Loading surplus 844?

[Droppin Deuces]

Anyone have a resource for data on loading surplus 844?

I just ordered a couple jugs of this stuff thinking I'd be able to find some numbers on it. Of course, I have yet to find those numbers

Any help would be HUGELY appreciated.

[Low-Pressure]

From what I've seen it is supposed to cross reference loading data for H335. Start on the low side and work your way up.

[kylemurdoc]

+1 H335
Check out these sites:

http://www.hi-techammo.com/hitech.zkb?root&GENMENU61&object-menu6

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=278|283|999

http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

[Droppin Deuces]

Thanks guys! I can always count on this place for great info

[rg1]

Surplus powders DO vary in burn rate. You might buy an 8 lb jug from one supplier that may max out with 55 fmj's at 24.5 grains or less and a jug from another supplier or lot number and you'd need 26 or more for the same velocity and pressure. You HAVE to work up each new lot of surplus powder and a chronograph is a good tool for helping work up loads. I no longer feel surplus powders are worth the effort with 8 lbs of surplus 844 going for $85-$100 while a cannister factory powder like H335 can be found for about $128 per jug and it will be consistent from lot to lot, plenty of reliable data available, and you know how old it is and how it's been handled. Plus it involves shooting some of your powder and bullets, spent primers, and a trip or two to a range for testing. That will eat into any money you might have saved.
Here's a link to the only info I've seen with surplus military powders. Warning, start low and work up. I'd reduce their start charges 10% and work up carefully. Use this info at your own risk! WC 844 is similiar to H335 and some use H335 START data to work up 844 loads.

http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt220/medalguy/powder%20chart/scanpowderchart_0001.jpg

[Droppin Deuces]

Surplus powders DO vary in burn rate. You might buy an 8 lb jug from one supplier that may max out with 55 fmj's at 24.5 grains or less and a jug from another supplier or lot number and you'd need 26 or more for the same velocity and pressure. You HAVE to work up each new lot of surplus powder and a chronograph is a good tool for helping work up loads. I no longer feel surplus powders are worth the effort with 8 lbs of surplus 844 going for $85-$100 while a cannister factory powder like H335 can be found for about $128 per jug and it will be consistent from lot to lot, plenty of reliable data available, and you know how old it is and how it's been handled. Plus it involves shooting some of your powder and bullets, spent primers, and a trip or two to a range for testing. That will eat into any money you might have saved.
Here's a link to the only info I've seen with surplus military powders. Warning, start low and work up. I'd reduce their start charges 10% and work up carefully. Use this info at your own risk! WC 844 is similiar to H335 and some use H335 START data to work up 844 loads.
http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/t...chart_0001.jpg

I appreciate the info. Thanks a lot. The range I go to does have a Chrono station, so that won't be a problem, and I have the equipment to make test rounds at the range. You're right, though, it's probably going to be more of a pain than it's worth in the end. I'm just going to work up the right loads for this batch of powder and and make plinking rounds, so accuracy and consistency aren't too important.

Thanks again for the info!

[Triple R Munitions]

25gr of WC844 for 55gr
24gr of WC844 for 62gr.

Both loads are at the "higher" end. will show slight signs of Primer flow, but for blasting its good to go.

R

[Gunsrruss]

844

I used 24.5gr of 844 for my 69gr Sierra's. Never had a problem. OAL was 2.255

[Droppin Deuces]

Ah, good to know. Thanks to both of you for the info. All of this is being added to my notes so I have a ballpark cartridge to start with.

Thanks again!