Identify Powder

Gregory Gauvin · March 21, 2009, 02:33 AM

I took apart an Aguila .45 ACP round (it severely set back during multiple chambers as I was testing magazines...so I decided to measure the powder). According to Aguila, these loads should chrono 830 ft/sec. They measure 1.265" to 1.270". The powder charge weight was 5 to 5.1 grains.

The powder had a very similar small flake appearance to WIN 540 or HS-6, but I know it is not this. It is a lighter grey in color. Could this possibly be bullseye?

Hook686 · March 21, 2009, 03:34 AM

I would not even fool around with a guessing game regarding an unknown powder. Have you addressed your question to the manufacturer ?

rwilson452 · March 21, 2009, 07:09 AM

It is not Bullseye.

**Mike Irwin** · March 21, 2009, 08:25 AM

It's not anything that can be bought on the open market.

Powders that reloaders can buy are called canister powders and are made by blending powders from many different lots so as to give very consistent performance lot after lot, year after year.

Most manufacturers used single-lot powders, and develop their loading data for each new lot.

Yes, the base powder may be the same as what you can buy on the shelf, but it will never give the same burning characteristics and cannot be loaded using any of the commercially available loading information.

Then there's the problem of where the powder was made...

Was it made in the US? Australia? Israel? Or somewhere else?

James R. Burke · March 21, 2009, 11:22 AM

I agree with Hook686 dont even mess with it. Ditch it.

March 21, 2009, 02:33 AM	#1
Gregory Gauvin Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Posts: 368	Identify Powder I took apart an Aguila .45 ACP round (it severely set back during multiple chambers as I was testing magazines...so I decided to measure the powder). According to Aguila, these loads should chrono 830 ft/sec. They measure 1.265" to 1.270". The powder charge weight was 5 to 5.1 grains. The powder had a very similar small flake appearance to WIN 540 or HS-6, but I know it is not this. It is a lighter grey in color. Could this possibly be bullseye?

March 21, 2009, 07:09 AM	#3
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	It is not Bullseye. __________________ USNRET '61-'81

March 21, 2009, 08:25 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	It's not anything that can be bought on the open market. Powders that reloaders can buy are called canister powders and are made by blending powders from many different lots so as to give very consistent performance lot after lot, year after year. Most manufacturers used single-lot powders, and develop their loading data for each new lot. Yes, the base powder may be the same as what you can buy on the shelf, but it will never give the same burning characteristics and cannot be loaded using any of the commercially available loading information. Then there's the problem of where the powder was made... Was it made in the US? Australia? Israel? Or somewhere else? __________________ "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.

March 21, 2009, 03:34 AM	#2
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	I would not even fool around with a guessing game regarding an unknown powder. Have you addressed your question to the manufacturer ?

March 21, 2009, 11:22 AM	#5
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	I agree with Hook686 dont even mess with it. Ditch it.