Has any one pulled a bullet and determined what the powder charge is?

Thanks,

I'd be very leery of believing anyone that said they knew what the factory powder and charge amount was on any factory ammo.

As far as pulling a bullet and weighing one.....anyone can do it!

Your hunch is probably correct vapodog. However, I'm sure there are some experts out there that have seen enough of the powders to get it narrowed down to a couple likely suspects.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
...I'm sure there are some experts out there that have seen enough of the powders to get it narrowed down to a couple likely suspects.

No, Vapo is correct. Factory Loads are typically non-canister grade Powder which is blended to meet a specific Pressure Range of a Cartridge.

It is still best to see what gives the Highest Velocity in a couple of Powder Manuals, load them using the never improved upon Creighton Audette Method, leave the chronograph at home(or sell it), watch for all the Pressure Indicators, and see which Loads provide the best accuracy way out there.

Shortcuts in Reloading normally result in less than optimum results.

quote:

No, Vapo is correct. Factory Loads are typically non-canister grade Powder which is blended to meet a specific Pressure Range of a Cartridge.

That and the fact that a lot of internet posters are just plain in error as they cannot separate fact from opinion.

I just pulled a 40 grain bullet from a Hornady made .204 and the powder was 29.5 grains of a powder that looked a lot like HS-7.

You just watch now, someone will post in a few weeks that HS-7 is the powder used in the .204.

Everyone that posts on the internet is an expert and knows more than you or I.

Commercially-loaded cartridges are almost always loaded with either a blend or else a propellant unavailable to the general public. Trying to decipher what's in a particular loa to try and mimic it is a recipe for disaster.

Also, what may be loaded in the cartridge this week may not be in there next week. As long as a given velocity, load density and pressure range is reached, the manufacturers will use whatever powders(s) they have at their disposal.

Thanks guys!

I picked up some IMR4895, Benchrest, and W748 this morning at Sportsman's Warehouse. These along with the Varget, H335 and BL-C(2) I already have, hopefully I can hit on something.

Thanks again,