"Sunar" is a faster burning gunpowder. Its energy capabilities are used more fully, so its mass must be taken less. It's more powerful. The combustion curve is steeper. The pressure peak in the chamber is higher. The density is higher than that of the Falcon. It must be weighed on scales.
The spread of the sample is no more than 0.05 g. At home this is not very convenient, and not everyone has scales.
Since “Sunar” burns more completely in the barrel bore (fast-burning), this means that the sound of the shot will be quieter, the recoil and flame will be less. A shot is considered to be of high quality if at night the flame length is up to 15 cm, and during the day it is practically invisible.
"Sunar" is highly dependent on the components of the cartridge. If the combination of the Zhevelo-M2 primer, a rigid wad-container, and sealing with an asterisk is unsuccessful, the pressure may jump, the recoil may increase, and the accuracy of the scree may drop.
With a soft felt wad, “Zhevelo-N”, rolling with a twist, a low initial speed of the shot projectile is possible. As you can see, even replacing the primer from “Zhevelo-N” to “Zhevelo-M” can greatly affect the pressure in the bore and, accordingly, the accuracy of the scree. The pressure can increase by 250 kg/cm2.
Gunpowder Sunar 32
Gunpowder Sunar 32 is produced in the city of Tambov. It is created on the basis of pyroxylin components. It is used to load cartridges for shotguns - hunting and smoothbore. It is most often used in 12 gauge bullets, where the mass of the projectile is exactly 36 grams. At pressures from 630 to 680 bar, it is possible to achieve bullet speeds of up to 320 meters per second.
The Kazan Powder Plant and the Kazan Institute of Chemical Products specialize in the production of single-base gunpowder based on pyroxylin. Despite the fact that its shape is granular, the material is highly porous. Thus, using Sunar 42 and other brands of substances, you can achieve an even higher combustion rate. This, accordingly, provokes an increase in pressure in the barrel. The bullet ends up being fired even faster.
Thanks to the experience of use, comments from hunters, as well as the opinions of specialists involved in production, today more than a dozen brands of these products are successfully produced.
Depending on how quickly Sunar type gunpowder burns, it is divided into three categories:
- fast burning;
- burning at medium speed;
- slow burning.
Let's look at each category separately.
Fast burning powder
Just by the name itself it is clear that its combustion occurs the fastest. This effect was achieved due to the increased porosity of the powder grain. It is quite simple to identify this product, since it has two markings - SVS or SV. The difference between SHS is that 20 percent nitroglycerin is added to it. These brands are usually used for shot loads weighing 24-28 g, used for skeet shooting training. Professional hunters and experienced amateurs rarely use these products for hunting.
Sunar gunpowder burning at medium speed
In this category of products, Sunar 32 guarantees optimal characteristics of the initial speed and pressure inside the barrel. Combustion in this case may occur more slowly than when using fast-burning gunpowder. It is quite simple to distinguish it from others - it is marked SF and N. For 12 gauge it is used together with a shot weighing 32-36 grams.
Slow burning powder
A number of inert substances that are added to these products help slow down the burning rate. The Magnum and Sunar-410 markings allow you to distinguish slow-burning gunpowder from others. Can be used in cartridges from 16 to 410 caliber. This product can also be used with 12-gauge bullets, but subject to increasing the shot load.
Based on the information above, the following pattern is created: the burning rate should decrease as the mass of the charge increases. Brands such as Sunar 35, Sunar 32 and Sunar 42 have different amounts of additives and also differ in the size of the pores in their structure. The difference may also lie in their coverage.
The ratio of the mass of the shot and the charge
The charge ratio, that is, the ratio of the mass of the shot to the mass of the charge, is from 15 to 18 for Sokol gunpowder, with an average value of 16.5.
When the charge ratio is reduced closer to 15, accuracy decreases, but the sharpness of the gun’s engagement increases.
When the charge ratio is increased closer to 18, accuracy increases, but the sharpness of the combat decreases.
By changing the charge ratio, the hunter can receive a cartridge with the characteristics he needs in terms of accuracy and sharpness of combat.
In any case, all attachments for a particular gun are tested empirically based on zeroing.
Gunpowder Sunar 42 Magnum
The gunpowder used was “Sunar-42” from the Kazan plant, batch 14/01K, good until 10.2009. Not too new, but not old either. The factory recommendation for equipment is 2.40g of gunpowder per 42g of shot. Further everywhere it is these samples (2.40g) and N3 42g shot in a container, KV-209 capsule. Shooting was carried out from IZH27MM, barrel cylinder - 660mm. Speed measurements - ProChrono, pressure - strain gauge.
