Incorrectly marked powder?

[Sasquatch]

I have some WC846 (according to the jug) which is supposed to be an equivalent to BLC(2). The guidelines are to start 10% low and work up. I do that. And yet, I still get pressure signs, yet don't get the expected velocity out of my 308. I have to go way down (well below minimums) to not get pressure signs, and of course SD starts to go way up with lower case fills in my 308.

I'm sure I'll get an opinion "throw it away", but that's unreasonable considering the quantity I have and the scarcity of powder and components.

My thought is that it's a faster powder, mislabeled as BLC2(equivalent). It is burning up quickly, causing high pressure, but not continuing down the long/large bore of a 308.

I was planning on looking at the relative burn rate charts and look for recipes which would be for a faster powder. I'm thinking something for 223 instead.

For example from the Hodgdon site, both 335 and BLC2 are appropriate for 308 with 150 grain bullet, but they're 4 grains apart (with 335 being less as it is faster). 322 being even faster is on the site and 4 grains lower than 335.

Is my theory sound?

 

[Toprudder]

You already know what the safe option is.

If you can get some BLC2 or WC846 from another source and compare it, that is what I would suggest.

I have only stepped outside of published load data once so far, and I approached it cautiously, comparing burn rates just as you suggest, and it worked out well for me. It may or may not work for you. If you do, be cautious.

 

[Leadchunker]

That’s a pull down powder and burn rates will vary by lot. They will vary enough to need to work up a load that’s safe for each lot.
Did the powder come from a distributor? If so contacting them to determine if there is a problem with the lot number would be a good idea.
Compare published load data between the two powders.
What pressure signs are you seeing?

 

[Tim]

I have some WC846 (according to the jug) which is supposed to be an equivalent to BLC(2). …

My thought is that it's a faster powder, mislabeled as BLC2.

So, Which is it? Is it a jug of WC846 or BLC2?

Did you buy the powder sealed or did it come to you 2nd hand?

 

[Catfish]

You've already been to the place you don't want to be - overcharge of unknown powder - and dodged a bullet. I would start with visual IDs and go from there cautiously.

 

[GymB]

Might as well post up the lot number from the jug.

Also, did you buy it “New” or secondhand?

 

[Leadchunker]

Anything a little different from the original recipe for your load? Different brass, bullet depth, magnum primer?

 

[Goofyfoot2001]

Post a picture of the powder grains please

 

[Leadchunker]

Any chrono info on the load with a known load versus your over pressure loads?

 

[Sasquatch]

That’s a pull down powder and burn rates will vary by lot. They will vary enough to need to work up a load that’s safe for each lot.
Did the powder come from a distributor? If so contacting them to determine if there is a problem with the lot number would be a good idea.
Compare published load data between the two powders.
What pressure signs are you seeing?

Hard extraction, flat and dimpled primers.

 

[Sasquatch]

So, Which is it? Is it a jug of WC846 or BLC2?

Did you buy the powder sealed or did it come to you 2nd hand?

I bought 16# of WC846, which is supposed to be like BLC2 from American Reloading last year.

 

[Sasquatch]

Post a picture of the powder grains please

 

[GymB]

@Jerzsubbie you load any of this? I seem to recall that you had acquired some, but I could be wrong.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

@Jerzsubbie you load any of this? I seem to recall that you had acquired some, but I could be wrong.

I bought the H335 and Ramshot Tac bulk equivalents, but not this one.

 

[Catfish]

Here's some from my jug of WC-846

 

[Tim]

Posted on the ‘web, so take it as FACT!

Warning: NEW BLC(2) Data and Using WC846

After doing a little digging around and asking friends in the 'Industry', I came to the conclusion that Milsurp / Pull Down WC846 is simply Civilian Grade BLC(2) .... to a point! Follow me here .... I loaded up 3 of each 30-06 150 gr. Nosler Etips and 308 150 gr. Nosler Etips. Following...

www.m14forum.com

 

[Sasquatch]

Posted on the ‘web, so take it as FACT!

Warning: NEW BLC(2) Data and Using WC846

After doing a little digging around and asking friends in the 'Industry', I came to the conclusion that Milsurp / Pull Down WC846 is simply Civilian Grade BLC(2) .... to a point! Follow me here .... I loaded up 3 of each 30-06 150 gr. Nosler Etips and 308 150 gr. Nosler Etips. Following...

www.m14forum.com

Ok, so sounds like something similar. No clue how to find 'old' BLC(2) data.

I found a similar post here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Over-pressure-/42-531251/?

And a hit- same lot #: https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/284561-wc-846-for-223/?do=findComment&comment=3173738

 

[georgel]

Posted on the ‘web, so take it as FACT!

Warning: NEW BLC(2) Data and Using WC846

After doing a little digging around and asking friends in the 'Industry', I came to the conclusion that Milsurp / Pull Down WC846 is simply Civilian Grade BLC(2) .... to a point! Follow me here .... I loaded up 3 of each 30-06 150 gr. Nosler Etips and 308 150 gr. Nosler Etips. Following...

www.m14forum.com

The guys over on M14 are pretty knowledgeable.

I've also heard that pulldown WC846 was highly variable. That if you bought a lot, you had to work up a new load for that lot. The powder itself varies in production and as a following post on M14 says, they blend it to get the right burn rate, commercially. I think the level of "squish" in the spheres is also an adjustment to burn rate. I would only use it for mid-range M14/M1A type loads and not top pressure loads. Commercial BLC/2 is already touchy and temp sensitive at max loads. I had a load go from great to sticky bolt lift and flattened primers from morning to afternoon.

 

[Desolo]

Ok, so sounds like something similar. No clue how to find 'old' BLC(2) data.

I found a similar post here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Over-pressure-/42-531251/?

And a hit- same lot #: https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/284561-wc-846-for-223/?do=findComment&comment=3173738

Try searching the net for images from older editions of various loading manuals perhaps?

With enough data points from the right time periods, you may be able to get a very good cross-reference.

A surprising amount of older loading manuals and such have been digitally saved, its just a game of locating them.

 

[Gnash.Hyena]

Could be your chamber's too tight. Happens with some guns and if it's 308, I can say from personal experience that handloading a 308 rifle I once had was a challenge because it was overpressure on rounds that I knew were fine in another gun of the same caliber. Tight chamber, higher pressure. Higher pressure, higher pressure signs. May not just be the powder.

Also yeah, BLc2 is just kind of hot to begin with.