Assistance with Milsurp Powder Purchases

[TCLouis]

Jeff Bartlett has several powders that pique my interest, but I wonder if they are worth it for launching the basic lead projectile from revolver, TC, and rifle.

He lists:
#105 (AA# 5 load data),

#107 ((AA # 7 load data),

WC820 FAST (HS7 load data).

I launch lead out of everything from the 22 Hornet to the 45-70 (TC and rifle), including the TCU's, Herrett's and the typical 44s and 357s.

Anyone out there using any of these in their lead launching projects?

I put off ordering any of the 4759 until he sold out so I don't want to miss out on some of these if you have found sucess with them.

Of course I will pick up another jug of WC 680 just cause!

[felix]

When it gets down to fast pistol powders, the cost of the powder probably won't over-ride the "quality" unless you plan to load up the country side with that same powder. That said, any powder that burns cheaply will definitely be used sometime, and you just have to be patient for the application to arrise. I still have circa 12 pounds left in the 1974 IMR700X tub in the closet, and it is exclusively used for the very light loads in all the pistols around here. I like to play with DIFFERENT powders for medium loads because there seems to one speed that outshoots another based upon application. Let the volume of powder needed be your exclusive guide when buying fast powders, and ignore the cost unless the volume WILL be high. ... felix

[Junior1942]

I'm getting good results with WC820 (n) in 357 mag rifle @ 1550 fps and 44 mag pistol @ 1100 fps. The measured VMD of my lot is .0695.

Loads are:

357 mag = Lee TL358-158-SWC + .82cc (11.8 grs) = 1567 fps Chrony

44 mag = Lee TL430-240-SWC + 1.09cc (15.7 grs) = 1100 fps est.; 1.02 cc (14.7 grs) = 961 fps Chrony.

[JohnH]

I'm using 7.3 grians of 107 in 357 Maximum, 44 Magnum and 38-55 rifles. I've shot it my 44 SBH, but it is not quite as satisfactory, but then I'm using pretty low doses of a powder that is very like Blue Dot, in fact I stopped using Blue Dot as my plinker powder because this stuff is half the cost and shoots as well in the applications.

[TCLouis]

I'm using 7.3 grians of 107 in 357 Maximum, 44 Magnum and 38-55 rifles. I've shot it my 44 SBH, but it is not quite as satisfactory, but then I'm using pretty low doses of a powder that is very like Blue Dot, in fact I stopped using Blue Dot as my plinker powder because this stuff is half the cost and shoots as well in the applications.

Do you have any velocities and bullet weights for those Max and 44 Mag loadings?


Jeff states that the #107 should not be used in progressives because of the powder grain shape. Do you have any problems throwing consistent charges in a regular powder measure, or is it a measure and weigh every one. The fast 820 and this power appear to be pretty close in burn rate.


I still have a litte M9 (think 3031) left but it will not go through a measure well. It has to be weighed for accuracy and low ES in anything I have shot it out of.

I guess I will make a case order of something Friday.

[JohnH]

In the 357 I am pushing Lees 357-158-RF at 925-950 fps. In the 44 I am pushing the Lee 429-200 RF at 820 fps, the 38-55 I'm pushihg the Lee 379-250 RF at circa 950 fps ( I broke my chrony so I guessing on that one, but I'm not too far off) I wouldn't use it in a progressive. I'm using the RCBS Lil Dandy, a fixed charge roter measure, I weigh everything, and at least 30% are rejects, usually low, but occasionally high, no rhyme or reason to either but evn in five throws one will be off. My range is right out my back door and my routine is to load ten, shoot 'em reload the same cases, shoot 'em repeat often. (40 rounds a day is average.) The flakes, are slightly larger in diameter, and thicker as well. Unique, GreenDot and Red Dot meter well in the Lil Dandy, this stuff flows like rocks.

[Texasflyboy]

I bought 32lbs of the fast WC 820 from Jeff last summer and developed some loads for .357 and .44 MAG.

Worked pretty well and I have been happy with the purchase. My notes say that with a 250gr Lead SWC that velocity maxed out about ~22~ ~23~ grs of powder and noted that "...needs tight crimp for velocity to remain consistent".

Good powder...good value.

[9.3X62AL]

WC-820 has been very good in magnum revolvers and in the 10mm Auto. I will buy more when my supply gets low.

#107 seems to duplicate AA-7 pretty closely in the 30 Luger and 30 Mauser, I haven't tried it in the magrevs yet. I bought a set of Lee powder spoons expressly for the #107 powder, because it refuses to meter through my otherwise very user-friendly RCBS Duo-Measure. The powder kernels resemble sub-compact hockey pucks. The Lee spoons are surprisingly accurate and consistent, if used as directed--pass through a container of powder ONCE, and given a slight side-to-side shake to level the charge. I started out using a scale, and after repeated weights within a 0.1 grain extreme spread, I weighed every 10th charge.

[Linstrum]

Hey, there, TCLouis. For .357 magnum and .30 carbine, WC820 is the only surplus propellant that I use. I currently have three different lots of it and they all vary quite widely in performance, which I like and find useful.

[TCLouis]

I guess I will just go on with my purchase as planned.

The #5 I have sure does perform well with 200's in the 44 Mag and I am about out.

LouisB