Reloading for the M1

[wchartz]

I have a quanity of WC846 and WC852 surplus powder. The 846 is approximately the speed of BL-C (2) and the 852 is about the speed of H4831. I will use 150 or 165 gr. bullets. I wonder if the 846 will work well. I understand that the 852 is too slow and maintains high pressure past the time that the bullet passes the gas port which is a bad thing. This powder was used in the 30 cal Ball M2 cartridge. Was that cartridge unsuitable for use in the M1?

 

[Slamfire]

I understand that the 852 is too slow and maintains high pressure past the time that the bullet passes the gas port which is a bad thing. This powder was used in the 30 cal Ball M2 cartridge. Was that cartridge unsuitable for use in the M1?

This information given you is totally incorrect. It was probably well meant, probably based on incorrect interpretations of burn rate charts. Charts which show WC852 is a slow burning powder.

However, this powder being a ball powder, the pressure drop is faster than a stick, so by the time it gets to the gas port, the port pressure is appropriate for a Garand.

I purchased a bunch of this stuff from GIBrass. Mr. Bartlett purchased a 90,000 pound lot. Incidentally Accurate Arms purchased a 90,000 pound lot. They bottled theirs and called it "AA2700". I think they have gone through that original lot by now, and the must be selling newly manufactured powder under that name.

Each lot has a different burn rate. I got the lot acceptance sheet for my lot. It was specifically tested with M1 Garands. The Government load for my lot is below:

30-06 Govt Loading Data: Lake City case and Primer, 60.1 grs
WC852, 152 gr Ball M2, average pressure 40,200 velocity 2750
Lot BAJ 47287

I loaded some up with "blasting" FMJ's, and chronographed the load in a VAR barreled Garand. Functioned fine. I like to keep my 150's at or below 2700 fps in a Garand. 2650 fps is fine for me.

M1 VAR barrel

148 gr IMI FMJBT 59.5 gr WC852 IMI cases CCI200
T=72 F 4 April 2009

Ave Vel =2683
Std Dev =18
ES = 57
Low = 2647
High = 2704
N = 8

Accurate Arms lot was faster burning. They have published data with it, and if I had no idea of what lot of WC852 I had, I would use their data as a starting point for developing loads.

I don't have a good Garand target with this powder, but in a match 30-06, it is capable of a high order of accuracy.

It also shoots well in my 6.5 X 55 Swede rifles.

 

[bfoosh006]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

Do a search for WC846, you'll find a bunch of info.

 

[NuJudge]

I have no Garand data, but I've burned a lot of WCC852(slow) in a Swiss K31, and the results indicated a burn rate around 4831. Very accurate also.