Hodgdon's Short Cut Powders; Are They Better?

[Patriot_1776]

All right members, what do you think of the short cut powders:  Do they meter better?  Have you found them to have better consistency?

[Questor]

I think they are better than regular long-cut powder. I use 4831SC and it meters very well, is temperature insensitive, and works very well. I see no reason to use the old long-cut designs.

[beemanbeme]

They meter better.  They'd have to.  According to Hodgdon they are supposed to be exactly the same.  By that I take it to mean you could mix a can of each and get the same results as using either can to the exclusion of the other. 

[SuperstitionCoues]

I don't think "better" is the right word... maybe "easier to work with" is a better description, because of their metering capabilities? And, yes, they do meter better than the longer cut versions.   However...

They meter better.  They'd have to.  According to Hodgdon they are supposed to be exactly the same.  By that I take it to mean you could mix a can of each and get the same results as using either can to the exclusion of the other. 

I would not recommend mixing any powder together, unless they are of the same type and lot number.  Doing so would not be safe, and would be a very unwise practice.  The unintentional results could be catastrophic to the shooter.

[Questor]

Mixing powders is unsafe. Don't do it.

[beemanbeme]

And don't forget to look under the bed tonight.

Kids, don't try this at home. 

Every since I've been reloading (yeah, yeah, backin my day.........yada yada) I have made a practice of when I get low in a can of powder, I open another and make sure it is the same sort and that it looks alike and then I add the one to the other.  I then roll and tumble the can to mix them well and go on loading.  I have never had a problem.  Unless you are already running the ragged edge of disaster any slight variance in powder will be unnoticed.  I've heard these stories about some  fellow that opened a new can of powder, used an established load (of course, it was totally safe) and ended up with no fingers and smoking shards of steel in his head.  And it's always, "I know a guy whose brother-in-law's cousin's uncle's buddy etc etc". I have also seen the notices of recalls where a totally incorrect powder has been put in the wrong packaging.  But you notice, I not only look at what the packaging sez, I look at the powder.  I don't think I'll be mixing any 4350 with H335 any time soon.  This is not a dangerous hobby but you do need to have your brain in gear.

I think we are blest with the consistancy of our components.

[lilabner]

They probably aren't better. But they are more consistent if you drop loads directly from the powder measure into the case. Ball powders should be even more consistent. I have heard some claims that the SC powders generate higher velocity which probably also means higher pressure. If you really want really consistent loads, drop from the measure to a scale and trickle the last grain.

[Catfish]

I loaded some ammo with the 4831SC yesterday on my Dillon press and found that the short cut powder is still to big to measure well in the Dillon measure. I have had alittle better luck with the VV powders, but really don`t like them eather with the Dillon. If your going to drop charges stick with ball powders.