Sellier & Bellot powder?

T

Tiff

Guest
I've been given 10kg of powder that has been stripped from sellier and bellot 8x57 JS 196 grain ammo. I wish to reload this in my .308.....So anybody know which powder they use?

If it helps, it is of the grey flaked variety and not extruded granules. Any help much appreciated.
 
Thanks for the reply....but I'd really like to use this stuff since I can get more for $20 per Kg. While this may sound a lot, here in the UK 1kg of powder (hodgdon, RL, Vit etc.) costs $100-120 per Kg!!!!!!!!
 
the problem is factories dont use the same powders as sold for reloading. first you dont know what powder it is, second factory powders dont have the consistency that powders meant for handloaders do. being cheap is no excuse for blowing up a good gun, or injuring yourself. penny wise, pound foolish- burn it or use it for fertalizer.
 
If you really want to really get into it -- get a couple of original loaded rounds and weigh the charges. Don't take the seller's word for it. Check some loading tables for that caliber and bullet weight to see if there is a charge weight close. Go from there. Big guys like S&B have custom made powder or blend huge batches of commercial stuff to suit their needs.
Problem is -- is EVERY batch you buy from the same ammo??? If "grey flake" is all the ID you have -- that worries me.
 
Hi guys don't worry I know roughly what I'm doing.....Yes its all from the same batches, about 100,000 rounds in total and I've pulled most of them myself so know what there from. I should have added each 196 grain bullet has 41.5 grain of powder behind it.......I was hoping someone knew their blend/which powder they load with so I could speed up the load development. With a saving of $100 a Kg I'm hoping someone can help me out? Cheers Tiff
 
lefty o said:
no, you dont "roughly" know what your doing if you want to try reloading with unknown powders!:(
Click to expand...

I'm sorry you seem to be missing the point! I'm trying to find out if anyone has an idea as to what it could be.....Then I will get some of that and analyze it in the lab alongside the powder I have to see if they are the same! I have a degree in chemical engineering so I do know roughly what I'm doing!
 
you dont seem to understand that commercially loaded ammo's powder has no "spec" it changes all the time and the factories adjust loads to suit the powder, you have no idea what your dealing with. chemical engineer or not, your in way over your head.
 
If you know what the charge was, compare it to others in the loading manual and get some idea about burning rate. Then it shouldn't be difficult to get a ballpark starting load for .308. Just begin low and work up. There'll always be someone who thinks they're the expert and assumes you know nothing.....screw 'em. Just use conservatism/caution and you should be fine.
 
I agree with Ackman. I wouldn't waste too much time trying to figure out what type of powder it is, I would just pull a few of the factory rounds and weigh the charge to get an idea of what the factory is loading them at, and start considerably lower than that then work your way up. With a little caution and common sense you should be fine.
 
just an idea

Just an idea:confused:confused:
Do you know know some body with a rifle of the same calibre,as the surplus ammo ?.
If you do get them to shoot a few rounds and chronograph them,and make an average of the readings.
Take apart more surplus ammo,and take an average of the amount of fill.
Record the BARREL LENGTH of the rifle,COL of the ammo,and weigh the bullet heads(have a look on the internet and try to a commercial bullet as near as possible as the surplus stuff).

Put the the data into quickoad and try to find a the nearest match to the velocity.Quickload will list of all the powders and how much,is needed to reach the velocity.

You should find a match,but it's not forced to to be the same but it's as near as dam it.
Now put the data in quickload for your .308,barrel length,col,bullet data,etc.
You should be able find a SAFE starting load,but i would be temped to chrono this and check with quickload again.
Once your confident with this,carefully work up a load(if powder alloys it could be too slow a burn rate).

Just be careful !

I would hate to see a RPA blown up:eek:
This as got to be worth a deer stalking letter.
 
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