Burn Rate Charts

[Blaine]

http://www.frfrogspad.com/burnrate.htm

Lately, what with the horrible availability of popular powders, especially handgun powders, I put this chart on my phone.
Chances are that if the burn rate for a powder is the same, or close to the one you always use, that you will find a safe load that will suffice.
Don't beat me up too bad, I know that it's bad luck to substitute powders willy-nilly. Common sense is demanded, and prudence rules.
Start with the lowest powder amount, and slowly work your way up a bit.
As with Ed Harris' "The Load", you don't need a full power load to be effective. We might be coming up on hard times again and need to be flexible....

[Chuck 100 yd]

I am with you. But I use the burn rate chart to find powders I am unfamiliar with when my favorite is unavailable. I find the closest in burn rate and THEN search the load manuals for data. Even the makers of powder have to start somewhere when developing loads but they have much more sophisticated equipment than I do. I let them take the chances and do the testing.

[Blaine]

I am with you. But I use the burn rate chart to find powders I am unfamiliar with when my favorite is unavailable. I find the closest in burn rate and THEN search the load manuals for data. Even the makers of powder have to start somewhere when developing loads but they have much more sophisticated equipment than I do. I let them take the chances and do the testing.

Yes, you said it better than I..... There is a "Load Book" for each calibre that prolly has just what I'm looking for. I was just saying that the Chart is a handy guide when shopping.
I just dabble in reloading. I'm not an expert. I always try to be careful.

[AJMD429]

Yep. Good plan. Plenty safe the way you guys suggest it; using the 'burn rate' to decide what powders might be reasonable, then trolling the manufacturer's data manuals to see if somewhere someone or other has published one for your cartridge with the 'new' powder. Odds are they have.

I also will scan 'websites' like AmmoGuide.com for loads, but generally do the same thing - if it looks reasonable, but is from a 'user' instead of a 'manufacturer', I will typically hunt until I find one from a manufacturer before actually loading the rounds up.

Having said that, there are some cartridges and firearms that I have to believe are much less 'touchy' than others - For instance, I'd be far more willing to chuck some random powder in a 454 Casull case, stick it in a Ruger No.1, and top it off with a properly sized lead bullet, than I would use a "close but not exact" powder to shoot a jacketed slug from a SMLE someone rebarreled to 22-250. Being chicken, I wouldn't do either, but if some apocalyptic circumstance forced me to try one or the other, it wouldn't take long to pick which one.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yup!

[Griff]

And then there's the coward's way out: call, write or email Accurate/Alliant/Hodgdon and ask for load recommendation!

[Blaine]

And then there's the coward's way out: call, write or email Accurate/Alliant/Hodgdon and ask for load recommendation!

I don't think Alliant will underwrite an Ed Harris "The Load" with Red Dot.

[marlinman93]

I've substituted powders for many years, but usually slower powders in place of faster. I'm amazed when I look at burn rate charts today, and I see how many powders have been added over the years since I began reloading! I used Green Dot in place of Red Dot often, as back decades ago, Red Dot was 6th on the chart, and Green Dot was 8th. Now the latest charts show RD at #17, and GD at #44!!!!
There are a huge number of powders added to the chart today, which would have scared me back then to even think of going that far apart with a substitute! Glad I have all my ancient loading manual data, as it helps a lot with substituting powders.
http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

[Griff]

And then there's the coward's way out: call, write or email Accurate/Alliant/Hodgdon and ask for load recommendation!

I don't think Alliant will underwrite an Ed Harris "The Load" with Red Dot.

Maybe not... but they'll generally answer and give you some info... even if it's to say none of your powders are appropriate.