Which powders are listed in the load tables, and how can I compare load recipes with other sources?

The load tables include all powders that are suitable for the selected cartridge and bullet combination based on the specified input parameters (such as COL, case capacity, and barrel length). For each compatible powder—rifle powders for rifle cartridges and handgun powders for handgun cartridges—the system calculates the expected ballistic performance across a practical range of fill rates. The load tables then display powders that have at least 3 different powder charges/load recipes that fulfill the following criteria:

• Fill rate between 80 and 100%
• Powder Burn / Propellant Combustion for rifle loads > 90% (lower values typically lead to unsteady results and strong muzzle flash). Powder Burn / Propellant Combustion for rifle loads > 80% .
• Pressure < max allowed pressure
• Minimum muzzle velocity > 350 m/s for rifle loads and > 220 m/s for handgun loads

When comparing these load recipes with other published sources, it is important to consider differences in input parameters. Variations in cartridge overall length, case capacity, barrel length, or bullet length can all influence pressure and velocity results. Ensuring that these parameters are identical will make comparisons meaningful. 

When we receive questions about possible deviations, the most common reason is that the comparison is not based on identical input parameters. In many cases, key variables such as case capacity, seating depth (COL), or barrel length differ between the datasets, which can significantly affect the resulting pressure and velocity values.