First Loads with Ramshot Silhouette

[Dudedog]

New powder for me so
looking at Ramshot's burn speed chart they show

Silhouette as being a bit slower than AA#2 but faster than True Blue or AA #5
another chart puts it lots slower than that, slower than True Blue or AA#5, slower than CFE-P

26 Accurate Arms No. 2
27 Ramshot Zip
28 Hodgdon HP-38
29 Winchester 231
30 Alliant 20/28
31 Alliant Unique
32 Hodgdon UNIVERSAL
33 IMR, Co IMR UNEQUAL
34 Alliant Power Pistol
35 VihtaVuori N330
36 Alliant Herco
37 Winchester WSF
38 VihtaVuori N340
39 Hodgdon Hi-Skor 800-X
40 Ramshot True Blue
41 Accurate Arms No. 5
42 Hodgdon HS-6
43 Winchester AutoComp
44 Hodgdon CFE Pistol
45 Ramshot Silhouette
46 VihtaVuori 3N37

Charge data would seem to indicate it is closer to what the chart from someone else shows than what Western Powders shows.
After my test I would place it slower than CFE-P, No big deal but just interesting where Western who sells it placed it on their chart.

Anyway some chrono numbers from my first tests
Springfield 9mm 1911 5" barrel
Mixed range brass (very mixed!, probably no 2 cases the same)
Charges as thrown after setting measure
S+B SP
Temp ~95F

String: 9
Date: 6/17/2018
Time: 2:21:19 PM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 994
Low Vel: 961
Ave Vel: 980
Ext Spread: 33
Std Dev: 14
4.9 Silhouette RMR 124 MPR JHP 1.085
Velocity PF Ft/Lbs
986 122.264 267.656
994 123.256 272.017
961 119.164 254.255
991 122.884 270.378
971 120.404 259.574

String: 2
Date: 6/17/2018
Time: 2:24:35 PM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1088
Low Vel: 1040
Ave Vel: 1062
Ext Spread: 48
Std Dev: 20
5.3 Silhuouette RMR 124 MPR JHP 1.085
Velocity PF Ft/Lbs
1040 128.96 297.776
1070 132.68 315.203
1088 134.912 325.898
1071 132.804 315.793
1042 129.208 298.923


Just for fun I did a test of some Universal (which I would say is a little slower than AA#2)
String: 4
Date: 6/17/2018
Time: 2:15:29 PM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1079
Low Vel: 1040
Ave Vel: 1059
Ext Spread: 39
Std Dev: 13
4.3 Universal RMR 124 MPR JHP 1.085
Velocity PF Ft/Lbs
1058 131.192 308.173
1079 133.796 320.528
1059 131.316 308.756
1060 131.44 309.339
1040 128.96 297.776

 

[Dudedog]

So some results
Sig P226 rested on bags, cheap plastic folding table (none to sturdy, wind not bothering bullets, but gusts were attempting to make the table fly)



(don't know why I changed my POA on the last shot on the Universal target, I did hit the green with it......brain fart, sigh)

Silhouette did show some promise but I think it would be happier just a bit heavier charges.
Need to retest 5.3 and weigh charges, use same flavor brass, and test 5.5, maybe 5.7. (5.5 and 5.7 could be getting close to or into +P range)

I like it so far, but Western is out to with their burn speed chart which seems to show it as a mid speed powder in 9mm, and like I mentioned their suggested charge size indicates it is on the slow side of the 9mm range.
From testing I would say the other chart placing it by CFE-P is close.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The reason burn rate charts differ is because burn rates are relative. The burn rates will often change when tested in different cartridges.

Thanks for all the data and targets.

 

[Dudedog]

I was hoping it was closer to Universal/WSF burn speed, but a bit slower than what I was looking for, but nothing wrong with that, just not quite what I was after.
For those of you have used AA#5 or True Blue would you say they are faster tha Silhouette burn speed wise in 9mm?

 

[Walkalong]

Those three are all in the same neighborhood when used in 9MM, IMHO. Silhouette seems more "forgiving" to me. It's better for near max to max loads in 9MM than midrange.

It is definitely much slower than AA #2.

True Blue is kind of funny, as in it's "picky" about what applications it likes, and seems slower than they list it.

Your numbered list (26-46) is a much better representation than that chart. I have several "burn rate" charts, and some of them will make you scratch your head sometimes. But the rates are tested in a "closed bomb" type situation, and so, as ArchAngelCD posted, it varies in the real world in actual calibers.

 

[Dudedog]

I really need to try N330 but I am afraid if I do I will like it and it is a bit pricey, but of course in total power is not a major factor in cost in 9mm bullets are.
Sport Pistol and 244 are on the list of things to try in 9mm as well.


After my first tests my initial impression was agrees with Walkalong, Silhouette seemed like it was happier on the higher side of it's charge range.
I actually started at 4.6 because that's what Western showed as a start charge for a Sierra 125 JHP.

 

[sbwaters]

In the For What It’s Worth Department. [Never, never, never use someone else’s loaddata. Ladder your own from a reputable manual’s starting load.]

Description: Blue Bullet 125 RN Ramshot Silhouette - 4.8 gr
# FPS FT-LBS PF
8 1037 298.53 129.62
7 1038 299.10 129.75
6 1056 309.57 132.00
5 1043 301.99 130.38
4 1062 313.09 132.75
3 1054 308.39 131.75
2 1045 303.15 130.62
1 1051 306.64 131.38

Average: 1048.2 FPS
SD: 8.9 FPS
Min: 1037 FPS
Max: 1062 FPS
Spread: 25 FPS

 

[ray15]

Sport Pistol and 244 are on the list of things to try in 9mm as well.

Thanks for the data. I think Sport Pistol is what you're after (and it's cheap too). Not sure if you'll like it as well as WSF, but I think it's perfect for a 124gr. 1050fps 9mm load.

 

[Walkalong]

Thanks for the data. I think Sport Pistol is what you're after (and it's cheap too). Not sure if you'll like it as well as WSF, but I think it's perfect for a 124gr. 1050fps 9mm load.

I haven't tried it there yet, but expect good things after I tried it in another application. I use N320 for a plated at 1050ish from a 5" barrel right now.

 

[kmw1954]

Dudedog, I've been loading silhouette in 380, 9mm and 45acp and like it and the performance in all three. Right now it's all I'm using in the 380 and have about 200 rounds loaded for extended testing in our 45acp's. In the 9mm it's a toss for me between HP-38 and the Silhouette.

We shoot a lot indoors and the wife and I both believe the Silhouette doesn't seem to foul the air as much as the HP-38 or AA#5 which is also a plus.

 

[Dudedog]

Will have to give it a try in .380 as well, thanks.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Ramshot Silhouette is the old Winchester WAP (Winchester Action Powder), and any old data sheets for WAP are interchangeable with Silhouette data. I've confirmed this personally with the Western Powders reps at the SHOT Show, and in my personal use of both powders in several calibers.

Hope this helps.

Fred