WC 846 powder

[david12601]

Looking for some imput.....3 friends have bought wc846 powder and want to use it in 22-250....they are going to use blc2 data but i see a lot of people use this powder but not in 22-250 anyone have any info...?? So the reason for the question is one fellow brought his gun over to look at bore using my scope and his bbl is fire crazed it is a heavy bbl gun with only 400 rounds through it .....dont want the other guys making the same mistake....i see loads for 223 and 308 but never for 22-250........thanks

 

[JSH]

I have used a fair bit of these old canister powders. DO NOT assume. Loads need to be worked up, a chronograph is almost a must and is your friend. You can have three different jugs and each one will act and require different loads, don’t ask me how I know.

I bought 16 pounds of pistol powder, both jugs ran side by side with AA9, zero difference.
Buddy bought some, different lot number, it mirrored 2400.

Nothing written in stone, they are not for the amateur or beginners.

 

[david12601]

I am seeing that ....I dont want my buddies get hurt or ruin thier rifles.....going to get all my responses and let them read them thanks

 

[DGP4]

Everything I have read is that WC 846 is the equivalent of BL-C(2). Having said that, be sure to start loads at well under the maximum for BL-C(2) and go from there.

 

[Deleted member fkimble@charter.net]

These surplus powders will not be found in reloading manuals. As mentioned each container can be from different original lots of powder. Most of it finds its way into 223 and 308 cases used by high volume shooters, 3gun, XTC, varmint shooters, etc. because its cheap, hence thats the data you usually see. If from ammo breakdown, there may be a couple different original lots mixed in a single jug. Ammo factories test each new lot and load their ammo to a safe pressure and velocity level for that lot. 22-250 powder overlaps most 223 and 308 powders but surplus powder must be reduced more than normal and worked up to a safe load. It is usually much more temp sensitive than current powders so more care needs to be taken. Usually H335 data is recomented for lots of surplus powder but not always. Don't try for max velocity and keep bullet weight down to 50/55 grains and you should be OK. My first 22-250 shot best at 223 velocities

Frank

 

[david12601]

My friend whas shooting 55 grain bullets using blc2 data minus 20% an it was like he was shooting a flame thrower he must have a very hot bunch of powder to burn a bbl like that

 

[DGP4]

My friend whas shooting 55 grain bullets using blc2 data minus 20% an it was like he was shooting a flame thrower he must have a very hot bunch of powder to burn a bbl like

BL-C(2) has a lot of flash. Flash does not equal hot burning or pressure. It is also very temperature sensitive. Frankly, it has never shot well in my .223s or .308 guns. However, a lot of folks claim to get good results with it.

 

[TAJ45]

My friend whas shooting 55 grain bullets using blc2 data minus 20% an it was like he was shooting a flame thrower he must have a very hot bunch of powder to burn a bbl like that

Maybe slower......not complete burning ??
Or what DGP4 said - I wasn't aware of that......hmmm

 

[AckleymanII]

I have shot a LOT of WC846 in a 223 with 55g bullets, custom Hart 14T.

 

[david12601]

There are a lot of recipes for everything except 22-250.....it may not be suitable for that caliber.......and I saw the barrel with the bore scope.......he tried using h380 in the beginning when the gun was new it shot ok he ran out of that and I gave him some 760 and that shot better he ran out of that and like everyone could not find powder...so...he tried the 846 using blc2 data reduced 20 % then 10% very soon accuracy disappeared .....he tried several bullets and bullet weights bad results that is when we scoped it....he dropped it off to gunsmith and it is going to get a new bbl