Anyone know where I can get my hands on some H-870? I know that has now been out of production for quite a while, and there are probably better alternatives out there but I still wish I had more on hand. Anyone know where I can get an 8lb keg of it?

I found two pounds in my stash last year and loaded it for my 7mm Mag with great accuracy. If you check GI Brass you will find a bulk powder that is compatable with H-870. I think I will get some of it myself.

Good luck.

I think that Perforator is referring to WC-860 and WC 872. Both of these powders are SIGNIFICANTLY slower than H870. The only data presented with them is "start with H-870 data". Accurate arms 8700 is very similar to the old H-870, so you might try it. Also, 5010, while it has kernals the size of small logs that make it a bitch to measure, has a burning rate almost identical to the old H-870 (and H-570, a stick powder of virtually indistinguishable burning rate).

Hodgdon's current offering in this range is Retumbo. I haven't used any, but it is probably a shade faster than the old H-870.

From the gunpowder page of Jeff Bartlett (GI BRASS).

quote:

WC872(n) Original application is U.S. 20mm Vulcan ammo. A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data. This is new ball powder.
$40/8# jug.

This is what I was referring to. I'd still like to try it.

Hey Kingfisher, I have almost a whole pound of it I'd give ya if we weren't so far apart. I tried some of it in a 7MM Wthby I used to have and with the case so full I couldn't hardly press a bullet into it, and you know how long the chamber on a Weatherby is, it wouldn't give any decent velocity. I will not use this stuff for two reasons, #1... it is no longer in production #2... I don't think I could stand to mess with it after seeing the dismal results I had with the 7Mag.

Kingfisher, go to http://www.wildcatshooting.com and look up Darryl Cassel. If there is any to be had he will know where it is located.

I use 860 and 872 in my military-caliber rifles extensively by the 8lb jug. Very slow, dirty, extra-ordinarily accurate. In steel plate speed matches I use three grain 3031 booster for clean burn. A multiple match winner! The wieght of the bullet will drop the plates and the nearly non-exhistent recoil makes it a winner.

quote:

Originally posted by Perforator:
From the gunpowder page of Jeff Bartlett (GI BRASS).

quote:

WC872(n) Original application is U.S. 20mm Vulcan ammo. A ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H870 or AA8700 data. This is new ball powder.
$40/8# jug.

This is what I was referring to. I'd still like to try it.

Perforator the Wc872 powder is working great for me in my Rum. It is definitly slower than H-870 by a good margin. It will turn your barrel into a coal factory if you can't get the pressures up to near max. At max pressures it burns as clean as any I have used and also seems cooler when touching the barrel after 3 rounds. H-50BMG is another good powder that is only a tad slower than H-870 but is large in kernnel size. It produced good results in my RUM with the heavy bullets 160 grain and up.

quote:

I use 860 and 872 in my military-caliber rifles extensively by the 8lb jug. Very slow, dirty, extra-ordinarily accurate. In steel plate speed matches I use three grain 3031 booster for clean burn.

Nelsonted1: Do you add the three grains on top of the load or mix it in with the other powder? I've never blended powders and most people and all reloading data will give you a death threat when it comes to such practices.

quote:

Perforator the Wc872 powder is working great for me in my Rum. It is definitly slower than H-870 by a good margin. It will turn your barrel into a coal factory if you can't get the pressures up to near max.

To get the pressure up, are you compacting the powder under the bullet?

I was really surprised by the H-870 that I had. It was very accurate and burned clean though I didn't chronograph it so I don't know the velocity. I was having trouble finding loading info until I found an older book. This surplus powder should work in my .458 as well huh?

Thanks for all of the info gentlemen. I don't know why I didn't snatch more of it up a couple of years ago. I did grab a couple of pounds, so I've got almost 3 lbs I guess, but when you're pouring it out 132 grains at a time, it goes quick! I've used several other powders, and I like RL25 alot, I just liked the way 870 performed for me. Oh well, the quest continues! Thanks.

quote:

To get the pressure up, are you compacting the powder under the bullet? Well even with my case capacity on the Rum it's pretty close to being compressed and I can compress it without excessive pressure signs.

I was really surprised by the H-870 that I had. It was very accurate and burned clean though I didn't chronograph it so I don't know the velocity. I was having trouble finding loading info until I found an older book. This surplus powder should work in my .458 as well huh?

The surplus powder works good in the large cases so probably yes.
Use H-870 data as a starting point.

quote:

Originally posted by Kingfisher:
Anyone know where I can get my hands on some H-870? I know that has now been out of production for quite a while, and there are probably better alternatives out there but I still wish I had more on hand. Anyone know where I can get an 8lb keg of it?

They have 5lbs of this at the Sportsman Center here on post they are asking 15.95 a LB I think they might cut you a deal if you buy it all. There number is 520-533-7085 and ask for Carl they are opened till 1800 Weds thru Sunday.
Tell him John told you about the powder.

I was at my gunshop today picking up some re25 and noticed a couple pounds of 870 sitting onthe shelf. I asked the guy if it sells he said "can't remember anyone wanting it for the last 2 years." If you want some I'll get you a phone number.

I don't know if this will work for you, but when I throw the cameras in the Bronco instead of firearms, I always plan trips through those little out-of-the-way settlements.

Generally I can find at least one shop that handles reloading supplies and gun stuff, as well as a few places not destroyed by tons of people for my photography.

So, grab your lady, have her pack a picnic lunch, and head for the sticks...

my experience using WC872 is apparently different from most of you guys. i bought a couple cans from Jeff Bartlett some time ago and i use it in my 30-378. i use 110 grains and a 250 grain Barnes Original bullet. i get a chronographed velocity of 2840fps. the Barnes manual shows 111 grains as the max load for H-870. as far as dirty shooting.....i notice nothing objectionable.

the thing about military surplus powder is that it is not as consistent, lot to lot, as cannister powder. that means that one lot may shoot dirtier and require more or less powder than another lot. the stuff i got, which is lot number 47845, shoots very well. if i shot the 30-378 more than i do, i would not hesitate to buy more of this powder.

Thats the same lot# I have. I'm well above the max load for H-870 and H-50BMG powder in my RUM according to data off hodgdons site. I like the surplus powder and since I have the big RUM cases and more on the way I will need plenty of it.

Rumloader.......hmmmmmmmmm surplus powders are more of a mystery than i thought. i have gone up to 115 grains in my rifle and i had a very sticky bolt. and i was only 4 grains (about 4%) above the max. this is the proof of the wisdom in starting out below the max and working up a load.

Your right about that. I have been 5 grains over max H-870 data with the 168 SMK which puts me to a lightly compressed load and still no excessive pressure signs. The load shoots great and has good velocity so I stopped there.

I've got a lot of WC860 from Hi-Tech that I've had for several years. It's a little faster than H-870, as Olin's original specs for those powders would indicate. I can reach respectable full-load velocities (2980 FPS) with 200 grain bullets in .300 Weatherby Magnum, and with 175 grain bullets in 7mm Rem Mag, what's listed as a maximum load for H-870 in one of my older loading manuals is a bit on the hot side, giving 2960 FPS and slightly sticky extraction in hot summer weather.

I've got the WC872 in reserve for when I use up the WC860. Bet it's slower.