WC-860 for jacketed bullets

[mdatlanta]

This is not a "cast boolit" question, but I'm wondering if anyone has used the surplus 860 in cartridges like the plain-jane .30-06 with 220gr or .270 WCF with 150gr jacketed bullets? How about the various 7mm or .300 Magnums with jacketed bullets?

This is a great fourm, BTW!

Mike

[454PB]

Yes, I've used it in .338 Win. mag, 300 Win. mag, and 7MM Rem. mag. Accuracy was OK, but WC 860 is too slow for top velocities. Using the "Clark" method of powder dispensing, I only got about 80% of the velocity attainable with more suitable powders.

[Buckshot]

................No magnum info, but a caseload in the 6.5 Swede and a 140gr Hornady netted 2725 fps (24" bbl) and in the 7x57 with a 175gr slug it went 2450 fps (29" bbl). In the Swede small ring Mauser, that's about all one could ask for, and no more is especially needed!

The velocity in the 7x57 is very close to it's original design specs, and for general hunting I don't think a person can really USE anything much over 2400 fps anyway. Of course the last is IMO and doesn't count the people who like to shoot from county to county in getting their animal.

.................Buckshot

[Junior1942]

Buckshot, what you reckon the pressure was in that 860 & 7x57 load? I have a M93 Spanish 7x57 with a 20" barrel. I use a 154 gr SP "blem" bullet, and I try to keep pressure as low as possible. I just don't trust the M93 action. The rifle, however, is a tack driver. Reason I'm asking is maybe 860 and the 154 would give me good accuracy, velocity, and low pressure.

Here's the rifle, page 1: http://www.castbullet.com/misc/m93.htm

Page 2: http://www.castbullet.com/misc/m932.htm

[StarMetal]

Junior,

I wouldn't worry about the pressure being real high with that bullet and 860. I was looking at my hodgdon manual and a 50 some gr load of H1000, which is very slow also, only put it in the mid 40,000 psi bracket...and that was with a 170 gr jacketed bullet.

Joe

[mdatlanta]

"Buckshot" and "454PB"--Thanks, for the info.

Buckshot, the velocity you're getting is just about what I'm looking for. The smallish whitetails here in Georgia don't need much speed--one just ends up with a bunch of bloodshot meat. In fact, the case-load of 860 and a 140gr bullet might be just the ticket in my 22" Ruger 6.5x55. 2700fps is really too much for around here.

I bought a bunch of Midsouth's blem bullets a while back--the 150gr .270 and the 220gr. .30 cal. Again, I don't need much velocity for hunting here and was wondering how 860 might work with those "heavy" bullets in the .270 Win and .30-06. Looks like I'll have to get a jug or two and start experimenting.

Junior, great story about your "boat rifle"!

[454PB]

I've been using it in my 308 Win. cast loads. Because it's so slow, it's very dirty. However, accuracy is excellent. I haven't chronographed these loads, but guess them to be around 1600 to 1700 fps. with the Lee 170 gr. 30/30 boolit.

[Junior1942]

Junior,

I wouldn't worry about the pressure being real high with that bullet and 860. I was looking at my hodgdon manual and a 50 some gr load of H1000, which is very slow also, only put it in the mid 40,000 psi bracket...and that was with a 170 gr jacketed bullet.

Joe

The manual puts it in the mid 40,000 CUP bracket which, I think, is less than mid 40,000 psi. Be nice if they'd get rid of one of the measurements and everybody'd use the same, either CUP or PSI. I prefer PSI.

[Buckshot]

.............JR, that 2450 fps velocity in the 7x57 is what the cartridge was originally designed to produce with a 175gr slug in a 29" bbl. I would suppose from primer appreance that the pressure was less then original. I've shot it in a Chilean M95 with IS only a M93 after all. You'll have no issues with it.

You won't get that velocity from a shorter barrel, though. A 22 to 24 inch tube may yeild about 2200 fps.

.................Buckshot

[9.3X62AL]

I have some loads ready for the 6.5 x 55 using WC-860 and 140 grainers, awaiting chronography and accuracy testing. If the weather cooperates on Tuesday, they might get a test-fire sequence. My rifle is also the Ruger 77R with the 22" tube, and I'm seeking 2700 FPS with the 140 grain j-words. IMR's #4350 and 4831 will also get a test drive through the chronograph--these both have shot accurately in the past, but I'm unsure how fast they went while doing so.

There's a lot of validity to the idea that as long as it's accurate--2400 or 2700 FPS doesn't make a lot of difference on game with a bullet giving good controlled expansion (e.g., Nosler Partition). There's always the 125 grain Partition if velocity becomes important for some reason. Trajectory flatness and ranging capability is nice, but the bottom line is accuracy.

[swheeler]

Mike; here's some to start- the lot of powder you get may be different
30/06,220 HornRN,215FCpr,61.0WC860=2133fps
270 WIN,150 Speer sp, 215FCpr,63.0WC860=2536fps
6.5x55,140Rem cl,250CCI pr,53.0WC860=2425fps
In all loads pressure was moderate and accuracy was good- they were developed in 40 deg weather for black timber loads
Scooter

[mdatlanta]

Hi Guys,

I've been out of town so haven't had a chance to check back here. Thanks for all the responses!

Mike