Results:
- Sleeve 70mm, twist – Vo= 349 m/s (P= 62 MPa), 365 m/s (P= 63 MPa)
- Sleeve 70mm, “hut” – Vo= 372 m/s (P= 75 MPa), 390 m/s (P= 75 MPa)
- Sleeve 70mm, “star” – Vo= 415 m/s (P= 100 MPa), 425 m/s (P= 100 MPa)
- Sleeve 76mm, twist – Vo= 350 m/s (P= 57 MPa), 354 m/s (P= 63 MPa)
- Case 76mm, twist – Vo= 340 m/s (P= 56 MPa), 358 m/s (P= 61 MPa) plug between the PE container and the powder wad.
- Sleeve 76mm, “star” – Vo= 340 m/s (P= 68 MPa), 362 m/s (P= 68 MPa)
Sunar-Magnum gunpowder is also used to equip Magnum-class cartridges with a shot load of 46 g. In this case, the gunpowder weight increases to 2.4 g. Accordingly, when fired, the pressure increases to 900-950 Bar. Such cartridges, of course, can be used in weapons with a 76 mm chamber (“Magnum”).
As shooting practice shows, Sunar-Magnum gunpowder is sensitive to the method of rolling the case. When rolling the sleeve using the “Star” method, the pressure increases, while the shot speed increases slightly. Thus, in the “Nitrogen-Magnum” cartridge, with a weight of Sunar-Magnum gunpowder of 2.4 g, a shot weight of 46 g and the sealing of the cartridge case using the “Zvezda” method, the pressure reaches 900-930 Bar, which corresponds to the norm for ammunition of this class. The pressure was measured using piezoelectric sensors on a special installation by specialists from NPF Azot.
When testing the Record-Leader cartridge, in which the amount of Sunar-Magnum gunpowder was 2.7 g, and the shot weight was 55 g, the 89 mm long case was rolled in the usual way, the pressure did not exceed 756 kg/cm2. The pressure was measured on the ballistic barrel using the crusher method. Of course, it is necessary to take into account both the type of wad containers used in the cartridges and the type of primer.
Which gunpowder is best for 12 gauge: varieties, characteristics and dosage
Black powder until the end of the 19th century. they loaded mortars and squeaks, flintlocks and muskets, as well as other military weapons. But at the same time, scientists did not stop their research to improve this substance. An example of this is the experiments of Lomonosov, who established a rational ratio of all components of the powder mixture. History also remembers the unsuccessful attempt to replace the scarce nitrate with berthollet salt, which was undertaken by Claude Louis Bertholet. This replacement resulted in numerous explosions. Berthollet salt, or sodium chlorate, turned out to be a very active oxidizing agent.
A new milestone in the history of gunpowder production began in 1832. It was then that the French chemist A. Bracono first obtained nitrocellulose, or priroxiline. This substance is an ester of nitric acid and cellulose. The latter molecule contains a large number of hydroxyl groups, which react with nitric acid.
Who invented smokeless gunpowder? In 1884, the French chemist J. Viel created a monolithic substance based on pyroxylin. This is the first smokeless powder in the history of mankind. To obtain it, the researcher used the ability of pyroxylin to increase in volume while in a mixture of alcohol and ether. This produced a soft mass, which was then pressed, made into plates or strips, and then dried. The main part of the solvent evaporated. A small volume of it was preserved in pyroxylin. It continued to function as a plasticizer.
This mass is the basis of smokeless powder. Its volume in this explosive is about 80-95%. Unlike previously obtained cellulose, pyroxylin powder showed its ability to burn at a constant speed strictly in layers. That is why it is still used for small arms.
Viel's white powder was a real revolutionary discovery in the field of firearms. And there were several reasons explaining this fact:
1. Gunpowder produced virtually no smoke, whereas the previously used explosive significantly narrowed the fighter’s field of vision after just a few shots fired. Only strong gusts of wind could get rid of the clouds of smoke that appeared when using black powder. In addition, the revolutionary invention made it possible not to give away the fighter’s position.
Soon, researchers obtained a new substance for military weapons. It became nitroglycerin smokeless powder. Another name for it is ballistitis. The basis of such smokeless gunpowder was also nitrocellulose. However, its amount in the explosive was reduced to 56-57 percent. In this case, liquid trinitroglycerin served as a plasticizer. Such gunpowder turned out to be very powerful, and it is worth saying that it still finds its use in rocket forces and artillery.
