Extruded or Ball Powder?
Which do you prefer?
I no longer reload but when I did (for many years) I found that the extruded powders were easier to develop a load but would not drop consistent amounts from my (benchrest) powder measure. I always had to hand measure them. The powder measure(s) I had would always drop perfect amounts of ball powder.
Then (after having some sooty looking barrels after only a few shots) I read that with ball powders you had to get the pressures up for it to completely burn. This I found was true. The higher the pressure, the cleaner the barrel. I watched the pressure by looking at the case for signs (flattened primers etc).
When I got a good load with the ball powder I really couldn't beat it with any of the extruded.
Any of you have similar experiences?