Powder Theory

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Route666

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I've been reading up on reloading, and have ended up comparing two powders against each other.

I want to reload 9mm ammo.

The powders I am comparing are ADI's AP-50N and AP-70N

50 is faster burning than 70.

The ADI website says that the 70N goes with 115 grain bullets, and for 120 grains use 50N or 100.

Anyways, what would the effect of using a lighter projectile with the faster burning powder?

Would it be less snappy than the same powder with a heavier bullet?

Would it be better on the cases to use the slower powder? I plan on loading cost-effectively, not for high power.

Also, what is everyone's opinion of the ADI powder? It seems I don't have much choice on what brand I can use over here.
 
I've never even heard of ADI powder.

Generally using a faster powder is more desirable with lighter bullets. With slower powders the ligher bullet may not provide sufficient resistance so that the powder burns efficiently. You can get lots of sooting, unburned powder, huge muzzle flash, etc.

There's no real set line where you should use X powder with Y weight bullet.

At one time (even as recently as the early 1960s) powders like 2400 (a slow powder) were regularly used to load .38 Special, even with lighter bullets. It's generally conceded that 2400 isn't really the best powder for this application, so it will be rare to find 2400 loading data anymore.

Part of the reason why 2400 was shown I think was because many of the .38 Spls. were traditionally longered barreled, which could burn the 2400 a little more efficiently, and the simple fact that there weren't all that many suitable powders -- powder selection was a LOT narrower then that it is today.

Whereas you might have had 3 or 4 commonly available fast burning powders then--Bullseye, Unique, HiSkor, and a couple others--now days you have a huge range of powders from which to select, probably close to two dozen; I can't even begin to name them all.
 
Welcome to THR . :) ..... Mike has pretty much given you the answer, except ....
Also, what is everyone's opinion of the ADI powder? It seems I don't have much choice on what brand I can use over here.
Click to expand...
I too have not come across this powder and, where is ''over here''?? Just curious.
 
Add Me To The List-

cuz, I've never heard of it either?

I'm wanting to try some Hodgdon Universal in the 9m/m;
as it has been a pleasant surprise in other caliber's
such as the .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and .45 ACP.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
ADI is Australian Defense Industries
They make a lot of Hodgdon powders for sale in the USA.
Looking at their loading data
http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/pistol.asp
I think I would use AP70N with either 115 or 124 grain.
It is listed as close in burning rate to Unique and Universal - it probably IS Universal - and will be a very suitable powder for 9mm.

I don't know about "snappy." Test velocities are listed and I cannot tell if 1150 fps has been reached with one powder or another. Some people say they can.

A slower burning powder will not necessarily be easier on cases. If so slow burning that you are operating at lower than normal pressure for the calibre, it will give less consistent velocity than a faster.
 
Sorry for not replying sooner, and Mike, that's exactly what I was thinking with regards to powder speed and bullet weight.

I knew you guys would ask where over here is, and yes, it is Australia, specifically Brisbane, Queensland. Being over here is also why I can't really reply in sink with most people on boards, when I'm awake, you're asleep.

No wonder ADI seems readily available, and the cheapest of the powders, if it is locally made.

Thanks for your help guys, I checked my post after a couple of hours and had no responses and thought I was being shunned :( Must have just been the wrong time.
 
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