Are single base powder safer than double base?

win94oz · August 11, 2014, 03:07 AM

Hi guys from my reasoning, a single base powder should be more temperature sensitive than a double base powder.

However as far as I can theorise in my mind, double base powders that contain nitroglycerine (dynamite) and nitrocellulose as opposed to single base powders that contain only nitrocellulose.

Would be more susceptible to extreme pressure spiking on the upper end with and likewise more likely to have low end detonation problems (though I am not 100% convinced on the theory of these) with charges that are too light.

It would explain why single base powders were the choice of wildcatters, less chance of blowing up your rifle.

Am I on the right lines, is experimentation with double base powders inherently more dangerous than with single base powders?

Most of the reports I have heard of have involved double base powders, specifically

H110
W296
BlueDot

WIL TERRY · August 11, 2014, 10:51 AM

No.

Safety is between your ears, and the data in your loading manuals.

**Mike Irwin** · August 11, 2014, 11:07 AM

Strictly speaking, nitroglycerine is not dynamite. Dynamite is a combination of nitroglycerine and other materials that make it far safer to handle and use.

That said, I agree with Wil. As long as you exercise care in your reloading habits and stick to published data from a reliable source, neither is more or less dangerous than the other.

Nordeste · August 11, 2014, 12:13 PM

I don't have much experience as a reloader, and even though I concur on what the other posters have said, I do know that double base powders are sometimes more tricky than single based.

Here in Spain, due to our very stupid legislation, the powder choices are quite limited. It's basically the French Vectans and the locally manufactured Optimas, which, for your information, are known over there as CSB-1 and PSB-1, and if I'm not mistaken, it's the same or very similar product than your Universal. Vectan offers both single and double based products. One that comes to mind right now is their SP2, which has been used for stout 9 mm loads (for making major power factor), and I have heard it's tricky. Apparently, the range between the minimum and the maximum loads is narrow, and if you go below the minimum charge, there is an actual risk of detonation.

As for me, I use the CSB-1 (known here as Optima A) for my 9 mm loads and it works fine for me. Would love to have delicacies as Vihtavuori available, but...

August 11, 2014, 03:07 AM	#1
win94oz Member Join Date: July 31, 2014 Posts: 24	Are single base powder safer than double base? Hi guys from my reasoning, a single base powder should be more temperature sensitive than a double base powder. However as far as I can theorise in my mind, double base powders that contain nitroglycerine (dynamite) and nitrocellulose as opposed to single base powders that contain only nitrocellulose. Would be more susceptible to extreme pressure spiking on the upper end with and likewise more likely to have low end detonation problems (though I am not 100% convinced on the theory of these) with charges that are too light. It would explain why single base powders were the choice of wildcatters, less chance of blowing up your rifle. Am I on the right lines, is experimentation with double base powders inherently more dangerous than with single base powders? Most of the reports I have heard of have involved double base powders, specifically H110 W296 BlueDot Last edited by win94oz; August 11, 2014 at 04:21 AM.

August 11, 2014, 11:07 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Strictly speaking, nitroglycerine is not dynamite. Dynamite is a combination of nitroglycerine and other materials that make it far safer to handle and use. That said, I agree with Wil. As long as you exercise care in your reloading habits and stick to published data from a reliable source, neither is more or less dangerous than the other. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 11, 2014, 10:51 AM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	No. Safety is between your ears, and the data in your loading manuals.

August 11, 2014, 12:13 PM	#4
Nordeste Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2011 Location: Asturias, Spain Posts: 328	I don't have much experience as a reloader, and even though I concur on what the other posters have said, I do know that double base powders are sometimes more tricky than single based. Here in Spain, due to our very stupid legislation, the powder choices are quite limited. It's basically the French Vectans and the locally manufactured Optimas, which, for your information, are known over there as CSB-1 and PSB-1, and if I'm not mistaken, it's the same or very similar product than your Universal. Vectan offers both single and double based products. One that comes to mind right now is their SP2, which has been used for stout 9 mm loads (for making major power factor), and I have heard it's tricky. Apparently, the range between the minimum and the maximum loads is narrow, and if you go below the minimum charge, there is an actual risk of detonation. As for me, I use the CSB-1 (known here as Optima A) for my 9 mm loads and it works fine for me. Would love to have delicacies as Vihtavuori available, but...