Yet another WC846 question ...

[15thaf5thbw]

... and yes , I did search the Ammo and Reloading Forum for all WC846 posts but did not find the anwers to the questions I am seeking.

The Army's TM 43-0001-27 (technical manual ARMY AMMUNITION DATA SHEETS SMALL CALIBER AMMUNITION FSC 1305, rev 2005-10-18) cites an M80 round using a 146g FMJ-BT bullet and 46g of WC 846 achieving a velocity of 2750 FPS at 78ft from the muzzle (that's got to be closer to 2800 nearer to the muzzle where I usually measure using my chrony (~10-15ft).

One thread (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...&highlight=846) cites average FPS of 2819 using only 43.0g and a 147g FMJ-BT, and ... NATO Match Cases. So I'm thinking those cases must be pretty heavy ... like 190+. And that's with a COAL @ 2.865".

My questions are ...

1. Who has data on velocities with 46g of WC 846 and an FMJ-BT bullet of 145-to-147g? Please share.

2. Is a 46g charge a compressed load?

3. In general, how does WC 846 compare to the 4895 powders with respect to reloading? I've still got about 16lbs of RG4895 that I am using for 308 (M1A) loads (43.5g to 44.0g for a 150g FMJ-BT, depending on case weight), but I am thinking of getting a couple of 8lb jugs of WC 846 from Wideners while they still have it.

4. Also, some folks have cited using WC 846 for 223 rounds too. Is this a reasonable choice? I'm using RG4895 and IMR485 for both 308 and 223, so having another powder that works well and can be used for these 2 calibers would be nice.

Any insight/advice is most welcome.

[rg1]

Haven't loaded with WC 846 but recommendations are that it is similiar to BL-C2 in burn rate and to use BL-C2 start data to work up loads using WC 846. Works fine in .223 Rem but again working up from BL-C2 start data. Do not use data from the Army Ammunition data sheets. Every load I've compared would be dangerous with the WC 844, WC 860, and 5010 surplus powders I've used. Also, reports are some lots of WC 846 are faster and some slower than BL-C2. A chronograph is almost a necessity working up surplus powders.

[anyracoon]

Here is a link that might help you out.

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

[Gunsrruss]

WCC846

I have used this powder for seven years. Once I started using Hornady 75gr match. It is slower than 4895 and works real well with the heavier bullets. My AR has a 1X8 twist which is good for anything over 69gr. My loads are 24.2gr for the 75 and 80gr bullets. AOL for the 75 is 2.255 and for the 80's it's 2.435. I did have some problems with this powder when I ordered it from HI-Tech ammo. I think they sent me WCC844 in 846 jugs. Really screwed me up for awhile.
I also load 44gr of 846 for a 175gr bullet with an AOL of 2.84 for long range .308. This load works very good .Also use 44gr of 4895 with same AOL. The bullets I use are usually Nosler for the .308 and Hornady for the AR. Always remember" Expensive is cheap and cheap is expensive"

[rsrocket1]

Also know that arms contractors load by lot and adjust the charge to meet the projectile speed requirements. They then use that load to fill up all the bullets using that lot of powder. They don't blend powders to deliver a specific energy per grain as the commercial powder manufacturers do.

So one lot of powder requires 46.0g to deliver a 147g bullet at the spec'ed speed, another lot will reuqires 44.8g to deliver the same speed. They don't care. They simply load all the bullets using lot 1 with 46.0g and the other lot with 44.8g.

Now comes the fun part. You buy military pulldown powder. Is it all from the same lot? Are they pulled from bullets from lot #1 and lot #2? Your guess.

That's why it's important to work up the loads and never use data from one lot to load all your bullets forever. Commercial powders try to keep lot to lot consistency, but don't bet your gun or face with it.

[NotEnufGarage]

Not only are the powders inconsistent, so are the bullets themselves.

I bought 1000 supposedly 147gr bullets. They weighed between 138.5gr and 153gr, with the majority being right around 143 - 144 grain.

I'm planning on getting some WC844 and WC846 for 5.56 and 7.62 loads. I'm hoping the powder is at least consistent within a single jug.

[22popnsplat]

I have loaded with wc846 for alot of years into .223 , makes good accurate rounds . I have seen posts of people suggesting the use of a chrongraph to gauge pressure , It does not work. a chronograph tells speed only .

[rsrocket1]

I have seen posts of people suggesting the use of a chrongraph to gauge pressure , It does not work. a chronograph tells speed only .

Yes a chronograph tells speed, but you can get an idea of whether or not your charges are too hot. If you are using a fairly known powder with a known bullet weight and cartridge, if you are going 300 fps faster than you thought you should be going, you can assume your loads are too hot and you should back off.

[15thaf5thbw]

Just ordered 16lbs of WC846 from Wideners. Plus, 3000 1x-fired 5.56 LC Nato brass for only $165. At ~25g for a 223 round that's ~2200 rounds from 1 8lb jug, and about 1200 rounds of 308 from the other. Should be fun!