Big Squeeze
Handloader
- May 29, 2007
- 828
- 0
Apparently, this the same powder now marketed by Hodgdon, which Hornady is using in their Hornady Superformance factory ammo.
FWIW, I was over on the "shootingtimes" site parusing the video section and came across a 3 min 21 sec video entitled "Hornady Superformance." In that video, using std factory 270 Win ammo, several shots fired over a chrony averaged 2888 fps. Then using that same 270 Win rifle, the Superformance ammo
gave an average of 3075 fps. A 187 fps increase.
Then, I go over to the Hodgdon site and see this new Superperformance powder added to their loading data for only certain cartridges. As an example, the 300 WSM from a 24" barrel using max loading of this new stuff, averaged 3410 fps using a 150 gr bullet and 3274 fps using a 165 gr bullet. Hmmm!
Then, I thought I`d cruise on over to the Hornady site to learn more if possible. In the "news" section under new products, I stumbled across and downloaded an extensive article by Dave Emary (the senior Hornady ballisitics wizard), which thoroughly explains the hows and the whys of this new powder. The direct link if anyone wishes to read that is.....www.hornady.com/assets/files/superformance-technology.pdf..........
In a nutshell and paraphrasing, this powder upon ignition, completely burns up sooner than all other powders before the bullet exits the barrel, allowing more gases under pressure to push the bullet, hence more velocity, and upon exit there is reduced muzzle blast as well...Hmmmm! Also in the Emary article as you`ll read, they cut down a 300 Win Mag barrel to 20" and discovered that actual velocity losses in terms of "fps per inch", were substantially less (1/3rd to 1/2) vs all other powders tested.....Hmmmm! As a shorter barreled compact rifle fan, this new stuff really has my attention now. Higher MV (as if I really need them) with less muzzle blast too.....HMMMMMM!
I`ve read a few posts regarding some lot to lot velocity inconsistencies with RL17 and in various weather conditions. It looks like this new powder from Hornady and Hodgdon, may have even better performance in certain rounds than does RL17, and may be more consistent and just as accurate as well.
"IF" this new Superperformance powder holds true to form in terms of MV comparisons with two other 24" 300 WSMs I chrony tested vs my 16.5" 300 WSM Ruger compact using a wide variety identical handloads with other powders, then as before, there should only be a 4.5% to 5% total reduction in MV.
3410 fps (24" bbl per Hodgdon) x 95% to 95.5% = 3239 and 3256 fps respectively for a 150 grainer.
3274 fps (24" bbl per Hodgdon) X 95% to 95.5% = 3110 and 3127 fps respectively for a 165 grainer.
And the hi-flying Berger hunting VLDs which I have used with great hunting success, have a little less bearing surface against the bore too.....HMMMMMMM!
From a 16.5" barrel and with less muzzle blast too?...Oh boy!...Gotta get my hands on this new stuff. You 270 Win should try this new stuff too!
From a 20" bbl`d 375 Ruger?........HMMMMMMMMM! Wheels are a spinnin.
When RL17 came along, my shorty barrel grew longer. With this new hi tech stuff, she may get a little longer even yet.
Leave things to good `ol Hornady to come with some really good stuff.
FWIW, I was over on the "shootingtimes" site parusing the video section and came across a 3 min 21 sec video entitled "Hornady Superformance." In that video, using std factory 270 Win ammo, several shots fired over a chrony averaged 2888 fps. Then using that same 270 Win rifle, the Superformance ammo
gave an average of 3075 fps. A 187 fps increase.
Then, I go over to the Hodgdon site and see this new Superperformance powder added to their loading data for only certain cartridges. As an example, the 300 WSM from a 24" barrel using max loading of this new stuff, averaged 3410 fps using a 150 gr bullet and 3274 fps using a 165 gr bullet. Hmmm!
Then, I thought I`d cruise on over to the Hornady site to learn more if possible. In the "news" section under new products, I stumbled across and downloaded an extensive article by Dave Emary (the senior Hornady ballisitics wizard), which thoroughly explains the hows and the whys of this new powder. The direct link if anyone wishes to read that is.....www.hornady.com/assets/files/superformance-technology.pdf..........
In a nutshell and paraphrasing, this powder upon ignition, completely burns up sooner than all other powders before the bullet exits the barrel, allowing more gases under pressure to push the bullet, hence more velocity, and upon exit there is reduced muzzle blast as well...Hmmmm! Also in the Emary article as you`ll read, they cut down a 300 Win Mag barrel to 20" and discovered that actual velocity losses in terms of "fps per inch", were substantially less (1/3rd to 1/2) vs all other powders tested.....Hmmmm! As a shorter barreled compact rifle fan, this new stuff really has my attention now. Higher MV (as if I really need them) with less muzzle blast too.....HMMMMMM!
I`ve read a few posts regarding some lot to lot velocity inconsistencies with RL17 and in various weather conditions. It looks like this new powder from Hornady and Hodgdon, may have even better performance in certain rounds than does RL17, and may be more consistent and just as accurate as well.
"IF" this new Superperformance powder holds true to form in terms of MV comparisons with two other 24" 300 WSMs I chrony tested vs my 16.5" 300 WSM Ruger compact using a wide variety identical handloads with other powders, then as before, there should only be a 4.5% to 5% total reduction in MV.
3410 fps (24" bbl per Hodgdon) x 95% to 95.5% = 3239 and 3256 fps respectively for a 150 grainer.
3274 fps (24" bbl per Hodgdon) X 95% to 95.5% = 3110 and 3127 fps respectively for a 165 grainer.
And the hi-flying Berger hunting VLDs which I have used with great hunting success, have a little less bearing surface against the bore too.....HMMMMMMM!
From a 16.5" barrel and with less muzzle blast too?...Oh boy!...Gotta get my hands on this new stuff. You 270 Win should try this new stuff too!
From a 20" bbl`d 375 Ruger?........HMMMMMMMMM! Wheels are a spinnin.
When RL17 came along, my shorty barrel grew longer. With this new hi tech stuff, she may get a little longer even yet.
Leave things to good `ol Hornady to come with some really good stuff.
