Surplus powder data

[yodar]

I got this from another list. It is fairly consistent with what others jave said on various lists

Gents, here is some data on currently available milsurp powders that I gleaned from*a variety of internet sites that may interest you, and give you some guidance.* It comes replete with the usual total lack of guarantees and warranty, and*with the caution that you should;

1.* Start low & work up slow, and

2.* Discuss your needs and expectations with your supplier, as he probably knows a lot more about the powder than you do.


AL-8****
This is the original Alcan AL-8 as was sold during the 1960's and '70s. A flake powder which can be also loaded using Hercules (Alliant) Blue Dot data (begin with starting loads).* This is new powder.

IMR4475****
Original application was U.S. 7.62mm NATO (.308) Ball M80.* Was approved as a substitute for WC846.* IMR4475 is an extruded powder which has a burning rate similar to IMR3031.

IMR4895****
Original application is U.S. .30 Cal Ball M2, AP M2, Tracer M25, and* Match M72.* THE powder of choice for M1 Garands.* An extruded powder* which can be loaded using IMR4895 data.* This final lot I have came from 1972 loaded Tracer M25 ammo.

WC680(n)**
Original application is for the 7.62x39mm "AK-47" round.* This is a ball powder, which can be loaded using AA1680 data.

WC820****
Orignal application is for the U.S. Cal. .30 Carbine Ball M1 round.* This lot loads at 13.5gr with 110gr FMJ projectile.* This is a ball powder which can be loaded using Accurate Arms #9 (AA#9) data.

WC820(n)***
Orignal application is for the U.S. Cal. .30 Carbine Ball M1 round.* This lot loads at 14gr with 110gr FMJ projectile.* This is a ball powder which can be loaded using Accurate Arms #9 (AA#9) data.

WC820(f)***
This is an unusual lot of WC820 that was rejected for use in .30 Carbine ammunition, due to the too fast burning rate.* This is a ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon HS7 data or Win571 data.

WC820(f)***
lot #47321 is more like H110 than AA #9.

WC844****
Original application is U.S. 5.56mm NATO Ball M193 (55gr) & M855 (62gr), plus Tracer M196 & M856.* Typical 55gr load is 26gr, and 62gr load is 25gr.* A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H335 data.

WC846****
Original application is U.S. 7.62mm NATO Ball M80 and Tracer M62, typically loaded around 44-45 grains.* This is a ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon BL-C(2) data.

WC852(s)
lot #47287 is more like RL-19/H4831.

WC860****
Original application is U.S. .50 Cal. BMG ammo, used for the Ball M33 and API M8 projectile. A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data.

WC872(n)***
Original application is U.S. 20mm Vulcan ammo.* A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data.

HTH

Molly
==================
yodar

[Maven]

If Molly (Ken Molohan) was the originator of the list, you can bank on it as he's a well-respected writer and I believe founding member of the Cast Bullet Association. He also posts on this site and is the moderator of The Barrel Works forum.

[StarMetal]

Check this burn rate chart out. It includes most the surplus powders.You can see the surplus powder are slightly different in some instances then the recommended loads.

http://www.gswagner.com/bigreloading/components/powderburnrate.html

Joe

[RayinNH]

These were Jeff Bartletts write ups. I still have them from 2004.

I can also add a few that were not on the list. Some will be familiar to you, but I add it for those that may run across these powders.

IMR5010---Original application is U.S. .50 cal. BMG ammo; can be used with all .50 cal. projectiles. An extruded powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon 5010 or H870.

WC852(f)---(fast lot) This is a different lot than previously offered. This lot had been loaded in .30-06 Ball M2 ammo at 49.5 grains. This should be a good starting load if using the Ball M2 bullet. For other applications, IMR4895 data can be used, beginning with starting loads. Magnum primers are recommended. A ball powder that works great in the M1 Garand rifle. lot #6104.

#107--- A disc (thick flake) type powder, which can be loaded using AA#7 data

#105--- A flake type powder, which can be loaded using AA#5 data. This is one of the first lots of #5 Equivalent as manufactured by Hercules in the late 1980s. Seems to be faster than today's #5 ball type powder. Slightly faster than Unique, and slightly slower than Green Dot.

#102--- Czechoslovakian. This is the very same powder sold today by AA as #2 Improved.

M9--- Military surplus flake powder that looks like Dupont PB. Can be loaded using PB data or Green Dot.

This data is from 2000. Descriptions were rather brief. Also from Bartlett.

PSA (new)---Chinese, use IMR3031 data.

NM-04 (new)--- Use Bullseye data.

NM-13 (new) ---Use IMR 700x data

[TCLouis]

You left off WC-852(f) Load with H380 data.

RayinNH

sorry about that, missed it in the list and I checked it TWICT too.

Your post did get me to go check and see i I misspoke.

Mine is Lot A218(LC174BC) and is Marked "Use H380 Data" which I always marked on them as soon as they came in.

Guess I should say did mark, as it is highly unlikely I am going to be buying any more milsurp powders in my lifetime.

Dang and I am down to 8 lbs of WC 820 ( And I thought 24 pounds was too much.

[RayinNH]

TC, I have a WC852(f). Must have been a different year listing and lot #. I must say to all reading this, that these are suggestions only as to load data to use and that start loads at a minumun and maybe even a bit less would be very prudent...Ray

[Lloyd Smale]

Problem for me isnt data its getting the powders. Its about dried up guys.

[Rocky Raab]

Molly/Yodar, may I beg a clarification? When you say that AL-8 is new powder, are you saying that it is back in production? If so, how about the other three old Alcan propellants?

I have and use all four, and they were great powders - but my supply is dwindling!

[RayinNH]

Rocky, new powder means never before loaded in a round. A lot of these powders were pulldown, meaning they were reclaimed from loaded rounds...Ray

[Rocky Raab]

How kind of you, sir.

Double drat and blast, though. I'll well and truly miss those Bofors products when I drop the hammer on the last round loaded with it.

[RayinNH]

Rocky, AL-8 was a good .45 Colt powder. The last of my AL-8 went about 2 years ago, I'll miss them as well...Ray