size of the bullet and the gun powder

compscotty

Does the speed of burn of the gun powder you should use depend on the size of the bullet you are using???

Logic tells me that a 158gr. bullet will offer more resistance as it is pushed through the barrel than a 125gr. bullet. Therefore more pressure is required to push out the heavier bullets??


scott
las vegas, nv

perry shooter

Hello ONE BIG PROBLEM [:(]and a very easy way to get into trouble in reloading is to think of powder as POWER [xx(]. The heavier the bullet the smaller amount of the same powder is needed to get maximum safe pressure[:0]. smokeless powder is progressive burning. The higher pressure the faster the burn rate. You can get in BIG trouble[V][xx(][:(!][:(] when say using Max load on a 185 grain bullet in 45ACP and then using the same charge of powder and using a 230 grain bullet. I strongly suggest you get a good reloading manual and look at the loads in it DON"T try to second guess loads use those in a book.

dcs shooters

You can use the same burn rate powder for different weight bullets,BUT, the charge weight of the powder will be different.
Get some good reloading manuals and read them carefully [:)]

bpost

In a way you are correct. TO get the 158 Grain bullet to the same speed as the 125 grain bullet does take more pressure and/or time. Our limitation is the maximum pressure allowable for the caliber we are loading.

That is why a 158 grain bullet from a 38 special can't be driven as fast as the same exact bullet from a 357 magnum; allowable pressure. The pressure the .357 magnum operates at would destroy a 38 caliber revolver.

Powder BURNING speed takes advantage of that pressure allowing it to burn slowly and build pressure over time to take advantage of higher pressure limits or longer barrels. Fast powders like Bullseye are great for the 38's and 45's that operate at moderate pressure. Conversely; using 2400 powder works best in magnum type loads that can use the larger volume of powder and resultant gas plasma pressure created.

As with everything we deal with BALANCE is the name of the game. Too little pressure and the bullet gets stuck in the barrel as a worthless obstruction. Too much pressure and the gun will not be able to contain it and will fail. A gun that has been exposed to over pressure to the point of failure can be as deadly to the shooter as the target.