Powder weight Sunar
Now let’s look at which attachments are most often used for this brand:
The weight of Sunar gunpowder is indicated on the packaging
Sunar powder weight for 12 gauge ammunition
- Sunar-32 - used with a weight of 1.9 g. at 32 gr. charge;
- Sunar-35 - used with a weight of 2.1 g. at 35 gr. charge;
- Sunar-42/1,2,3 – used with a weight of 2.3; 2.45; 2.35; gr. at 40-42 gr. charge;
- Sunar-magnum 42 is used with a weight of 2.2 when shooting with a “half-magnum” at 40-42 gr.; used when mounted on a magnum 2.4 g. at 46 gr. charge;
Sunar powder weight for 16 gauge:
- Sunar-35 - used with a weight of 1.7 g. at 29-30 gr. charge;
- Sunar-42/1 – used when weighing 1.2g. at 40 – 43 gr. charge;
- Sunar-42/2.3 – used with a weight of 2.1 g. at 30-32 gr. charge;
Sunar powder weight for 20 gauge:
- Sunar-35 - used with a weight of 1.5 g. for 24-35 g of charge;
- Sunar-42/1,2,3 – used with a weight of 1.8; 1.9; 1.8; gr. at 25-28 gr. charge.
Do not forget that you must strictly follow the recommendations specified by the manufacturer in the powder weighing instructions. Only if the above proportions are observed, the best ballistic results are achieved, and the risk of damage to the bore or melting of the shot is minimal. In addition, it is necessary to maintain proportions due to the fact that incorrect mounting significantly affects the battle. In addition, gunpowder requires a denser backfill.
Best before date
Sokol gunpowder is supplied in metal cans of 200 or 250 grams. Cans are packed in special zinc, and zinc in wooden boxes weighing 50 kg.
Gunpowder can be stored in a metal can for 6 years. Jars can be stored in zinc without loss of properties for up to 25 years.
When storing, you must comply with the storage conditions indicated on the can; storage in rooms with sudden temperature changes is especially unacceptable.
Test results
Little is known about the recommendations from the manufacturer, because since the advent of this gunpowder, many types of weapons have appeared. Therefore, bullet and/or shot velocity testing must be carried out for each individual gun.
Through shooting and experimentation, the following reference values were identified:
- charge weight 1.6 grams. Shot mass 24 grams - speed from 348 meters/second to 356 meters/second.
- charge weight 2.3 grams. Shot mass 32 grams - speed from 384 meters/second to 389 meters/second.
- cartridge with a bullet. Charge weight 2.2 grams. The speed ranged from 362 meters/second to 513 meters/second. The best results were obtained with the Mayer bullet. The worst result was shown by the Brenneke bullet.
Useful tips
Many hunters complain that due to the fact that Sunar gunpowder has too high a combustion rate, it is inferior in technical characteristics to Sokol and Bars. There is some truth in these words, but only an expert can see a difference of 10-15%. In practice, hunters simply load ammunition incorrectly, which leads to loss of combat accuracy or initial projectile speed. To prevent this from happening to you, we recommend following some rules:
- Use only the attachment recommended by the manufacturer. Any deviations from the specified indicators do not guarantee the stability of combat qualities. In this case, an excessive amount of gunpowder will affect the condition of the weapon or even lead to the chamber bursting.
- Use only high-quality electronic scales for weighing. It is best to give preference to a pharmaceutical device that can measure weight with an accuracy of 0.01 grams. But it is not recommended to determine the weight using beakers, since the density of “Sunar” is lower.
- Use only high quality wads. Sunar powder is extremely demanding in terms of sealing (ensuring tightness), so it is important to use gaskets exactly to the size of the cartridge case. The material used to make the wad (felt, foam) depends on the density of the embankment.
- Pay attention to the integrity of the cartridges before equipment. Combat performance may also drop if the hunter uses deteriorated material for reloading. Remember that plastic cartridges can withstand no more than 10 shots.
- Use the Zhevello primer for loading plastic casings, and the Centrifuge primer for brass ones. Other igniters may not produce the optimal temperature (170 degrees), as a result of which the shot will be delayed.
If you believe the reviews of fishermen, Sunar gunpowder is in many ways inferior to the same Falcon and Irbis, but this does not mean that it is not suitable for loading cartridges. Hunters love this product for its wide variety of models - it is possible to choose gunpowder not only for a certain caliber, but also for the type of shooting. In addition, the cost of Sunar is one of the lowest on the market, so self-loaded cartridges will cost much less than the factory version.
