Disected: Hornady 155gr & 180gr, Win Silvertip 175gr, Blazer 200gr, and DT 135gr

[REDLINE]

Disected 5 rounds of ammo that include:  Double Tap 135gr Nosler, Hornady 155gr XTP, Winchester Silvertip 175gr, Hornady 180gr XTP, and Blazer 200gr TMJ.

2 rounds of each were disected.  The results are as follows:

COL:
1.241" DT 135
1.253" Hor 155
1.252" Win 175
1.251" Hor 180
1.246" Blazer 200


Powder Charge(s):
11.2gr & 11.4gr  DT 135
10.1gr (BOTH)  Hor 155
8.9gr & 9.1gr  Win 175
10.6gr & 10.7gr  Hor 180
7.3gr & 7.5gr  Blazer 200


Powder Pics:

Double Tap 135gr Nosler


Hornady 155gr XTP


Winchester 175gr Silvertip


Hornady 180gr XTP


Blazer 200gr TMJ



General FYI: 

All powder charges were weighed on two different scales (Redding #2 Beam Scale and Hornady L-N-L Digital Bench Scale). 

Pictures were taken from the same distance within about 2mm from the camera lens, zoomed in macro mode to ~2X, using a fine point Pilot G-2 pen for reference. 

I have zero clue as to what powders were used.  I did find it interesting that Hornady used a different powder each for their 155gr and 180gr XTP loads.  As to the powder charges that varied between the two loads, I believe my measurements are exactly accurate. 

I used a kinetic bullet puller, but did NOT allow the bullet to come all the way out in the kinetic bullet puller, but rather pulled the bullets with a pliers after the kinetic bullet puller brought them part way out.  Therefore unless a single granual or two of powder couldn't be jarred loose from the flash hole (I checked with a flashlight to be as sure as possible that none did), it was all weighed accurately.  I wonder if SOME commercial loading equipment is only so accurate and that is part of the reason most factory loads aren't up to Underwood standards.  Don't know.

As for primers used, who knows, but I suspect (WAG) non are of the magnum variety.

[uz2bUSMC]

Great photos, brotha!

[Taterhead]

Great photos!

The DT powder looks remarkably close to Longshot. It has been rumored that they might be using LS.

[The_Shadow]

The 135 gr DT looks like LongShot, although you photo doesn't show it, this powder has a very few small irridesent specks in the mix.  Shining light at different angles can reveal these.

The 155 gr Hornady and the 200 Blazer appear to be the same powder it seems to have a few scattered large flakes sort of an Identifier ?? no guess  (soft off white flakes)

The 175 gr Winchester looks like a blended flattened ball ?? no guess

The 180 gr Hornady flattened ball ?? no guess

[REDLINE]

Great photos, brotha!

Great photos!

THANKS guys!

[REDLINE]

The 135 gr DT looks like LongShot, although you photo doesn't show it, this powder has a very few small irridesent specks in the mix.  Shining light at different angles can reveal these.

Just spent a few minutes back at that DT powder looking for those irridesent specks.  After failing to see them using a flashlight for extra light in conjunction with the naked eye, I grabbed my 10X triplet and still couldn't make them out if they exist.

Are those very few irridesent specks a hard fast rule with Longshot powder?  I looked for even a single hint of them and couldn't discern anything like that.

Will anyone else post a pick of Longshot powder showing those specks?  Or simply a pic of Longshot powder in general?  Close-up if possible?

[The_Shadow]

Redline, They would be very few small specks (smaller than a period in type .)  and mostly reflect greenish color.  Almost like  mylar.  I have found them in powder I pulled down from DT 9x25 rounds (determined to be LS) and also in the LongShot powder I purchased. 

Powders like Blue Dot, Green Dot, Red Dot have very good Identifiers, IMR 800X has "Tan" colored flakes in the mix.

Ball powders are hard to tell but I haven't used them that much.

[sqlbullet]

Zombie thread!

I found an old box of DT 135 grain in the closet this morning.  Pulled three and am quite certain it is Longshot.  The charge was between 11.4-11.5 for all three, seated to a COL of 1.245".

Going to work up towards this load and see what velocities I get compared to the DT.

[Rick1987]

Anyone know what underwood uses?

This is a interesting thread, wish I had a decent camera.

[Bro KV]

Anyone know what underwood uses?

This is a interesting thread, wish I had a decent camera.

I'd like to know what Underwood uses as well

[sqlbullet]

Pretty sure I have heard longshot as well.  But don't quote me on that.

[REDLINE]

Me too on the Underwood powder question.  I can hardly believe we don't know that yet.

[REDLINE]

About the 10.1 grain charge of powder in the Hornady 155 grain XTP load;  Might that be Power Pistol?

Hornady claims 1265 FPS.

[Intercooler]

800-X across the board. New 180's Power Pistol

[The_Shadow]

About the 10.1 grain charge of powder in the Hornady 155 grain XTP load;  Might that be Power Pistol?

Hornady claims 1265 FPS.

The 10.1 155 gr Horady Load is maybe powder pistol, (1265/551)  that amount of Power Pistol would certainly over.  There are some identifier flakes in the Hornady155 and Blazer pull-downs. They are larger flakes that are translucent grey color with the performance similar to Blue Dot by weight.  Could be a non-canister blend.

After I have looked at even more powders, the 180 Hornady may well be similar to RamShot Silhouette although the charge weight may be a little high for velocity (1180/556)  HS-7 maybe and would fit.  Just not sure I haven't seen that load in person and major commercial loaders have access to non canister grades specially blended for them.