Swiss 1.5 question

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TexasMac
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Swiss 1.5 question

Post by TexasMac »

Guys,

What's the latest on Swiss 1.5F density? I know at one time there was a lot of discussion on some lots of "fluffy" powder. Is it a problem any more? A shooting friend has several lbs of date code 19/01/2015 and he reports that it's significantly less dense than other lots. I'm about to pick up a case and would like to hear about more current date codes.

Wayne
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beltfed
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by beltfed »

Wayne,
Swiss 1.5... It is what it is. I, too have picked up more recent Swiss 1.5 and it is indeed less dense than
my early lot. So, I compress just a bit more with the same Weight of powder as the old lot and then compress
accordingly to my usual "depth" in the cases.
Seems to shoot about the same.
Interestingly, a few years ago, I got into KIK powders. Tried them. The 2f gave me the best
results: VERY close to the same velocities with same Weight of powder as my old dense lot of Swiss 1.5
Again, just compressed it to my usual setting. Std Deviation and E.S. across my Oehler and grouping is close to the
Swiss 1.5.

After All, what is our alternative. Old E, and others are good powders, but again, not as dense as
the earlier lots of Swiss 1.5.
beltfed/arnie
beltfed
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by beltfed »

Forgot to say, I would stay with Swiss 1.5 and do loads at the same Weight as the old lots.
beltfed/arnie
Woody
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by Woody »

Wayne,

I'm currently testing 2 lots of 2 FG Swiss date coded 3/4/2018 and 21/3/2017. I compared the density against the lot I have been using for the past several years, lot 17/11/2014. I ran 10 powder drops through my measure, weighted them and averaged the weights. This is the results of that comparison.

Lot 17/11/2014 - 63 grains

Lot 03/04/2018 - 65.0 grains

Lot 21/03/2017 - 65.0 grains

I've continued testing for accuracy and for consistency. Both the 2017 and the 2018 powders are currently showing promise. I'll be shooting the 2017 in a couple of weeks at the next Friendship match. I shot it last month and placed forth overall shooting a 26 and a 29. Better scores than I have been shooting.

Not convinced yet, but moving that way.

Woody
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charlie young
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by charlie young »

Last case I bought dropped from the powder measurer at 69.5 grains, where the previous Lot dropped at 75. As mentioned above, just kept adjusting the measurer until I got 75 gr. Compressed it to the same depth as before, and it shoots just as good or maybe better than the previous lot.
TexasMac
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by TexasMac »

I've never had to worry about switching to a different lot since I bought 3 cases several years ago & mixed them all together extremely well. But I'm getting close to running out. BTW, a couple of the guys I shoot with said they load to the same level as the previous lot & then compress. If I'm reading the responses here correctly, so far the consensus seems to be to load to the same weight then compress to the same level as before.

Wayne
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SFogler
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by SFogler »

I have been testing two lots of Swiss 1.5: Lot #16/11/2015 in the old red and blue can and Lot #16/02/2017 in the new orange can with the white Swiss cross on it. I found the newer lot to be a little "fluffier" for the same weight so Beltfed's advice would solve that. But I found the average velocity to be 30-55 fps more in the newer powder depending on my loads. Using the same weight the newer powder was showing a higher average velocity. I was testing 45-70, 45-100, and 45-110. For example: 62 grains of 16/11/2015 in a 45-70 load showed and average velocity of 1184 fps while the new powder showed 1214 fps. My 45-100 loaded with 80 grains showed the older powder average velocity at 1295 fps while the new powder came in at 1351 fps. I am in the middle of working out if one shoots better than the other. I will have to compare loads with similar average velocities instead of the same grain weight and see what kind of ES and groups I get.
John Bly
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by John Bly »

My newest lot 4/05/2015 runs about 2 grains lighter than my old lot. I load to the same compression and so far it seems to be doing OK. I need to do a ladder test to tweak my loads but being retired I can't seem to find the time. I've got over 30 lbs of it so I need to do that.
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kenny s
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by kenny s »

I've switched to Swiss 1 1/2 as per recommendations printed here.
I see a marked difference in accuracy. Is it the Swiss? don't know.
it flows through the powder measure...
the following load has been printing in 1 1/2 inches at 100.

40 70 SS
30 40 Craig cases, length checked to 2 .5 inches
67 weighed Swiss 1 1/2
two wads, one poly and one veggie .060
compression at 1/8 inch,
360 weighed two diameter PP custom mold. .400 top .408 last 1/4 inch. 1 in 20 mix
CCI LR primers
PP hand set and VERY LIGHTLY comp with the fact. comp die. just a 'tweak" nothing more to hold the PP bullet

wet and dry wipe bT shots

I find the Swiss easier to measure and pour. I weigh then drop tube into the case.
bobw
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by bobw »

My experience with old 1.5 and the new is a little different. With my measure set to drop 81.5 grs. of old Swiss 1.5 the new stuff only weighs 69.5. Somewhat distressing as I'm down to the last pound of the Old dense 1.5. Maybe 1.5 Olde E next.
bobw
Kurt
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by Kurt »

I don't use a drop I weigh all loads mostly. But my last case 6-2-2018 fills the case more and I will say this, I have not found a load to my satisfaction with this lot in three rifles shooting several ladder loads and 4 different bullets.
I just ordered a case of 1.5 OE again and I will stay with this powder.
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gunlaker
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by gunlaker »

I don't have those lots, but I can say that my new batch of Swiss 1.5. (lot 18/01/2016) is a little more dense than the old lot of 010.213 that I'm just finishing off.

Chris.
bobw
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Re: Swiss 1.5 question

Post by bobw »

bobw wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 3:13 pm My experience with old 1.5 and the new is a little different. With my measure set to drop 81.5 grs. of old Swiss 1.5 the new stuff only weighs 69.5. Somewhat distressing as I'm down to the last pound of the Old dense 1.5. Maybe 1.5 Olde E next.
Edit to add: old lot was marked lot 170.505 and newer orange and white bottle marked lot 11-7-2016 date July 11-2016. bobw
bobw
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