W-680 vs IMR-4198 rifle loads

[DonMountain]

I have acquired a couple of 8 pound kegs of W-680 powder for use in my 44 mag loads. But then I have gravitated to doing a lot of target shooting and hunting with cast boolits in a collection of old military rifles. In the 303 British, 7mm Mauser, 7.7 x 55 Swiss, 30-40 Krag and others I have generally been shooting gas checked bullets of about 200 grains in the 30's and 150 grains in the 7 mm's with 20 to 25 grains of IMR-4198. Since I have all of this W-680 now, and it is a similar burn speed to the IMR-4198 I was wondering if others may be using it in cast boolit loads? And what would you recommend as loading ranges for this powder (W-680) in medium size military cases?

[Aunegl]

Accurate Arms 1680 may be a close copy of Winchester 680. Check the AA reloading manual for the rifle loads.

[stubshaft]

I've used the AA1680 charts to load 680BR and W680 and found them to be very similar. Although I generally use this powder in smaller rifle and medium pistol cartridges.

[DonMountain]

I looked through the Accurate Arms reloading data presented on their web site, but there are no listings for old military calibers with boolits. Generally we are mostly using magnum pistol powders for boolits, or fast rifle powders. But I guess nobody has tried W-680 or AA-1680 with medium capacity rifle cartridges and boolits that might offer me some insight into what I might expect? Maybe some starting loads? Or is there some sort of dangers in using W-680 for this application?

[Ole]

I bought 2lbs of WW680 off the closeout shelf from a local dealer a good while back.

My intent was to use it in my 14" 357 Max T/C.

I was pretty disappointed. Wide chono spreads and mediocre accuracy was the norm for this powder in .357 Max. I'd imagine the powder would be even worse in .44 Mag.

I ended up using it up in my cast 7.62x39 loads. Worked ok for that.

[DonMountain]

I have a 7.62 x 39 also that I might be able to use it in. What bullets and amounts of W-680 would you suggest I try?

[Marlin Junky]

I have a 7.62 x 39 also that I might be able to use it in. What bullets and amounts of W-680 would you suggest I try?

Lee c312-155-2R with 20 grains of WC-680 could work OK. The case would be about 2/3 full at a COL of 2.19". According to QuickLoad you'd get about 1660 fps (16.5" barrel) at 22K PSI with AA1680. WC-680/AA1680 is likely to do better at higher pressure so, just for reference (opposed to a suggested starting load!) increasing the charge to 25 grains boosts the pressure another 20K PSI and the velocity another 400 fps. I would start at 20 grains of WC-680 in the 7.62x39 with something like Lyman#2. I've tried WC-680 in the 30-30 and didn't like it; therefore, I can't recommend it in a larger cartridge.

MJ

[firefly1957]

What a timely post I noticed today I have a few cans of WW powder that I bought years ago for 50 cents a can if I remember correctly and was wondering how I should load them one can is WW-680 . I used to have some 44 Mag data for that powder too. The other powders were shotgun powders. I can not say anything that has not been said except you are not alone in your quest.

[Ole]

Lee c312-155-2R with 20 grains of WC-680 could work OK. The case would be about 2/3 full at a COL of 2.19". According to QuickLoad you'd get about 1660 fps (16.5" barrel) at 22K PSI with AA1680. WC-680/AA1680 is likely to do better at higher pressure so, just for reference (opposed to a suggested starting load!) increasing the charge to 25 grains boosts the pressure another 20K PSI and the velocity another 400 fps. I would start at 20 grains of WC-680 in the 7.62x39 with something like Lyman#2. I've tried WC-680 in the 30-30 and didn't like it; therefore, I can't recommend it in a larger cartridge.

MJ

I used 19.0 grains of W680 in my loads. I didn't chronograph them, but the bullets were going fast enough to set off a batch of Tannerite.

CE Harris recommends 18-19 grains of W680 as max/do not exceed:


Accurate Arms 1680 is very similar to the Olin 680 Ball powder, though slightly slower. Both of these powders are used in 7.62x39 ball ammunition, with a charge of 24 grs. being correct for service velocities with 123-gr. jacketed bullets using the Accurate-IMI propellant, and 23 grs. for the slightly faster Olin powder. For a full-power load approximating service ammunition you can also use 26.5 grs. of RL-7 or 25.0 grs. of IMR or H4198. With cast bullets the minimum load with 1680 which functions the SKS with the Lee .312-155-2R is 16 grs. In the SKS this produces about 1420 f.p.s. and 3" groups at 100 yds.; 18 grs. gives 1630 f.p.s. and 4" groups in the SKS. I did two strings with the Olin 680 for comparison with the NEI 155-gr. cast bullet at 18 and 19 grs., respectively, which gave 1810 and 1930 f.p.s. I would not exceed 19 grs. of Olin 680, or 20 grs. of Accurate 1680 with the 155-gr. cast bullet, as these are both full loads.

[honus]

It may be a tad slow for the 44 mag but it's the best 357 Maximum powder I found. I also found it to be a great 221 FB and 22 Hornet powder.