SUPERPERFORMANCE POWDER

[Corjack]

Here is part of a letter I found on line.

Bore and throat erosion is really dependent on powder composition. The important parameter is flame temperature, which is unfortunately immeasurable quantity. Based on thermodynamic calculation, and long experience it is well known fact that higher energy content (i.e. heat of explosion) leads to higher flame temperature and higher throat erosion.

Easiest method to improve ballistic performance is to add nitroglycerol in powder composition. These powders are called double base powders. As you have heard, these powders tend to cause more barrel and throat erosion compared to single base powders. This difference is clear but it is, however impossible to quantify as for example as numbers of rounds to reach same erosion level.

All Vihtavuori N100 (N105...), N300 (N310...) powders, 3N37 and 3N38 are single base powders. These products are made with best available raw materials and manufacturing methods to get maximal performance you can get without using more erosive double base composition. Therefore, these Vihtavuori products cause less erosion than most of other competing powders. Especially high nitroglycerol contents (and thus erosion) are used in spherical powders (ball powders) and some US products.

Among Vihtavuori product line we have only five types we call N500 (N530 ... N570) which are by composition double base powders. N500 rifle powders contain small amount of nitroglycerol to add a bit more performance required mainly for extremely long distances. Even with these products we have added a special additive as well kept nitroglycerol content rather low in order to minimize the barrel erosion effect.

So, my opinion and advice is to keep barrel and throat erosion on minimum by using only single base powders like Vihtavuori N100, N300 and 3N.

Best Regards,

Mikko Vuoristo
EURENCO Vihtavuori Oy

The addition of nitroglyceren to nitrocelulose in different percentages, can sometimes offset the high heat it developes by its lubrication properties, but a powder designed with nothing but high energy in mind, probably creates more throat erosion than its lubrication is worth.

[skeetshot]

Another technique to improve the performance of powders is to add nano sized metal particles, with Aluminium being commonly used. This has been shown to improve the energy levels and velocities imparted to projectiles. I do not know if this is used in rifle powders and what the effect on barrel life is.

[Surveyor]

Has anyone shot Hornaday superformance ammo, and how did that go?

I've tried the Superformance 300 Win mag factory ammunition with 150gr. GMX. I shot them in my Sako 75. The speed was around 3400 ft/sec. The precision was very good. Most group where between 1/2" and 3/4". (100 yards 3 shots). I had only bought 1 box to try them out. When I called the retailer to order more they were soldout.
Will buy many boxes when they become available in my area.