peckerwood
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- PalePony, Yukon
Is the powder used in the Winchester White Box 223 Rem, W748?
What powder used in Winchester White box 223?
- Thread starter peckerwood
- Start date
peckerwood
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- PalePony, Yukon
So then what are the characteristic differences in burn rates etc between the 748 and the bulk powders used by the manufacturers. Are there any similarities in pressure, velocity etc?
And what powder would be closest in burn rate to this "bulk" powder, so as to simulate the same ballistics...velocity pressure etc
[edit]I have seen a few reloading websites already that all seem to point to 748 as the chief powder for 223, and 5.56mm Winchester loads for the US military...but I don't see that confirmed by Winchester's own powder webpage...hmmm
And what powder would be closest in burn rate to this "bulk" powder, so as to simulate the same ballistics...velocity pressure etc
[edit]I have seen a few reloading websites already that all seem to point to 748 as the chief powder for 223, and 5.56mm Winchester loads for the US military...but I don't see that confirmed by Winchester's own powder webpage...hmmm
Last edited:
OneBarfly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The main differences between surplus powder and canister powder is that canister powder is manufactured to consistently meet a standardized specification (burn rate) and packaged so handloaders can get predictable results from lot to lot (with some minor variations).
Surplus Powder is formulated so that a particular cartridge will meet a specific velocity/pressure specification regardless of the amount of powder used. Burn rates are much less consistant from lot-to-lot when compared to canister grade powder. That is why it is so important to observe "starting load" proceedures when using surplus powders.
Having said that, I love the fact that surplus powders are availble in Canada. I would never be able to afford to shoot as much if I had to rely on "Store-bought" powders. Higginson's WC735 should fit the bill for .223 and even .308 using medium bullet weights.
Surplus Powder is formulated so that a particular cartridge will meet a specific velocity/pressure specification regardless of the amount of powder used. Burn rates are much less consistant from lot-to-lot when compared to canister grade powder. That is why it is so important to observe "starting load" proceedures when using surplus powders.
Having said that, I love the fact that surplus powders are availble in Canada. I would never be able to afford to shoot as much if I had to rely on "Store-bought" powders. Higginson's WC735 should fit the bill for .223 and even .308 using medium bullet weights.
Hi
Years ago a friend told me where he had read that Winchester has not made new powders since WW2. They kept their production in water storage, the grains where the size for battleships. When they need a run of rifle/pistol powder they remove what they need from storage, brake it down, add whatever is needed to give it the desired burn rate and whatever other characteristics they want, and there you go, a new run made of old powder.
Most factory ammo uses blended powders. They have labs and they mix and match till they get the desired results and then they start the manufacturing run.
If you have ever seen Higginson's powder list, he often lists powders that are surplus. That powder was used in a run of ammo and it was given a number. When they stopped the run of ammo, the left over powder was sold off to him. Thats why it has a number that does not match anything in your books, and he will say something like "use 10% less then you would for IMR 4064" or whatever.
Some of the powder on the market (reloader 15, IMR4895) was/is used in factory loads, research sometimes will give you the answers.
Years ago a friend told me where he had read that Winchester has not made new powders since WW2. They kept their production in water storage, the grains where the size for battleships. When they need a run of rifle/pistol powder they remove what they need from storage, brake it down, add whatever is needed to give it the desired burn rate and whatever other characteristics they want, and there you go, a new run made of old powder.
Most factory ammo uses blended powders. They have labs and they mix and match till they get the desired results and then they start the manufacturing run.
If you have ever seen Higginson's powder list, he often lists powders that are surplus. That powder was used in a run of ammo and it was given a number. When they stopped the run of ammo, the left over powder was sold off to him. Thats why it has a number that does not match anything in your books, and he will say something like "use 10% less then you would for IMR 4064" or whatever.
Some of the powder on the market (reloader 15, IMR4895) was/is used in factory loads, research sometimes will give you the answers.
