Shooters World powders - anybody use?

[kthomas]

Has anyone used any Shooters World powders? They make a powder that is supposed to imitate H4350, which is what I am particularly interested in.

Just curious to hear what peoples experience are with this powder; quality, temp stability, etc.

I haven;t heard of anyone using these powders yet, but if they are quality, it could be a good replacement for H4350. Prices seem good too.

 

[SpeedyR]

locally there are a few shooters that are using it and seem to be getting good results. I don't know about the H4350 version, but the long rifle and match rifle stuff is getting good reviews. MidSouth just ran a special if you bought 4# free hazmat and I missed it. I'm going to try the Tactical Rifle and Match Rifle in 308 and 223 next sale or next time I'm in Nashville (pick up the powder from MidSouth).

 

[kthomas]

Thanks Speedy, I guess it was the "Long Rifle" powder that I meant. Their site can be a bit confusing, as they reference a SW4350/S070 powder on a chart under their own powders, but there is no other information on it. Perhaps it is in the works.

I may try out some of the Long Rifle powder and see how it works. I have some test rounds of N150 ready to go as well, should be warm enough for me to do some testing with them now. The idea of searching high and low to find H4350 in stock and for a reasonable price is not appealing to me.

 

[spife7980]

The idea of searching high and low to find H4350 in stock and for a reasonable price is not appealing to me.

https://www.powder-valley.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=HODH4350-08

It’s coming back a bit it seems. The last three times I’ve looked it’s been in stock somewhere reasonable

 

[Maddy]

I've used the Long Rifle powder for 6.5 Creedmoor. I got decent accuracy but at 2650fps with 140gr RDFs. I couldn't get the higher velocity accuracy nodes I wanted out of it. RL16 worked better for me.

 

[buckshotbarlow]

Shot SW4350 2 days ago and did a direct comparison on charge weights to H4350. I run 40.6gr of H4350 for my match gun behind a 140ELDM, with CCI BR2 primers in Peterson brass. Build is a TL3, 26" RCB from PVA. Labradar, sitting at 6k' above sea level, and in 50-degree weather @ 100yds.

Usual results are:

Stats - Average	2780.91​
Stats - Highest	2784.37​
Stats - Lowest	2776.14​
Stats - Ext. Spread	8.23​
Stats - Std. Dev	3.02​

Here are the results of the SW4350 (10shot strings, loaded exactly the same as I do my match loads):

40.6gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 1)

Stats - Average	2462.03​
Stats - Highest	2478.05​
Stats - Lowest	2432.18​
Stats - Ext. Spread	45.86​
Stats - Std. Dev	12.73​

40.9gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 2)

Stats - Average	2481.75​
Stats - Highest	2498.3​
Stats - Lowest	2459.46​
Stats - Ext. Spread	38.84​
Stats - Std. Dev	14.68​

41.2gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 3)

Stats - Average	2513.99​
Stats - Highest	2534.59​
Stats - Lowest	2488.58​
Stats - Ext. Spread	46.01​
Stats - Std. Dev	13.46​

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison of 6.5 Staball:
43gr StaBall - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 4)

Stats - Average	2757.96​
Stats - Highest	2775.75​
Stats - Lowest	2742.64​
Stats - Ext. Spread	33.11​
Stats - Std. Dev	11.99​

43.3gr StaBall - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 7)

Stats - Average	2787.67​
Stats - Highest	2799.45​
Stats - Lowest	2767.68​
Stats - Ext. Spread	31.76​
Stats - Std. Dev	10.43​

The only reason why I did this test is because of the dry up of H4350. I'm looking at alternatives. No pressure signs are seen on any of these loads in my gun, and bullets were seated +/- .0005 off the lands. Accuracy with SW4350 wasn't "great" ie, all loads around an MOA which I consider pretty bad. My H4350 load shoots in 3's usually at 100yds with the 40.6-41gr of H4350. Now, Staball has caught my attention, and I like it because it flows through my dillon. I did not load these 2 series on the dillon, but I am going to pursue it further.

On the other hand, SW Match in my 24" 1x7 223wylde AR is a match made in heaven. I also have SW Precision and my 6br so far is not a fan.

 

[buckshotbarlow]

Just want to note that the above data that posted was the first try at sw4350....I had the same problems with H4350 with this gun shooting patterns until seating depth was worked out. So just take it with a grain of salt....I will work up the charges in 3 shot strings, with .3 gr increments until I hit pressure with sw4350, but I'm digging staball...

 

[SpeedyR]

Just want to note that the above data that posted was the first try at sw4350....I had the same problems with H4350 with this gun shooting patterns until seating depth was worked out. So just take it with a grain of salt....I will work up the charges in 3 shot strings, with .3 gr increments until I hit pressure with sw4350, but I'm digging staball...

I know it's hard to find as well but have you tried RL16?

Just getting into reloading for my 6.5 (have brass and a barrel but haven't put it on yet, will shoot my 308 for a while to get used to the setup.).

 

[buckshotbarlow]

I know it's hard to find as well but have you tried RL16?

Just getting into reloading for my 6.5 (have brass and a barrel but haven't put it on yet, will shoot my 308 for a while to get used to the setup.).

