What makes the biggest difference

ringworm · September 3, 2008, 02:53 PM

Whats going to make the biggest difference...
a .2 grain weight variation in the powder or
a 6 grain weight variation in the brass?

Archie · September 3, 2008, 03:36 PM

How much does the entire powder charge weigh?

How much does the entire case weigh?

BigJimP · September 3, 2008, 06:37 PM

when you say "brass" I'm assuming you mean the weight of the case .... but there is no impact on performance from the weight of the case in a reload. I mix and match head stamp brands on cases all the time in my pistol reloads with no impact on performance.

But like other response - you need to clarify what you're talking about / 0.2 grain variation in powder - what caliber, what powder, what is your target load you're trying to get for a powder drop, and what is the minimum and maximum load in the book.

If by weight of brass - you mean the bullet ... What bullet, what caliber, what grain bullet. a 6 grain variation in a 230 gr RN bullet is only 3% but its more than I would like. A 6 grain variation in a 124 grain bullet is 5% and that is way too much tolerance. Too much variation in the bullet is an indication of quality control.

ringworm · September 4, 2008, 06:40 AM

i mean variation in weight of brass case. when trimmed my federal match brass has, what i think, a pretty broad variation. if the brass is the same length then the heavier weight must be thicker. that would certainly effect pressure.

Nnobby45 · September 4, 2008, 07:05 AM

The case weight variation effects case capacity and therefore burning rate of powder.

The .02 gr. variation in powder charge is considerably better than factory standard, where 1/2 gr. variations can occur.

Your case variation example would be a 3% (within factory standard) variation and sorting your brass can easily get you into 1.5 gr. tolerence + or - from avg. I'm using an '06 case for an example.

In an '06 case, it would take 1/2 gr. variations in powder charge, or more before you could, maybe, see it on paper--- if you were a good shooter-- using an accurate hunting rifle. That's 1/2 gr. variations from average,which means there could be a full gr. difference in the extreme.

In a .223, the .2 gr. pwd. charge variation wouldn't be noticed, but the 6 gr. case variation would be too extreme, if even possible. Better to go % of average with 3% being ok, and within 1% a little too strict and unnecessary--- unless you're a benchrest kind of guy.

Handloaders don't have to put up with those variations. You can sort/weigh your brass to better than facory standard and load powder charges dead on the money if you weigh your charges.

I assume you're talking about rifle loading, but even if loading for pistol with those kind of variations, you wouldn't have match ammo, but you'd be ok for serious practice.

September 3, 2008, 02:53 PM	#1
ringworm Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Posts: 257	What makes the biggest difference Whats going to make the biggest difference... a .2 grain weight variation in the powder or a 6 grain weight variation in the brass? __________________ "Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and higher education positively fortifies it." Stephen Vizinczey

September 3, 2008, 03:36 PM	#2
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	A matter of percentage. How much does the entire powder charge weigh? How much does the entire case weigh? __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

September 4, 2008, 06:40 AM	#4
ringworm Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Posts: 257	i mean variation in weight of brass case. when trimmed my federal match brass has, what i think, a pretty broad variation. if the brass is the same length then the heavier weight must be thicker. that would certainly effect pressure. __________________ "Strange as it seems, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and higher education positively fortifies it." Stephen Vizinczey

September 3, 2008, 06:37 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	when you say "brass" I'm assuming you mean the weight of the case .... but there is no impact on performance from the weight of the case in a reload. I mix and match head stamp brands on cases all the time in my pistol reloads with no impact on performance. But like other response - you need to clarify what you're talking about / 0.2 grain variation in powder - what caliber, what powder, what is your target load you're trying to get for a powder drop, and what is the minimum and maximum load in the book. If by weight of brass - you mean the bullet ... What bullet, what caliber, what grain bullet. a 6 grain variation in a 230 gr RN bullet is only 3% but its more than I would like. A 6 grain variation in a 124 grain bullet is 5% and that is way too much tolerance. Too much variation in the bullet is an indication of quality control.

September 4, 2008, 07:05 AM	#5
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	The case weight variation effects case capacity and therefore burning rate of powder. The .02 gr. variation in powder charge is considerably better than factory standard, where 1/2 gr. variations can occur. Your case variation example would be a 3% (within factory standard) variation and sorting your brass can easily get you into 1.5 gr. tolerence + or - from avg. I'm using an '06 case for an example. In an '06 case, it would take 1/2 gr. variations in powder charge, or more before you could, maybe, see it on paper--- if you were a good shooter-- using an accurate hunting rifle. That's 1/2 gr. variations from average,which means there could be a full gr. difference in the extreme. In a .223, the .2 gr. pwd. charge variation wouldn't be noticed, but the 6 gr. case variation would be too extreme, if even possible. Better to go % of average with 3% being ok, and within 1% a little too strict and unnecessary--- unless you're a benchrest kind of guy. Handloaders don't have to put up with those variations. You can sort/weigh your brass to better than facory standard and load powder charges dead on the money if you weigh your charges. I assume you're talking about rifle loading, but even if loading for pistol with those kind of variations, you wouldn't have match ammo, but you'd be ok for serious practice.