Has anyone used WC844 surplus powder in 45-70?
The information with the powder says to use H335 data. In my experience using this powder in the 223 it is a little hotter than 335. I made up five each of the starting load of 61 grains and 5 each of 60 grains but the weather has me unable to try them out. Data came from Hogdens web site. DW

what beullet weight and action?
60gr h335 is VERY hot, you shooting a ruger?, assuming 405

my last 2 jugs of 844 have been much faster than h335 about 5-7% faster ..

In my Siam Mauser I use 56 grs of 844 and Rem 405 jacketed bullets. Velocity is right at 1700 fps. with good accuracy. Haven't had any real reason to go any hotter.

Sorry for not being more descriptive. The bullet weight is 300 grains Barnes TSX Flat Point. The Rifle is a Marlin 1895 The data came from Hogdens site and is for H335. The powder works exactly the same as GI Brass told me to load it in a .223. If you think its to hot I'll pull them and start over. I have NO experience with this cartridge. Brand new to me. DW

Don't pull it down yet.. tell me the length of that bullet and your OAL ...

i am telling you, whatever is a mild h335 load is to be considered a warm 844 load

Hi Jeff, Thanks. The bullet length is 1.058. The OAL is 2.510. I suspected as much. That is why I started a grain below the starting load and only went up to the starting load. The 844 has demonstrated that it is warm. I don't have my 223 data in front of me but in that case my max loads are in the middle, about half way between low and high. DW

As with any powder, particularly a surplus powder, lots of WC-844 will vary. The lot I have been using is, measured by velocities, just a gnat's hair slower than the lot of H-335 it replaced. "Your mileage may vary".

WC-844 and H-335 are the same spec powder, but lots selected for sale as H-335 are held closer to an arbitrary standard than are lots of WC-844. The bulk ammunition manufacturer will adjust its powder charge according to tests it runs on each lot of powder, therefore lots of WC-844 can vary more than lots of H-335 without upsetting the apple cart.

I got in touch with Ty Herring down at Barnes today. I am in agreement with everyone here and Ty that the minimum loads for 335 could in fact be max loads for 844. I am going to drop five grains down to 55 grains and use them as my starting loads. That will make a 10% reduction from the book starting point. If it looks like the 60 grain loads will be to hot, I'll pull them. If it looks like they might just be max loads I'll keep them for a hunt. I only loaded 5 at 60 and 5 at 61 so I'm not out alot. I appreciate everyones help. Thanks Jeffe, Craigster, and Stonecreek. DW

and my experience, recorded thoughout ammoguide, is that 844 is faster, grain for grain... but i basically start at 80 grains in huge case ... so, one's milage will vary

i just sunday loaded the last of my last jug of 844 ... i doubt there's anymore to be had

quote:

i just sunday loaded the last of my last jug of 844 ... i doubt there's anymore to be had

Perhaps not at the moment, but the St. Marks facility is still cranking it out and production overruns will occur in the future. Sooner or later, a supply of WC-844 will find its way to the surplus dealers.

I sure do hope so .. its far cheaper than h335, and if i am not loading max loads, it works pretty darn good

that load would probably be north of 50K psi

This powder has been real good to me in the 223. I bought a thousand pieces of brass all prepped from GI Brass and the 844. It makes a load that is as accurate as any I have in both of my 223's. Thanks Jeffe I appreciate your help. DW

Jeffe, Which load did you mean would be north of 50,000psi?

Should I start at 50 grains? DW