BL-C(2) loads in a 303 Brit, reduced and normal

[303Guy]

So I decided to try BL-C(2) in my Brit with 150gr Hornady spires. These bullet shot great with another powder. Not so much with BL-C(2). In another gun it shot terrible and pressure looks high (could be new cases with primer backing out).

Anyway, I see that it can be used at quite low pressure in the 30-30 - 21,800 CUP. I now want to try it behind cast and paper patched boolits. Hodgdon starting load with a 180gr bullet is 37,100 CUP.

Any one else tried BL-C(2)?
How low can I go and still get consistent ignition and burn with 200gr boolits? Or any boolit weight?

[Outpost75]

BLC(2) is surplus WC846 which was designed for loading full-charge 148-grain FMJ ammunition in the 7.62 NATO cartridge.

In my experience it does not tolerate being reduced in charges which occupy less than about 85% of case capacity. In the .30-30 it is a "slow" powder and you cannot get enough into the case to get into trouble, but if loaded at charges which leave airspace in the case, ignition will be erratic and velocity variation excessive.

It should not be confused with WC844, often sold surplus as H335, which is a faster power used for 5.56mm ammunition.

[303Guy]

Thanks. That's what I was worried about. That may be why the starting loads listed are higher in some cartridges than for other powders. It's interesting because Hodgdon list it in several low pressure loads such as for the 30-40. It looks like the starting load with the heavier bullet is more like 75% load density. I wonder how that shoots.

I noted that when fired in my two-groove with a single baffle can, the recoil and muzzle blast is considerably greater than with H4350. The report consists of a sharp supersonic crack with a boom.

[Outpost75]

WC846 does not contain a flash inhibitor, because in military use the weapons in which it is used would have a mechanical flash supressor to break up and disperse the cloud of exiting gases at the muzzle, howver, in a can it is possible for secondary ignition of the powder gases to occur within the can, which can reduce its effectiveness.

[303Guy]

That's what I thought was happening. The can would have become a rocket engine!

[hanover67]

I shoot the Lyman 211291 gas check, 170gr roundnose bullet in my SMLE .303 over 16gr of 2400 (the "200 yard load"). It is pretty accurate at 100yds. I get very accurate results using the 150gr Hornady's (.312"), but that is not a reduced load, rather 39gr of IMR 4064. I don't know the type of shoting you're doing, but those are my results.

[leebuilder]

BLC2 is the powder for 3030, heavy or light j-thingys, it produces much muzzle flash!! Never had any success with 303 and BLC2. Now H335 is a different story, it is my go to powder in 303 with j-thingys, heavy and flat base, most consistent results in most if not all rifles.
Be safe

[Outpost75]

BLC2 is the powder for 3030, heavy or light j-thingys, it produces much muzzle flash!! Never had any success with 303 and BLC2. Now H335 is a different story, it is my go to powder in 303 with j-thingys, heavy and flat base, most consistent results in most if not all rifles.
Be safe

Would be nice to know if you have a full charge load which works well in the .303 using the 174-grain Hornady or #314299 with H335!

[303Guy]

Thanks all. I was hoping to get two things from BL-C(2) in the 303, those being higher performance and one powder for all bullet (j-thingy's) weights - at lower pressure. My first outing results made me think in terms of reduced powder loads for cast and paper patched.

I wonder how well BL-C(2) would work as a fertilizer?

No, I haven't given up - yet. :neutral:

Maybe I could impress my 308 buddies with spectacular chronograph readings, with impressive muzzle blast and flash? :roll:

[leebuilder]

Outpost, I am working on it had marginal success with the 316299 and H335 I forget the load but can look it up, I plan to expand on it in time.
I am away from my notes but my 174gr, .312 Hornady RN j-thingy load is 37.5 to 38 gr. With HXP brass it is my deadliest load it scored highly in competition and filled my belly. I assume it is close to MK7 velocity because my No4 sight settings are not far off at range.
I have no idea why BLC2 is the way it is the 85% full case rule must be the cause, it will not preform in some calibers, ie 303 and 6.5x55 then excels in 3030 and 308.
303 guy I too have been experimenting with low pressure "hum-dingers" but in my 3006 have had encouraging results with 4831, 163gr and 180gr j-thingys.
Note I have no croney.
Be well and give-er and never give up!!!
BLC2 as fertilizer? Not sure, so much more fun burning it at a blistering fast rate in a relatively small brass tube under a projectile. My cousin experimented with Win ball powder and 100gr j-thingys the report was defening and the fire ring exiting the muzzle was similar to large artillery, speed no idea, accuracy poor, fun and wow factor very high.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I've not had good results with BLC2. I've tried it in .32 Special, .300 Savage, .308 and some others. Particularly temperature sensitive. Large muzzle flash and blast, even in 24" barrels, leaves a hardened residue in barrel that affects first shot from cold barrel. Needs higher pressures to burn clean, then still leaves quite a depositnot very clean. Just not very nice compared to Reloder 15, Varget, 4064, 4895. It does measure accurately. Tried Magnum primers, no real difference.

[Shiloh]

Gotta go with what Outpost75 said.
You need a more reduced load friendly powder.

With .223 in a bolt gun, my extreme spreads went way down when the case got filled up. This with jacketed bullets.

SHiloh