Does anyone know of a chart that shows powder weight in grains (smokeless) per cubic inch? Trying to find some bulky powder loads for several cases to cut velocity, yet keep load densities up.

Prof,
Hi-Tech Ammunition has a military surplus powder called IMR 7383. It's very bulky and works best at 98 to 100 percent load density. It runs $24/7 lb. jug and Hi-Tech will cover the HAZ/MAT fee if you buy a 4 jug case.
I use this powder in several different calibers and have had good results with it. There are no known comparisons, so you'll have to work up your load. I'd suggest starting with 95 percent density and go up slow from there.
I use it in .223, .243, .270, .308, 30-06, 8MM & .45-70.

I have a powder speed chart that has densities listed,Got it from Handloaders Digest.7383
can be used, but don't use with max weight
bullets in calibers you are doing.Ed.

Ed,
With all due respect, my intention is not to contradict you, but simply to respond with my experience with this powder.
The heaviest bullets I have pushed with 7383 are as follows:
.243-100 gr.
.270-150 gr.
.308-150 gr.
30.06-173 gr.
8MM-245 gr. hard cast (not a typo)
45.70-500 gr. hard cast
After learning how this powder works and responds under presssure or lack thereof, I have developed some very nice loads with it.

"[QUOTE]Originally posted by Puncher:
Prof,
Hi-Tech Ammunition has a military surplus powder called IMR 7383."

There is a lot of evidence that 7383 can pose a real danger when approaching what you think is a max. load. There is a fairly lengthy study done on 7383. Why anybody would generally recommend this powder knowing that there have been problems with it really puzzles me. And it is a mystery why such was done on this thread.

Prof 242,
To get back to your question, Lee manuals and their website have a volume measure density chart. It is in CC rather in inch².
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

Puncher- Like in your 45-70 the 500 gr should be max with 7383, but shouldn't use 600 and 700
gr bullets.It is a powder that if held to long
in chamber due to real heavy bullets, with
extra pressure, heat, turbulance involved,the
powder deterent coatings and structure changes
to fast and it isn't acting as the same powder,
with same burn rate, but goes to a fster burn rate,with pressures skyrocketing.Ed.

Prof 242,
Tell us more about what you are wishing to accomplish.

Are you wishing just to find some low velocity, low recoil loads for your typical hunting rifle cartridges? If so, many of the Speer reloading manuals list reduced loads with IMR 4198 or SR 4759 in rifle cartridges. SR 4759, while being a fairly fast powder, has an extremely low bulk density, & therefor fills a rifle case much more than the modest charge wieghts would indicate.

I have had little success trying to make low velocity loads with slow powders, which would fill the case full. For example, I have tried loading the 30-06 in bullet weights from 150 to 220 gr with H870. In some cases, with the lighter bullets, I felt the need to check the bore to make sure the previous bullet had actually exited the barrel, before I would shoot the next load. Even with the 220 gr bullets, H870 would still not burn properly. I was able to remove what appeared to be totally unburned powder granules from the bore and empty cartridge after firing.

The slower powders require a certain expansion ratio, and enough bullet weight to increase pressure to a point at which efficient ignition may occur.

I hope this information helps you reach your goals in your reloading.

Ed,
I agree with all you said. That's EXACTLY why this powder must be used carefully and the load worked up SLOWLY, especially with large, heavy bullets.

Roger,
I respect your reservations and advice to use caution. However, The EXPERIENCED handloader KNOWS to proceed with caution when using a "blind" powder. I understand and remember the lengthy thread that was generated sometime back about this controversial powder. The fact is, there are many handloaders that use this powder successfully in a variety of calibers, bullet types, weights and materials.
With all due respect, after burning somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 pounds of this stuff in over a half dozen calibers, I feel I have a fairly decent understanding of it.

"

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:
Does anyone know of a chart that shows powder weight in grains (smokeless) per cubic inch? Trying to find some bulky powder loads for several cases to cut velocity, yet keep load densities up.

"

I too have traveled this road and 4759 is as stated a good choice. There is however, an interesting option or alternative. Following the lead of Seafire the powders like Blue Dot when smartly used produce some great results yielding modest velocities, acceptable accuracy and cool barrels that will ware a lot slower. Full cases don't seem to be important.

Hubel 458 knows what he is talking about when he advises you about 7383. A number of us who used and experimented with this powder came to the same or similar findings and conclusions. I think the $24.00/ 7lbs moves people to WANT to overlook the down side of this potetial snake in the grass. You won't hear the rattle before this one bites.

Thanks for the replies. Will look into that Lee chart for powders in CCs.

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:
Thanks for the replies. Will look into that Lee chart for powders in CCs.

One nice thing about using CCs is that it is easy to fill a case with water to the desired load level, then pour the water into a syringe and have an easy read on the case's capacity. Then ya just gotta find a powder that has the grains you need that fit the CCs measured.

Good luck!

Listed Bulk Density, as advertized or otherwise estimated is usually in grams per cubic centimeter because a cc of water equals 1. Metallic Cartridge Reloading third edition has a chart for canister powders.
Accurate Arms 5744 is a low bulk density powder suitable for cowboy action type loads.

The old black Lee scoop set was calibrated in inches³.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross