Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Gun powder

[BIGNASTY]

Has anyone used the Powder out of the Rag Shotgun News. The bulk powder sales sounds to good to be true. The thing that really bothers me is that most all say the BURN RATE IS CLOSE TO another powder Im not sure if I want to loose another body part as im running out of part's. Just was wondering about powder. One of the hunters at camp was running off about using this and that and by the looks of the game he shot he should have spent a LOT more trigger time rather than seeing if he could push a pill so fast that it peel's the jacket off. He said that he used the bulk powder. Sure had a nice rifle thou, I brought mine in out or the rain he took a look and said are you sure about this thing? It's not as good looking as his but im sure that I didn't put as many holes in game as he did. That was shameful. Thank's for any help on the powder info have a new 45/70 toy to start playing with soon.

 

[GHarman]

BIGNASTY, I am not familiar with any of the new surplus powders available.

What kind of loads do you want to assemble? Practice or full power bear smashers? Both I would imagine! GregH

 

[BIGNASTY]

Both but I just had a problem with the statement that IT BURNS CLOSE TO another powder. I have taken many chances but NONE HAVE BEEN IT RELOADING.

 

[GHarman]

BIGNASTY, Save money on bullets not on powder that has no published pressure tested loading data, Storage life guidelines or environmental(temperature sensitivity, in particular) performance history. IMHO! GregH

 

[CKelley1]

i have used this powder for over 40 years most of hodgens early powder was surplus. the burning rate is very close if you order it get enough to last a long time the next lot you buy will very just enough that you may have to slightly adjust to get the tightest group

 

[The patriot]

I have a few 8 lb kegs of this stuff.

It's OK if you follow normal reloading guidelines.

I have WC 844 and 846 (supposed to be close to Blc2)

And I have a couple of kegs of 4895 surplus.

I've had them since it was around $50/keg. I cant tell the difference.

Stored properly it'll last a while.

 

[GHarman]

CKelly1, You are right about those older surplus powders. The original H-4831 worked great in a 300 H&H. I am familiar with those but it was not a blanket application. Far to slow for anything other than heavy bullets in the high velocity belted magnums. There was H-4895 that worked great as . 308 and . 30/06 powder as long as the pressures were kept below 50,000 PSI. That was through data supplied. I wont argue the availability. It is there. If you are buying 30# and plan on using it throughout your lifetime, thats your plan and it works for you. Personally. I like powders specifically for each purpose.

I have a good selection and where I find a fit, I'll buy several 8# caddies.

I am still working on Reloader 19 that I bought back in 1996. I use it in a . 30/338 and a . 30/06. Outstanding performance and accuracy.

I reckon BIGNASTY needs to figure what his powder is for and match the burning rate to the application.

New commercial propellants have come a long way from the old IMR's and H prefix powders. GregH

 

[CKelley1]

out of shotgun news i use wc820 in my pistol magnums wc844 and wc846 in a range of small caliber rifle wc852 in like 30-06 and wc860 in the over bore belted magnums and have used it in the bmg50. all must be used with magnum or winchester primers, with experience you can learn to watch for extractor marks to determine the limit of pressure, build your load up slowly checking group and look at the end of each round. the group will tighten up as you increase powder to a point then start opening back up then extractor marks start showing up. back off of this point about 4% and that is your max for that lot. if you get another lot just repeat. i have had to do this with commercial powders between lots also

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks for the info. So if the same lot # powder should be the same for keg's of the same lot? I have just used the name brand powders and most of the time they are not max. Just a little off max and I have better looking groups. Thanks again. BIG

 

[CKelley1]

yes, i usually get 48 lbs at a time and they will have the same lot number on the 8 lb milk jug. this last 844 i got is almost exactly the same as h335 and the same holds true with the groups. some point below max will produce the tightest groups