Lets talk WC735

I have used it in 7.62x39 and .223
I find 22 grains is more then enough with 55gr bullets in IVI brass to cycle my Norc M4 and puts Hornady varmint HP's and FMJ's into a sub 1" circle with irons at 25M and that's more then enough for plinking ammo on steel out to 100M.

Would really like some input on reloading for my M14 with this powder, I guess 168gr SMK's are out of the question but I imagin it would do ok with 147gr FMJ and tracer?

why would that be. I got great results with 165 gr Remington bulk bullets last elk season.
 
So is WC735 the same as WC845 that Higgingson Powers sold about 6-7 years ago? When that powder was being sold I think it gave the same "5% faster than H335" data info. Unfortunately not much info on WC845, even from Higginsons.
 
Could you use WC735 for .357 magnum of .38 special?

It isn't something that would normally be used for handgun reloading. It would probably give low velocities and pressures 100% at load density. If you really want a light load with no possibility of a double charge, it might work, as suggested in this article:

http://john-ross.net/magnum.php

You are, of course, on your own if you wish to pursue this course.

I would just stick to the regular sorts of powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, W231/HP-38, etc. for that sort of thing. The cost would be lower, as you would be using much less powder.
 
So is WC735 the same as WC845 that Higgingson Powers sold about 6-7 years ago? When that powder was being sold I think it gave the same "5% faster than H335" data info. Unfortunately not much info on WC845, even from Higginsons.

I think so. When I called nod do looking for some data on another round and they asked me where I got my 845 since that wasn't commercially avail from retailers and was no longer avail even tohigginson's and they were now using a similar formula. Still not sure if we were legally supposed to have it. Then I told him I was in Canada and outside his laws. ;)
 
I've used it my triple deuce rifles. Don't have the load data with me as I'm traveling again, but it worked just fine. - dan

I used it to fireform my 222 brass. When I reloaded those cases the next time there was all sorts of carbon scaling falling out in giant flakes. Took me another tumble and firing to get them back clean.

I only have 7 more lbs to creatively use up. It won't be in a rifle that's hard to clean. Seems to be better behaved in my smle.
 
As much as I like the price, I don't think of WC-735 as a great powder. It seems to leave a lot of fouling in the bolts of my AR-15s, and velocity spreads are much higher than I see with other powders.
 
I use 23.2 grains of WC735 in IVI brass with 55gr bullets ontop. Patterns about the same spread as IVI, so that's fine with me. Not super tight groupings, but plenty good enough for service rifle type events. I am planning on using it for my 7.62x51 casings, but I haven't gotten around to it yet...
 
I was thinking of giving this stuff a try for 223. Can anyone comment on how it meters through a Dillon press? Specifically a 550b?

It meters through my Dillon powder measure like water, like any other spherical powder.
 
I just got some from Higginsons myself and was told this powder is what they used for 5.56 Nato ammo. Whatever H335 calls for, just load 1 gr down to start and work up if you're looking for top pressures.
 
I just got some from Higginsons myself and was told this powder is what they used for 5.56 Nato ammo. Whatever H335 calls for, just load 1 gr down to start and work up if you're looking for top pressures.

I can't see WC-735 being a military powder. It's somewhat sensitive to cold. I found my groups tended to open up a bit when shooting during the winter compared to the summer. That said, it is cheap and most of my shooting is done in the summer.
 
I can't see WC-735 being a military powder. It's somewhat sensitive to cold. I found my groups tended to open up a bit when shooting during the winter compared to the summer. That said, it is cheap and most of my shooting is done in the summer.

That will happen with any powder. When something causes velocity to change, the pressure curve and barrel timing have also changed (has to). It has the same net effect as changing the charge weight at a given temperature; loads get re-tuned/un-tuned. The less affected by temperature a powder is, the more tolerant it will be of temperature swing before becoming un-tuned.

I've been working a 55 gr. load with Benchmark. Accuracy is excellent and it's one of the Hodgdon Extreme powders (more temperature stable). The kernels are tiny, so it meters like a a ball powder. It costs more than these surplus ball powders, but it only works out be be about $20 more per 1000 rds.
 
I think I found my "budget" match load for Service rifle. I found 23gr of WC735 with 69gr priv bthp gave me exactly 1 moa off the lead sled. Using a 16in armalite upper with 1-9 twist. Now if I can only do 1/5th that good in competition!

P4100131.jpg
 
Last edited:
I think I found my "budget" match load for Service rifle. I found 23gr of WC735 with 69gr priv bthp gave me exactly 1 moa off the lead sled. Using a 16in armalite upper with 1-9 twist. Now if I can only do 1/5th that good in competition!
Good stuff Mikeyman.
Was wondering how good those PRVI pills are. Seems like the go to bullet and powder combo for a 1-9" Norc CQA too. I'll be trying some 68gr Hornady's also once my Norc arrives.
 
WC845 vs WC735 in 45-70 Browning BPCR 1885

I have been using 33.5 gr of WC845 with a wad and 1.3 cc of cornmeal, getting great results but used the last of my WC845 this morning.

Has any used WC735 in the 45-70?
 
...Has any used WC735 in the 45-70?

Yes - just use H322 data.

52.0 grs behind a 480 gr cast bullet gave me a teeth-jarring 1850 fps out of my 32" barrelled H&R Buffalo Classic.

Ihn my experience, this is not the powder to use with reduced loads. I have found it best to remain in the 95-100% of max load range, which for the 45-70 means only in the strongest actions.
 
I'm trying to duplicate a blackpowder load, with the WC845, I got 1284 FPS with a 15 FPS deviation. Not looking to rattle my teeth

Yes - just use H322 data.

52.0 grs behind a 480 gr cast bullet gave me a teeth-jarring 1850 fps out of my 32" barrelled H&R Buffalo Classic.

Ihn my experience, this is not the powder to use with reduced loads. I have found it best to remain in the 95-100% of max load range, which for the 45-70 means only in the strongest actions.
 
Back
Top Bottom