WC-735 .303 BR load?

[boltonscouter]

I searched for this but couldn't find other threads to hopefully this is fresh.....
In an ongoing effort to reduce reloading costs I would like to use the Higginsons WC-735 surplus powder to reload for .303 British.
I'm using a fire formed, neck sized case for a Long Branch 5 groove No4 Mk1. I'm using Federal GM Match primers and Speer 7.65 .313" 175 grn RNFB bullets. I scored about 900 of these bullets of the EE a while back and the rifle loves em! God knows where I'll find more when they run out as they're old and I haven't seen them elsewhere.
This combination with 42 grns Varget produce stellar groups at 100 yrds.
What WC-735 powder charge would you recommend as a substitute?
I realize that this may not be the ideal powder but I have lots and I want to try reduce costs but reloading data for this poweder is scarce and I'm hoping someone with 303 or 308 expertise might have some first hand experience. My initial mental calculations comparing Varget load data to H3335 data for .308 & .303 lead me to suspect the min/max will possibly be in the 32-37 grn range??? I understand start low and work up but where to start????

 

[paperslayer]

It burns about the same as BL-C2 I would start at 35 grains and work up. It should actually work well in a 303

 

[Barry F]

The only load data I have ever seen for WC 735 is "5% faster than H335", however my reload manual doesn't have any H335 data for a 175 gr bullet. For H335 with a 180 gr Jacketed bullet it says 38gr min and 41 gr max. Translated to approximate WC735, that would be 36-39. I would start a little lower even.

 

[Beater]

i bought up a ton of this powder to do just that, load 303. burn rate is so close to BL-C2 that powder works great in the 303 with a 180 its on the winter projects list to work up a load over the crony and see if it shoots. i need a good deal on 3-5000 sluggs and ill get at it

 

[saskcop]

It is much faster than blc2 from what I understand. If it is five percent faster than h335, then we are talking the same burn rate as h322 right? That would be how it appears from the .223 data that is floating around.

 

[Beater]

hmmmm your right i went and looked it up. 322 is the closest. still should work ok i hope. going to start around 33-34 grains i think

 

[boltonscouter]

This is excellent news gents! Much appreciated. My initial instincts are correct then. I will work up some loads and report back. Very curios what works for others too!

 

[Andy]

WC-735 is much faster than BL-C(2), very close to H322. In the 303 Brit, it's most useful in bullets 150 grs or lighter. With a 175 gr bullet I would not exceed 38.0 grs.