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View Full Version : 820 in other rifle cartridges?



MarkK
02-21-2007, 12:36 AM
The stuff works great in 44 mag and other pistol loads. Even read here that it works well in 6.5 Swede. So what about others? 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x54, 7.62x39 or? Thanks, MarkK

Marlin Junky
02-21-2007, 02:02 AM
I've found 16 grains to be a good load in the 30-30 using RCBS 30-180-FN (195-196 grains with check installed). The velocity is in the 1675 neighborhood and I'm going to test 16.5 grains this Thursday to see if accuracy (1.5MOA) is maintained at 1700+fps.

MJ

Dale53
02-21-2007, 02:46 AM
WC 820 is VERY similar to H108 (no longer available) and is an excellent Schuetzen rifle powder for the .32 Miller Short. Drives plain base bullets to 1500 fps with half minute accuracy in a good rifle.

Dale53

felix
02-21-2007, 10:38 AM
H108 is just another lot of WC820, and perhaps it was a big enough lot for Hodgdon to get involved. I read that about when the transaction took place. Don't know if the powder was virgin or not, but what I have personally seen there is no trace of foriegn material (copper shavings) in the powder. H116 is a lot of WC680. ... felix

MT Gianni
02-21-2007, 10:40 AM
It works well in the 7.62x39 with cast. Gianni

Dale53
02-21-2007, 12:59 PM
If you want a comparison of WC 820 to other powders, consider it in the class of AA #9 (may be just a slightly different burning rate of the same powder), H110 and Win 296.

Please understand that WC 820 is NOT a cannister powder and there are different lots with different burning rates.

I got in on a early buy of WC 820 and negotiated a 300 lb purchase for myself and several club members. Later followed up with another 300 lbs. I had access to our club chronograph and shared data with my fellow members.

I had extensive experience with H110 and Win 296 in the .44 magnum. My lot, chronographed on the same day and the same time, was within one half grain of the lot of H110 that I was using at the time. A chronograph is not a pressure gauge. However, it can be VERY useful when a direct comparison is made with powders of a similar burning rate.

WC 820 has been my powder of choice in the .44 magnum for many years simply because of the value (same performance at MUCH less expense at the time). I later learned how nice it is in Schuetzen rifles of appropriate caliber. It is appropriate to use it where the commercial powder has been H110 or Win 296,

However, it is NOT the "end all and be all". It can get you in trouble real quick when used in rifle calibers when you are not "paying attention".

I do NOT present myself as an expert nor a ballistician. I am merely reporting what has worked for me and the process that I used to reach my conclusions.

Be careful and be safe.

Dale53

454PB
02-21-2007, 02:56 PM
My lot of WC820 is pulldown, and what I see as contaminate is mostly small bits of paper.

I too did chronograph comparisons of H-110/WW296 to my WC820, and mine is considerably faster. In fact, it compares almost exactly with AAC#9 in velocity grain for grain in both .44 magnum and .454 Casull.

Ricochet
02-21-2007, 03:18 PM
My pulldown WC820 closely matches published AA #9 velocities in my .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk.

It also has an unusual golden brown tinge to its color. Doesn't have much solvent scent, but neither has it ever shown any signs of red fuming or acrid, irritating odor. I've had it since about 1998 and its performance has remained stable. I don't know whether the color's related to deterioration or if it was made that way, but I figure I ought to use it up soon just in case.

Warhawk
02-28-2007, 11:34 PM
This is good to know. I finally used up my last 8# jug of H-108 and have been wondering what I would do next.

ace1001
04-27-2007, 07:25 PM
Take a pan of WC820 outside in the sun and look at it. Roll it back and forth. Looks little geodesic crystals. Metalic grey with a sheen of bronze. Ace

Ricochet
04-27-2007, 09:48 PM
That's a good description of mine. Certainly works fine. I have no complaints.