I learned something new today from Nosler's newest reloading guide #6. (Hey, I like that term...GUIDE...they're not claiming it's gospel, just a guide!) But I don't know what to do with it or how to use it.

Anyway, p.36 says: "In working up our loading data tables, we chose the powders that we felt would give the optimum performance for each cartridge. The burning rate of a certain powder is considered when loads are developed for specific cartridges. Nosler uses the formula:Feet Per Second divided by Grains of Powder=Burn Rate for a particular cartridge."

The only 'Burn Rate' I've been aware of is the relative burn rate chart. The one powder manufacturers list canister grade powders, from fast burning Bullseye to slow burning H870.

What use is Nosler's formula to you? Or me, for that matter.

quote:

What use is Nosler's formula to you?

absolutely none.....as a matter of fact it's what many reloaders call efficiency....the velocity per grain.....and that number has no value to me at all.

Someone at Nosler is high on something....or just thinks he is!

Case density, maximum velocity and the standard deviation of velocity would all seem to be both objective and more useful metrics to use for guidance.

It may be some what indigative of comparing powder burn rates relative to each other, but the numbers change between cartridges if I understand the original posting. I have not read the guide myself.

EXAMPLE: Looking at the 300H&H Mag A-XMR4350 would yield the same number as IMR4831.From other cartridges this relationship varies.

I can see where these numbers can not only be missleading but might be dangerous were the unwary use them for interpolation. roger

I'll pipe in with a time proven tip ; Watch your AZZ !. Burn rates vary as nothing is set in

stone . Example one powder may be listed on a particular burn chart as 84

while on another chart that same powder might be listed as 81 or ?.

One thing is certain , re loading manuals are GUIDES !. As all of us who have been

around the block more than once know , everybody's manual can list different load data

for a particular cartridge . General ballistics rule #1 , heavier bullets require slower

powders and less of a charge , than lighter projectiles which can use faster powders .