IMR 7383 in the SKS (7.62 x 39mm) with 180gr. cast bullets?

[Maven]

Has anyone tried IMR 7383 with cast bullets in the SKS, specifically the Type 56 (Chinese, late manufacture/spike bayonet). The reason I ask is that I take possession of the rifle tomorrow and have several pounds of 7383 which I'd like to put to good use. I will be using the Lee ~175gr. RNGC bullet for the 8mm Mauser, which I've [easily] resized to .3145" to suit what I think is the Type 56's bore (owned one in the past and that dimension worked extremely well). In the meantime, I've loaded 30 rounds with 8gr. Unique + 20 with 8.8gr. Unique and the resized Lee CB. In short, is 7383 a good (or bad) idea in the 7.62 x 39mm cartridge?

[GhostHawk]

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/7383/default.html

Information is there, but I think I'd be pretty cautious!

In my brief reading I did not see an entry for 7.62x39. And it did not work well in the .30-30 according to the guy who tested it.
I quoted relevant points below from that article. I'd read the whole thing 3 times before I'd consider using it.

Good luck!

"The main thing to remember about IMR7383 is that it is a HIGH ENERGY TRIPLE BASE PROPELLANT that goes by different rules of loading density than the normal single and double base propellants that we are normally used to"

"There are at least three lots of IMR7383 that I know of and their characteristic are all different, so what goes for one lot will not work for another and it is a good idea to start off conservatively using IMR4064 loading data."

[groovy mike]

never used that powder but have had good results with 2400, R7, and 3031

[Tatume]

"The main thing to remember about IMR7383 is that it is a HIGH ENERGY TRIPLE BASE PROPELLANT that goes by different rules of loading density"

http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html


IMR7383 This is a slow burning stick powder … It is a very bulky, single-based powder, composed of 85% nitrocellulose and 15% stabilizers, flash inhibitors and graphite …

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?273929-IMR-7383-conflicting-information

[GhostHawk]

Tatume, I agree, it is not often when people do not agree on what a powder IS.
There seems to be some controversy on this one. Reason enough for me to leave it where it lies.

When it comes down to this kind of a peeing match, it is all about who you believe.

[Maven]

GhostHawk, Shady Grady posted an analysis of IMR 7383 directly from a U.S. Army propellant manual. To wit, it is by no means a high energy or triple based propellant, though it does contain nitroguanadine. It is mostly nitrocellulose. If you wish to read SG's posts on 7383, try this search engine: https://cse.google.com/cse/home?cx=001951264366462437169:ggn3vg-bjum

[Elkins45]

The scariness of this powder seems to decrease as bore size increases.

[Hamish]

I agree wholeheartedly! This is a scarey-warey powder!! Everyone needs to leave it alone until after I lay in a double lifetime supply,,,,,,,


It just never ceases to amaze how a little bit of time will pass and it's like everything is forgotten,,,,

[GhostHawk]

TY Maven!

Personally I have been having very good luck playing with Red Dot, and I have enough that I can shoot for at least 3 years before replacing it.

[madsenshooter]

Lots of fellows playing with this stuff. When using a magnum primer, a case full of powder gives me black smoke and unburnt grains. I have boosted it a bit and got grey smoke, no unburned grains. Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWABZVN1w1A Y'all see any black smoke or anything that resembles muzzle flash? I'd say use it right or don't mess with it.