How do powders get their numbers?

[Brownie]

Just wondering how do powders get their numbers?example imr-3031, h-380 ect. I havent found rhyme or reason to it? I kinda figure it must have something to do with burn rate?

 

[bstewrat3]

I don't know about all of them but H 380 was named that by Bruce Hodgdon because his pet load for the 22-250 was 38.0gr and it was his go to powder.

 

[Brownie]

well that answers it for that powder! Still wonder how the companys come up with the others?

 

[2cool9031]

Maybe it's like the product WD 40...they got the formula right on the 40th try.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Good luck trying to figure that out!

There's a decent chance that it relates to the chemical compound of the powder.

Or perhaps to burn rates.

Who knows.

Maybe they just randomly pick numbers?

-J-

 

[Yoder]

I think each manufacturer has their own system and it has become mostly marketing. At one time each character stood for some property, whether it was single or double or triple base, burn rate, shape, etc.

 

[Aszerigan]

335 Retumbo, Varget Titegroup on three, ready... hike!

 

[desmodue]

"Bullseye" was chosen because "Damn, this powder is filthy, I think I hit the target, but let's wait a few minutes for the smoke to clear" wouldn't fit on the can.

 

[Slow Hand]

2400 was so named becasue it was able to get 2400fps out of the .22 hornet.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

As you can gather from all of the posts above, there is no real rhyme or reason - especially when you jump between manufacturers. Some powders were named based on their shooting properties. Others by burn rate, others were named to match ANOTHER companies number for a similar burn rate, etc..

Nothing is set in stone.

 

[jdhaines]

I always wondered the same thing about the primer numbers.

 

[PaPa 260]

Supposedly H322 was given the name because it worked so well in his 222 Rem. benchrest rifle.

PaPa 260

 

[Disposable Heart]

Longshot was named for it's ability to really rev up 12 gauge loads, higher velo, longer range. (also aptly named for your Glock's locking block's chance of survival after a constant diet of .40 loaded with the powder... )

 

[Brownie]

Ok I don't feel so bad now! As I kinda thought no set method

 

[wolfman]

To make things even more interesting, you have to take into consideration that a lot of the powders were developed for shotgun loads, and were "adapted" to metalic use.