Hi. I got some w735 surplus powder and tried to develop the load for my AR. I started from 22.5 grains and went to 24 grains. OAL is 2.25. Campro 55grain. I did not get a real winner in the test 22.5 and 24 groups looks better but primers looks flat at 24. Who has experience with this powder?
w735 surplus powder in 223 rem
- Thread starter Grin
- Start date
Here you go:
Per Andrew.....
"The replacement for the WC-845 has arrived, it is called WC-735.
I have attached our current price lists as well.
The burn rate of WC-735 is similar to 845, but with greater energy, allowing higher charge weights and more velocity.
The only data we compiled for this powder is for the 223 Remington or 5.56mm NATO round. It goes as follows:
Bullet: 50 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 25.2gr. 3408fps @ 53,000PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.0gr. 3212fps @ 49,500PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.3gr. 3253fps @ 51,700PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.9gr. 3302fps @ 53,200PSI
Bullet: 62gr. SPR FMJBT C.O.L. 2.250" 23.3gr. 3062fps @ 53,800PSI
This powder is very clean burning and very efficient, so with the low charge weights and low per pound cost, the per round cost is very attractive.
Thank you,
Andrew Higginson"
Per Andrew.....
"The replacement for the WC-845 has arrived, it is called WC-735.
I have attached our current price lists as well.
The burn rate of WC-735 is similar to 845, but with greater energy, allowing higher charge weights and more velocity.
The only data we compiled for this powder is for the 223 Remington or 5.56mm NATO round. It goes as follows:
Bullet: 50 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 25.2gr. 3408fps @ 53,000PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.0gr. 3212fps @ 49,500PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.3gr. 3253fps @ 51,700PSI
Bullet: 55 gr. Hdy V-Max C.O.L. 2.250" 24.9gr. 3302fps @ 53,200PSI
Bullet: 62gr. SPR FMJBT C.O.L. 2.250" 23.3gr. 3062fps @ 53,800PSI
This powder is very clean burning and very efficient, so with the low charge weights and low per pound cost, the per round cost is very attractive.
Thank you,
Andrew Higginson"
I load 24,5 gr behind hornady 55gr SP, pretty accurate and clean burning, cost effective too.
Don't notice any sign of pressure in my bolt rifles. If I remember well when I developped that load, 25gr was a bit hot, it was in the summer tho.
Don't notice any sign of pressure in my bolt rifles. If I remember well when I developped that load, 25gr was a bit hot, it was in the summer tho.
I've used it in my 22-250 and a couple other calibers. Only problem I had with it was it seems to burn quite dirty and I found myself cleaning my barrel quite often. And I also found it very temperature sensitive. That being said its a good cheap versatile option.
I found it quite good for .223 all bullet weights, 7.62x39 for 123-150gr, and 8x57 with 150gr. I use mag primers with all ball powder for a cleaner burn, also helps keep velocity more consistent with temp changes.
I find using H322 data to be safe and charges/velocity generally are pretty close to WC735.
I find using H322 data to be safe and charges/velocity generally are pretty close to WC735.
I just reduce any H335 load by 5% and carry on.
Be aware though not all WC735 is created equal. It's not bad if you have it all from only one lot. But if you have two different lots I would suggest you mix them together to regulate consistency. Even then, proceed with caution and when you first start out use starting loads so you can monitor pressures. Also, this is a ball powder and requires magnum primers for consistency.
I would say from your pic that you can bump up that load a bit. If it's accurate but not consistently so sometimes a quarter grain of powder can make all the difference one way or the other.
You are also using surplus milspec brass. This stuff has thicker bases and sidewalls than commercial brass. That will give you a pressure increase as well.
WC735 is a really forgiving powder. It works well in the .204 right up to the 30-30 in single shot and bolt rifles. I like it a lot.
Be aware though not all WC735 is created equal. It's not bad if you have it all from only one lot. But if you have two different lots I would suggest you mix them together to regulate consistency. Even then, proceed with caution and when you first start out use starting loads so you can monitor pressures. Also, this is a ball powder and requires magnum primers for consistency.
I would say from your pic that you can bump up that load a bit. If it's accurate but not consistently so sometimes a quarter grain of powder can make all the difference one way or the other.
You are also using surplus milspec brass. This stuff has thicker bases and sidewalls than commercial brass. That will give you a pressure increase as well.
WC735 is a really forgiving powder. It works well in the .204 right up to the 30-30 in single shot and bolt rifles. I like it a lot.
Norinco .223 brass is sh!t. IMHO, Ditch it as soon as you can.
I'd go with Winchester or Lake City if you can (you should be able to find buckets of both)
I like wc735 and my loads for 55fmj @ 24.0 gr. And 62fmj @ 23.5 gr. Work well, but are used just for practice. I would also recommend being wary of pushing the velocities with this ball powder as it will get scary quickly.
I'd go with Winchester or Lake City if you can (you should be able to find buckets of both)
I like wc735 and my loads for 55fmj @ 24.0 gr. And 62fmj @ 23.5 gr. Work well, but are used just for practice. I would also recommend being wary of pushing the velocities with this ball powder as it will get scary quickly.
223
RWS brass
Rem SR BR primers
25.5 gr. (19.5 clicks on my Redding 3BR) WC735 (Lot 117)
Berger 50 gr. HPFB Match
Avg. 3,270 fps over Chrony (@90 F) in a Shilen SSSM 20.125" bbl. on a Savage action.
I also use it in 30 W.C.F. for cast or jacketed, 303 for both, 35 Whelen for cast, 9.3x57 for both, 458 Win for both.
Don't compress the charges and don't work up a load at current temperatures and use it when it's +100F in the prairie dog pastures.
For those of you with Quickload, if you plug in your actual numbers for all of the necessary details, it will get you within 10 fps of actual velocities, in my experience.
RWS brass
Rem SR BR primers
25.5 gr. (19.5 clicks on my Redding 3BR) WC735 (Lot 117)
Berger 50 gr. HPFB Match
Avg. 3,270 fps over Chrony (@90 F) in a Shilen SSSM 20.125" bbl. on a Savage action.
I also use it in 30 W.C.F. for cast or jacketed, 303 for both, 35 Whelen for cast, 9.3x57 for both, 458 Win for both.
Don't compress the charges and don't work up a load at current temperatures and use it when it's +100F in the prairie dog pastures.
For those of you with Quickload, if you plug in your actual numbers for all of the necessary details, it will get you within 10 fps of actual velocities, in my experience.
What primers are you using?? I've never found a flat primer if it's a federal to mean anything... They're very soft. Federal's factory ammo generally has primers hammered right flat.
