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rogn · January 19, 2012, 12:21 PM

Ball powders seem to be consistent in that they are very frequently inconsistent. They tend to have a very narrow range of burning efficiency and will respond oddly when ever they so choose. As a general statement they are not looked upon favorably by the bench rest community. As an example, I had worked up a load for a hunter class rifle with AA2520 that delivered 1/4" groups at 300 yes here on the Eastern shore(80-85*, humidity about 65%, "0" altitude-sea level). At around 2000' and 68* in PA the groups at 100yd were on the order of 3/4". A quick cleaning of the barrel and return to stick powder returne to the expected levels of accuracy. This type of burning behavior is too typical of ball powders, along with sometimes odd deposits , and fouling. A quick skim of loading manuals shows the difference between starting loads and tops loads is very narrow, demonstrating the narrow range of function of most ball powders. Handguns on the other hand tend to work very well will most ball powders and produce top velocities, provided you get them burning properly.

January 19, 2012, 12:21 PM	#11
rogn Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 203	Ball powders seem to be consistent in that they are very frequently inconsistent. They tend to have a very narrow range of burning efficiency and will respond oddly when ever they so choose. As a general statement they are not looked upon favorably by the bench rest community. As an example, I had worked up a load for a hunter class rifle with AA2520 that delivered 1/4" groups at 300 yes here on the Eastern shore(80-85, humidity about 65%, "0" altitude-sea level). At around 2000' and 68 in PA the groups at 100yd were on the order of 3/4". A quick cleaning of the barrel and return to stick powder returne to the expected levels of accuracy. This type of burning behavior is too typical of ball powders, along with sometimes odd deposits , and fouling. A quick skim of loading manuals shows the difference between starting loads and tops loads is very narrow, demonstrating the narrow range of function of most ball powders. Handguns on the other hand tend to work very well will most ball powders and produce top velocities, provided you get them burning properly.