Where can I find bulk powder for 5.56 plinking
- Thread starter schumy
- Start date
Hey guys, in the states they have really cheap WC-844 powder for reloading 5.56 on the cheap. What is available in Canada that's cheaper than $30/lb, maybe even cheaper than $20
Have you tried mixing charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur together?
Let me tell you about the "cheap" WC-844 and other surplus powders, military lots of powders vary in burn rate, and the military varies the charge weight to make up for this.
And as one person said in a AR15 forum he would rather buy BLC2 or H335 and make "ONE" workup load than buy surplus powders and make up a workup load for each jug of surplus powder he buys.
WC-844 is selling for $160.00 for 8 pounds and you want me to buy 100 pounds for $2,000 dollars. And I can buy a one pound can of BLC2 or H335 for $25.00 and it will be the same burn rate the next one pound can I buy. So just tell me your joking and really didn't want my wife to kill me for spending $2,000 on powder.
So just remember, you Canadians get free health care and if my wife runs me over with the car I have to pay for it.
It's funny how a dollar spent here is of completely different value when spent there. $2000 for a rifle I have to have? I've spent more on a single firearm. But $2000 on one reloading component is crazy money. Haha. I'd love to set up a Dillon 1050 and crank out tens of thousands of bulk rounds but paying for it seems crazy. Funny how that works. At any rate, I think the cheapest route is WC-735 from Higginsons. Buy 21 lbs and get free shipping. It WAS $18/lb a few years ago. Todays price is probably more.
I just ran into a guy at work yesterday and he posed the same question! WC-735 is what I've been using for a number of years, and not just for 223. It's a Ball Powder with a burn rate suitable for a wide range of bullet weights.
Google "Higginsons Powders", and you'll see that it's presently going for $96.00 for 4 lbs and $176.00 for 8 lbs. 8 lbs will load almost 2500 rounds of 223.......
There are threads aplenty here on CGN that discuss loads.
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I think you have an extra "0" in there or my math is off....lol
7000gr in a pound, X 8lbs = 56,000gr
Even at a conservative 20gr per round (my loads are 22-23.5gr), that's only 2800 rounds.
It's good powder, I'm still getting through my first batch as well. Use it in .223, 7.62x39, and even have a decent .308 load with it too.
Higginson has always been a great source. They turn up some pretty amazing stuff at attractive prices. At one time they were selling bulk H335 as well as an Olin ball powder called X2924 which was something in between W748 and BLC2. They are both great in the .223. I must have bought 50 lbs of this stuff for self and gopher shooting friends @ around $12/lb. Ball powder has a very long shelf life if stored properly.
I notice you are in the USA.
Powder is the one thing that we cannot ship south and you cannot ship North unfortunately.
Our single pound powder prices have risen from around $28.00 a pound in 2012 to nearly $44.00 a pound.
Our 8lb jug prices have risen from around $200 to $244 or $266 for the new Enduron powders.
We can get surplus WC735 for $176 per 8lb where it was $126 as late as last fall.
The WC735 we are seeing here is extremely consistent and 5% faster than H-335.
The suggestions you are being given are based on OUR reality and not yours.
I was south of the border last weekend and saw 8lb jugs in Vermont for $168. Unfortunately I cannot legally bring them back.
Best of luck
I said this on an earlier thread:
.223 REMINGTON
BULLET START LOADS MAXIMUM LOADS Wt. / Mfg. / Type Grains Vel. Grains Vel. P.S.I. COL Comments | |||||
40 NOS BT | 22.5 3,448 | 25.0 3,831 | * 50,500 | 2.260 | |
45 NOS BT | 22.3 3,416 | 24.8 3,795 | * 50,000 | 2.260 | |
50 NOS BT | 21.6 3,186 | 24.0 3,540 | * 49,600 | 2.230 | |
55 IMI FMJ | 21.2 2,939 | 23.5 3,265 | * 48,000 | 2.230 | |
69 SRA HPBT | 19.4 2,655 | 21.5 2,950 | * 52,000 | 2.250 | |
75 HDY HPBT | 18.6 2,430 | 20.6 2,700 | * 51,000 | 2.255 |
