WC820 powder.

[sk330lc]

Has anyone ever heard of this powder?  whats it good for ??  Thanks

[Savage]

A few seconds on Google tells me the WC 820 is a military surplus powder with a burn rate just slightly faster than AA#9. Looks like it might be an OK pistol powder.
Savage

[sk330lc]

That's what I came up with also.. I had 8lb gave to me.  the thing that bothers me is, its in a white gallon jug that was written on with a black magic marker. From what I've read on it from a google search it came in three diff. batches.  take down , a standard version and a Fast burn version.?   I assume Mine i a standard burn version . Because it says WC820 and Not WC820F I guess I need to study a few books and see what the Charges for 2400 and AA#9  Are and start low and work up ..  Going to try to use it for 44mag. with 240gr bullets in an 12" Encore Barrel

Does anyone have any better advice?

[JustaShooter]

Frankly, the best advice would be to use it to fertilize your garden.  Seriously.  If it isn't in the original container, you don't know what you've got, and that's a bad thing when reloading.

I'm just sayin'...

Just a Shooter

[Old Syko]

Considering the white jug there is a good possibility it is a pull down powder.  Make sure you can trust your source as to the origin and authenticity of the stuff before using it or dispose of it.  It may not be worth taking a chance on but that is up to you.  WC820 was originally used in the 30 carbine and yes, it is a good pistol powder provided you can 100% verify its origin.  Right now virgin, not pull down, WC820 runs $79 per 8#.

[Sweetwater]

If you can verify that it is what it is suppossed to be....
There is some data available on Jeff Bartlett's website and some others that I googled a few months ago when I first got mine. Some of it acts more like H110 and some more like AA#9. It doesn't seem to be too touchy and I've been able to play with it through a fairly wide span of charges. I'm using it in a 41Mag Blackhawk, but we also made some in 44Mag for a Super Blackhawk and the stuff really shoots nice.
Be safe and sure, then proceed. FYI - I use only WLP primers or CCI350 as it is a Ball powder. My choice.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[Lloyd Smale]

It is my most used and favorite mag handgun powder. It is basicaly aa9. Contray to what some people think AA powders are not made by AA. They are nothing but surplus powder that is repackaged in fancy jugs. Ive used a ton of it and all the variations. 820f burns about like hs7 or 2400. Its the only variation that i havent had much luck with when it came to accuracy. The pull down powder can vary quite a bit in burning rate but if you stick to aa9 data you will be safe. The virgin 820 is pretty consistant. It doesn vary much more in burning rate from lot to lot then some comercial powders. DO NOT use 110 data for it though as there was a batch at the beginning that burned that slow but that slow powder hasnt been around for years and using 110 data with it will get you in trouble fast. All of it is ball powder that is a little tempermental to get ignited like 110 and mag primers do work best when using it. I started buying it becuase it was cheap and i shoot alot of mag handguns and i saved alot of money by using it but over the years ive founds some of my best handgun loads with it and use it now because in my opinion its the best mag pistol powder out there and i would buy it even if it wasnt cheaper. If you want to throw it away throw it my way! What you have may be questionalble but is no more questionalbe then picking up a new keg of powder from a diffent lot. Heres how id approach it. First use a stoutly built gun like a ruger. Look up aa9 data and start low. Even a grain or two below there low listed load. Strarting loads for 2400 powder should be safe no matter what batch it is.  When you do this make sure you are using mag primers as the lower the pressure is the harder its going to be to ignite properly. Run them over a chrono and see what kind of velocity your getting. this will tell you right then what the @ burning rate of that powder is. Then work up slow and never exceed max loads for aa9 powder. Id about bet when that keg gets down to about a lb you will be scrambling to find more of it!

[Sweetwater]

Yes to everything Lloyd just posted +1!!!

Regards,
Sweetwater

[sk330lc]

Thank you everyone!   This is why I love Greybeards.  If ya don't know Just ask and you'll get The info you need!   I'll let ya all know how it works out!