Primer or powder

Speedluvn · Jul 4, 2020

As I learn this reloading obsession, I’m beginning to take in small observations while at the range. Since reloading I shoot a 10 1/2 inch 300 blk AR pistol and a 16 in .556 AR. I’m noticing “dust” on the table after shooting. As I learn, could this dust be unburned powder?
This observation has come while shooting 147 gr 300 blk with 14.8 gr of Winchester 296 (primers I’ll get to in a second) and/or from 55gr .223 with 22.5 gr of Winchester 748.

Since reading this and other reloading forums, I’ve seen most loading manuals indicate that small rifle magnum primers are recommended in the 300 blk loads. I’ve seems forums that say non-magnum small rifle primers can be used.
Has anyone else used non magnum small rifle primers and noticed any “dust”? My next load development will include 300 blk loaded with magnum & non magnum in an attempt to determine the source of the “dust”.

outrider58 · Jul 4, 2020

Could be unburnt powder, probably from the 300(short barrel).
I use magnum primers in my 300 subs only. Supers get standard SRPs.

mtlcafan79 · Jul 4, 2020

296 is a magnum powder that generally recommends magnum primers. I use CCI #41s for all of my 300blk stuff since I have them already. Also both of those loads are minimum loads. Things will probably clean up towards the higher end of the scale. 296 is known to like to run at full house loads. Low loads can actually be dangerous in some cases. I'm willing to bet they will clean up at close to max loads.

Uncle Duke · Jul 4, 2020

Follow your load data recommendations with regard to primer selection. The primer recommendation will take into account powder type (flake, extruded, ball) as well as the ease or difficulty inherent to differences in powder ignition.

Both W748 and W296 are ball powders. Speer in particular tends to recommend magnum primers for ball powders generally with their load data. Other data sources will vary sometimes. But you don't want to indiscriminately switch and swap primer types with any load. Leave testing to the ballistics lab, as they have the tools and the knowledge to determine what and what not of what type and quantity of components to combine.

W296 is best described as being a different beast than most powders. With this powder in particular, it is best not to deviate from published data. Magnum primers, to the best of my knowledge, are always specified for igniting W296.

Plenty of variables to account for, but suffice it to say that all load combos leave dust, soot and unburned powder to some extent. Nothing unusual there.

Good luck, and welcome to a great hobby.

Speedluvn · Jul 4, 2020

mtlcafan79 said:
296 is a magnum powder that generally recommends magnum primers. I use CCI #41s for all of my 300blk stuff since I have them already. Also both of those loads are minimum loads. Things will probably clean up towards the higher end of the scale. 296 is known to like to run at full house loads. Low loads can actually be dangerous in some cases. I'm willing to bet they will clean up at close to max loads.

This is the type of information that I’m seeking. I’m trying to gain an understanding of my current powders (Winchester 231, 296 & 748) before experimenting with other powders.

Thanks for the info!

John from MD · Jul 4, 2020

296 needs a magnum primer. 748 has worked good for me for years without a mag primer. 231 is a fast pistol powder and doesn't need a mag primer.

Speedluvn · Jul 4, 2020

John from MD said:
296 needs a magnum primer. 748 has worked good for me for years without a mag primer. 231 is a fast pistol powder and doesn't need a mag primer.

I concur

Pinecone · Jul 4, 2020

John from MD said:
296 needs a magnum primer. 748 has worked good for me for years without a mag primer. 231 is a fast pistol powder and doesn't need a mag primer.

Agree with the 748 and 231 recs.

I shot 748 in 7.62 plinking rounds. All with a standard primer.

And 10s of thousands of 231 pistol rounds with standard primers.

NO ISSUES.

Speedluvn · Jul 4, 2020

Pinecone said:
Agree with the 748 and 231 recs.

I shot 748 in 7.62 plinking rounds. All with a standard primer.

And 10s of thousands of 231 pistol rounds with standard primers.

NO ISSUES.

The question was more along the lines of Winchester 296 with or without small rifle magnum primers.

Pinecone · Jul 5, 2020

Speedluvn said:
The question was more along the lines of Winchester 296 with or without small rifle magnum primers.

Yes, but I was commenting on the clowns other comments.

As some were stating Magnum primers for all ball powders.

outrider58 · Jul 5, 2020

Should I have stated I don't use 296(nor 110)? Possibly.

Speedluvn · Jul 5, 2020

Pinecone said:
Yes, but I was commenting on the clowns other comments.

As some were stating Magnum primers for all ball powders.

Noted

John from MD · Jul 5, 2020

outrider58 said:
Should I have stated I don't use 296(nor 110)? Possibly.

In that case, I would say you need to purchase a .44 mag of some sort. :lol:

Uncle Duke · Jul 5, 2020

John from MD said:
In that case, I would say you need to purchase a .44 mag of some sort.

Enabling others to spend their money.

Just another of any number of fine services we offer.

outrider58 · Jul 5, 2020

John from MD said:
In that case, I would say you need to purchase a .44 mag of some sort.

Funny you should say that. I saved a bunch of .44 brass from when I used to shoot it a lot...I have no idea where I put it. :lol2:

John from MD · Jul 5, 2020

outrider58 said:
Funny you should say that. I saved a bunch of .44 brass from when I used to shoot it a lot...I have no idea where I put it.

Well, you could put it in the mail to me. :innocent0

atblis · Jul 5, 2020

My experience with sperical pistol powders is that they leave behind grit unless loaded to peak pressures, and often a mag primer helps.

John from MD · Jul 5, 2020

atblis said:
My experience with sperical pistol powders is that they leave behind grit unless loaded to peak pressures, and often a mag primer helps.

Or a tighter crimp or shorter COL (within limits of course).

Speedluvn · Jul 5, 2020

John from MD said:
Or a tighter crimp or shorter COL (within limits of course).

How do I know how much crimp to apply? At the moment, I believe I’m applying a “light crimp, for accuracy.

John from MD · Jul 5, 2020

Well, you can measure the mouth of the case. You can also use a chronograph to see if your speed goes up and or SD goes down. And lastley, you can look in the barrel and see if there is still unburned powder. Many times, the few grains of unburned powder don't make any difference to the bullet performance.

Primer or powder

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Active Member

Eats Bacon Raw

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

American Patriot

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Eats Bacon Raw

Active Member

American Patriot

Ultimate Member

Eats Bacon Raw

American Patriot

Ultimate Member

American Patriot

Active Member

American Patriot

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics