raytear
posted this
23 February 2011
Ric,
My Keith stuff is out on loan at the moment, and my collection is not as extensive as yours, I don't believe. I have no recollection of any load data. Doesn't mean it wasn't there, just that I don't recall it. I have no Hatcher, Whelen, or Narramore in my own library :( as it is mostly devoted to other subjects.
If I were working with those flash-tubes I would begin with the suggested starting load from Lyman's manual minus, say, 2%-5% of a medium burning rate powder. Higher percentage reduction for a smaller capacity case, e.g. 2% for a .30-06 and 5% for .30-30. (From my experience, a 2%-5% reduction seems about right because whenever I have used Lyman's starting loads in standard set-ups I always get smudging/sooting, often clear back to the body/shoulder junction.)
Then do the standard work up until velocity matches the load results without the tube. Guess I forgot to mention I am assuming having a known standard load with the given powder to use as a baseline for velocity and accuracy comparison.
Anyway, an interesting set of experiments could be done. I think those might be especially fruitful now, given the HUGE number of powders available that were unknown to the gurus of the previous generation or two. Might even turn out that the advances in powder formulation are great enough to overshadow any gains from flash-tubes.
Good shooting!
RT