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Slamfire · June 21, 2012, 06:56 PM

Powder lots vary at least by 10%. The blending process is not held to a tighter standard.

Take a look at data in older manuals between W296/H110 and W231/HP -38.

These are the exact same powders sold under different vendor names.

You will see differences in pressures and velocities for the same charge weights, but you know, the powders are the same. What you are seeing is the lot to lot variation within the same powder.

These tiny differences allow gunwriters to drive Mac-Trucks down the middle. I have an article by Ken Warner on the 45 ACP and his load testing. In it, he deplores W231, says he "gave up" on the powder, and yet, HP-38 was one of the best powders in the 45 ACP he tested.

Now that we know they were the same powder, I have to wonder what he was observing. If he was seeing anything at all.

June 21, 2012, 06:56 PM	#10
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Powder lots vary at least by 10%. The blending process is not held to a tighter standard. Take a look at data in older manuals between W296/H110 and W231/HP -38. These are the exact same powders sold under different vendor names. You will see differences in pressures and velocities for the same charge weights, but you know, the powders are the same. What you are seeing is the lot to lot variation within the same powder. These tiny differences allow gunwriters to drive Mac-Trucks down the middle. I have an article by Ken Warner on the 45 ACP and his load testing. In it, he deplores W231, says he "gave up" on the powder, and yet, HP-38 was one of the best powders in the 45 ACP he tested. Now that we know they were the same powder, I have to wonder what he was observing. If he was seeing anything at all. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.