New to me IMR 7383

[TCLouis]

Bartlett got some 820 and 7383 in so I used the 7383 to balance out the box.

Now that I look I am wondering what I will do with the 7383.
Whenever I applied the math that was suggested for this powder, it matched the starting load for 4064 in every case I tried it (coated bullets).

For coated bullets I am thinking 257, 257 AI, 6.5X57, 30-06, 7.7X58, is the 222 too small?
For boolits I am thinking 6.5X50, 308, 30-06, 7.7X58.

Any and all suggestions appreciated via the site or PMs.

I thought that guy up in East Tennessee did a bunch of work/postings with this powder, but I can't seem to find much information now.

[Jim]

TC,
I've been using 7383 for a few years now, and have figured out a coupla things about that powder. I've found that it works well in bottlenecks at close to 100% case capacity. What I'm calling case capacity is what the case will hold with the bullet of choice seated.
I'll take a sacrifice case, seat the bullet of choice and drill the primer pocket through with a 1/4" bit. I stand the case up on the bullet, put a funnel over it and pour powder in it untill the case is full to the bottom of the web. That's my interpretation of 100% case capacity.
I pour the powder back out onto my scale and weigh it. I multiply that charge by .95 and that's my starting load. I never have high pressures at that start. I work up 1 grain at a time from there, watching carefully for pressure signs, 'till I find my sweet spot.
This stuff is a kind of wierd powder. It doesn't like compression in bottlenecks, but does real well under compression in straight walls like the .45-70. I even managed to work up a compressed load for it for .45 Colt. I would never have believed that myself if somebody else were to tell me that before I tried it.
Be very careful with large capacity cases like .30-06 and bigger. The pressure spike can occur very suddenly as you progress upward with your charge weights. I'd suggest that if you're going to try this powder in bigger bottlenecks, once you hit about 98% capacity, increase your charge weights by .5 grains at a time.
This powder will light with standard primers, but I've found that the magnum primers light it much better. I quit trying to light it with standard primers about 3 years ago.
One more thing to look for as a sign that you have or are about to hit the spike is complete burn. If your situation allows, shoot from a rest that you can leave the rifle on after firing. Fire your test shot, remove the bolt and see if there are any unburned particles laying in the barrel. Do not use this as your only indicator. Check each primer carefully as you progress your load charges. If you're still not getting totally flattened primers and the unburned particle count drops to almost nothing, you're at the threshold of the sweet spot.
Go slow, stay observant, be careful and enjoy.

[Maven]

"One more thing to look for as a sign that you have or are about to hit the spike is complete burn. If your situation allows, shoot from a rest that you can leave the rifle on after firing. Fire your test shot, remove the bolt and see if there are any unburned particles laying in the barrel. Do not use this as your only indicator. Check each primer carefully as you progress your load charges. If you're still not getting totally flattened primers and the unburned particle count drops to almost nothing, you're at the threshold of the sweet spot."

Jim, This is an excellent suggestion, which will help 7383 fans come to grips with a somewhat mercurial propellant.

[Ricochet]

I thought that guy up in East Tennessee did a bunch of work/postings with this powder, but I can't seem to find much information now.
You may be talking about me. I have posted a bunch about this stuff.

I haven't tried it in .223 (I don't have a .222), but have used a lot in .22-250. My batch with 55 or 60 grain bullets gives not much more than high end .223 ballistics with mildly compressed loads. Around 3350 FPS with the 60 grain Hornady TAP Barrier bullets, around 3450 with 55 grain flat base FMJ spitzers from a 26" Savage. Case filled to the bottom of the neck. I was actually dipping cases in the powder and filling to the mouth until I ruined a few cases by catching powder between the case mouth and bullet base. Didn't see pressure problems in the .22-250, but it didn't give any more velocity and I hate to ruin a case.

This powder has carbon black in it and is jet black all the way through the grains. It also leaves a rock hard "carbon ring" in the throat of barrels that's quite hard to clean out and will "choke" down bullets if inadequately removed, ruining accuracy. Pay attention to cleaning the throat end of the barrel extra well.

[swheeler]

Bartlett got some 820 and 7383 in so I used the 7383 to balance out the box.

Now that I look I am wondering what I will do with the 7383.
Whenever I applied the math that was suggested for this powder, it matched the starting load for 4064 in every case I tried it (coated bullets).

For coated bullets I am thinking 257, 257 AI, 6.5X57, 30-06, 7.7X58, is the 222 too small?
For boolits I am thinking 6.5X50, 308, 30-06, 7.7X58.

Any and all suggestions appreciated via the site or PMs.

I thought that guy up in East Tennessee did a bunch of work/postings with this powder, but I can't seem to find much information now.

