WC 852 in the '06.

[Catshooter]

Just traded into some. I'm interested in both full loads and reduced, say mid-range or so for my 03A3.

Thanks.


Cat

[8mm]

Years ago I found out the "hard way" that there are 2 varieties of WC852: fast and slow burning. The powder I was using is of the slow variety. After some load development I finally found an accurate load: 150gr Rem PSPCL, 55.5gr WC852(slow), CCI 200 primer in Win brass.

There are better powders but for the price WC852 is good enough.

[sundog]

8mm beat me to it. Make sure you know what burn speed you have. According to my notes, fast lot is somewhere around H380 and slow lot is around H450. That's a lot of difference.

btw, I like surplus powders, especially when they inexpensive.

[TNsailorman]

I haven't seen 852 advertised anywhere in over 10 years. I had an 8 lb. jug at one time but my 8x57 liked it so well it did not last long. I would like to find some more; the fast or slow burning style. james

[Catshooter]

Excellent info gentlemen, and I thank you for it.


Cat

[Outpost75]

"Fast" lots of WC852 approximate H380, "Slow" lots approximate H414 or W760.

NEITHER should be reduced, but should be used only for full-charge loads.

Some military WC852 was known to cause chamber ringing in .30-'06 when loaded with Ball M2 bullets, in which the bullet base was located well up in the chamber neck, when the particular loading resulted in significant free airspace in the case, filling less than 90% of available case capacity. This happened most frequently when the powder charge was oriented in "base tap", elevating the muzzle so that the powder was oriented in the rear of the case with free airspace forward.

The particular lots of Ball M2 ammunition issued by the DCM were recalled and the government rebarreled damaged M1 Garands at no charge for affiliated clubs which drew those lots of Ball M2 ammunition. There was wide coverage in American Rifleman at the time, late 1960s.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ng-the-chamber

[Catshooter]

That's very interesting Outpost, thank you.

Are you saying also that H414 and W760 shouldn't be reduced below 90%? And/or 852 too? Or just that bad lot of 852 that was recalled?

Sorry to be difficult, just want to be clear.


Cat

[TCLouis]

TNSailorman
Which version of WC 852 and how much with what bullet/boolit?

[Outpost75]

That's very interesting Outpost, thank you.

Are you saying also that H414 and W760 shouldn't be reduced below 90%? And/or 852 too? Or just that bad lot of 852 that was recalled?

Sorry to be difficult, just want to be clear.


Cat

Correct. And the same caution applies to W748, BallC2, WC844, WC846 etc.

I would not reduce ANY spheroidal rifle powder below published data.

Extruded tubular powders like 4895, 4064, RL15 or Varget are much more forgiving in this respect.

[TNsailorman]

TCL, I bought my 852 from Jeff in Kentucky years ago. He advised me that the lot he sold me was the slow burning rate and to use data from W760 but to start low and work up slowly. Which I did. This was in the 8x57mm Mauser. I believe I might have used some in the 06 but I don't remember and don't have any datga left for either the 06 or 8x57. Don't hold me to it but I believe that I started around 43.0 grains and ended up around 48.0 grains with a Winchester 170 grain RN bullet in the 8mm. It shot accurately and I used that jug of powder up in the 90's. It was a very soft shooting load all the way up but when I got accuracy, I stopped as usual. That is what I am interested in--accuracy and not necessarily velocity. I never chronographed that load so I have no idea what the fps was but it couldn't have been much over 2200 fps. I would advise you use data from a slow powder like W870 or W760, start low and work up very slowly watching for pressure signs. james

[Catshooter]

Thanks Outpost, that helps.


Cat

[frank505]

My lot of 852 is pretty slow, 61 grains which fills the case and a 150 grain runs 2700. In a 30/06. Pretty accurate practice load

[Catshooter]

Thanks gentlemen.


Cat

[sledgehammer001]

My Cartridges of the World, 6th Ed., Lists WC852- 50.0gr- 150fmj as the standard military load.
Years ago, I bought 8lbs that was a fast batch. I settled on 48.5gr under a Sierra 150gr through my Rem 721 30/06.