KHGS wrote:GSells wrote:KHGS wrote:
Have you heard of "detonation"??? I suggest you research it if you haven't heard about it!!!!! Oh & watch the carbon with loads on the "light" side with slow powders.
Keith H.
Thanks Keith, we are I believe no where near that . There is no smoke . But I’ll keep an eye on carbon . I saw your cleaning series on Fb !
I don't think you are near it yet either......just a word of caution is all. Detonation has never been replicated in a laboratory test & only theories as to how it happens are available to us. However it is widely accepted among ballistic experts (I am not one) that it mostly occurs with lighter loads (lower pressure) of slow burning powder, it happens without warning & is catastrophic. I would not be relying on "smoke" alone as an indicator.I have seen the results of what was most likely a detonation, not pretty to be sure!!!
From a safety prospective I am of the belief that it is better to approach a velocity goal with a powder that yields that velocity within the "normal" pressure range for the cartridge. One must always remember it is not velocity that yields accuracy it is chamber pressure that yields accuracy, velocity with the correct powder choice is only an "indicator" of the correct chamber pressure.
This is not to say that powders that would be considered not ideal for a certain caliber will not work well, but there are checks & balances that must be followed when working outside the square (& inside it too). The 7mm calibers are remarkably flexible as are ADI powders & while this is a good thing it can also lead to disaster if we forget proper practices.
As an example, I have developed a highly accurate load for my 280HI's using lighter (162 to 168 grn bullets) with AR2208 powder. I use this load for fireforming & often shoot match winning scores whilst fireforming with this load. It is much safer to use a light load of faster burning powder than to use a light load of slow burning powder. Remember no matter what powder is in use chamber pressures must be kept within the safe range or the load will be unsafe (read possibly dangerous), meaning that the pressure can be too low just as it can be too high, go out of the range & one is playing with matches in a pine forrest on a hot & windy day. Please proceed with caution!!!!
Keith H.
As per usual Kieth some good advice there . Thanks for sharing your knowledge!