Wc820 & 444

[Ron.D]

I have 16 lbs. of WC 820 and only limited use for it. I'm in the process of adding a large bore to my cast boolit stable. I know there are a lot here that use WC820 in their 45/70's and 44 mags, but all searches on this site and on google re it's use in the 444 come up empty. Hey, if you guys can buy a gun to suit a mold, I can buy one to suit some neglected powder.[smilie=1: Is there a problem I'm overlooking or just a gap in info.

[beagle]

RCBS 44-300-SWC weight 308.5 grains WC820 24.0 grains 1538 FPS.

Now, this may not be a top load but I'll let you test that out. I started at 20 grains and worked up and got off on another tangent before I moved up with the weight.

I have had no trouble with it in the 444 but I won't endorse any load. Use at your own risk.

It gave me 1.5" groups at 100 yards out of my Model 95 and is a darn good plinking load./beagle

[Ron.D]

Thanks Beagle. At least I have a starting point to proceed from and will do so with the usual caution. For that matter, the load you stopped at isn't a bad short range deer load. Ron.

[454PB]

Be cautious using WC820. It has the same ignition problems as AAC#9, WW 296, and H-110. If load density or pressure is low, it tends to squib. You don't want to pound boolits from the barrel, or worse yet, fire a round with a boolit stuck in the barrel.

[beagle]

That's true but should be a normal shooting practice. If it don't sound right, stop and check.

I've shot quite a few of these load and also some with 25 grains in the .45/70 with the Gould bullet and haven't had any problems so far./beagle


Be cautious using WC820. It has the same ignition problems as AAC#9, WW 296, and H-110. If load density or pressure is low, it tends to squib. You don't want to pound boolits from the barrel, or worse yet, fire a round with a boolit stuck in the barrel.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree. I wouldnt trust any ball powder with reduce loads in a big case and if you do insist on trying it make sure you use nothing but mag primers to light it off. 2400 would be a much better powder to use in this application. Again if you are going to try this at least get a chornograph and make sure your loads are buring consistantly.
Be cautious using WC820. It has the same ignition problems as AAC#9, WW 296, and H-110. If load density or pressure is low, it tends to squib. You don't want to pound boolits from the barrel, or worse yet, fire a round with a boolit stuck in the barrel.

[Ron.D]

Thanks guys. I always use a chrony and will excercise caution. Maven and others have a good deal of experience with WC820 and report that it's a pretty good powder, even in the 45/70. I'll be using mag primers as one of the precautions and won't be starting at absolute bottom in order to maintain reasonable pressures. My chrony will be keeping an eye on how it's going. Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated. Ron.