By John Kleespies
An endless topic of debate amongst load developers and shooters is how many rounds should be fired in test groups. Here’s my $.02 on this topic:
“It depends.”
When it comes to accuracy testing, more often than not, I do 3-shot groups rather than 5-shot groups. Why? Because 3 shots more or…
By Duane Thomas
As you learn more about firearms, and measurements of bullet weight, and powder charge weights, you discover they're measured in grains. Also eventually, you will discover there are 437.5 grains in one ounce. WHY? How did we come up with the idea that 437.5 grains equals one ounce? Why, I'm glad you…
By Duane Thomas
As you approach the wonderful world of handloading, you might be asking yourself, "Why is the unit of measurement for bullet weight, and powder charge weight, called "grains"? I know I did.
Return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear! (In this case, ancient Mesopotamia.) The Lone Gunwriter rides again!…
By Duane Thomas
I find it really interesting that, although the Boxer primer was invented by a Brit, and the Berdan primer was invented by an American, they have each become the dominant primer in the OPPOSITE country from their inventor’s. I have put some time into considering why that’s the case.
Edward Mounier Boxer…
By Duane Thomas
As you approach the wonderful world of a handloading, and ammunition in general, you might be asking yourself, “Why are some primers gold-colored, and some silver-colored, and is there anything to be preferred between the two?” Why, I’m glad you asked!
Before we go any further, in order to prevent diving down…
By Duane Thomas
As you’re getting into handloading, you might look down inside a primer and notice it kind of looks like a radiation symbol down there, a trefoil with three triangular holes in it, and wonder “Why three holes?” The truth is it hasn’t invariably been that way.
The portion of the primer that…
By John Kleespies
After emptying a dispenser of gunpowder, you may notice a film of gray dust left behind and assume that it is residual gunpowder. In fact, you are probably looking at graphite.
During the manufacture process of modern gunpowder, graphite is tumbled with the powder, thus coating the individual flakes in a protective layer…
By John Kleespies
For a while now, I’ve wanted to conduct some sort of a bullet test to compare the consistency of rounds between various manufacturers. Having recently acquired an A&D Weighing FX-300i scale – which I’ll use for next-level powder distribution with my precision rifle loads – I now feel that I have the…
By John Kleespies
During its manufacturing process, gunpowder is “glazed” (i.e., tumbled and coated) with graphite to reduce the likelihood of the grains rubbing against each other enough to create a static electric spark. Remember, we only want gunpowder to “spark off” at the times of our choosing; otherwise, it becomes an unintended detonation.
Glazing…
By Duane Thomas
When we say a primer is “sensitive,” we’re referring to the amount of force – firing pin impact energy – required to cause the priming compound to ignite. There are multiple factors determining a primer’s sensitivity, like the thickness of the cup itself, and the shape of the anvil (a piece of…
By Duane Thomas
In the first entry in this five-part series on the components of priming compound, we discussed the initiator, which is stored energy, that, when it detonates, produces heat, gas, and a shockwave. Now we will discuss the sensitizer, which enhances the initiator’s susceptibility to ignition. Common sensitizers include tetrazene (also known as,…
By Duane Thomas
In the first two parts of this five-part series on the components of priming compounds, we discussed the initiator which is stored energy, and the sensitizer which places the initiator in a more-excited state thus makes it more likely to detonate when exposed to impact energy. Now let’s address the frictionator. Which…