Kind of a continuation from a former thread about 7383 loading results:
Rifle 98 Mauser Scout,19" barrel. 100 yds.
Load 7mmX57, case RP,Primjer WLR, 39.5 gr. 7383
1. 175gr. PSP ----Mild,2" group
2. 160gr. Sierra PSP Mild, Clean 2" group
3. 154gr. RN, mild 2" group
4. 150gr. Winchester PSP. better than 1" group rifle was hot.
Rifle 98 Mauser .308 100 yds. 24 power scope
Load41.5gr 7383 case f.c. match, primer WLR
1.150gr. FP(30-30) 2" group
2.148.5gr. selected crimped 3 shot 1" group
3.168gr FMJBT Golden West 3/4" group
Rifle Belgin Mauser 30-06 4X scope
Load 51.3gr. 7383,caseTW52mil. primer WLR
1.110gr. FMJRN 2 1/2" group some unburned powder
2.125 PSP 4 shots touching " " "
3. 150gr. FMJBT Golden West Fantastic
4. 168gr. FMJBT Golden West mild 2" group.
I haven't set up my Ohler yet and my 2 chronies are junk.The charges are not near max. With the low density of the powder it would be hard to over load. I think it is great stuff.

Thanks for the info. Where'd you get those 168 gr. Golden West FMJBTs? Sounds like they might be the same bullets I got the last 1000 of from Hi-Tech a while back. (I'd like to find more.)

I was told that IMR 7383 was a slow and dirty powder and was given to understand that its burning rate would not be adaptable to cartridges like the 7x57 and '06. Of course, if somebody told me this, it must be right!

Please post your chronographed velocities when available. What powders would you compare 7383 to?

In .30-06 and .22-250 it seems quite comparable to 4350, but you can't load enough in the case to get to full loads due to its low bulk density. It's "dirty" only in cases that won't burn it efficiently, like the .45-70. There it about matches blackpowder velocities with compressed loads, and spills half-burned powder kernels all over the place.

IMR-7383?? What's this never heard of it.
Is this NEW??

No. It's a special powder that was only used in one application: The .50 cal spotter rifle cartridge. The spotter rifle was mounted on the tube of a 106mm recoilless rifle and fired a tracer/incendiary bullet designed to match the trajectory of the 106mm round. When a hit was achieved with the .50, the 106 was fired. The cartridge is a cut-down .50 BMG, about half-length on the body behind the shoulder. Fired an 833 grain bullet at something like 1800 FPS. (I don't have the data in front of me.) It was first loaded with IMR 4831 powder, according to the Army ammo spec sheets. They switched to 7383, which gave the same ballistics with 110 grains as 4831 gave with 120, at a slightly higher pressure. (38K PSI vs. 35K.) That's all the published data there is.

As I said earlier, 7383's a bulky powder that won't load as densely in the case as most IMR powders.

It is possible to overload it in Magnums, so be careful. There's a guy on this board who managed to blow up a Weatherby chambered for 6.5mm/.300 Weatherby using 7383. Dunno where he got his load data; the charge he reported using was at least 1/3 more than any sane person would use of 4350 in a 6.5mm of that case size.

From my limited experience in .22-250 and .30-06, and what others have reported, it sounds like for most medium size rifle cartridges with medium weight bullets the proper load of 7383's what the case will hold. But use some common sense, please.

NotRicochet,
I am just getting ready to order an 8-pound keg of this powder. I am hoping to use it in cast with 30-30, 7-30, and 270. I have heard that 4064 data is good for starting loads. Does this sound about right? Don't want to put you on the spot. If indeed it is 4350 burn rate, than maybe the 4064 start data might work? I ain't looking for blistering velocity with the cast, just 1600-2000 fps, or there abouts. Any thoughts? Thanks...BCB

BCB, I ordered #7 for the same reason you mentioned. However, I soon discovered it isn't particularly clean burning or especially consistent at lower pressure/velocity loading densities. On the other hand, it is almost the same as IMR 4350 in the .243Win. and the .30-06 with jacketed bullets: Velocity is within 200fps. of what the latest Lyman reloading guide states. Be forwarned, though, it's bulkier than 4350 and shows signs of pressure in the aforementioned cartridges before 4350 does. I.e., be careful if you use Max. loading data for 4350 and 7383 interchangeably. ...Maven

Paul,
Thanks for the info. I won't be using any max or near max loads with this stuff. I like those slow burners with cast, as I guess you might since you also purchased some of this powder for the same use I am hoping to achieve. A bit of "dirt" ain't a problem, but inconsistency might be? I guess I will just have to give it a try and see. Again, I have heard 4064 data for this powder. Do you think this would be too conservative and maybe not allow for a "good" loading density with this powder? I am only looking for velocities of 1800 fps or less. Thanks...BCB

[quote" Where'd you get those 168 gr. Golden West FMJBTs? "
They're made not far from where I SIT.2301 Chico Ave #5 S. El Monte CA 91733. E Mail goldenpark308@aol.com Tel 626-454-4585. So far the 150gr. are the better of the 2. Just drive down and fill up tour truck for $45.00/k

Comparing this powder to another might be missleading as it's density is so different to anything near it's burning rate. It's kind of a step slower than 4064 but faster than 4350. By weight, more 4350 will fit into a given volume than will 7383. And yes it is a little dirty but not as bad as some I've used.I'll be playing with it for some time. At least until we get rid of 28#. roger

BCB, Yes you can safely use 4064 data with IMR 7383, but it will be rather slow and dirty. I too rarely push CB's beyond 1,800fps, but other powders, e.g., 4198, 5744, 2015BR, VV N133, and milsurp WC860 (mag. primer, but no filler) and milsurp IMR 5010 (both filler & mag. primer required) are better suited to that purpose. Save the 7383 for jacketed bullets and high velocity loads. ...Maven

Thanks to all who replied. I ordered a keg of the IMR-7383 so I will be giving it a try in the near future. At the price of it, if it works for cast, well, O.K. If it doesn't then I will try it in a few of the jacketed loads that I still shoot from time to time. They are getting less and less since I have discovered surplus powders and casting my own slugs! Have good and safe Holidays...BCB

Bartsche/Roger, No, I haven't been able to get as much 7383 into either the .243Win. or .30-06 cases as I could 4350. In fact, the problem is worse if you're using boat-tails since the powder extrudes upward past the tapered bases. Also, my last outing with the '06 was with both 4350 and 7383 and some 125gr. Sierra SP's. 55grs. 4350 took up much less space than 7383, which was a compressed load. As I had only 5 rounds of the former and chrono. problems to boot, I'll say the 4350 -> ~2,550fps whereas 55grs. 7383 -> 2,697 (SD = 22fps; ES = 77; n = 11). Accuracy for both powders was excellent, i.e., < 1 m.o.a. ...Maven

True point, bartsche. (I'd have to put the 7383 through a coffee grinder to get it to pack tighter.)
BCB, best performance with the 7383 in my .308's is with a full to the neck + charge. Leading and recoil haven't been problems with heavy (188 - 192 gr) cast bullets at +/- 2000 fps. A grain difference in charge wt doesn't seem to make much difference in velocity. I've noticed more spread in velocity with temperature difference (warm day vs. cold day) and with different barrel lengths. (Jacket bullets seem to find an additional 150 fps.) In the past I've limited my cast velocities to 1800 fps to avoid leading - and my neck and shoulder don't like excessive kick - but we lucked out with the 7383. If you insist on 1800 fps with this powder and a clean burn then instead of reducing the charge (a full case is already a reduced charge in .308) use an extra short carbine when ambient is below freezing.
cukrus