The resent invention relates to a method for producing propellant charges with progressive combustion characteristic and a higher charge density than previously considered possible to achieve, intended in the first instance for direct-firing barrel weapons such as tank cannons. Combined in the charge that is characteristic of the invention are at least two radially perforated propellant tubes (10-12, 28-30, 48-52) which are arranged in their entirety inside or after one another, which process, at an e-dimension selected in relation to the actual type of propellant and its desired combustion characteristic, combustion or ignition channels (2, 19-21, 37), and which have circular outer and inner boundary surfaces, in conjunction with which, before initiation of the charge, at least one of the total number of outer surfaces of these propellant tubes that are available for initiation has been treated with an inhibition, surface treatment or surface coating (13-18, 33-36) intended to delay the propagation of ignition to that surface, so that the combustion of the propellant tubes is partially mutually overlapping and taken together, gives rise to a maximum propellant gas pressure behind a projectile fired with the charge from the barrel in question, which pressure, for the entire passage of the projectile through the barrel, lies close to the applicable Pmop value for the barrel (the maximum operational pressure, i.e. the highest barrel pressure that can be permitted continuously).