does the muzzle velocity of a bullet depend on the amount of powder used?

Question

If I increase the amount of powder into the case of a bullet, will the muzzle velocity also increase?

Answer 1

It depends on if you are shooting a rifle or a pistol. It also depends on the barrel length. You will see an increase in muzzle velocity but you may see a decrease in accuracy.

Answer 2

Use a reloading manual and it will tell you how much powder can be safely loaded. The manual will specify overall case length, bullet shape and weight, powder types, and powder volumes indicating the minimum and maximum volumes with the accompanying velocities and pressures.

All variables must be strictly adhered to, or you can have problems. If your charge is too weak, then the bullet may get lodged in the barrel. A lodged bullet followed by a second shot could lead to a kaboom. The same for an over charge.

Answer 3

Adding extra powder to a case would increase the velocity of the round. Sounds simple, it is true, but there are other very important factors to consider before dropping a random amount of powder into a cartridge.

First of all there is the limitations of the case. That little brass tube is only designed to withstand so much pressure. If you exceed the limits of the case, the least you will do is rupture the case in the chamber of the gun.

Next of almost as much importance as the case is the projectile. Simple rule of thumb is lighter bullets can use larger charges, heavier bullets will use lighter charges. Sounds backwards but think about it this way.

It takes more energy to move the heavier bullet down the barrel, while it is moving, the charge behind it is still expanding at exponential rates. Between the heavier weight of the bullet, and the longer amount of time it takes for it to accelerate, the pressure within the barrel, and chamber will be higher than that of a lighter round using the same charge in the same gun.

Last, the capability of the gun to handle excessive pressures. Not all guns/barrels/chambers are equal in regards to strength. There is a standard which is used in the US for production of ammunition and the barrels. SAAMI has a set of guidelines for the amount of pressure that brass and chambers can tolerate. The manufacturers (in the US, anyways) do not necessarily have to follow or adhere to them, but in general, they do for safety reason. In general, no two guns, or cartridges are the same, similar, maybe, but not the same.

Usually faster bullets are lighter, and obviously heavier bullets will travel slower. There is a whole slew of reloading books out there for people like myself, who reload their own ammunition. There are also several websites covering "handloading" or "reloading".

Reloading requires special equipment and a basic knowledge of the principles of how a metallic cartridges works. Aside from bullet weight, powder charge, the casing, and the gun, little things like how far the bullet is seated, or what type of primer you use, can all amount to either a safe effective round, or a dangerous one.

Hopefully you are just asking because you are curious, and are not going to do something very dangerous that could ruin your gun, injure or maim yourself or others, or possibly even kill you.

Be Safe!
Semper Fi!

Answer 4

Yes, but this can be dangerous. If you exceed the maximum charge for the given caliber, you could end up turning your gun into garbage in short order. Plus, faster does not always give better accuracy. From my experience, loadings closer to the minimum charges produced better groups than those approaching the maximum.

Increasing the powder charge can be dangerous as that the chamber pressure follows a curve, at a certain point, adding even a small amount of powder can drastically raise pressure. This curve is different for every caliber and will vary between different guns and variations of your reloading components.

Answer 5

In most instances, yes, and its not illegal, its called hand loading and many people do it every day. More powder burning creates more pressure and thus creates more velocity. if you pack to much powder into a case you could end up blowing all kinds of stuff up. Generally you should with a lighter charge and work up to the heavier charges making sure to check for any signs of to much pressure (blown primers, ruptured cases). There are different types of powder, black powder burns very fast but at lower pressures, smokeless powder (which is used in all cartridges today) burns slower (compared to black powder) but at higher pressures. Pistol powders burn faster because they have less barrel to work with and need to build pressure faster. You cant just go around pulling bullets and adding powder either you need special reloading tools. Using lighter bullets will also increase velocity.

Answer 6

Yes, but it doesn't increase in a linear fashion, and chamber pressures going up make for a definite limiting factor. Lots of us handload our cartridges, so if you're interested, get a starter kit and a couple of good manuals. Also, a chronograph to measure your velocities is a good investment. But be careful. Going for maximum velocity may not be smart or safe. Consistency is more important.

Answer 7

Yes. But be very careful. Powder charges are worked up and the charge is measured in pressures. Too much powder and the pressure is more than the gun chamber can handle. Too little powder will cause the charge to detonate, possibly exploding the chamber. There are several reloading manuals on the market. I suggest that you get one and read it. It might save you from being hurt.

Smaller calibers usually have higher velocities. Also remember that there are dozens of powders on the market.

Answer 8

It depends on case, powder and bullet weight in grains*...

Answer 9

theoretically it will, but I wouldn't run around modifying guns, not only is it illegal but it can backfire and explode in your face if things go wrong.

If you really want more bullet speed buy a bigger gun, Afterall, buying a bigger gun is the American Way.