Load Testing: Ramshot Silohouette Powder

[Wobbly]

From Aug 21, 2015.... the original start of this testing...

Saw a can of Ramshot Silohouette at the LGS the other day and decide to give it a try. There are several other threads discussing accuracy of this powder already on this Forum, but few with chrono data. Here are my results...

5.2 grn      1030fps        SD16
5.3            1048            SD33
5.4            1062            SD05
5.5            1080            SD00   

Precision Delta 124grn HP
OAL       1.110"
Federal Match primers GM100M
Mixed brass
75 degree F, clear
CZ SP-01

The amazing thing was the drop in SD at 5.5grn, even with mixed brass. When I went back to verify all the numbers with a second string, the numbers were very close on 5.2 and 5.3grn, then the light changed and 5.4 gave me an error code. Finally I shot the chrono during the 5.5grn string. 

I guess I'll be re-reading the chrono recommendation threads tonight !! 

Then while packing up, I lost the battery cover for my electronic ear muffs. I looked all over the table, searched for 5 minutes in the grass under the table, went through the shooting bag 4 or 5 times. After about 10 minutes of this, finally put my hands into my pockets in exasperation, and there it was.

It was a very strange range trip. 

[Wobbly]

This report makes me sad.

Looking back at my results from Aug 2015 (above) I don't understand why I didn't follow up with more testing of this powder as soon as I bought another chrono. Well, hopefully this will be rectified in the coming weeks.

This is a fantastic powder. It meters great. (It's such a fine grain it may leak in some powder measures. Think AA No2.) It shoots unbelievably clean. I held all shots on a 6" steel target plate at over 35 feet, which is saying something for my old eyes.

These bullets were seated to an OAL that resulted in a bullet insertion depth of 0.300", which is also common to the 124gr MBC Lead SWC. So results with that lead bullet and others should be similar.


Caliber:  9x19 Luger
Bullets:  Missouri Bullet IDP#6 124gr Lead FP
Brass:    RWS
Powder:  Ramshot Silohouette
Max Velocity:  1150 fps for Lead
Primer:   CCI Small Pistol
OAL:       1.010"
Pistol:     SP-01 Tac
Qty:        7 rounds each, slow fired
Weather: 80F and overcast/humid
Chrono:  ProChrono

Load      Avg Vel           SD
4.5gr        1039              12
4.6           1050              07
4.7           1071              09
4.8           1087              12
4.9           1101              12
5.0           1116              09
5.1           1127              12

NOTES
• Metered very well due to small grain size
• Burned remarkably clean, even at 4.5gr. Case interiors look tumbled clean. Dusting of ash remaining.
• Attribute the low SD numbers to the powder and not my reloading technique
• Recommend 4.6gr for competition and 4.7gr for general plinking (with light springs)
• Remarkably accurate powder.
• My SP01 runs light recoil and hammer springs. Your results in a stock gun may vary.
• All loads resulted in slide lock back on last shot.
• Ejection distance 4-6 feet.



The test


The test facility


Our high-tech brass collection system which caught 44 of 49


"All over but the shoutin' "



 

[kmw1954]

Wobbly thanks for the report, nice work. I have been using Silhouette in all my 380acp loads and my Witness Pavona loves it. Am also shooting it in a Large frame Witness 45acp and a 9mm Taurus PT92C.

Like I said the 380 shoots this the best between HP-38, AA #5 and recently AA#2 using a 100gr Xtreme plate bullet. My 9mm seems to like the HP-38 slightly better but the Silhouette burns cleaner with less flash and smoke. The 45acp seems to shoot equally as well with both the Silhouette and the AA#5 with 200gr plated bullets.

I haven't shot enough of the AA#2 yet to make a fair judgment. If I had to limit myself to one powder at this point it would be the Ramshot as it performs the best among all three of these calibers. Then when I finish up this AA#5 I doubt I will replace it but instead use the Ramshot.

[ReloaderFred]

Silhouette is the old Winchester Action Pistol (WAP) powder under a newer label.  I've confirmed this with the Western Powders techs at the SHOT Show, and the old data for WAP is perfectly usable for Silhouette.  I use it in my 9x23 Winchester loadings with 124 gr. bullets.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[IDescribe]

I like the center line.  I taped mine off and spray-painted a blood-red stripe, in Painter's honor.

[IDescribe]

I hope I can get my gear in time to participate in this discussion.  I have moved to Houston and all my gear and supplies are back in Florida for at least another month.

I really liked Silhouette in my limited testing.  Great powder. And I bought 8 pounds, so I'm guessing 7.5 pounds left.  Plenty of fun to be had.

[Wobbly]

I like the center line.  I taped mine off and spray-painted a blood-red stripe, in Painter's honor.

I put that on there after seeing yours. Great idea ! Imitation is the sincerest form...

Thought tape better for me so as to forego the over-spray on the electronic eyes. That, and ward off evil spirits (aka Painter).

 

[IDescribe]

I like the center line.  I taped mine off and spray-painted a blood-red stripe, in Painter's honor.

I put that on there after seeing yours. Great idea ! Imitation is the sincerest form...

Thought tape better for me so as to forego the over-spray on the electronic eyes. That, and ward off evil spirits (aka Painter).

 

Awesome!   

[1SOW]

Sheesh Wobbly,  that pistol looks NIB/ like it's never SEEN a holster .
You must use Mobil 1 .

[CPTKILLER]

Good info:

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf

Clicking on this link places the 2016 Ramshot Reloading Data manual in your Downloads folder.


[Mods added clarification]

[Wobbly]

Recent thread reminded me we really didn't have much data, so here we go...

Equipment
Caliber:  9x19 Luger
Bullets:  Precision Delta 124gr JHP
Brass:    RWS
Powder:  Ramshot Silhouette
Primer:  Federal Small Pistol Match
OAL:     1.100"
Pistol:    P10c
Qty:      8-10 rounds each, slow fired
Weather:  50F and highly overcast
Chrono:  ProChrono DLX
Data:     2018 Ramshot load book Vol 7, 4.6-5.4gr @ 1.060"
Max Velocity:  1075 fps


Load       Avg Vel            SD
4.6gr           949               19
4.8              996                5
5.0             1033              11
5.2             1063               4
5.4             1090              10  Max Load


NOTES
• Metered very well due to small grain size. This is tiny grained powder.
• The velocity increments seem to be greater than those of W231
• Maybe it's just me, but this powder seems to have a lower report note
• I would say that 5.4 was the Max Load, not way over
• Very impressive accuracy. See the hits on 3" steels in the photos.
• Ran clean across the board.
• No FTF with stock springs across all loads... but no lock back on any loads (that may be a personal issue)
• Suggest 4.8gr for plinking, and 5.0gr for competition

[Wobbly]

Today's testing....


The equipment


3" steel from 20yds with 4.8gr, slow fire


Other 3" targets from 20 yds with 4.8gr, slow fire


A 6" steel from 20yds rapid fire while alternating targets

 

[Wobbly]

Equipment
Caliber:    10mmAuto
Bullets:    RMR 165gr plated RNFP
Brass:      StarLine (new)
Primer:    Winchester Large Pistol WLP
OAL:        1.250"
Pistol:      Dan Wesson 10mm Pointman (5" 1911)
Qty:        8 rounds each, slow fired
Weather:  40F and highly overcast
Chrono:   ProChrono DLX

Powder:   Ramshot Silohuette  (6.5-7.3gr)
Max Velocity:  1172 fps


Load      Avg Vel           SD
7.9gr          1124               28
8.3             1187               16
8.7             1236               19


NOTES
• Meters really well
• Very accurate shooting