Win 540 and cast .32 bullets?

[Harry O]

I was given a pound of Winchester 540 powder by a guy at work. It smells OK. In looking at the powder "speed" charts, this is about halfway between Unique and 2400. Looks like a good powder for the .32 Magnum with cast bullets. I did a search and saw that the powder was discussed for that in the past, but no suggested charges.

Anyone have any experience they would like to share with WW540, the .32 Magnum, and 98gr RCBS bullets? I am not looking to make a real magnum out of it. Just 900fps to 1,000fps.

[felix]

Harry, WW540 is Olin's version of Alliant's Herco, IMR's 4756. ... felix

[Glen]

Winchester 540 is basically the same thing as HS-6, and you are right, it is a very good powder for mid-range pistol loads. In .32 H&R (I just can't bring myself to call that little case a "magnum") with the 98 grain RCBS bullet, I have gotten good performance with 5.0 grains of Winchester 540, for just under 1000 fps.

[Harry O]

Thanks Glenn. That gives me a range to start at. Don't worry, I always start low and work up.

[Newtire]

I have used this powder also in it's HS-6 form and found it to be a nice medium strength powder although it may be a bit "dirty" for some. I have a couple of pounds I'm using up now in both .32 mag. & .32-20. I was using it in 3-1/4 Dram 1-1/4oz. 12 ga. loads and we liked it for that.

I have been experimenting around with the loads on Stevespages and shooting them in my Blackhawk convertible. So far, none have given me any trouble. I am surprised at how fast yu can push that little RCBS 32-98 SWC. Someone mentioned that already that it liked to be pushed & I found this to be very true.

[Harry O]

I just got back from the range and I am impressed with the WW540 powder in the .32 Magnum. I loaded up 10 rounds each from 4.0gr to 5.0gr of 540 along with the 98gr RCBS cast bullet (that is two groups each in my Ruger Single-Six. Not only were the groups very good, they were consistent from 4.0 to 5.0. The only real difference was the 4.0 centered low on the 10-ring while the 5.0 was centered high on the 10-ring. I intend to load up some more and try it again with my S&W 631. Wherever I decide to stop on that one will be the cast load for everything I own.

There are very few handgun powders that I have worked with that are this flexible (Bullseye and Unique are a couple that come to mind). I have never worked with Herco, but I know that SR4756 is not nearly this flexible. It is happy (translation: I get good groups from it) in a fairly narrow band of pressure. Above or below this narrow range, it gets inaccurate quickly.

Too bad WW540 is no longer made. Of course. I have approx 1,400 to 1,600 handloads before I run out.

[felix]

That being the situation, Harry, try and find a pound of TrueBlue, which is also a ball powder with the same speed as 540. It is a Ramshot brand, and why I did not think of it earlier is beyond me. Prolly because I seldom find this brand to purchase. One advantage of this brand is that they are using the newer formulas like the Finns and Aussy folks. Should be extremely clean burn. ... felix