Is WC844 and H335 the same?

[Henry45]

I know that in bulk you have variances of burn rate and such, but with H335 being consistent, would it provide better accuracy with almost the same velocities and pressure as WC844?

What do you guys who's tried both found out?

For some match loads, i'm using Varget and Hornady bullets or Berger.

But for plinking and targeting, i tend to go toward M193 loads in the 5.56, with cheaper Everglades or Lake City pulled 55gr. bullets.

 

[FROGO207]

From what I have used of it the load data from H335 can be used BUT ALWAYS start 10% low with each new batch of propellant you obtain as it can vary a LOT between canisters. It is not kept closely to the same tolerances lot to lot like H335 in the commercial grade is. Nothing wrong with it but one canister of it I got had max pressure signs with a starting load. So I backed it down another 10% and worked it up for use. That would have been a bad day if I had decided to take a short cut that day. If you buy a large lot of it at one time then you don't need to retest it and that saves time and bullets/primers IMHO so that is what I often do.
For your original question they are SIMILAR enough but NOT the same.

 

[243winxb]

WC 844 M193 Data

Chapter 10 has military load data for M193 & WC 844 here > http://www.tuffsteel.com/manuals/armyammodata.pdf

 

[TheCracker]

I bought 4 kegs of WC844 a few months ago and had to load 1.1 more grains to get the same velocity as h335. It shoots just as good and has the same POI.

Its good stuff ESP for blasting ammo for the ar15. I would just recommend buying at least 2 kegs of the same lot so you don't have to rework loads up each new keg.

 

[TheCracker]

But to answer your original question. I was told by the guys at hi tech ammo that it's made in the same plant. He said hodgon buys it as h335. The difference is it will have noticeably more variation lot to lot than h335.

A chronograph is very helpful when using surplus powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As far as I know, WC844 is the none canister version of the canister H335. Like most none canister powders they can differ greatly from lot to lot unlike canister powders. They are custom blended to achieve the target pressure and velocity for the round being loaded.

Like said above, drop back 10% and work up until you achieve the velocity you're looking for all the time watching for signs of excessive pressures. It's a great powder for loading up a lot blasting ammo for the AR without going broke doing it...

 

[Henry45]

If you bought 2 8lb cans, and couldn't get any info on the lot code, would you mix the two together and then work your loads up via chrony, to have basically consistent loads for the two jugs, or would you work up each separately, basically starting over when you change cans of powder? What would be the best way? I know it varies from lot code to lot code. That's my big question. With H335 I know i'm going to get consistency between jugs of powder. With this, do you work them up individually, or mix it all together and get ''one" lot code..??

 

[rayatphonix]

Henry, I've got two 8 pound plastic jugs of 844 with the lot number clearly marked. Have you looked closely?

 

[Henry45]

Haven't bought yet. Making sure I have all the info before I take the plunge in the WC powder. Where did you get yours at?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I see no reason not to combine 2X 8LB jugs of WC844 but it won't be necessary if bot are from the same lot.

 

[TheCracker]

I've heard some talk about mixing lots but I think it's a bad idea. Seems like it would be VERY hard to get a perfect mix. If I had two unknown lots I say shoot up the 1st and rework the second.

All of the kegs I bought had a lot number on them. I even called high tech to make sure my order would have the same lot number.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've heard some talk about mixing lots but I think it's a bad idea. Seems like it would be VERY hard to get a perfect mix. If I had two unknown lots I say shoot up the 1st and rework the second.

All of the kegs I bought had a lot number on them. I even called high tech to make sure my order would have the same lot number.

Calling to make sure the lot numbers are the same is a much better idea than mixing the powders.

 

[Henry45]

I was thinking if you got the same code, then there would be no reason to mix the two, just work up from below the 335 starting load and proceed with caution, watching and looking for any signs of over pressure. But if you had two different codes, would it be better to mix them together and basically come up with one "code", and then do the same,working up from your starting load, and use the same load you find for the full " mix"....

Going to pick up a couple jugs and test. If they are the same code, I'll run a few loads and check them with the chrony. If different, do the same, and compare the same load results against each other to see how much difference there is between the lot codes.

 

[medalguy]

The standard recommendation is to never mix cannisters of any powder. Dump the last few ounces of one cannister into another and mix, OK, but never a full jug.

I've used quite a lot of bulk powder in the past few years. I always work up a test batch from every new jug of powder, even if it's the same lot number. Ten rounds is sufficient for a chrony test. If the velocity is significantly the same, I continue with the same load charge.

I would ALWAYS start at least 10% reduced and work up when starting with a new lot of powder. I've found significant differences in SOME lots of surplus powder, very little in others, but always some difference.

Be careful when working with surplus powders. They can be a safe and inexpansive alternate to cannister powders but they are different.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Henry45,
Don't forget to record the lot numbers of the powders you work up loads for and record the load data with the lot number. This way if you come across the same lot number in the future you have load data already available.

 

[Henry45]

Thanks for the info guys! Yeah AA, i'm nearly ocd about keeping records. LOL! The good thing is I have a small range right here in my backyard so that I can do quick tests of loads, instead of having to run a batch then go 30 miles to the nearest range. I'll report in my findings soon!

 

[rayatphonix]

I got my 844 from Widners

Never had a problem with these guys. I frequently buy bullets there too.

 

[Walkalong]

If you plan on buying two 8 pounders, call and make sure you can get two from the same lot before you order.