QuickLoad and bulk/surplus powders?

[DRNewcomb]

With component price and availability being what it is right now, I finally broke down and purchased QuickLoad. One question I have though, is about the many "odd-ball" powders I have (e.g. WC-750, WC-846, WC-852, Pat McDonald "Special Ball", etc.). I'm curious about how useful QuickLoad will be for someone who loads powder where the published data amounts to "'bout like BL-C(2)".

 

[GLShooter]

That's where you go in a start tweaking burn rates after you gather data at the shooting bench.

Greg

 

[6bra1k]

KJ\KG ENERGY you need to keep logs of what variations matches your actual testing
and remember it is a TOOL not a BIBLE.
ONLY AS GOOD AS THE USER

 

[Jager]

To start with a word of caution, here is a snippet from Dave Scovill's column in the Nov/Dec 1992 (#160) edition of Handloader Magazine, where he quotes Bob Hodgdon:


We have had a number of questions regarding loading information for WC-852. Apparently, it is a surplus powder that has somewhat unceremoniously been dumped on unsuspecting buyers, with the notion that it is suitable for a variety of sporting cartridges. It might be, but as the following memo from R.E. (Bob) Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon Powder Co., suggests, buyer beware.

“Over the last three years or so, the United States government has offered for surplus, several large lots of WC-852. Several bidders were successful in obtaining quantities of different lots. It has come to our attention that these lots are for sale by the supplier with virtually no data provided. Some suppliers advise their customers to use H-380 data, or perhaps to use published data for other powders.

“I would like to caution your readers to be very careful that they receive explicit data for that particular lot from their supplier. The reason is that, contrary to previous lots of WC-852 which we sold for years as H-380, these burning rates are all over the map. While most are from too slow to be proper H-380 to too hot to be used with H-450 data; one lot had a burning rate between BL-C(2)and H-335.

“The bottom line is that this surplus propellant can be almost anything, and in order to be safe, the buyer should insist that his vendor offer loading data, no matter how cheap the powder is being sold. The supplier, and only the supplier, can answer for the particular burning rate that he is selling."


To what the esteemed Mr. Hodgdon had to say way back then, I'd add only that non-canister powders - by definition - have no need to meet any particular burning rate requirement. The end user - typically a munitions manufacturer - has baked into their process the need to test each lot of powder... and then to adjust their load to meet their ballistic requirements.

With all that said, a careful and thoughtful handloader who has access to both QuickLoad and an accurate chronograph, could fairly easily map out that journey. Once you have an approximation of how a powder is performing, you'll need to add it to QuickLoad. I did that a few months ago for Accurate LT-30 and LT-32 (https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...ameters-for-accurate-lt-30-and-lt-32.4052451/)

 

[mac86951]

Pats has some great advise for what to start with. ALWAYS start low and work up, and plan on new work ups with each lot number change!

Wc846 is similar to BLC-2 though I've had a batch that was almost h335, and I've had some that was blc-2+.

My recommendation for quick load is to copy the "similar" powder and create a new powder profile based on your lot number. Work up loads with a Chrono and adjust quickload to match.

With my lot of WC846 i use 28.5 in 6.5 grendel with a Sierra 120

And 40.5gr in LC 7.62x51 brass and a 175 Sierra.

-Mac

-Mac

 

[DRNewcomb]

My recommendation for quick load is to copy the "similar" powder and create a new powder profile based on your lot number. Work up loads with a Chrono and adjust quickload to match.

Thanks Mac. My reason for asking is that I've never used QuickLoad and didn't know if there is a way to build burn characteristics for unsupported/undocumented powders. I have a CED M2 chronograph and use RSI Shooting Lab for my load data and shooting logs. I don't currently have an instrument to measure chamber or bore pressure, just the traditional observations of the primer, bolt lift, etc. for excess pressure.

 

[Surgeonwithagun]

Computing load data from surplus or other less than completely known powders is a "trial and error" sandwich. Start low and work-up and test with your most well built weapon. I have used several "Midwest powders" mostly for pistol and usually test in a solid stainless revolver first. I am not sure how Quickload would tell you much to help limit or avoid this process with such an unknown.

John