Powder Properties: Do You Know the Difference Between Flake, Ball, and Stick?

July 22nd 2023Stick Flake and Ball — Do you Know Your Powder Properties?Widener’s Shooting & Reloading Supply published a recent introduction to reloading. Widener’s Guide to Smokeless Powders explains the different types of powders and how differences in powder size, shape and burn rate can affect performance. Burn Rate BasicsWideners Guide to Smokeless Powders has a helpful discussion on the topic of Burn Rate, which is confusing for many hand-loaders. Wideners explains that while a gun powder explosion seems instantaneous in the cartridge, if you slow down, you will find that each powder has its own ‘burn rate,’ or speed at ignition. This video shows two powders with very different burn rates. Different burn rates suit different cartridges, says Widener’s. “In general, a fast-burning. powder is used for lighter bullets and low speed pistols and shotguns.” For magnum pistols you will use medium-rate powders. Large bore rifle cartridges with high velocity and high velocity will require slow powders. It is important to note that burn rate doesn’t have a standard unit of measurement. Burn rate is only ever discussed in relation to other powders. There is no universal yardstick. Specifications will vary depending on the cartridge and bullet type [.]”Similar Posts Tags: Alliant Powder, Burn Rates Stick Powder, Hodgdon Powder