Surplus Powder Question

[bergmen]

Some time ago (a few years) I started stocking up for eventual reloading for my M1A. I bought bags of 147 grain FMJs from pull-downs as well as two 8lb containers of WC 846 powder from the same pull-downs (7.62 x 51 NATO).

I have decided to forgo reloading for the M1A for the time being but my son needs powder and bullets to reload for his M1 Garand.

I have found a few anecdotal reports of use of WC 846 (comparable to BL-C2 according to a few sources) but nothing really authoritative.

Any advice here? Not sure where to look for good info in this regard. My son is very good at reloading for hi Garand and may want to try out the WC 846. I will start him off with one of the containers if I can advise him on good data.

Thanks for any help!

Dan

[highpower790]

From the Army Ammunition Data Sheets TM 43-0001-27
In 7.62mm ball wc846 has a load of 46gr with a 146gr bullet.
The closest load in 06 is AP incendiary with 50gr of wc852.
I have used both powders,and would have a starting load the same as 7.62(46gr),a light load for sure ,but many of my 100 & 200yd loads are light just to have something for offhand that doesnt hurt the shoulder too much.

[bergmen]

From the Army Ammunition Data Sheets TM 43-0001-27
In 7.62mm ball wc846 has a load of 46gr with a 146gr bullet.
The closest load in 06 is AP incendiary with 50gr of wc852.
I have used both powders,and would have a starting load the same as 7.62(46gr),a light load for sure ,but many of my 100 & 200yd loads are light just to have something for offhand that doesnt hurt the shoulder too much.

This is excellent information, thanks! I did some more digging and found much the same as you indicate here.

I am still in the process of working up an accuracy load for my Browning X-Bolt in .308 Winchester. I should do a comparison of WC 846 vs. W748 (no need for maximum ballistics for me, I don't hunt anymore).

Looks like 45-46 grains (for both powders) would be a good starting point. Most of my bullets have lead in them so I can escape being a hunting criminal by firing them into the berm at our local range.

So far, no recommendations for 30-06 (Garand). So, it looks like I may keep this powder for myself. My son has a .243 so maybe I'll look up loads for that for him.

Dan

[highpower790]

That load of 46gr in 308 should be considered max!
If used in a Garand provided it is 308,that same data can be used.
In 06 Garand,I think a starting load would be 46-48gr.

[bergmen]

That load of 46gr in 308 should be considered max!
If used in a Garand provided it is 308,that same data can be used.
In 06 Garand,I think a starting load would be 46-48gr.

So, should I go down to 42-44 grains of WC 846 in the .308? Just interested in consistent accuracy @ 100 yards.

I can recommend a starting load of 46 grains to my son in the 30-06 and suggest he can go to 48 grains if need be.

Thanks again!

Dan

[TFA777]

I used wc844 (h335 equivalent) with no issues. American reloading has 308 bulk powder (mp380 or something)

No real issues with them, not particularly dirty, only issue is you have to work up a load with only 1 point of data.

Commercial powder also varies lot to lot and you have to work up a load too even with the same powder but different lots, so in the grand scheme of things nothing wrong with OEM powder.

Just getting the same powder is a crapshoot. Am reloading keeps changing the powder they have and once it's done they seem to bring a new powder out.

[Cowboy T]

WC846 is BL-C(2), but before they blend the different lots. My lot of WC-846 seems to be just a tick faster than canister BL-C(2), so my .308 Win load using my particular lot is a couple of grains below the max load for the canister version. That's where I got my accuracy node, and I'm not seeing pressure signs.

So, it's fine powder. You've just got to be responsible and work up your load, like we always ought to be doing anyway. :-)

[bergmen]

WC846 is BL-C(2), but before they blend the different lots. My lot of WC-846 seems to be just a tick faster than canister BL-C(2), so my .308 Win load using my particular lot is a couple of grains below the max load for the canister version. That's where I got my accuracy node, and I'm not seeing pressure signs.

So, it's fine powder. You've just got to be responsible and work up your load, like we always ought to be doing anyway. :-)

Excellent advice! I am after accuracy so I don't mind starting low. Not hunting anymore so I'm not after maximum ballistics, just consistent accuracy.

I'll report what I find out (it will be a few weeks, I have several other load experiments in the works right now).

Dan