Where can I find pressure profiles?

Tom A · July 3, 2001, 12:16 AM

As part of learning the reloading trade, I thought it might be interesting to look at plots or tables of pressure(PSI) vs. time for some common rifle cartridges and powders, say .30-06 and IMR4064. It would be especially interesting to see when the pressure peaks occur for fast and slow powders and light and heavy bullets.

Has anyone seen information like that anywhere (or maybe have some stashed away somewhere)?

Archie · July 3, 2001, 01:57 AM

What you want requires special equipment.

Oehler Laboratories makes such equipment. The whole kit is a couple grand. (Haven't looked for a couple years....)

There is a book called "Pressure Factors in Firearms" by Wolfe press that make give you some answers. Not your direct answer, but what influences pressure and how it is calculated.

If you live in the L. A. basin area, contact me. I do have a rudimentary pressure meter you might find useful.

Tom A · July 4, 2001, 12:31 AM

Archie,

Thanks for the kind offer - but I'm way up here in the Northlands of the Wonder State.

I seem to recall the Oehler system used a strain gauge? For that I think you need chamber/barrel dimensions, elasticity of the steel (was that Young's modulus?), and using the observed "stretch" of the barrel calculate pressure - an indirect measurement.

Seems like a more direct measure using piezoelectric transducers would be more accurate - and that someone somewhere must have already done it.

I'll see if I can find that book you mentioned...

July 3, 2001, 12:16 AM	#1
Tom A Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: CA, USA Posts: 67	Where can I find pressure profiles? As part of learning the reloading trade, I thought it might be interesting to look at plots or tables of pressure(PSI) vs. time for some common rifle cartridges and powders, say .30-06 and IMR4064. It would be especially interesting to see when the pressure peaks occur for fast and slow powders and light and heavy bullets. Has anyone seen information like that anywhere (or maybe have some stashed away somewhere)?

July 3, 2001, 01:57 AM	#2
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Pressure profiles... What you want requires special equipment. Oehler Laboratories makes such equipment. The whole kit is a couple grand. (Haven't looked for a couple years....) There is a book called "Pressure Factors in Firearms" by Wolfe press that make give you some answers. Not your direct answer, but what influences pressure and how it is calculated. If you live in the L. A. basin area, contact me. I do have a rudimentary pressure meter you might find useful. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

July 4, 2001, 12:31 AM	#3
Tom A Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: CA, USA Posts: 67	Archie, Thanks for the kind offer - but I'm way up here in the Northlands of the Wonder State. I seem to recall the Oehler system used a strain gauge? For that I think you need chamber/barrel dimensions, elasticity of the steel (was that Young's modulus?), and using the observed "stretch" of the barrel calculate pressure - an indirect measurement. Seems like a more direct measure using piezoelectric transducers would be more accurate - and that someone somewhere must have already done it. I'll see if I can find that book you mentioned...