5010 instead of 7383?

[Jim]

If I switch from 7383 to 5010, what's the main thing I need to know and understand? I do know that they're both slow powders and I've learned a LOT about 7383. I've burned about 5 jugs of it so far.

Jim

[Ricochet]

They're not comparable powders. 7383 was for the small .50 spotter rifle case, burning at 38000 PSI. 110 grains of it launched an 828 grain bullet at 1745 FPS at 78 feet in the M48A1 and M48A2 rounds, just as did 120 grains of 4831 in the M48 round.

5010 was a propellant for .50 BMG cartridges. It and WC860 were nominally equivalent, generally with the same charges listed for the same velocities. Just like 4895 and WC852 were in the .30-06. Of course, in practice there were notable lot-to-lot variations.

From the above loading data one can conclude that 7383 is somewhat faster burning than 4831 in that 38000 PSI pressure range. We know that 5010 and WC860 are quite a bit slower burning than 4831, which though it was originally used as a 20mm powder in WWII is a fairly fast powder in .50 BMG.

[Jim]

thanks, Ric. That being said, 5010 might not be what I wanna use.

[Ricochet]

I've never bought any myself. I've got plenty of WC860 and WC872 if I want a really slow powder.