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WC 842 powder
- Thread starter mickar15
- Start date
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I've never seen a gun blow up from too low a charge, and I've seen squib loads that only had a primer in them. The bullet stuck in the barrel, but didn't harm the gun.
I'm not saying that it might not have ever happened, but I've never seen it.
I have never seen it either. However I think it is pretty well understood in the reloading industry. Perhaps someone can explain it better than me.
What did you run it in? Did you use another powders load info or adjust? Gonna add info here or make another thread by chance?
What did you run it in? Did you use another powders load info or adjust? Gonna add info here or make another thread by chance?
I generally dont like to post load data but for this one i will because there seems to be SO little information out there. I will preface this by saying start small and work your way up and I am not responsible for any mishap you may have from this data.
I started with 23.5 grn under a hornady 55grn FMJBT (the bullet is the same through all the testing). They cycled fine in my AR (Palmetto state 16" heavy barrel) but they felt fairly light and i wasnt to sure how they would fly for long distance. I made a couple other loads stepping up to 24.3 grn and those REALLY felt alot like a standard .223 round with a 55grn FMJBT. I would call those my "plinking" rounds or just target practice rounds. They seemed to do just fine out to 150 yards but i only tested 20 of them. They seemed to be on par with a standard .223 round at equal distances. I also loaded some up (worked up to) 25 grn. and those felt quite hot. Not bad at all and no evidence of over pressure at all. They just felt more on par with some other long range loads i have done up (80 grn hornady poly tip boat tail over 24.3 of 2230). They have a good heavy push to them and seemed to do as good or better (same 150 yrd distance)than the slightly lighter loads. I didnt push beyond that because they felt like heavy loads i have shot but like i said no evidence of over pressure either so there is probly a bit more room before you get to "bad things happening" level. Then again i dont want to find that level either. MY OPINION......I will load a vast majority at the 24.3 grn because they seem to be pretty good for how i have my rifle set up (close to mid range with no magnification). I will probly throw a few more together at the 25 grn just to see how they do out to 450 yards at some point. But im not in a hurry to do that either because i already have a long distance load worked up with a completely different bullet that i like.
Once again....THIS IS ONLY MY TESTING AND IT WAS VERY LIMITED SO DONT TAKE IT FOR SET LEVELS! Work up your own from light and go up. This is only a reference and to help people out. If you have any questions feel free to message me as i sometimes miss the thread updates.
I am stirring this one back up because a lot of this powder left Profire and it's been enough time for some further testing to have taken place.
I have both 55 and 62 gn ball projectiles that I need recipes for running through a Carbine. The 55s are for practice at no more than 50 yds, the 62s are for anything from 25 to 100 yds.
Chuddly has a good starting point. Anyone else have some input?
I have both 55 and 62 gn ball projectiles that I need recipes for running through a Carbine. The 55s are for practice at no more than 50 yds, the 62s are for anything from 25 to 100 yds.
Chuddly has a good starting point. Anyone else have some input?
Where did YOUR powder come from???
An interesting excerpt from the Wikipedia treatise. Notice how much further forward the cannelure is on the new projectile than the SS109.
M855A1: The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round and its environmentally friendly projectile.
In June 2010, the United States Army announced it began shipping its new 5.56 mm cartridge, the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, to active combat zones. During testing, the M855A1 performed better than current 7.62×51mm NATO ball ammunition against certain types of targets (particularly hardened steel), blurring the performance differences that previously separated the two cartridges. The US Army Picatinny Arsenal stated that the new M855A1 offers improved hard target capability, more consistent performance at all distances, enhanced dependability, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash, and higher velocity compared to the M855 round. Further, the Army stated the new M855A1 ammunition is tailored for use in M4 carbines, but should also give enhanced performance in M16 rifles and M249 light machine guns. The new 62-grain (4g) projectile or bullet used in the M855A1 round has a copper core with a 19-grain (1.2g) steel "stacked-cone" penetrating tip. The M855A1 cartridge is sometimes referred to as "green ammo" because it fires a lead free projectile.
The M855A1 was put on hold in August 2009 due to the experimental bismuth-tin alloy core exhibiting undependable ballistics at high temperatures. The US Army has since replaced the bismuth-tin alloy core with one of solid copper eliminating the heat issue. The United States Marine Corps purchased 1.8 million rounds in 2010, with plans to adopt the round to replace the interim MK318 SOST rounds used in Afghanistan when the M855A1 project was delayed.
