[Tenderribbs]

What determines a powder to be extruded and why the need for ball powder vs stick powder. Other then the throw flowing better why have a stick powder ? Why have a ball powder ? Are Stick powders better for certain calliber rifles? Thanks in advance

[gunnut07]

Just the way they are made. Really I believe it all comes down to how they want to make the powder. Maybe some formulas burn better as a stick vs a ball.

Here is an excelent read on the topic. http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/20921/gunpowder/

[noylj]

Winchester invented ball powder and convinced us that it was better. In general, harder to ignite and it was, at one time, harder on the bore.
However, people became concerned that despite all the accuracy set by extruded powders that the better metering and newness was better.
Like all things, there are benefits and negatives, but I simply judge a powder by the size of the group.

[locutus]

Originally Posted by noylj

Winchester invented ball powder and convinced us that it was better. In general, harder to ignite and it was, at one time, harder on the bore.
However, people became concerned that despite all the accuracy set by extruded powders that the better metering and newness was better.
Like all things, there are benefits and negatives, but I simply judge a powder by the size of the group.

Ball powder is denser and you can load more. It generally burns a little hotter.

But it generally gives better velocity and is easier to meter.

IME, ball is generally a better choice in heavy loads, and extruded or flake in light to moderate loads. But that is not a hard and fast rule. Ya gotta see what every particular weapon likes.

[Tenderribbs]

Originally Posted by gunnut07

Just the way they are made. Really I believe it all comes down to how they want to make the powder. Maybe some formulas burn better as a stick vs a ball.

Here is an excelent read on the topic. http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/20921/gunpowder/

So extruded just means another form of powder like you have ball ,flake and then extruded and that's like a rat turd? So when you say extrude powder you are referring to the actually physical characteristics or the shape of the powder if I understand correctly good article

[locutus]

Originally Posted by Tenderribbs

So extruded just means another form of powder like you have ball ,flake and then extruded and that's like a rat turd? So when you say extrude powder you are referring to the actually physical characteristics or the shape of the powder if I understand correctly good article

Old timers (like me) often refer to extruded powder as "stick" powder, because it looks like little sticks.

Ball is round, or partially flattened.
Flake is...well, flaky!

[mountainskytop]

Then you have the powder UNIQUE and as I hopefully correctly recall from my reloading days that are little round flaky type discs. Lol

[locutus]

Originally Posted by mountainskytop

Then you have the powder UNIQUE and as I hopefully correctly recall from my reloading days that are little round flaky type discs. Lol

Yep! Flake powder.

[mountainskytop]

You just gotta luv the smell of nitrocellulose based powders! Lol

[Catfish]

I use only ball powders. The only reason is becaue I load on a Dillon probresive press. Really you can get ball or extruded powders in any burn rate you want. If your weighting every charge eather will work with the same results.