DHart
Member
I'm a total novice when it comes to powders... and I have begun a quest to try to find pistol caliber factory ammo (.357mag, .44mag and .45 Colt) which will perform better in longer barrels (like a 16.5" carbine) than they do in pistols.
I understand that cartridges which use slower burning powder tend to be able to make better use of longer barrels and do improve in speed and energy.
I'm wondering if I can determine slower from faster burning powders by sight or by weighing the charge that I find in a cartridge. I know that some pistol cartridges employ very fast burning powder (because the cartridge is intended for a short barrel weapon) and when fired from a rifle, may actually lose a little performance.
I have read that some pistol ammo makers economize by using a faster burning powder because it requires a smaller (therefore less costly) charge. If they were to use a slower burning powder (which would be more useful in longer barrels), there would be a larger (therefore more costly) charge... is this generally true?
•Does a slower burning powder require a heavier charge than faster burning powder for similar power level? For example if I open a factory made cartridge and find a powder weight that is significantly heavier than a powder weight in a competing brand of cartridge, would it be safe to assume that the cartridge with the heavier powder weight is using slow burning powder which would be more suitable for use in a carbine than the cartridge which uses a fast burning powder?
I understand that cartridges which use slower burning powder tend to be able to make better use of longer barrels and do improve in speed and energy.
I'm wondering if I can determine slower from faster burning powders by sight or by weighing the charge that I find in a cartridge. I know that some pistol cartridges employ very fast burning powder (because the cartridge is intended for a short barrel weapon) and when fired from a rifle, may actually lose a little performance.
I have read that some pistol ammo makers economize by using a faster burning powder because it requires a smaller (therefore less costly) charge. If they were to use a slower burning powder (which would be more useful in longer barrels), there would be a larger (therefore more costly) charge... is this generally true?
•Does a slower burning powder require a heavier charge than faster burning powder for similar power level? For example if I open a factory made cartridge and find a powder weight that is significantly heavier than a powder weight in a competing brand of cartridge, would it be safe to assume that the cartridge with the heavier powder weight is using slow burning powder which would be more suitable for use in a carbine than the cartridge which uses a fast burning powder?