W867 Powder for 338 Lapua Magnum (Help Please)

[Flea21]

I seem to have several 8lb jugs of W867 from when I loaded for 50 BMG. I have since left that game and focused my big bore magnums toward 338 Lapua Magnum. That being said, I want to use this for my 338s and just curious if anyone has any knowledge or history working with this powder for this caliber.

If so, I would appreciate it if you could please share what you’ve learned so that I can have some point of reference… Thank You.

 

[Loudenboomer]

I use allot of WC860. (Usually a little faster than 867.) My lot is a little faster than AA8700. Reloader 33 and N570 are some of the best powders propelling 300 grain bullets but they have become unobtanium. Ball 50 BMG powders are an economical way to keep shooting. The burn cleans up nicely when pressure is in the safe upper working levels. I measure case heads and stop working up before .002 case head expansion. Back when loading for your 50 BMG you will remember these Ball powders heat up with the weather. Something to keep in mind.

 

[soewe812]

250gr Nosler E-tip Lapua brass Tula large rifle mag primer 3.620 OAL 100 gr WC867 nets 2975fps in my Savage Long Range Hunter

 

[Flea21]

I use allot of WC860. (Usually a little faster than 867.) My lot is a little faster than AA8700. Reloader 33 and N570 are some of the best powders propelling 300 grain bullets but they have become unobtanium. Ball 50 BMG powders are an economical way to keep shooting. The burn cleans up nicely when pressure is in the safe upper working levels. I measure case heads and stop working up before .002 case head expansion. Back when loading for your 50 BMG you will remember these Ball powders heat up with the weather. Something to keep in mind.

Thanks… this is some good information, it’s much appreciated. Yes, I remember how they heat up in warmer temps. I used to load my 50BMG at 200grs and ended up having to back them down to 190grs because of pressure spikes. I will say though, at 190, I was good on pressures in cold and hot temps but I didn’t chrono every shooting session so I cannot tell you exactly what that shook out to be.

I’m looking forward to experimenting with my 338LM. I made 10 loads of just 1 shot to see what they chrono out at as well as checking for pressure signs. I’m starting at 88.00grs and finishing at 92.50grs. I’m shooting them this coming Monday and the weather is supposed to be 36-50 degrees outside. I’m gonna make sure to document everything, including the weather. My goal is to find a speed I’m comfortable with and then doing a Load development around that and finding an accuracy node.

Then, when it warms up outside, I plan to back that load down and do the same thing, but that shouldn’t take too much considering I would already know where things should be.

We’ll see how this project goes. I’ll make sure to check back in with my results.

 

[Flea21]

250gr Nosler E-tip Lapua brass Tula large rifle mag primer 3.620 OAL 100 gr WC867 nets 2975fps in my Savage Long Range Hunter

Wow. Thanks for this. I’m starting pretty low at 88.00grs. That being said, I’m shooting 250gr Sierra MKs but this will be short lived as I’m switching to 300gr Berger OTM Hybrids. This is gonna be and interesting “science experiment” but if everything goes well, I’ll have access to a ton of powder to feed this rifle for quite some time.

What kind of accuracy and chrono numbers are you getting? Like ES and SD as well as speeds?