I read in a magazine some time back that some OEM outfit mixes different powders via a "specialized, scientific process" in their factory loads that we subhumans suposedly cannot duplicate. I want to take a shot at calling "Bullclinton!" on them. I contend that if two powders were mixed in a single casing in an alledgedly proprietary fashion, that these powders would be entirely comingled by the time the ammo had been shipped and arrived at its destination. Has anybody ever worked up a load using not more than two differing powders? I know it's not "smart" to do so, but it would make for a good exercise for when their is really nothing else to do. Comments, anyone?
Posts: 2758 | Location: Fernley, NV-- the center of the shootin', four-wheelin', ATVin' and dirt-bikin' universe | Registered: 28 May 2003
Some from Sth Africa were posting about mixing powder. From memory their local powder was missing a 4064 burn rate so the mixed powders with a burn rate either side.
It should not be a problem since as far as I am aware each single grain of powder does its own thing in terms of the rate at which it burns and changes to gas.
One would simply expect that say a 50/50 mix of 4064 and 4350 would produce a result similar to a powder in between those turn burn rates.
Mike
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
MIke is right. My friend in RSA does this all of the time, he tells me I'm spoiled because I have so many powders available to me. If you ;ive in the states, there really is no reason to. We have every possible burning rate to choose from.
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
I'm thinking about it again. If you took one unit of one known powder and another unit of another known powder, could you not work up a load based on what this "mystery powder" would tell you via your chrony or by the old-fashioned methods for determining overpressure? Now, it would not be smart to fill the case to a point where a known load would, but could you not start at 80% of case capacity and work it up from there? Who knows, you may find your holy grail load for your particular gun in this manner.
Posts: 2758 | Location: Fernley, NV-- the center of the shootin', four-wheelin', ATVin' and dirt-bikin' universe | Registered: 28 May 2003
I don't think it's a great idea; mainly because inconsistencies in burn rates within the powder column can lead to different bore transit times. It could also have a bearing on safety. Pressure curves can vary a lot from round to round.
The problem arises when powders of different grain size and density are subjected to vibration, particulary when travelling for long distances and periods over a rough route.
The powders can separate, creating powder columns which contain different burn rates along their length. Case orientation during the vibration process will cause these variations to occur at unpredictatble zones within the case. This will result in inconsistent POI and may have significant safety issues as well.
Rounds which are loaded and fired almost immediately will not see this phenomenon in as pronounced a manner, but I personally recommend against mixing powders under any circumstances.
