Thread: Versatile powders?

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
While the powders are the same there may be differences in the lots so it is wise to test a reduced load before loading a batch with the new powder. I do this routinely now after almost being caught out by an increase in speed between batches of AR2209 (H4350). I was using a batch of AR2209 manufactured around 2000 and changed to one made about 2018. There was a substantial increase in speed. I went back and tested the two lots side by side and the later lot produced around 80 fps more velocity than the older stuff. I also went back through my chronograph records and the old stuff was still giving the same velocity.
Regards Grandpamac.

Yep. Had exactly the same happen to me, going from an older to newer batch of AR2209. Never thought there was any need to compare batches first. At the range I realised immediately with the first shot the new batch felt and sounded different. And the chronograph confirmed higher velocity with the new batch.
It's the only time I had this happen when changing from one batch to another of the same powder but also the reason I now buy piwder in reasonable quantity of the same batch when I can.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

Yep. Had exactly the same happen to me, going from an older to newer batch of AR2209. Never thought there was any need to compare batches first. At the range I realised immediately with the first shot the new batch felt and sounded different. And the chronograph confirmed higher velocity with the new batch.
It's the only time I had this happen when changing from one batch to another of the same powder but also the reason I now buy piwder in reasonable quantity of the same batch when I can.

Greetings,
And to this day 23 years later Hodgdon has not updated its load data. If you don't have a chronograph you would be oblivious to the extra velocity and pressure. I was shooting a 6.5x55 so I didn't notice any increase in recoil but the chronograph did.
Regards Grandpamac.