Loading .223 with WC-844 & 55 GR FMJ

[Blue68f100]

New unopened powder, I trust the marking, if you know the source. I normally buy most of my high volume powders by 8# jugs case of 2. I keep a smaller 1# bottle for transfer. When I transfer I also transfer the lot number. All my load info keeps up with lot numbers. It really helps you trouble shoot when you have a problem.

 

[Demi-human]

Let me ask you this, because I don’t know. Both my 8#’ers have the same lot number printed on the bottle... I would imagine it wise to make a few starting loads of each and chronograph them when I finish up my first jug... printing errors? Had a bunch of jugs with that number on it already? Trust none?

Each of those is from the same lot.(I assume.)
Other containers may be from another factory, or surplus or pull down, lot.

 

[five.five-six]

Each of those is from the same lot.(I assume.)
Other containers may be from another factory, or surplus or pull down, lot.

I think that the surp grade powders are bought by 3rd party venders in 55 gallon drums and larger and they package it in our 8# jugs. I don’t know that I fully trust 3rd party venders 100%

 

[Demi-human]

I don’t know that I fully trust 3rd party venders 100%

I cannot fault you there.
There are risks to pull down powder. That’s why I like mine shiny and new, but there have been recalls for new powders, too...
Stay vigilant.

 

[Toprudder]

Is WC844 "pull-down" powder? I thought it was new manufacture.

 

[GBExpat]

What WC-844 that I have purchased was listed as new.

Over the years I have seen a great deal of it listed as pulldown.

 

[Demi-human]

Hmm, I’m not sure by any means. I thought surplus was pulled down, I suppose it could just be extra and unloaded. I have no idea in this case at all.

I’m boring. CFE223, Varget and Tac do so well for me. CFE being a secret in my 30-06 loads...

Oh, dang. Well. Don’t tell anybody!

 

[GBExpat]

I’m boring.

<chuckle> I hear ya. I have always used canister powder also. Well, more flavors but always canister.

Awhile back, like five.five-six, I bought a couple of 8-pounder jugs of new WC-844. I figured I could use it to load almost half of the 10k 55gr Solid-Cu .224 bullets that I acquired (cheap) a few years ago. They should make dandy plinking ammo.

 

[RedLeg105]

I bought 8# of WC844, Lot #041120, a few months ago and tested it against H335. I found that the velocities that I achieved were approximately 100 fps lower for the WC844 as opposed to H335 with the same components.

AR15, !8" 1:9 twist barrel, .223 Wylde chamber, LC casings, Winchester SR primers; 55 grain Varmageddon FBHP bullets;

23.5 grains H335 average velocity 2771 fps.
23.5 grains WC844, Lot 041120, average velocity 2687 fps.

25.0 grains H335, average velocity 3021 fps.
25.0 grains WC844, Lot 041120, average velocity 2908 fps.

 

[Average Joe]

WC844 and WC846 vary from lot to lot, sometimes hot, sometimes not.... all loads from different lots have to be re worked..

 

[hdwhit]

I am assuming the OP isn't shooting long range, and I would suggest that bulk 55 Gr FMJ aren't good enough to waste time doing ladder tests etc.

Work up a safe load that shoots decent and have fun. Cheap bullets, plus cheap powder, makes for cheap fun. not precision.

Cheap Powder?

 

[Demi-human]

Yup.

 

[five.five-six]

well, I got some data and I think I found one outstanding load but I'll have to cook up a few groups to be sure.

20" RRA A2 NM HBAR
WC844 under bulk 55's 2.26 OAL


24.0 grains 2880.23;fps; Std. Dev;31.80;fps;
24.2 grains 2910.32;fps; Ste. Dev;11.72;fps;
24.4 grains 2914.69;fps; Std. Dev;61.04;fps;
24.6 grains 2958.57;fps; Std. Dev;27.37;fps;
24.8 grains 3049.54;fps; Std. Dev;32.13;fps;
25.0 grains 2994.56;fps; Std. Dev;12.95;fps;
25.2 grains 3019.58;fps; Std. Dev;68.89;fps;
25.4 grains 3035.24;fps; Std. Dev;48.39;fps;
25.6 grains 3082.71;fps; Std. Dev;49.65;fps;

interesting is this "test" group I made with my 550 powder measure.. only 3 rounds but..
24.5 grains

Stats - Average;2929.47;fps;
Stats - Highest;2936.45;fps;
Stats - Lowest;2924.41;fps;
Stats - Ext. Spread;12.04;fps;
Stats - Std. Dev;6.24;fps;

 

[five.five-six]

I also loaded up some 68 grain Hornday match for my 24" BBL with Varget. 1 round per step.

23.5 grains 2783 fps
23.7 grains 2850 fps
23.9 Crono missed
24.1 grains 2898
24.3 grains 2931
24.5 grains 2934
24.7 grains 2977
24.9 grains 3012
25.1 grains 3023
25.3 grains 3023
25.5 grains 3043
25.7 grains 3065 FPS primer flat; stopped

It's a 1:9 barrel so we'll see if I can get them to consistently stabilize but 25.2 grains looks like a good place to start

 

[LAH]

I settled on 25 grs of WC844 with that same bullet. Obviously your mileage may vary.

Me too. About 3000 fps from my Remington. I'm happy.

 

[alsaqr]

"I am assuming the OP isn't shooting long range, and I would suggest that bulk 55 Gr FMJ aren't good enough to waste time doing ladder tests etc."

This. Loading bulk FMJ bullets into virgin Norma cases is akin to putting re-cap tires on a Rolls Royce.

 

[five.five-six]

"I am assuming the OP isn't shooting long range, and I would suggest that bulk 55 Gr FMJ aren't good enough to waste time doing ladder tests etc."

This. Loading bulk FMJ bullets into virgin Norma cases is akin to putting re-cap tires on a Rolls Royce.

That is one opinion.

It’s still less expensive than factory ammo and a better product tailored to my gun and I enjoy making it.. which another opinion.

I was shooting 1.5” groups with it open sights. Granted, that was a 100 yard range but we’ll see what happens next time I get out to the sticks. With SD of 6FPS and ES of 12FPS, I have high hopes

 

[five.five-six]

I have to take a break from my reloading and shooting activities due to an urgent health concern. I’ll get back at load development once I’m out of recovery. .308 next and then I think it’s time for me to gat a bolt gun.

 

[LAH]

I hope & pray your health concern is taken care of & you're able to return to the loading press & forum shortly.

 

[five.five-six]

I hope & pray your health concern is taken care of & you're able to return to the loading press & forum shortly.

Thank you! It’s a simple procedure but these days the OR requires a COVID test 5 days prior surgery an isolation for the 5 days leading to the procedure.

It occurred to me that I can load up some .308 and drive out to the sticks and drop some pills.

I’ll cook up a ladder later today and head out in the morning.

 

[five.five-six]

I’m going to cook up some varget + 168 SMK rounds I have BR2 primers and matching Hornady brass all prepped, annealed and ready to go.

I just got set up with LnL bushings for my rockchucker, they have been great for the posder measure, collet puller and decaping die. Let’s see how I like them for loading .308

 

[MakBaba]

Sounds like your WC844 is a close match for H335. My lot of WC846 was supposed to be close to BLC2 but wound up being just a bit faster than H335.
I settled on 24.5 for 55 and 62 gr. blammo. No need for anything more for close range 2 gun and practice.