I've not yet (knocking on wood) loaded a double charge, although I have found a very few. I strive for repeatability and concentration when I load, rather than max speed. After years of the routines, my speed is plenty satisfactory for me. Recently, I've gone to a progressive (Dillon) for most handgun ammo; with the powder level check set properly, it will catch a screw-up, also. I still load in batches of 100 and check the charge, OAL, etc. at those intervals to be sure nothing has gone awry . . . but with the Dillon, those intervals come pretty close together. [:D]

"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And DemoCraps" (me)

kimblelr

Bullseye, I have the best luck with it, does a nice job, best bang for the buck.[:)]

jonk

I have had the occasional double load... twice. I load a lot of cast bullets and use a lot of red dot. I have very good results with 10 gr of it behind a 175 gr bullet in my 8mm mauser and once loaded 20. For a good condition gun i don't think this will hurt it in a rifle; in fact Lyman's manual lists 14.something as the max for this charge; so really while a double for MY loading it was only half over the max. Still the bolt was stiff and I stopped shooting till i could pop a headspace gauge in it home; no damage, but that's when i stopped watching tv while reloading.

"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf

perry shooter

Hello i have been loading about 5000 rounds of 45acp a year for 35 years over 85 % with BULLS-EYE I do a lot of testing with ransom rest and CRONAGRAPH the best results both in velocity varations and group size come with fast burning powder. I load rifle with the slowest powder that fills the case to bottom of the neck .Only thing thats different is 45 ACP is short fat straight case and the bore volume increases very fast as the bullet moves down the barrel. be careful with fast powder in large cases you should use a filler.

v35

If you're considering fast powders like Bullseye for hot loads in the
45 Long Colt you're treading on dangerous ground. In 9mm and magnum pistol cartridges it works out well.