[Jaywalker]

I'm looking at a new way to evaluate external ballistics, and I could use your help in getting the facts. I need some real data, not the optimistic published data.

To start, I just need the real amount of powder contained in a factory case of the cartridges listed below. If you also have a chronographed factory load and can tell me the weight of powder in it, that would be best. I'll settle for the powder weight, though.

The velocities and weights I've listed below are a starting point - I'd like to get the real data from people who use factory loads.


Cartr Bullet Vel PdrWt Bbl
243 100 2850 36 22
270 130 2883 53 22
7mm-08 140 2715 45 22
7mm RM 175 2800 61 24
30-06 150 2850 53 22
300 WinM 180 3100 77 26
338 225 2797 78 24
375 270 2669 70 24
375 300 2498 70 24


Thanks,
Jaywalker

[Mal H]

Which factory? The individual cartridge makers (Federal, Remington, Win, etc.) will use different powders and therefore different weights. Also, knowing the powder weight really tells you very little about the charge itself since most manufacturers don't necessarily use cannister powders, but will order a blend from their powder suppliers. Even if publicly available powders were used, it is hard to tell which one is being used by examining it; guesses are dangerous. It is also dangerous to attempt to use a particular powder weight of an unknown powder with a known powder.

If you are asking for the weight simply to refine the calculations of the total weight ejected from the barrel, then that is a different matter and the above advice can be ignored.

[Jaywalker]

Mal H: If you are asking for the weight simply to refine the calculations of the total weight ejected from the barrel, then that is a different matter and the above advice can be ignored. This is indeed the case, at least initially. At this point, all I need is the weight - if I could have the weight and a chronographed bullet velocity, that would be best, but I'll live with the weight.

One proviso I should have mentioned: any velocity reports need to be from solid breeches only - bolt, lever, slide, single-shot.

Thanks,
Jaywalker