Loading 7383 POWDER FOR 30-06

[anm2_man]

Since I'm new here after the conversion, can I get some input on this powder "7383 POWDER FOR 30-06".

I will be loading mostly 146grn M25 tracer.

Just looking for anybody's exprience !

Thx - Roger the ANM2_man.

Information

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[relics6165]

anm2_man:

It's probably not best as a newbie to send a guy to another forum, but you need to go to the AccurateReloading.com forums, register, and search it for 7383.

IMR 7383 is a TRIPLE base (NG, Nitrocellulose, and Nitroguanadine) powder designed for 50 cal Spotter Tracer rounds. It burns slowly, and was designed to burn at about 38,000psi. It is known to not burn completely in light loads, and it is known to get very peaky, very quickly, in compressed loads. Standard loads mimic IMR 4350 in loading data, but if you are not a VERY careful reloader, that can spot problems quickly, IMR 7383 may not be your powder.

There is NO published data that I know of, just data derived by careful experimentation by some dedicated (maybe a little crazy) handloaders!

AND, it's reported to be a pretty good powder in 3006!

HTH

[mousegun]

Unless 7383 was obtained at 24 bux a jug, it probably isn't worth the effort to try to get it to work.

Nevertheless, as relics said, there is information on this powder but not reloading manual data. It should not be used unless advanced methods (chrony, powder scales, etc.) are available. There is a seminal compilation of experiments collected by Roger Bartsche that he sent to me with permission to disseminate a coupla years ago. I'll have to dig it up -- it's buried on my notebook somewhere.

Here's a synopsis of what I remember:

This powder gets cranky when compressed. Don't push much past very mild compression on .30-06 type cases. Pressure spikes fast and destructively if loads are pushed.

Typical velocities reported for .30-06 loads are in the 2400-2600 fps region for a case full of 7383 and 150-165 gr. bullets.

The powder gives off an ammonia odor when fired.

It's relatively dirty (sooty).

This powder doesn't like light bullets much.

I won't quote charge weights for this stuff because density varies quite a bit with powder lot. Fill a .30-06 case to the bullet base without compression and weigh the charge. Back off five to eight percent for a starting load.

The correct load is found when there is little or no unburned powder in the bore. Go any higher and pressure can spike! Do not try for full velocity for the caliber and weight! Stop when there is little or no unburned powder in the bore!

Very good accuracy is reported with loads developed this way.

Standard or magnum primers can be used. Adjust charge for best powder burn but watch for pressure signs.

Mixed results are reported for cast loads. One reloader reported exceptional results with 7383 and cast in a K-31.

There are reports of carbon buildup in the throat region of the bore. Keep track of the bore condition and watch for pressure signs during an extended string.

YOUR MILEAGE WILL VARY!!

[Matt Anthony]

I was thinking about using this powder in my 30-06's, but after reading the post by mousegun, I decided that as he stated, if you didn't get it dirt cheap then it's really not worth the bother.
I guess one could look at the purpose of the powder and determine that it wasn't made for the 30-06 in the first place, so why push the button!
Thanks for the good info on this powder.

[anm2_man]

I agree, Thx for filling us in. I will cancel my order.