My first experience with WC860

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
Today i broke out my jug of WC860 and did some testing for velocity. With an intention to load some rounds with duplex powder.
The bullet i was using was NOE 311-165gr AC - WW - PC - aluminum GC - loal to 2.45 which is .010 off of the lands. I only loaded 1 round for each powder weight.
All loads were inividually weight by beam scale. After each round was fired i ran a bore snake through the barrel to clean it out. No leading was observed in the bore. I was using a 30/30
Now for the #'s
Load 1 = 27gr. for 1051 fps Load 2 = 30gr. for 1167fps Load 3 = 32gr for 1205fps Load 4 = 34gr. for 1378fps Load 5 = 34.5gr. for 1355fps Load 6 = 35gr. for 1377fps Load 7 = 35,5gr for 1471 fps Load 8 = 36gr. for 1440fps Load 9 = 36.5gr. for 1420fps
At load #10 = 37gr The powder dropped like normal and the bullet was seated like normal. But you could feel the powder was compressed under the bullet. It gave 1495fps. velocity.
Load #11 = 37.5gr the powder came up to the bottom of the throat. With repeated tapping the base of the case on the loading table. The bullet was able to be seated to the correct length. This load gave 1539fps
All fired primers had rounded corners. No load had hard extraction from my handi. All throats, shoulders, case length stretch was equal at all load levels. All loads left unburnt powder residue the full length of the barrel.
What would be the next step i have to check before i start to use a fast powder. I am assuming the #10 load would be the start load for duplexing.
Thanks in advance for any and all help! Kevin
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
actually you drop back and replace powder for powder.
5 grs of whatever for 5 grains of the 860.
then bump one fast for one slow and re-do the 100% case fill thing.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Kevin, I'd try a more limited version of the same test, but try mag primers to see if anything can clean it up a little. Had some sellier & bellot lrm that cleaned up a 7383 load. Just an idea before going down the duplex trail.
 

Ian

Notorious member
actually you drop back and replace powder for powder.
5 grs of whatever for 5 grains of the 860.
then bump one fast for one slow and re-do the 100% case fill thing.

Perzactly. And don't choose too fast of a powder for the kicker or you can run into pressure problems real quick. Try 4198 or Reloder 7, start by replacing two grains of your 101% load with the kicker, then two and a half, then three, and so on. Expect to not need more than four grains of kicker for the 30-30. Fiver's case full of 4831 load can deliver some highly impressive velocities with only two grains of Reloder 7 installed first, three is getting into stuck case/face blown off territory.

Speaking of...be sure and mull this duplexing thing over really well before wading off into it. It isn't dangerous if done correctly, the problem is not blowing yourself or bystanders up in the process of learning what is "correct' for your particular set of components and loading technique.
 
Last edited: