WC860, 243 Winchester, 100g Soft Points

[Palmyrahicks]

I got a modest shipment of WC860 and tried it in the 243 Win a few weeks back with 100g Soft Points, and CCI LRM's. It seems to work well with velocities of 2900+ FPS, cases about as full of the powder as I could get them. I was not privy to any published data working up my load but experienced easy extraction and no trauma to the primers. My rifle has iron sights... essentially what is known as the Remington Spartan. This is a single shot break action style rifle, no longer being imported as far as I know. The 50yd groups were as tight as I can shoot with open sights.

Has anybody else had good results with this powder and bullet combination, or any specific results or they may be willing to share?

[roverboy]

Hello, and welcome. The only thing I have used it in is .30-06 with 180 gr. and CCI 250 Mag. primers, and even played around with it in .223 with 55 gr. fmj. The .223 isn't that great with such a slow powder but, it still shot good, and was fun. It sounds like you found a good load for your .243. They usually work good with slow powders.

[Palmyrahicks]

Thanks Roverboy,

I worked up a load for 30-06 using 205GC to 2400+ FPS... kicks like a mule in my light rifle. Filled to the base of the neck in fire formed cases, the group was bad at first, but when the castings were seated exposing the top ring fully above the neck it cleaned up to 2" at 50yds. With very little deviation in velocity, it has good potential. There were no pressure signs with a clean barrel and brass. The lube is applied to castings heated to 200F that are rolled around in 50/50 toilet bowl and paraffin wax before seating the checks. I am going to try even less depth when seating castings in the brass next time to see if the accuracy will improve more. Obviously this is using a harder alloy, it rings when ingots strike each other. The WC860 producer advertises it as a 50-BMG powder. Seems it may have more uses, as in the 243 Winchester with heavy slugs (100g). The problem is that the manufacturer says it is for the 50-BMG, placing us out on our own if nobody publishes data. Extra caution is warranted to work up loads in a safe manner. Perhaps heavy (75g+) will perform better in the 223.

[Hamish]

There is TONS of info on the site and Castpics,,,,,,,,

Very versatile stuff!

[Palmyrahicks]

I wonder if the manufacturer has a motive in not publishing data as a defense contract supplier. It is valuable to have this site as a means of sharing information that may be unknown otherwise. WC860 surplus is not as cost prohibitive, even using full cases where it works.

[roverboy]

I've heard that the burning rate is similar to Accurate Arms AA8700 and Hodgdon H870.

[BaconStrips]

I have been considering WC860 for 7mag & heavy 243 j-word loads. I stumbled across a burn rate chart that includes some of the slower surplus powders. The slow end is pasted on below.

I would like to work up some IMR 7383 loads too. I understand it gets spikey on the upper end though.

Hamish is right, there is a ton of info on this site and Castpics to filter through. I have been reading on it for a while. Might break down and make it one of my winter projects.

237 N 165, Vihtavuori
238 Magpro, Accurate
239 WMR, Winchester
240 R 905, RWS
241 TU 8000, Vectan
242 Reloder 22, Alliant
243 H-570, Hodgdon
244 Power Pro 4000 MR, Alliant
245 IMR-7828, IMR
246 8700- Accurate
247 WC 860
248 24N41, Vihtavuoi
249 H-1000, Hodgdon
250 Magnum, Ramshot
251 Reloder 25, Alliant
252 Retumbo, Hodgdon
253 WC 872
254 H-870, Hoðgdon
255 N170, Vihtavouri
256 H-5010, Hodgdon
257 24N21, Vihtavoun
258 Reloder 50, Alliant
259 5OBMG. Hodgdon
260 20N29, Vihtavoun
261 SP 13, Vectan

[Maven]

I wonder if the manufacturer has a motive in not publishing data as a defense contract supplier. It is valuable to have this site as a means of sharing information that may be unknown otherwise. WC860 surplus is not as cost prohibitive, even using full cases where it works.

Probably not much data available [for WC 860] for another, less insidious reason. To wit, the military developed it for the .50cal. BMG round, not the civilian market, and certainly not the .243Win. (Don't ask!) Also, be aware that different lots of 860 have different burn rates. E.g., the lot that I presently use is noticeably faster than the lot I used in 1990.

Bacon...., There's lots of info. on IMR 7383 on this site. (See comment about diff. lots/diff burn rates above.) If you are careful with it, you can tame its tendency to spike. Btw, is excellent in the .243Win. with jacketed bullets as long as you don't exceed 42gr. with 85gr. - 90gr. bullets in warmer weather. It works fairly well as a CB propellant too in such cartridges as the .30-06, 7.5 x 55mm Swiss (K-31), 7.62 x 54R, 8 x 57mm Mau. with 175gr. or heavier CB's and starting charges no lighter than 35gr.

[Hamish]

I CAN tell you, as Maven reported a number of years ago (2008?), a case full with heavy lead is just a good way to end up with more powder clogging up the barrel than got burned,,,,,.

i don't see why duplexing it with a 105 boolit won't be effective and accurate, it's been on the agenda, maybe I can get around toit shortly.

[BaconStrips]

Maven- Thanks for the insight. Have a lot of irons in the fire right now but hope to get some time next winter to work with these two powders. Again, thanks for the advice.

[Maven]

You're most welcome, BaconStrips!

[Palmyrahicks]

Thanks Maven,

I have loaded several boxes in 243 100g (shhh... SP) using the same brass and only neck sizing and they have cleaned up nicely. I'm sure you are right about the cautions on surplus powder burn rates and will keep this in mind if I purchase another lot. They are burning very cleanly and extract easy with no primer trauma. The velocity is right so I will not go higher as safe is good at approximately 3000FPS. Obviously not the fastest load, but good for what it costs to put together.


Probably not much data available [for WC 860] for another, less insidious reason. To wit, the military developed it for the .50cal. BMG round, not the civilian market, and certainly not the .243Win. (Don't ask!) Also, be aware that different lots of 860 have different burn rates. E.g., the lot that I presently use is noticeably faster than the lot I used in 1990.

Bacon...., There's lots of info. on IMR 7383 on this site. (See comment about diff. lots/diff burn rates above.) If you are careful with it, you can tame its tendency to spike. Btw, is excellent in the .243Win. with jacketed bullets as long as you don't exceed 42gr. with 85gr. - 90gr. bullets in warmer weather. It works fairly well as a CB propellant too in such cartridges as the .30-06, 7.5 x 55mm Swiss (K-31), 7.62 x 54R, 8 x 57mm Mau. with 175gr. or heavier CB's and starting charges no lighter than 35gr.

[Maven]

Glad to be of assistance, Palmyrahicks!