Powder Burn Rate Chart

POWDER BURN RATE CHART & GUIDE

RELATIVE POWDER BURN RATE COMPARISON

⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE:

This chart is for relative comparison purposes only. Burn rates fluctuate depending on caliber, bullet weight, primer selection, barrel length, and case volume. Never use a relative burn rate chart to calculate load charges. Always consult official reloading manuals (e.g., Hodgdon, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Lyman) for verified, safe starting loads and max charge limits.

1. Ultra-Fast Pistol & Shotshell Powders

Best for light target loads, short barrels, and small-capacity pistol rounds (e.g., .38 Special, 9mm target).

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Alliant Bullseye Target Handgun / Standard Pistol
Hodgdon Titewad / Clays Target Shotshell / Light Pistol
Vihtavuori N310 Precision Match Target
Winchester WST Target Shotshell / Handgun

2. Fast-to-Medium Pistol & General Handgun Powders

Best for popular handgun calibers (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) and standard target/duty velocities.

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Hodgdon HP-38 / Titegroup Versatile Handgun / Competition
Winchester 231 Standard Pistol & Revolver
Alliant Unique Multi-Caliber Handgun / Medium Shotshell
Vihtavuori N320 / N340 High-End Target & Duty Handgun

3. Slow Pistol & Magnum Handgun / Small-Bore Rifle

Best for heavy magnum revolvers (.357 Mag, .44 Mag) and small rifle cartridges (.22 Horning, .30 Carbine).

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Alliant 2400 Heavy Magnum Handgun
Hodgdon H110 / Lil’ Gun .357/.44 Mag, .300 Blackout Subsonic/Supersonic
Winchester 296 High-Velocity Magnum Pistol
Vihtavuori N110 Magnum Revolver & Small Rifle

4. Fast-to-Medium Rifle Powders

Best for mid-capacity rifle rounds (.223 Rem / 5.56 NATO, .308 Win, .30-30 Win) and AR-platform rifles.

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Accurate 2230 High-Volume .223 / 5.56
Hodgdon H335 / Benchmark Small-to-Medium Rifle / Precision Match
Alliant AR-Comp Match AR-15 / .308 Win
Vihtavuori N133 / N135 Benchrest & Match Rifle

5. Medium-to-Slow Rifle Powders (Popular Precision Class)

Best for short-action precision rifle cartridges (.6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win) and medium magnum rifles.

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Hodgdon Varget / H4350 Match Precision / 6.5 Creedmoor / .308
Alliant Reloder 15 / Reloder 16 Precision Long Range Rifle
IIMR 4064 / 4350 Classic Match Rifle & Hunting
Vihtavuori N140 / N150 European & Match Competition

6. Slow & Ultra-Slow Magnum Rifle Powders

Best for large-capacity magnum cases (.300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, 7mm Rem Mag) and heavy long-range projectiles.

Manufacturer Powder Name Primary Applications
Hodgdon Retest / H1000 / Retainer Extreme Long Range / Large Magnum
Alliant Reloder 22 / Reloder 26 High-Velocity Magnum Rifle
Vihtavuori N160 / N170 / 20N29 Heavy Precision Magnum & .50 BMG

HOW TO USE POWDER BURN RATES RESPONSIBLY

  1. Faster Powders (Top of Chart): Burn rapidly and build peak pressure quickly in short spaces. Require lower charge weights.

  2. Slower Powders (Bottom of Chart): Burn progressively over time down longer barrels, building sustained pressure under heavy projectiles.

  3. Temperature Sensitivity: Modern powders (like Hodgdon Extreme Series or Vihtavuori N100 series) are formulated to maintain velocity stability across cold and hot environments.