Choosing the right gunpowder for your handgun loads is critical for safety and accuracy. Understanding burn rates is paramount to achieving optimal performance and avoiding potentially dangerous situations. This guide will delve into handgun powder burn rate charts, their interpretation, and the factors influencing powder selection. We'll also explore the importance of consulting reputable reloading manuals.
Understanding Handgun Powder Burn Rate
Handgun powders are categorized by their burn rate – how quickly they burn within the cartridge case. This rate directly impacts pressure generation and bullet velocity. A slower-burning powder will produce a gentler, more sustained pressure curve, while a faster-burning powder will generate a sharper, higher peak pressure. The wrong powder choice can lead to dangerously high pressures or inefficient use of propellant.
Burn rate is typically classified using descriptive terms like "fast," "medium," and "slow," but these are relative and vary between manufacturers. Precise burn rates are often expressed internally by manufacturers, but aren't generally available publicly in a consistent, standardized format. Instead, reloaders rely on data found in reloading manuals.
Interpreting a Handgun Powder Burn Rate Chart (or the Lack Thereof)
There isn't a single, universally accepted "handgun powder burn rate chart" publicly available. The information is proprietary and presented differently by each powder manufacturer. What you will find are extensive data tables within reloading manuals. These manuals are the definitive source for safe and effective reloading data, and they often include burn rate information implicitly through the load data itself.
By examining the data in these manuals, you can understand the relative burn rate of different powders. For example, if you see a powder listed with lower pressure and velocity compared to another for the same bullet weight and case, it's likely a slower-burning powder. Conversely, higher pressure and velocity often indicate a faster-burning powder. Always consult the specific reloading manual for the powder you're using.
Key Factors to Consider Alongside Burn Rate:
- Bullet Weight: Heavier bullets generally require slower-burning powders to achieve optimal performance.
- Case Capacity: Larger cases can accommodate slower-burning powders, while smaller cases typically need faster-burning powders.
- Barrel Length: Longer barrels allow more time for the powder to burn completely, potentially benefitting from slightly slower powders.
- Desired Velocity: The target velocity dictates the powder choice and charge weight; the right powder choice makes this achievable within safe pressure limits.
Why Rely on Reloading Manuals?
Reloading manuals are essential for several reasons:
- Safety: They provide proven load data, ensuring you stay within safe pressure limits to avoid dangerous over-pressurization.
- Accuracy: Proper powder selection, as indicated in manuals, optimizes accuracy by ensuring complete combustion of the propellant.
- Consistency: Following manual guidelines leads to consistent performance across different loads.
- Legal Compliance: Using published data demonstrates responsible and legal reloading practices.
Finding Reloading Data
Major powder manufacturers like Hodgdon, Alliant, IMR, and others publish extensive reloading manuals. These manuals are often available for free download from their websites or can be purchased from sporting goods stores. Always start by obtaining a copy of the reloading manual specific to the powder you intend to use.
Conclusion
While a single, comprehensive handgun powder burn rate chart might be desirable, the reality is that the information is best gleaned from individual powder manufacturer's reloading manuals. Understanding the relationship between burn rate, bullet weight, case capacity, and barrel length, as presented in these manuals, is crucial for safe and effective handgun reloading. Remember to always prioritize safety and consult reliable reloading data before attempting any reloading. Improper powder selection can result in dangerous consequences.
