Help with WW 450LS powder

[twotrees]

Help with WW 450LS powder
I know some of the old WW shotgun powders had a habit of separating, was this one of them?

I was given 4 lbs of it and would like to try and use it in pistol loads.

Anyone have an Idea where I should start?

(Tried Google, bunch of junk came up)

Thanks in Advance,

[BerdanIII]

I'll take a look in my books, but I think the most I'll be able to come up with is shotgun data.

I don't know what you mean by "separating". Do you mean "deteriorate"? If 450LS is a ball powder, it's unlikely. Ball powder is extremely stable.

[swheeler]

There is some data in Speer #8 for a few handgun cartridges.

[BerdanIII]

Winchester 450-LS Data

From: Speer #8, 1970:

.38 S&W - Winchester cases, Alcan
148-gr - Speer BB Wadcutter - 2.7 grs - 707 fps to 3.0 grs - 779 fps
(Red Dot 2.8 - 760 fps to 3.1 grs - 835 fps)
158-gr - Speer Lead Semi-wadcutter - 2.3 grs - 621 fps to 2.7 grs - 704 fps
(Red Dot 2.3 - 664 fps to 2.7 grs - 740 fps)

.38 Special - Speer/DWM cases, CCI 550
148-gr - Speer BB Wadcutter - 3.1 grs - 698 fps to 4.1 grs - 910 fps
(Red Dot 3.2 - 798 fps to 4.2 grs - 986 fps)
148-gr - Speer HB Wadcutter - 2.7 grs - 690 fps to 3.4 grs - 870 fps
(Red Dot 2.8 grs - 784 fps to 3.5 grs - 936 fps)
148-gr - Speer HB Wadcutter - 3.0 grs - 736 fps - lightest powder charge for reliable functioning and excellent accuracy in a standard Smith & Wesson Model 52 Target Auto. Pistol.
(Red Dot - 2.8 grs - 736 fps)
158-gr - Speer Lead SWC or RN - 4.0 grs - 822 fps to 4.5 grs - 938 fps
(Red Dot 4.2 grs - 934 fps to 4.7 grs - 1037 fps

.45 ACP - Federal cases, CCI 300
185-gr - Cast SWC - 4.7 grs - 751 fps to 5.1 grs - 803 fps
(Red Dot 4.2 grs - 776 fps to 4.7 grs - 854 fps)
200-gr - Speer SWC - 4.5 grs - 726 fps to 5.0 grs - 796 fps
(Red Dot 4.0 grs - 747 fps to 4.5 - 809 fps)

No other handgun loads were listed.

Red Dot loads included for comparison.

Apparently not a very versatile powder. There's no mention of it in Speer @#9.

[twotrees]

From what I'm seeing it's a bit slower than RedDot, but peaks sooner.

I'll try some RedDot and 450LS in 06 cases using RedDot as the standard and see what the chronie says. Cast Boolits to be sure.

Thanks Again,

[50calshooter]

I load win aa cases 12 ga win wads and cci primers 16.5 grain I have 28 pounds to use up yet.

[BerdanIII]

twotrees:

I don't know if 450LS in rifle loads is a good idea. Winchester stated that the powder could be used for "light" handgun loads. That and the fact that there were no loads listed for the .41 or .44 Magnum makes me think that this stuff gets twitchy in a hurry. I believe that something like "The Load" would not be safe with this powder. I personally might try 7 to 8 grains with a 150-gr. cast bullet to see what happens.

Don't take chances.