Number 5 Cordite
Does anyone know what modern powder would be a good replacemant for Number 5 Cordite, would it be a equal amount,volume.
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I don't know what the burning rate of #5 Cordite is, or what cartridge it's used in?
From all I read over the years the most commonly available U.S. powder used to replicate loads for the old British cartridges loaded with Cordite, is 3031. This has to be done very very carefully on a trial and error basis. As the physical characteristics of Cordite and 3031 are completely different, weight and volume wouldn't be the same.
The best point to start would be to find a common U.S. cartridge with a similar capacity and bullet weight/diameter as the Brit cartridge. Use the 3031 data for this cartridge to very very carefully work up your loads.0 -
336paulm,
From The Reloading and Competition Forum:
"I am wanting to load some blanks for a Greener Harpoon Gun, Mr. Greener advised me that the original blanks were loaded with 14.5 of number 5 Cordite.Does anyone know what modern powder would be a good replacement for this ,I think it would have to be something slow burning that would build enough presure to shoot a 16oz. Harpoon dart about 50 yards.Any info. would be most helpfull and appreciated.
It was used in a necked down and crimped 38 special blank.
Thanks. Paul"
This is important information to have in order to attempt to provide an answer of any sort.
I don't recall the reference to a #5 Cordite either. If you want to share your #5 Cordite explanation with us with regard to the cartridge you're considering, we might be able to help some more.
A stable and reliable "smokeless" propellant was invented in the form of Cordite, a hybrid of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. Cordite was developed by Prof. Sir Frederick Abel working with Sir James Dewar, also contemporaries of Michael Faraday, at the Royal Institution, for the W.D. (British War Department) in 1889. The product was manufactured as a fine stranded extrusion.
Left top: Cordite
Center: .303 inch Rounds - various, with cardboard wad that is placed between strands of Cordite and bullet
Bottom: Black powder as used pre- Nitro-based propellants
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Mr. Greener with the Greener gun company told me they loaded their 38 blanks for the Greener Harpoon Gun with 14.5 of number 5 Cordite,I was just trying to find any info I could find to load some 38 blanks hot enough to shoot a 16oz. harpoon dart ( like the one in Jaws about 50 yards )Any help would be appreciated. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 336paulm
Mr. Greener with the Greener gun company told me they loaded their 38 blanks for the Greener Harpoon Gun with 14.5 of number 5 Cordite,I was just trying to find any info I could find to load some 38 blanks hot enough to shoot a 16oz. harpoon dart ( like the one in Jaws about 50 yards )Any help would be appreciated.
Given it's a handgun cartridge rather then rifle, I would start off by using a slow burning,( to reduce pressure ), and dense powder specifically made for use in handguns. Years back I use to use AA 9 for magnum loads in 10mm. It was one of the few powders that you could fill the 10 cartridge almost to the top, and seat a 135 grain bullet on it, still being within SAMMI pressures. If AA 9 doesn't work out, try some of the other A A powders such as AA 7 & AA 5 which are equally dense, but faster burning.0 -
Rufe
Somehow I get the feeling that #5 Cordite would have been used in something a little bigger, IE one of the 1 pounder type cartridges. IOW he's trying to launch a 7000gr bullet with a 38spl casefull of powder. Maybe something in the range of IMR 4895 to H-1000.
In doing a little googling, I see referance to Cordite diameters being from 1mm to 5mm with the 1mm being for revolvers, and the 5mm being for "heavy guns". IOW CANNON powder (5mm "cords" being .200 in diameter) Source: http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Cordite
Weather it's mm or decimal (per NN) the size in question is for cannon type cartridges.0 -
Well, after some consternation and searching, Cordite 5 is the British reference to a strand diameter measurement of 0.050" per strand. In general, the strands were cut to fill the length of the interior space nearly to the base of the bullet then tied in a bundle.
Double base propellants (nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin) burn very hot which contributed to washing out the rifling in early firearms through erosion.
"For Mark I cordite, these numbers were in 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) increments. For example, Cordite 30 meant Cordite Mark I extruded through a die having holes 0.300 inches (7.62 mm) in diameter. Cordite Mark I was first issued for 3-pdr, 6-pdr, 4.7-inch and 6-inch guns in 1893 and for 12-inch guns in May 1895. Generally, the larger the gun, the larger the cord sized used. For example, the 12" (30.5 cm) Mark VIII and IX guns used Cordite 50, the 6" (15.2 cm) guns used Cordite 30 and the Hotchkiss 3-pdr guns used Cordite 5."
- Naval Propellants by Tony DiGiulian
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I wouldn't touch this one with a ten foot pole or a five foot Italian! 0
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