Author Topic: Slow powder vs fast powder (Read 1741 times)

the rifleman · « **on:** June 11, 2003, 08:10:05 PM »

So far I have been using GreenDot as powder for reloading shotshells. I have to say I am happy with the results. The loads are fairly light and don't bruise up the shoulder, yet seem to smash the clays when I do my part.( AA hulls, WAA12 wads W209 primers, 18gr. powder, 1-1/8oz shot)

I am down to my last pound of it, and am wondering if I should experiment with some of the other powders. It is said that shot patterns may vary using other powders, some better, some worse, perhaps than I am using. Green Dot is a little pricey. A popular, lower price powder I have heard of is I think called 700x or 800x for target loads, when bought in bulk. They also seem to use less grains of powder per load, meaning more for your money!

I also have a chance to pick up a few pounds of some powder from a gun shop that is closing. They are pretty cheap and I may want to try them, just to see the differences. THey have Win 473, SR7625, WST, Win 540, Win 571, Herco, SR4756, RL15.
I have no data in 3 lyman manuals #2, #3, #4 for the RL15. I think this is more of a rifle powder.

Some of the above powders, I have listings for, are for fairly heavy shot charges, say for waterfowl loads, turkey, etc. I don't know if one could use less powder and make up a target load with these or not. Some, even for target loads, need large grain weight charges. These are obviously the slower powders.

What is the advantage of using fast vs slow powders?
Are some of the ones I have listed, ones you have used?
What were your results, pro's, con's, advice?

Thanks Bill

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2003, 03:10:08 AM »

If i was happy with the loads i am using now I would stick with them. Do not change what is listed in the manuals you can get high pressure fast and with the simplest things

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2003, 03:25:12 AM »

I like to experiment with new components sometimes. It will cost you $20 at the most to try a pound of another powder and some primers for test loads. You may end up with a new favorite.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2003, 03:48:32 AM »

For target loads in 12ga, it's really hard to beat Red Dot or Clays. Frankly I have not found anything that works any better for skeet loads than the one I started with, Red Dot.
Stay Safe,
Savage

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2003, 04:30:53 AM »

For 12 gauge I use Red Dot for my 7/8 - 1 oz loads and Green Dot for my 1 - 1 1/8 oz. loads. Use both AA and Remington cases with Duster wads. I like the results. I buy them in 8 pound bottles.

The slower powder will give more of a slow push than a sharper one of the faster powder. Also the slower powder is supposed to have less deformation on the shot. Can a person tell the difference, it's kind of hard and I don't think I have really noticed any.

Generally you will use less of the faster powder, so it could cost less per load.

However, I think it is more important to find a powder that works well with your wad/case combination and patterns well. My advise is to stay with the Green Dot if it fills your cases nicely.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2003, 05:02:34 AM »

Quote from: the rifleman

A popular, lower price powder I have heard of is I think called 700x or 800x for target loads, when bought in bulk. They also seem to use less grains of powder per load, meaning more for your money!

I also have a chance to pick up a few pounds of some powder from a gun shop that is closing. They are pretty cheap and I may want to try them, just to see the differences. THey have Win 473, SR7625, WST, Win 540, Win 571, Herco, SR4756, RL15.

Thanks Bill

700x will do fine for what you want to do.

I have no experience with Win 473 or WST. THe other powders you can get at bargain prices are far too slow for 12 gauge target loads.

the rifleman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2003, 05:39:16 PM »

Thanks for the answers fellows!

I have always heard good things about Clays. It is supposed to be very clean burning, although I can't complain about the Green-Dot, as it burns pretty clean as well.

Red-Dot, is probably the most popular target powder in America, and has a great reputation, but does get pricey. 700x I have heard is the most economical powder of all, with fairly good results reported. All of this info is from what I managed to read, mind you, and not first hand.

THis fellow is selling the powders I mentioned at $15.00 CND a lb., so they are a fair bargain, but he only has a few 1lb containers of each. End of stock blow out, I guess.

As the enjoyment of reloading is experimenting a bit, I think I will pick up a few cans of the 473AA, WST, , and maybe a some of the SR7625.

I hope to be able to find the "magic" combination, which will break every target thrown, and thats shooting from the hip! :grin: I'll let you guys in on it, once I can find it, OK.

Thanks again, Bill

Bullseye · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2003, 07:01:06 PM »

I have been using 700x for the past 8-10 years. Used to use Red Dot but the 700x seems to burn much cleaner for me.

Bob_K · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2003, 03:40:06 PM »

The most economical load I know of is Red Dot. It's a slight bit cheaper per load than 700X at the prices I can get the powder. I piggy back on my gun club's orders for clay targets which are delivered directly to the club by tractor trailer. That way I save on the hazardous shipping fee.

The general rule is a slow burning powder will give a slightly tighter pattern when both a slow and a fast powder are loaded to the same velocity. Green Dot would give a sligher tighter pattern than Red Dot, all things being equal.

W571 is no longer made, so it must be old stock. I believe it is the same as HS 7, however. It is used only for heavy magnum shot loads, and I do not know of any target loads with it. I've used SR7625, and it does have target load application, and seemed to do well. I've also used PB, and ia a favorite over SR7625 by a small margin.

Most recently I've gone back to Red Dot, and also gave Green Dot a try for the first time. The Green Dot seems nice with 1 1/8 oz loads, with just a gentile push on the shoulder. Red Dot is a favorite for 1 oz Sheet loads, and is not too expensive at 16.5 - 17.5 grain loads.

I may give PROMO a try on my next powder order. It appears to have a Red Dot burn rate, but the density varies so I'll have to adjust my powder bar. This is where an adjustable bar really comes in handy.

Jack Monteith · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2003, 06:48:51 PM »

$15 Canadian a pound is close to half price. I'd grab it. 800-X isn't a 12 gauge target load powder and doesn't meter well. However, it's a problem solver in a 20 gauge Beretta. RL-15 is possibly the best .303 British powder available now and Wholesale Sports of Calgary's price is $35 a poundin the 2002 catalog.

Bye
Jack

the rifleman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2003, 11:13:46 PM »

Bob you are lucky if you can get the Red-dot cheaper than 700x!

It is amazing how some powders kick, and like you say Green-Dot is like gentle shove. I can bang off a 100 inside of no time and not even feel it. This if reasonably priced, would be one for the competitions where one might have to shoot 250+ a day, for 2+ days, depending on the event.

Jack I will stay away from the 800x, thanks!
Bill

ssmith_1187 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2003, 05:33:12 AM »

AH.........to be able to reload lead, which I do. However, the club I belong to is steel only.

That's not to say that there aren't other clubs in my area but my "home" club is literally 5 minutes from my house, cheap and open on Thursday nights. :grin:

Steve