Surplus Powders

[Rifleman]

I wanted to make you all aware of the availability of surplus military powders suitable for reloading centerfire cartridges. I and TKO both have a great deal experience with these and they can be very good depending on your selection and application. Is anyone else here experienced with these powders? By the way, they are ALOT cheaper then commercial powders.

[TKO]

With the shift to slower powders in the ML10's, WC844 (used in 5.56mm) might have some application with heavier bullets. It has the approximate burn rate of H335. Works great in my Lott, too. ;D

[MarkKw]

I've seen a lot of different cross reference charts for thess powders and all differ slightly. Is there anywhere to get good relaible information on what is what? I've been avoiding buying any out of fear of getting mis-information and blowing myself up.

[Rifleman]

TKO wc844 is a fine grained ball powder correct? If so would not it's use in the 10ml's be a safety hazard?

[TKO]

Rman,

I should have stated in the 10ML-II only.

Migration into the old priming module with small grain/ball powder was a problem, but I think that it is not an issue with the current ventliner set up.

I think it was SW that had a module blow with Win296?

[TKO]

MarkKw,

Listed in order of approximate burning rate (slowest to fastest):

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

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. Big Betty loves this stuff!!

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.

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.

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(n) Orignal application is for the U.S. Cal. .30 Carbine Ball M1 round. This is a ball powder which
can be loaded using Accurate Arms #9 (AA#9) data.

WC820 Orignal application is for the U.S. Cal. .30 Carbine Ball M1 round. 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.

Use the corresponding commercial powder's starting load and work up from there. Watch velocity on chronograph and do not attempt to beat the listed maximum velocity for the commercial powder listing in your loading manual and you will be fine.

[acal]

Great information !

Where can these powders be obtained, and what prices can be expected ?

[TKO]

www.patsreloading.com
www.gibrass.com

use altavista or google to search "surplus powders" for others.

[Rifleman]

I got some for sale, give me a minute and I will but up an ad on the trade board. I am getting out of reloading and that is why i am selling. It will be cheaper then ordering from the dealer cause I need to move it.

[MarkKw]

WC846 is one that I found variations on. I wanted to use in the .30-06, 7.62x54R and 8x57 however I got three different conversions from four different vendors which varied greatly. I'd like to stay with one powder for all of these rounds since I don't shoot the CF's that much and when I do 90% of it is using cheap surplus FMJ ammo. Even though I don't take any of these hunting, I like having jacketed soft points on hand but mostly cast bullets.

In the .30-06 & 7.62x54R I want to load 190-200 grain cast lead round nose and 165 grain boattail HP's. (looking at the new Lyman 190gr mold that's supposed to be very accurate).

For the 8x57 primary bullet will be 175gr cast lead round nose.

I'd like light loads but full enough cases that I don't have to worry about excessive air space. I modifield my lube and so far it seems to be letting me drive cast bullets around 2000 fps w/o problems so I'd like to say that would be top end and 1800 would be optimum. Any thoughts?

[TKO]

MarkKw,

Believe it or not AA5744 was designed for reduced loads without the need of fillers.

Go to www.accuratearms.com and read up and then give them a call. They should be able to get you going.

[MarkKw]

Thanks I will read into it. I love my cast bullets and don't need to drive them fast just accurately. If I want turbo charged I'll go with the Sierra match king BTHP's .... man I got them smoking from my '06 and holding excellent groups even from the M-70 sporter rifle.

[scott41069]

Ok, a silly question i have for anyone.

What is meant by "PUll Down" powder? Is that in reference to progressive loading?

[MarkKw]

"Pull down" means the bullets were pulled from loaded ammo and the individual components recovered from same. This is why you'll find projo's listed as "slight pull marks" too.

[scott41069]

MarkKw said:

"Pull down" means the bullets were pulled from loaded ammo and the individual components recovered from same. This is why you'll find projo's listed as "slight pull marks" too.

I have pulled bullets before but wasnt sure what it meant by saying "Pull Down Powder" from this site..
www.gibrass.com

[Rifleman]

I stay away from pull down powder, too much risk of mixed propellants and contamination.