Shucks another powder that comes from the farts of unicorns mixed with pixie dust...RL16 is evap'd here in Colorado...Had some great results with it in my brx and 243win, but i'm all out now.

 

[Greenday4537]

I know it's hard to find as well but have you tried RL16?

Just getting into reloading for my 6.5 (have brass and a barrel but haven't put it on yet, will shoot my 308 for a while to get used to the setup.).

MidwayUSA still has some.

 

[Spblademaker]

Shot SW4350 2 days ago and did a direct comparison on charge weights to H4350. I run 40.6gr of H4350 for my match gun behind a 140ELDM, with CCI BR2 primers in Peterson brass. Build is a TL3, 26" RCB from PVA. Labradar, sitting at 6k' above sea level, and in 50-degree weather @ 100yds.

Usual results are:

Stats - Average	2780.91​
Stats - Highest	2784.37​
Stats - Lowest	2776.14​
Stats - Ext. Spread	8.23​
Stats - Std. Dev	3.02​

Here are the results of the SW4350 (10shot strings, loaded exactly the same as I do my match loads):

40.6gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 1)

Stats - Average	2462.03​
Stats - Highest	2478.05​
Stats - Lowest	2432.18​
Stats - Ext. Spread	45.86​
Stats - Std. Dev	12.73​

40.9gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 2)

Stats - Average	2481.75​
Stats - Highest	2498.3​
Stats - Lowest	2459.46​
Stats - Ext. Spread	38.84​
Stats - Std. Dev	14.68​

41.2gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 3)

Stats - Average	2513.99​
Stats - Highest	2534.59​
Stats - Lowest	2488.58​
Stats - Ext. Spread	46.01​
Stats - Std. Dev	13.46​

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison of 6.5 Staball:
43gr StaBall - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 4)

Stats - Average	2757.96​
Stats - Highest	2775.75​
Stats - Lowest	2742.64​
Stats - Ext. Spread	33.11​
Stats - Std. Dev	11.99​

43.3gr StaBall - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass (series 7)

Stats - Average	2787.67​
Stats - Highest	2799.45​
Stats - Lowest	2767.68​
Stats - Ext. Spread	31.76​
Stats - Std. Dev	10.43​

The only reason why I did this test is because of the dry up of H4350. I'm looking at alternatives. No pressure signs are seen on any of these loads in my gun, and bullets were seated +/- .0005 off the lands. Accuracy with SW4350 wasn't "great" ie, all loads around an MOA which I consider pretty bad. My H4350 load shoots in 3's usually at 100yds with the 40.6-41gr of H4350. Now, Staball has caught my attention, and I like it because it flows through my dillon. I did not load these 2 series on the dillon, but I am going to pursue it further.

On the other hand, SW Match in my 24" 1x7 223wylde AR is a match made in heaven. I also have SW Precision and my 6br so far is not a fan.

View attachment 7263059

Basically had the same velocity results with the SW4350 vs H4350. I’m giving their Long Rifle powder a try. Hoping to get the closer speeds relative to the charge weights.

 

[wb00757]

Yeah it's been a headache for me to find any powder for my .260.... I'm about to have to work up a load with titewad because that's the only damn thing I can find locally.....

I want to try shooters world long rifle but I really only want 1# for testing so that rules out ordering it... No place in Georgia that I know of sells it besides North Georgia Reloading and they are too far (and don't have stock). If I manage to get some I'll share my experience.

 

[buckshotbarlow]

Yeah it's been a headache for me to find any powder for my .260.... I'm about to have to work up a load with titewad because that's the only damn thing I can find locally.....

I want to try shooters world long rifle but I really only want 1# for testing so that rules out ordering it... No place in Georgia that I know of sells it besides North Georgia Reloading and they are too far (and don't have stock). If I manage to get some I'll share my experience.

I picked up a lb from PVI with 2 jugs of staball. I will start loading LR in a couple days...

 

[buckshotbarlow]

41.3gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass

Stats - Average	2548.65​	fps
Stats - Highest	2562.42​	fps
Stats - Lowest	2533.77​	fps
Stats - Ext. Spread	28.66​	fps
Stats - Std. Dev	11.75​	fps

41.6gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass

Stats - Average	2582.26​	fps
Stats - Highest	2591.87​	fps
Stats - Lowest	2564.02​	fps
Stats - Ext. Spread	27.85​	fps
Stats - Std. Dev	10.65​	fps

41.9gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass

Stats - Average	2592.18​	fps
Stats - Highest	2601.92​	fps
Stats - Lowest	2584.55​	fps
Stats - Ext. Spread	17.38​	fps
Stats - Std. Dev	8.88​	fps

42.2gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass

Stats - Average	2628.77​	fps
Stats - Highest	2630.7​	fps
Stats - Lowest	2626.1​	fps
Stats - Ext. Spread	4.6​	fps
Stats - Std. Dev	2.39​	fps

42.4gr SW4350 - CCI BR2 Primers, Peterson LRP brass

Stats - Average	2636.71​	fps
Stats - Highest	2647.01​	fps
Stats - Lowest	2628.51​	fps
Stats - Ext. Spread	18.5​	fps
Stats - Std. Dev	9.43​	fps

Damn, 2.39 std dev???

