[dpatten]

I'm looking for load data on using surplus powder from pulled down ammunition. Unfortunately this isn't something easy to find like USGI 4895.

Specifically the cartridges I need to pull down are 7mm Mauser manufactured in Chile in 1976. They aren't completely funky or corroded, but they are quickly heading that direction.

Anybody have a lead?

[rg1]

If you don't find the info here try there:
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/index.php

[NCsmitty]

IMO, you'll be extremely lucky to get information on the powder used in the ammo. At least you can use or sell the bullets. The powder is probably best used as lawn fertilizer. No telling what it is.

NCsmitty

[rcmodel]

+ 10,000!

We often don't know, or can't tell, what powder was used in U.S. made ammo, let alone Chile!

Unless you have several pounds of it, making it worthwhile to invent your own load data, get rid of it!

It could probably be used in the same charge weight, with the same weight, or lighter, and style of bullet it came in safely.
But again, unless you have a lot of it, I simply wouldn't bother.

rc

[ReloaderFred]

At the risk of creating a firestorm of protest, I'll give you my experience in this.

I took a batch of ammunition that I knew came from the same lot number and pullet the bullets from 10 rounds. I weighed the powder charge of each one, which proved to be consistant, and averaged them. Then I reduced the charge by 5% and loaded the bullets pulled from this ammunition into new cases, using the 5% reduced charge and new primers. They shot great and the only thing wasted was the Berdan primers and old brass. Since I had about 500 rounds of this ammunition, it was worth it to me to salvage the bullets and powder.

With that said, any powder that looks questionable should be discarded. In my case, it was all good.

How I'm plugging my ears for the replies..........

Hope this helps.

Fred

[rcmodel]

Nothing wrong with that.
If I had 500 rounds, I'd do the same.

If I had 40 or 50, probably not.

rc

[dpatten]

I have about 450 rounds of the stuff. Which is just on the ragged edge of making it worthwhile. I figure I'll get close to a couple pounds of the powder. Plus, this stuff is all boxed and has the same lot#.

I bought it at the same time I bought my first mil-surp ( a Brazilian 08/34 Mauser)about 15 years ago. The ammo shoots fine, but I'm not interested in just shooting it all up to get rid of it. When I do pull it, my intention is to do as ReloaderFred suggests and measure each round and take an average. I'm just waiting on a 7mm collet to come in from Grafs.

I've found data on warsaw pact cartridge powders, does anybody else have some pointers for me?

[NCsmitty]

I'm plugging my ears for the replies..........

Fred, you're a savvy and experienced reloader and shooter. No one here who has seen your informative posts would second guess your loading techniques.

I would do and have done the same as you with surplus ammo.
My cautious approach was due to dpatten being a new poster and I really did not know his level of expertise.

dpatten, you seem to know your way around a loading bench, so my advice is to listen to ReloaderFred or rcmodel as they will not steer you wrong.
Good luck.

NCsmitty

[ReloaderFred]

Thank you, NCsmitty. That Dr. Tad What's His Face doesn't like me, though. Sure hope he doesn't think I care.........

I try to give what I think is good advice, and once in awhile I feel like injecting a little humor. I don't like those little emoticon things, so I guess my humor gets lost on some souls, since the internet is so one dimensional. I take it as their problem, not mine.

Again, thank you for the kind words, they're much appreciated.

Fred

[Walkalong]

I took a batch of ammunition that I knew came from the same lot number and pullet the bullets from 10 rounds. I weighed the powder charge of each one, which proved to be consistent, and averaged them.

Yep, did it with some surplus .308 I had that was slightly corroded on the outside. It was replaced by the seller who did not want it back.

If I had 500 rounds,

That is exactly the number. :)

[snuffy]

Relax Fred, that was great advice on how to use a valuable component. Dr Hussien don't like me either, but I'm in good company with you. He seemed to be only looking for someone to agree with him, didn't want to hear they wouldn't go faster. The old adage, there's no free lunch!

I've been using surplus powder for years. This is mostly pull-down stuff, that the composition is known. Rough guidelines are published by the seller, such as use h-335 data, concerning WC-844 powder. In this case, using it for the same caliber/bullet weight is the right call. As Fred said, it would be smart to reduce the load 5% from what it was in the original shell. That would take into account the possible difference in new casings and maybe a hotter primer.

[dpatten]

Well, after an exhaustive Google search and looking through several other related forums I have come to the conclusion that there simply isn't any data online for this stuff. I suspect that all of the surplus was shot up in the late 80's or early 90's pre-internet. Hmmm, maybe I should look through old USENET postings...


Anyway, when I get the correct collet in I will pull the stuff and put the info here for reference in case someone else gets a wild hair in the future.

I appreciate all the advice guys.

Thanks!
Dennis

edit:

There is also no information on USENET archives going back to at leat 1993. *sigh*
This post is also now the #1 search result on Google on this topic.

[rcmodel]

Even if there were something from 1993, you would have to know the exact lot number of the ammo the data came from, and your ammo would have to be the same lot number before you could trust anything said about what the powder burn rate it is.

rc

[dpatten]

Yeah, but it would be good information for reference purposes...