Found some W244... where should I start? What’s it good for?

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Just had my first squib ever. 4.5 grains W244, RMR 115 FMJ. I was weighing every charge because I wasn’t confident in the metering consistency yet. Loaded just a couple dozen rounds to ensure they worked in all my pistols before loading a bunch.

after 20ish rounds with no issues, I got a pop instead of a bang in my CZ75. Racked the slide and a bunch of powder fell out all over. Bullet is stuck just ahead of the chamber. Me not get.
 
I was weighing every charge because I wasn’t confident in the metering consistency yet.

When I weigh every charge I check inside every case before seating the bullet, especially when I use my Lee classic turret.
 
after 20ish rounds with no issues, I got a pop instead of a bang in my CZ75.

The most notable thing I saw with my .45ACP W244 loads was bullet seat depth with the same charge. When seated at max OAL, the velocity varied by as much as 50fps, with poor accuracy to boot. As soon as I seated the bullet deeper, things tightened up nicely... so I think W244 is very sensitive to case fill. I can't imagine there's a lot of space left in that 9mm case... but I would seat it a wee bit deeper and see.
 
I think I must have missed a short charge with the adjustable charge bar. I loaded 200 yesterday and about every 10 or 20 cycles I would get a case with just a dusting of powder. Apparently the adjustable charge bar doesn’t like to be cranked down that small. I went back to the standard discs and it’s been fine since.
 
Well so far it’s been a good powder for a few 9mm loads and I’m trying some in 45 ACP now. If it helps anyone with a LEE PAD the charges seem identical to what the chart says for Winchester Action Pistol. All the charges I’ve weighed are spot on or within .1 grain.
 
There is a mod with the adjustable charge bar where you built a spacer with epoxy to move the cavity forward for better centering
sort of
[< >]----- (before)
[< >||>]----- (after)
This puts the cavity more in line with where the powder comes out.

edit (I used the epoxy putty strips)

That seemed to help for smaller charges with it but before I got my auto drum I used Livelife (BDS) screw mod.
drill a hole in the side of an unused cavity and thread in a screw. (8/32 or 10/32 I believe) Then you can adjust vol by how far the screw is in.



https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...allest-hole-size-available-is-it-0-30.842468/
 
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The most notable thing I saw with my .45ACP W244 loads was bullet seat depth with the same charge. When seated at max OAL, the velocity varied by as much as 50fps, with poor accuracy to boot. As soon as I seated the bullet deeper, things tightened up nicely... so I think W244 is very sensitive to case fill. I can't imagine there's a lot of space left in that 9mm case... but I would seat it a wee bit deeper and see.

@Charlie98 What OAL worked best for your loads?
 
@Charlie98 What OAL worked best for your loads?

Using the RMR 200grn PSWC, 6.0grn W244 gave me 810fps, seated at 1.23" (out of a 4" barrel.) That same combo, seated long, at 1.245", gave me velocity readings from 750-810fps, and very poor accuracy, compared to the shorter OAL. Hodgdon data shows a cast SWC bullet, seated at 1.225", with 5.8grn W244 as max, but I wasn't comfortable seating the RMR bullet that deep... so my charges are over book, having worked my way up from 5.4grn W244. I don't normally load SWC bullets in the .45ACP, but I was stuck with them.

The Speer TMJ/RN 230grn bullet, with 5.6grn W244, seated out at 1.26", gave me 780fps and very good accuracy. That is long, compared to the very limited Hodgdon data, but besides the lower velocity, is an excellent load for me. I may, eventually, diddle with a shorter OAL, or bump the charge to see if I can get it over 800fps, but it's not a priority.
 
I assume W231ish type powder? I will consult published data but was curious if anyone has found it particularly good for something.
I liken it more akin to WST than W231. Following the Hodgdon recommendations to the letter on this one, my first 200gr. LRN .45ACP loads (Saeco #45265), clear wax lubed, all went bang and hit the paper at 25yds. I call that good enough but it wasn't any cleaner that WST or any more accurate either. I'd be kind of disappointed but I got it from the shooting range for $25/lb and they didn't charge me for the range use that day. I think WST is a little better, to be honest.
 
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Using the RMR 200grn PSWC, 6.0grn W244 gave me 810fps, seated at 1.23" (out of a 4" barrel.) That same combo, seated long, at 1.245", gave me velocity readings from 750-810fps, and very poor accuracy, compared to the shorter OAL. Hodgdon data shows a cast SWC bullet, seated at 1.225", with 5.8grn W244 as max, but I wasn't comfortable seating the RMR bullet that deep... so my charges are over book, having worked my way up from 5.4grn W244. I don't normally load SWC bullets in the .45ACP, but I was stuck with them.

The Speer TMJ/RN 230grn bullet, with 5.6grn W244, seated out at 1.26", gave me 780fps and very good accuracy. That is long, compared to the very limited Hodgdon data, but besides the lower velocity, is an excellent load for me. I may, eventually, diddle with a shorter OAL, or bump the charge to see if I can get it over 800fps, but it's not a priority.

Thank you. I am just starting to use W244 and there doesn’t seem to be much data out there. This thread has the most info in one place that I’ve found.

I’ve got some coated cast 200gr SWC and RN to try and your data will go a long way.
 
Thank you. I am just starting to use W244 and there doesn’t seem to be much data out there. This thread has the most info in one place that I’ve found.

I’ve got some coated cast 200gr SWC and RN to try and your data will go a long way.

There is data at Hodgdon's online site, including for 200grn cast SWC's.... I would start there. My specific data is largely at or over max book, so I would start with Hodgdon's data.

My big thing was it seemed like W244 does not like low case fill... and I don't know if that translated to poor position sensitivity as well. It's not supposed to be position sensitive, but that doesn't mean it isn't... ;)
 
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