On a media day at Aberdeen Proving Ground on May 4, 2011, reports were given about the M855A1's performance in the field since it was issued 11 months earlier. One primary advantage given by the round is its consistent performance against soft targets. While the older M855 was yaw-dependant, which means its effectiveness depends on its yaw angle when it hits a target, the M855A1 delivers the same effectiveness in a soft target no matter its yaw angle. The new SMP-842 propellant in the round burns quicker in the shorter M4 carbine barrel, ensuring less muzzle flash and greater muzzle velocity. The M855A1 was able to penetrate 3⁄8 inches (9.5 mm) of steel plate at 300 meters. The round even penetrated concrete masonry units, similar to cinder blocks, at 75 meters from an M16 and at 50 meters from an M4, which the M855 could not do at those ranges. Its accuracy is maintained and sometimes increased, as it was able to shoot a 2 inch group at 600 meters. February 2011 was the first time the M855A1 was used more than the M855, and approximately 30 million M855A1 rounds have been fielded from June 2010 to May 2011.
The M855A1 was put to the test at the 2012 National Rifle Association's National High-Power Rifle Championship at Camp Perry, Ohio in August 2012. The shooter for the Army was Rob Harbison, a contractor supporting small caliber ammunition capability development at Fort Benning Georgia. This was a special event for the Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems and the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence as it was an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Enhanced Performance Round. With an M16 loaded with M855A1 ammo, Harbison fired a perfect 200 points in the Coast Guard Trophy Match, which is 20 shots fired from the sitting position at 200 yards, finishing 17th out of 365 competitors. He also scored a perfect 100 on the final string of ten shots during the Air Force Cup Trophy Match, fired at 600 yards from the prone position, which is 10 shots in a row within the 12-inch, 10-point ring at 600 yards with combat ammunition. Harbison was happy with the performance of the EPR, with his scores showing that the Army's newest general purpose round is accurate enough to go toe-to-toe in the competition with the best ammo that can be bought or hand-loaded. Harbison even said, "I don't think I could have scored any higher if I was using match-grade competition ammunition."
From fielding in June 2010 to September 2012, Alliant Techsystems has delivered over 350 million M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds.
For credit, here's the link on the full write-up..('cause everything on the interwebz is true...)
5.56×45mm NATO - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An interesting excerpt from the Wikipedia treatise. Notice how much further forward the cannelure is on the new projectile than the SS109.
M855A1: The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round and its environmentally friendly projectile.
In June 2010, the United States Army announced it began shipping its new 5.56 mm cartridge, the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, to active combat zones. During testing, the M855A1 performed better than current 7.62×51mm NATO ball ammunition against certain types of targets (particularly hardened steel), blurring the performance differences that previously separated the two cartridges. The US Army Picatinny Arsenal stated that the new M855A1 offers improved hard target capability, more consistent performance at all distances, enhanced dependability, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash, and higher velocity compared to the M855 round. Further, the Army stated the new M855A1 ammunition is tailored for use in M4 carbines, but should also give enhanced performance in M16 rifles and M249 light machine guns. The new 62-grain (4g) projectile or bullet used in the M855A1 round has a copper core with a 19-grain (1.2g) steel "stacked-cone" penetrating tip. The M855A1 cartridge is sometimes referred to as "green ammo" because it fires a lead free projectile.
The M855A1 was put on hold in August 2009 due to the experimental bismuth-tin alloy core exhibiting undependable ballistics at high temperatures. The US Army has since replaced the bismuth-tin alloy core with one of solid copper eliminating the heat issue. The United States Marine Corps purchased 1.8 million rounds in 2010, with plans to adopt the round to replace the interim MK318 SOST rounds used in Afghanistan when the M855A1 project was delayed.
On a media day at Aberdeen Proving Ground on May 4, 2011, reports were given about the M855A1's performance in the field since it was issued 11 months earlier. One primary advantage given by the round is its consistent performance against soft targets. While the older M855 was yaw-dependant, which means its effectiveness depends on its yaw angle when it hits a target, the M855A1 delivers the same effectiveness in a soft target no matter its yaw angle. The new SMP-842 propellant in the round burns quicker in the shorter M4 carbine barrel, ensuring less muzzle flash and greater muzzle velocity. The M855A1 was able to penetrate 3⁄8 inches (9.5 mm) of steel plate at 300 meters. The round even penetrated concrete masonry units, similar to cinder blocks, at 75 meters from an M16 and at 50 meters from an M4, which the M855 could not do at those ranges. Its accuracy is maintained and sometimes increased, as it was able to shoot a 2 inch group at 600 meters. February 2011 was the first time the M855A1 was used more than the M855, and approximately 30 million M855A1 rounds have been fielded from June 2010 to May 2011.
