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This evening's range session results

Wiley

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Dec 11, 2014
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North Alabama-hunt Hardin County
There are results of my loads with .223 SMK 69gr and WC844 and with H335.......

I recently picked up a very lightly used Remington 700 LTR in .223 to kill coyotes with and today was my first opportunity on my range with it. A couple of weeks ago I loaded 5 rounds each of once fired Remington brass (bought in large quantity a few years ago and I think it was police range brass) with 22 and 23 grains of WC844 and 22 and 23 grains of H335 under 69 grain Sierra Match King bullets. These loads were just something that I hoped would have decent results and be a good starting point to develop from.

For those that haven't used it or don't know, WC844 is surplus powder or pull down military powder that is used in 5.56 military rounds. Back in the day this stuff was available in 55 gallon drums for cheap, REAL cheap. Seems like 8 pound jugs were $40 each less than 10 years ago. There is no published load data for this surplus powder other than to closely follow H335 data. I happened to buy some but not 55 gallons worth and I was hoping it would really shine with the SMK 69 grain bullet and well as others. The loads with 22 grains of powder were terrible and grouped about 2 inches at 100 yards. 23 grains really shined and very little load development, if any, will be done going forward from today's session. 200 yard groups will soon be shot and determine that.

Since I have less than a full pound of H335 on hand but have lots of WC844, I am just elated!! These are 100 yard 3 shot groups.
First up is 23 grains of WC844

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Next is 23 grains of H335

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Very Nice. Those coyotes aren't going to stand a chance. Thats some nice groups, especially on your initial test rounds!!

I actually have used WC844 and WC844T
Like you i bought is in the cheap years ago
I have had excellent results with the surplus powder
Cant wait to see what you end ip with
 
Yep, H335 produces very nice results and that WC844 ain't half bad either.

I went to Shooters World Tactical Rifle when H335 evaporated from the marketplace and have been quite pleased.
 
This evening I'm gonna load some more WC844 under these 69 grain bullets. Gonna load three each of 23.2, 23.4 and 23.6 grains. Later in the week I'l go over to my range and see if the group closes up any. When I get my absolute best result I'll set up the chronograph and see what velocity I'm getting. I rarely check velocity since accuracy trumps everything else, at least for me.
 
If you want a great bullet that replaces the 69 gr Matchking and is much cheaper, check out the Rocky Mountain Reloading 69 gr:

 
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