844 Military Surplus �Pull Down� Powder

I recently bought a couple of kegs of 844 pull-down powder from Widener�s along with a supply of 50g Vmax�s for plinking. Load data for 844 is sparse. According to internet sources (for what it is worth) , the original application of 844 is U.S. 5.56mm NATO Ball M193 (55gr) & M855 (62gr), plus Tracer M196 & M856. Military Ball Powder varies from lot to lot, so it�s always best to start your load low and work up. A �hot� primer such as Winchester SRP, CCI #41 and magnum small rifle primers are recommended.

Sources suggest that 844 is a ball powder which can be loaded using Hodgdon H335 data, but remember they are NOT the same. Typical starting load for 5.56 NATO 55gr bullet is 25.0g and work up. Military specification is 28.5g, but approach with caution this is a maximum 5.56 load and is not recommended for .223. Many shooters report that 25.5g works well for a moderate plinking loads. With 62g loads, start at 24.0g and work up to the military spec of 26.1g. If you are shooting a Barnes TSX or similar all copper bullet, reduce charge by .5g to account for longer bearing surface. For more load data do a web search of �TM 43-0001-27" for the ARMY load manual.

To determine the safe operating range, I decided to run an unscientific pressure test using my Rem. 700 .223 with a 22" LVSF barrel 1:12 twist, with the chamber set back, bedded in a McMillan Classic stock, topped with a Leupold Mark 2 6-18. Since I was checking pressure, not accuracy, I loaded 3 rounds of each charge weight using W-W cases, WSR primers, capped with 50g V-max�s seated 2.260" OAL. I used 2.260 OAL because that is the OAL of my current load.

100 yard range, sunny, 87 degrees and rising, 4,000 ft asl. Average velocity shown measured 10 ft from muzzle with Oehler 35.

Results:

1. 24.0g 2979fps Mild pressure
2. 24.5g 3027fps Mild
3. 25.0g 3065fps Mild
4. 25.5g 3115fps Mild
5. 26.0g 3198fps Mild
6. 26.5g 3226fps Moderate
7. 27.0g 3290fps Cratered primer
8. 27.5g 3294fps Cratered primer

For comparison, my current load of 50g Vmax/25.9g of Benchmark shows moderate pressure and runs about 3350 fps. Another load, 50gVmax/26.0 grains of H335 runs 3250fps. Since 844 was probably designed to run 55-62g bullets, I would venture to guess 844 is a little slow for 50g and under bullets, and better suited to 55g and up. That will be a later test.

That 25.5 gr load does rock.

Grand, thanks for the info.

Any body try the 844 with 40 gr bullets ??

I have shot many, many kegs of 844 in the 223 and 22 PPC.

Use thick cup primers such as the Rem 7 1/2, CCIBR-4, CCI450, or cci 41.

I did shoot 50g and 55g bullets out of both the 223 and 22PPC.

If you are cratering primers, the win primers have soft thin cups and will show pressure quickly. Your firing pin hole in the bolt may need to be bushed.

Since barrels, twist rates, and lot# of powder in 844 will affect loads, I will not list the loads that I shoot.

I do a test similar to Grand's, but with the use of thick cup primers in rifles that have no excessive clearance around the firing pin that eliminates cratered primers, I get a lot higher velocities.

If you judge high pressure by the flatness of the primer and case head scuffing, you are using better indicators of what a max load is with your gun and bullet weight you are shooting.

WC844 is very similar to H335 and WC 846 is similar to Ball C2.

Out of my 26" barrel in 223 with a match chamber, extreme accuracy is at 3450 fps. In the 22PPC, groups in the high .100's and low .200's is norm at 3550 fps.

Friend,

Thanks for the post. Needed! I'm shooting WC842 and I can tell you the stuff is hotter than advertised. I suggest, start low and work your way up. It shoots great, however you have to find that, "sweet spot" load.

UPDATE with 55g SP's
I loaded 3 rounds of each charge weight using W-W cases, WSR primers, capped with 55g Soft Point, cannelure, 2.260" OAL.

100 yard range, sunny, 80 degrees and rising, 4,000 ft asl. Average velocity shown measured 10 ft from muzzle with Oehler 35.

Results:

1. 24.0g 2857fps Mild pressure
2. 24.5g 2907fps Mild
3. 25.0g 2950fps Mild
4. 25.5g 3005fps Mild
5. 26.0g 3073fps Mild
6. 26.5g 3168fps Moderate Pressure
7. 27.0g 3217fps Slightly cratered primer

Decent groups at 24.0g and 27.0g. I should be able to push 27.5g easily and perhaps 28.0g.

Thanks for the info.

Winchester primers have thin cups.

Do CCI 400s also have thin cups?

The 400's have thinner cups than the BR-4's and 450's, bu I've use quite a few of them in various AR's with no problems.

CCI 400s are not as thin as Win SR.
I too have used a bunch in ARs without a problem. They don't hold pressure like a Rem 7 1/5, but that is OK, you probably shouldn't be running that hot anyway.

I think you will find that WC844 will work just fine with your 50 Gr bullets. I've been using it with good results as well as WC846. Wolfe small magnum primers should serve you well with both of these powders.

Interesting; I did not realize that. So, does CCI run the WSRs on the 400 line?