Same caliber different muzzle flash

[Nate1778]

Reloaded 9mm with Hp-38, #7 and Red Dot. went shooting and the Red Dot had a mild flash not noticeable really. The HP-38 had a consistent bright flash, distracting almost. The #7 had a decent flash and fireflies that came out as well. Why is there such a difference to three comparable loads. Is it the powder shape, or burn rate, which are all fairly close. What creates the different muzzle flash. All the lengths and bullets were the same, so the only difference powder and weight.

 

[rcmodel]

Burn rate.

Red Dot is way fastest, followed by HP-38, followed way down the list by AA #7.

Red Dot is also easier to light then the two ball powders at lower pressure, and you use less of it.

rc

 

[Nate1778]

And out of all three the red dot I liked the most, followed closely by that HP38, although that flash is something else.

 

[something vague]

Burn rate.

Red Dot is way fastest, followed by HP-38, followed way down the list by AA #7.

Red Dot is also easier to light then the two ball powders at lower pressure, and you use less of it.

rc

+1. rc got it right. The slower the burn rate of the powder the more muzzle flash you get. The slower powders will still continue to burn as they are exiting out the end of the barrel. The real slow powders like H110, W296, 2400, etc will actually spit out some unburnt powder in front of you if not given enough barrel length to ignite all of it.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Red Dot is in my experience the best powder I've used for cast slugs loads in several different semi-auto pistol chamberings.
some of it is due to the pressure requirements for the slug and caliber.
I haven't tryed any VV due to the pricey cost but it's reputed to be fine also.

 

[Walkalong]

Some powders have flash retardants built in as well. "Low flash" powders. Some folks like that, and some like making a big fireball. Low flash ammo is good for self defense situations at night.