 

[Spblademaker]

Had 2.45 SD on SW4350. But my charge was lower and velocity was less.

 

[wb00757]

Think you would get more velocity with SW Long Rifle?

 

[Spblademaker]

I know that’s my hope.

 

[buckshotbarlow]

I will run another round, trying to figure out max charge on this crap...my gun loves anything in the high 2700s and very low 2800s...

 

[Vodak]

Great write ups buckshotbarlow. Looking forward to you next round of results.

 

[ThreeBravo]

Anybody used their Precision powder? Supposed to be similar to Varget.

 

[LRDD]

Precision was 30-40 fps slower than Varget of the same charge in GT. It did produce some great SD/ES with nice groups. I think it's a good option of you can't get Varget.

 

[mtnhunter22]

Precision was 30-40 fps slower than Varget of the same charge in GT. It did produce some great SD/ES with nice groups. I think it's a good option of you can't get Varget.

What charge and velocities were you seeing?

 

[ThreeBravo]

Precision was 30-40 fps slower than Varget of the same charge in GT. It did produce some great SD/ES with nice groups. I think it's a good option of you can't get Varget.

Appreciate the info, having a hard time finding Varget.

 

[TxWelder35]

Appreciate the info, having a hard time finding Varget.

Powder valley just had a load in. Brass pro had some in stock online also

 

[mrrogers1]

I will run another round, trying to figure out max charge on this crap...my gun loves anything in the high 2700s and very low 2800s...

Wondering if you made it to the sweet spot in your rifle with the SW4350 powder?

I was reading the reloading manual for Shooters World propellants and found this blurb on the SW4350.

"If you seek accuracy, one of the keys is to find a propellant that can “fill the case and seek maximum velocity”. Several shooters have found this relationship to be true with SW4350, and are impressed with its performance. But please understand, SW4350 is not exactly the same propellant as H4350. Ranked in fastest to slowest of the 4350 derivatives: H4350, IMR4350, Accurate 4350, SW4350."

They also show this when talking about the "Long Rifle" powder.

"Folks often ask us for alternatives to H4350, which is the fastest of the 4350 derivatives on the market. Quite simply, Long Rifle is our alternative to H4350. It is only slightly faster than H4350."

I'm thinking about going straight to the Long Rifle to see what it's about but your detailed input in this thread has been great to see. Thanks!

 

[buckshotbarlow]

I stopped loading for the 6.5 this summer because I built a bolt gun in Tac6. Believe it or not, SWR was one of the better accuracy powders over SWMR or SWPR. I was able to get the velocity to around 2700fps with a 105gr Berger with around 8fps STDEV. I am almost done with the with load development, but sadly to say, SWR will not be the preferred powder. Lever won out, then RL17 and SWR coming in 3rd, but SWR did out perform some of the other powders, so take it with a grain of salt. All 3 of those powders flat out worked, period!...So, after all that verbal garbage, I'll start back on the creedmoor next week...

 

[mrrogers1]

I stopped loading for the 6.5 this summer because I built a bolt gun in Tac6. Believe it or not, SWR was one of the better accuracy powders over SWMR or SWPR. I was able to get the velocity to around 2700fps with a 105gr Berger with around 8fps STDEV. I am almost done with the with load development, but sadly to say, SWR will not be the preferred powder. Lever won out, then RL17 and SWR coming in 3rd, but SWR did out perform some of the other powders, so take it with a grain of salt. All 3 of those powders flat out worked, period!...So, after all that verbal garbage, I'll start back on the creedmoor next week...

Is the "SWR" the Long Rifle or is that the SW4350 you were working on? (I figured out the SWMR and SWPR but want to be clear on what you were referring to with "SWR")

I was REALLY confused at first because SWR is an old suppressor company (SilencerCo was spawned out of it) so I was like, "Huh, um, what" but then I sorted it out in my pea brain. Ha ha

Thanks again

 

[never_summer]

Is the "SWR" the Long Rifle or is that the SW4350 you were working on? (I figured out the SWMR and SWPR but want to be clear on what you were referring to with "SWR")

I was REALLY confused at first because SWR is an old suppressor company (SilencerCo was spawned out of it) so I was like, "Huh, um, what" but then I sorted it out in my pea brain. Ha ha

Thanks again

Hah I’ve actually got an old swr shadow 9 still kicking after all these years!
I keep kicking around the idea of trying SWPR for .223 trainer

 

[buckshotbarlow]

Made it up to the range with the 6.5cm with the SW4350. Loaded in groups of 2. No pressure signs up to 43.6gr at 6k above sea level. I needed something to do while the barrel cooled on my tac6. Only did 2 shot strings, i know...I'm lazy....140eldm was the bullet.

Shot​	ID​
Match Load​	​
1​	2786​
43gr​	​
2​	2659​
3​	2649​
42.7gr​	​
4​	2634​
5​	2645​
43.3gr​	​
6​	2668​
7​	2671​
43.6gr​	​
8​	2713​
9​	2677​