WC735 for .308 win?

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Shep546

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Hey guys. I have about 5lbs of this stuff left over, I am told it meters similar to H335.

Has anybody used this for .308 win? I plan on doing some loads of hornady 168gr BTHP.
 
That powder is pretty fast for any bullet heavier than 150 grs in the 308. To illustrate, I did some testing with a 150 gr bullet:

308 Winchester, Norma brass, 150gr Hornady FMJ, 2.800" OAL, CCI LR BR primers, Mauser action with 26 1/2" barrel.

41.0 grs WC-735 - 2850 fps
41.0 grs H335 - 2820 fps
41.0 grs H322 - 2800 fps
41.0 grs Benchmark - 2750 fps
41.0 grs H4895 - 2670 fps.

No surprises with the Benchmark and H4895 as I knew they were slower than the WC-735, but WC-735 showed a tiny bit faster than the H335 and H322 which were pretty much a tie (in this gun with this load).

I use loads between those for H322 and H335 with this powder.
 
Tested in a stock Norc M14s

40gr wc735 150smk 2550

41gr wc735 150smk 2650

41gr wc735 147trc 2850


Not very accurate and about as dirty as MFS, the trc (tracer) has a really long tail on it and takes up tons of case volume hence the 200fps variance....

As always, start low, my starting loads were around 38-39 gr
 
I wonder if anybody has tried it with the heavier 168gr??

I have A LOT of wc735 left and I don't find myself shooting .223 much any more.
 
I'm sure I have seen some data for 168gr SMK's and WC735 on the forum under main battle rifles...

That being said I also seem to recall accuracy was nothing to write home about... I think I even tried it but never botherd to write down the recipe...
 
I've heard that it's more or less the same as Data 73 powder. These seem a little hot and I would use the starting loads as MAX in my view. Load with caution

Datapowder73.jpg
 
Last edited:
OneBarfly said:
I've heard that it's more or less the same as Data 73 powder. These seem a little hot and I would use the starting loads as MAX in my view. Load with caution
Click to expand...

It is more than a little too hot. It's "Data Powder 2200" data you want to use: http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DP2200.pdf

.308 WINCHESTER
BULLET START LOADS MAXIMUM LOADS
Wt. / Mfg. / Type Grains Vel. Grains Vel. P.S.I. COL Comments
125 SRA SP
38.7 2,723
43.0 3,026
* 45,000
2.670

125 SRA SP
34.2 2,448
38.0 2,720
* 36,900
2.670

150 HDY SP
36.5 2,462
40.5 2,735
* 46,800
2.800

 
I definitely concur that the Data Powder 2200 data is more appropriate for WC 735, at least with the lots I have used. 40.5 grains with Hornady 150 grain FMJs is maximum out of my .308 Husqvarna. Anything more results in a heavy bolt lift.
 
Gentlemen

All of you, (but especially Andy) thank you very much for making time to post, and share your experiences here.

I have found your post very helpful!!

regards

AbH
 
38gn under a 168bthp gives around 2600fps out of my 20" barrel, tried 39 was a little warm but also gave no velocity increase. Accuracy not too bad, never really developed the load too much as I moved to 178's and non surplus powder.
 
I used it with cast bullets in my M 14. I worked up some accurate loads with it with effort. Frankly, I have had more luck with it in the 30-30 and think it would shine in 223. For me it worked better in the smaller cases like the 30-30. Mind you I was only shooting cast lead bullets but the results were pretty consistent. The larger .303Brit and .308 cases didn't work out as well as my 30-30 loads.

Take care

Bob
 
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