The M855A1 was put to the test at the 2012 National Rifle Association's National High-Power Rifle Championship at Camp Perry, Ohio in August 2012. The shooter for the Army was Rob Harbison, a contractor supporting small caliber ammunition capability development at Fort Benning Georgia. This was a special event for the Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems and the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence as it was an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Enhanced Performance Round. With an M16 loaded with M855A1 ammo, Harbison fired a perfect 200 points in the Coast Guard Trophy Match, which is 20 shots fired from the sitting position at 200 yards, finishing 17th out of 365 competitors. He also scored a perfect 100 on the final string of ten shots during the Air Force Cup Trophy Match, fired at 600 yards from the prone position, which is 10 shots in a row within the 12-inch, 10-point ring at 600 yards with combat ammunition. Harbison was happy with the performance of the EPR, with his scores showing that the Army's newest general purpose round is accurate enough to go toe-to-toe in the competition with the best ammo that can be bought or hand-loaded. Harbison even said, "I don't think I could have scored any higher if I was using match-grade competition ammunition."
From fielding in June 2010 to September 2012, Alliant Techsystems has delivered over 350 million M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds.
For credit, here's the link on the full write-up..('cause everything on the interwebz is true...)
5.56×45mm NATO - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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hoosierdoc
Freed prisoner
I too am curious how a low charge would damage a gun. I'm always up fer lernin'
another question...
So, if i start out at 22.0gr of powder, what would be recommended to increase the charges by? .2, .5? I plan on loading ten rounds of each test load and possibly heading to the range sunday to try my first reloads.
thanks in advance
So, if i start out at 22.0gr of powder, what would be recommended to increase the charges by? .2, .5? I plan on loading ten rounds of each test load and possibly heading to the range sunday to try my first reloads.
thanks in advance
I load mine to a AOL of 2.250. but thats where my rifle likes to be.
When i am working up a load from scratch i generally like to jump up in incriments of .4-.5 grns to start with. This is more of just a "function" test phase. Also as i get closer to max load i dont jump that much. Then once i find the load that seems to be working best for me i only jump in .1 grns (when possible depending on the powder). This is when i "tune" the round more for my gun.
Follow up post
I was able to test the WC842 powder today with 55gn FMJ projectiles. I tested 6 shot groups at 50 yds with my Carbine (16" bbl @ 1x9 twist) loading 23.1, 23.3, and 23.5 grains. The 23.1 gave me the best group:
A little over 1 inch group. The other two test groups were at least 1 1/2 times this. Granted, it's not outstanding but not bad either with iron sights on a bright & windy day. These were seated to about 2.225 because that is where the cannelure met the case mouth.
I was able to test the WC842 powder today with 55gn FMJ projectiles. I tested 6 shot groups at 50 yds with my Carbine (16" bbl @ 1x9 twist) loading 23.1, 23.3, and 23.5 grains. The 23.1 gave me the best group:
A little over 1 inch group. The other two test groups were at least 1 1/2 times this. Granted, it's not outstanding but not bad either with iron sights on a bright & windy day. These were seated to about 2.225 because that is where the cannelure met the case mouth.
dieselrealtor
Master
Funny I just stumbled across this thread today.
I still have mags loaded with it, this data was for my use, everyone is responsible for working up their own loads. I loaded a 55 grain over 23.2 and got 2,800 feet per second out of 16 inch barrel with good accuracy.
Military pull-down powder must be worked up from each lot as it does not have the same consistency as commercial powder.
I would buy more of it if I ran across a good deal.
I still have mags loaded with it, this data was for my use, everyone is responsible for working up their own loads. I loaded a 55 grain over 23.2 and got 2,800 feet per second out of 16 inch barrel with good accuracy.
Military pull-down powder must be worked up from each lot as it does not have the same consistency as commercial powder.
I would buy more of it if I ran across a good deal.
turnerdye1
Master
I got 16lbs of it just before Covid hit thankfully. If I recall correctly, I'm running 25.0gr and getting 3000fps out of a 16". 26.0gr started showing pressure. When I get home I'll post the load data I have.
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turnerdye1
Master
Attachments
dieselrealtor
Master
It's a good day, found an ammo can I thought I had shot.