TCL; at 24.00 for a 7 lb jug it made a great order filler. I've tested it for jacketed in the 223,270,7mmRem mag, 308 and 30/06. It is too slow a powder for 223, 23grs-case full-gave average of 2369fps with 55 win bullet and left plenty rat droppings. In working up a load with 150 gr bullet in the 270, 1 gr charge increase went from what appeared to be normal pressure to a smoked primer. It was very consistant and accurate in the 30/06 with case full but velocity was 150-200 fps lower than with a max load of the correct canister powder. Now for what I did different from what I see posted, I used std primers(I did test with mag primers too) in all loadings and used it in reduced loadings for cast bullets WITH DACRON filler. I believe my 7383 came from Hi Tech(no lot number) and it came with a warning about do not underload this powder because of flash over- hence the dacron. I've shot cast and 7383 in 308,06,7.5x55,8x57 and the 30/40 krag, probably a few more too. I still load the 30/40 Krag with 200 gr Lee, dacron, std lr primer and 7383 @ 39 grs- 1988fps for my hunting load.
the above Krag 24'bbl-2.965oal
37.0+dac- 1860-82F
38.0+dac-1943-82F
39.0+dac-1988-82F

[sundog]

30-06, 168 BTHP, standard LR primer, 50.0/7383, bullet seated to touch but not compress powder column. VERY consistent 2395 fps with single digit SD and ES in the teens. VERY accurate for High Power at 200 yrds. Cleaning required multiple patches to remove heavy black fouling. Copper fouling almost non existent.

Got a buddy that reported extremely low muzzle flash, same load as above, when night firing.

[Maven]

I've posted this long ago, but maybe it bears repeating. I've tried 7383 with 125gr. Sierra SP's (the only .30cal. j-word bullet I had on hand) against the same charge of IMR 4350 and got results that were similar to Sundog's:

.30-06 (22" bbl.) + 55gr. IMR 7383 + 125gr. Sierra SP + Win. LR primers -> 2,689 fps +-22; ES = 77.

As above, but with 55grs. IMR 4350 -> 2,545 fps +- 23; ES = 64.

Accuracy was 1 m.o.a. with both powders and no pressure signs were evident. Btw, I've never expererienced the heavy carbon deposits described in earlier posts.

[TCLouis]

Dang, Dang, Dang, . . . DANG ! ! !

From what I am reading here, . . .

I shoulda oughta just got a 4th jug of WC 820.

[Jim]

No, TC, you're OK. Don't panic. I saw stuff just like this when I got my first jug of 7383 and thought I screwed up big time. Relax, it's no big deal. It is a usable powder and you've got enough to last you some time for experimentation.

[redneckdan]

Anyone here ever try 7383 in the .375 holland and holland?

[wiljen]

Anyone here ever try 7383 in the .375 holland and holland?

there was a thread on that on the Cast bullet Association site.

[TCLouis]

[QUOTE=Ricochet;665123]You may be talking about me. I have posted a bunch about this stuff.

Yes I was talking about the guy in Upper East Tennessee now hiding out in the shadow avatar. I knew I had seen a lot of posts about this powder in the past under your posting.

My hope was 257 Roberts, 6.5X257 and lastly the aught six and 7.7X58.

Every load I see with 4831 and then I take off the 15% is the starting load for 4064 if a load is listed for that powder.

As dirty as you all say it is, my Ed's Red will have its work cut out for it.

[Buckshot]

http://fototime.com/FDDFA1CACB59CF8/standard.jpg

Above in a Swede Mauser.

http://fototime.com/3632D35A89B52A1/standard.jpg

M77 Ruger 30-'06 with 4-12 Bushnell scope, 100 yds.

I don't have any other data available to me as I'm at my folks' in Sierra Vista, AZ at the moment.

..............Buckshot

[Nobade]

I haven't tried it in the 375 H&H, but have in the 375 Chatfield-Taylor. It is too slow to build much pressure, but does shoot fairly well with 300 gr. bullets. With 250 gr, it burned too inconsistantly to be very accurate. I didn't chrono any loads with it, but would guesstimate they're around 1900-2000 fps.

It does work quite well in my 260 rem though, not top speed but very accurate with PMC 144gr. fmjs doing 2500 fps. 37.0gr. of it is my standard highpower silhouette load in that rifle.

[swheeler]

Dang, Dang, Dang, . . . DANG ! ! !

From what I am reading here, . . .

I shoulda oughta just got a 4th jug of WC 820.

I think you are correct! Send me the 7383 and I will dispose of it in a safe manner, I could probably even fork up haz-mat and shipping.

[Sur5er]

I think you are correct! Send me the 7383 and I will dispose of it in a safe manner, I could probably even fork up haz-mat and shipping.

NO, No, send it to me! I know I can come up with the HAZMAT/shipping.

[ammohead]

My hope was 257 Roberts, 6.5X257 and lastly the aught six and 7.7X58.


TC,

A 100% load as described by Jim in my 257 AI with 115 gr nosler ballistic tips gives sub moa (smallest was .625 for 5 shot group) and approx 2975 fps. Do work up slow as this stuff is peaky!

ammohead

[sundog]

Ref #6 above. Shot some more of that load yesterday in a very good condition scoped 03A3. Five shot groups are MOA @ 100 yds. In fact, one group was only three holes, a triple and two singles.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Figures...

We start getting some good data from shooters here, and the guy Pats get their powder from bumped the cost by about 300%. Went from $24 per 7lb can to $70 last month.

Rich
4-bore shooter

[Ricochet]

I was happy with it at $24 or even $28/7lbs, but no way I'll buy any more at $70. It's a decent, usable powder for a lot of rifle applications when it's cheap, but I don't think it's the best for ANYTHING.