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
Next is 23 grains of H335
