WST for med-fast loads only?
+3
Rodger Barthlow
chiz1180
inthebeech
7 posters
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WST for med-fast loads only?
Repeated tests with this powder and the charges that duplicate the velocities that I load Bullseye to (675-725 f/s) and the velocity spread with WST is always high (100-125 f/s) over test groups of ten rounds. Loading Bullseye to the same muzzle velocity and I am always down around 20-30 f/s spread. Same crimp, COL, ambient conditions, 185 gr LSWC bullet, primer, gun...
I haven't bumped up the charge yet in order to see if this goes away; I'd prefer to here what this community has to say in the event I'm missing something and if not, just save the WST for other cartridges.
No unburnt powder.
With these low speeds there is always (even with BE) fouling on the outside of cases and no difference here.
Extraction/ejection are not consistent as one would expect; those rounds at the low end of this large velocity range do not eject reliably.
Maybe this powder is best with jacketed? faster speeds? heavier bullets? All of the above?
The question is asked out of simple curiosity; no need to force this powder to do something that Bullseye is better suited for (very light loads for 50' indoor winter league). I'm interested in the experiences of those who have experience with this powder.
Thanks,
Ed
I haven't bumped up the charge yet in order to see if this goes away; I'd prefer to here what this community has to say in the event I'm missing something and if not, just save the WST for other cartridges.
No unburnt powder.
With these low speeds there is always (even with BE) fouling on the outside of cases and no difference here.
Extraction/ejection are not consistent as one would expect; those rounds at the low end of this large velocity range do not eject reliably.
Maybe this powder is best with jacketed? faster speeds? heavier bullets? All of the above?
The question is asked out of simple curiosity; no need to force this powder to do something that Bullseye is better suited for (very light loads for 50' indoor winter league). I'm interested in the experiences of those who have experience with this powder.
Thanks,
Ed
inthebeech- Posts : 623
Join date : 2012-03-17
Age : 59
Location : Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
I really like WST for 38. I have loaded some for 45, but my Bullseye loads preformed better on target (ransom rest testing, no chronograph data).In this case it was the same bullet/seating for each powder. I have seen some great performance from friends shooting WST in 45, but I think it would require me to develop a load that suits my equipment like I did with Bullseye. The WST loads were not bad, the Bullseye loads were just slightly better.
FWIW my loads are on the warmer side of target loads, 4.0-4.2ish Bullseye with lead 185s, I found chasing the lightest loads possible was an equation for encouraging function issues, especially if I didn't keep the gun very clean.
FWIW my loads are on the warmer side of target loads, 4.0-4.2ish Bullseye with lead 185s, I found chasing the lightest loads possible was an equation for encouraging function issues, especially if I didn't keep the gun very clean.
chiz1180- Posts : 1405
Join date : 2019-05-29
Location : Ohio
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
I've played with just about every powder that is used for bullseye loads in the .45acp and still have a 4# jug that I stopped using because a HM friend told me WST was the latest and greatest powder to use.
I find it just as dirty as Bullseye in that it leaves a lot of unburnt powder in the action, even when loading up to 4.2grs under a 185gr swc.
I have seemed to look for the lightest recoil I could find in .45apc loads and think it may have caused me to shoot my worse scores since my follow threw is different and not grip the gun consistently.
Is it the magic pixy dust everyone is looking for I don't know but I see more HM's using Bullseye powder than anything else with lead bullets.
I find it just as dirty as Bullseye in that it leaves a lot of unburnt powder in the action, even when loading up to 4.2grs under a 185gr swc.
I have seemed to look for the lightest recoil I could find in .45apc loads and think it may have caused me to shoot my worse scores since my follow threw is different and not grip the gun consistently.
Is it the magic pixy dust everyone is looking for I don't know but I see more HM's using Bullseye powder than anything else with lead bullets.
Rodger Barthlow- Posts : 359
Join date : 2013-08-10
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
I have loaded and still load a lot of WST in .45, .38spl and .38 Super and it works great for all. I have not been successful with a repeatable good load in 9mm.
All of these, sub 2.5" at 50yds, some closer to 1.5" at 50 yds.
.45 acp
180-200 gr lead or coated bullets. 4-1 - 3.9 gr works great for me at 25 -50 yds
185 gr JHP then 4.4 - 4.8 gr works great at 25-50 yds
.38 spl
125 gr lead or coated. 4.4 - 4.5 gr good to 50 yds
125 JHP 4.6 - 4.8 gr good to 50 yds
148 HBWC 2.7 - 2.8 gr good to 50 yds
.38 Super
115 gr JHP. 4.6 - 4.8 gr good to 50 yds
125 gr JHP 4.2 - 4.5 gr good to 50 yds
All of these, sub 2.5" at 50yds, some closer to 1.5" at 50 yds.
.45 acp
180-200 gr lead or coated bullets. 4-1 - 3.9 gr works great for me at 25 -50 yds
185 gr JHP then 4.4 - 4.8 gr works great at 25-50 yds
.38 spl
125 gr lead or coated. 4.4 - 4.5 gr good to 50 yds
125 JHP 4.6 - 4.8 gr good to 50 yds
148 HBWC 2.7 - 2.8 gr good to 50 yds
.38 Super
115 gr JHP. 4.6 - 4.8 gr good to 50 yds
125 gr JHP 4.2 - 4.5 gr good to 50 yds
Allgoodhits- Posts : 891
Join date : 2017-09-17
Location : Southport, NC
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
One thing not mentioned yet is that, in my experience, slower powders like tighter crimps. My base load for most everything is a Zero 185 LSWCHP, 4.1 WST, 0.928" to the shoulder, .463 crimp.
Dave
Dave
Dcforman- Posts : 901
Join date : 2017-11-18
Age : 42
Location : Ohio
jjfitch and farmboy like this post
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
"[size=16].463 crimp."[/size]
This is very helpful. Thank you.
This is very helpful. Thank you.
Last edited by inthebeech on 12/22/2023, 5:18 am; edited 1 time in total
inthebeech- Posts : 623
Join date : 2012-03-17
Age : 59
Location : Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
Dcforman wrote:One thing not mentioned yet is that, in my experience, slower powders like tighter crimps. My base load for most everything is a Zero 185 LSWCHP, 4.1 WST, 0.928" to the shoulder, .463 crimp.
Dave
That is in line with what I do except, I do not get that crimp measurement, but we may differ in measuring.
Allgoodhits- Posts : 891
Join date : 2017-09-17
Location : Southport, NC
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
I use a lot of WST for my short line loads as I prefer its recoil impulse. Run 4.0 with a 180 FBSWC and 4.3 with the little 160s.
.463-465 crimp.
All my lead long line loads are BE or TG. They simply shoot a touch better.
.463-465 crimp.
All my lead long line loads are BE or TG. They simply shoot a touch better.
jglenn21- Posts : 2601
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga
jjfitch likes this post
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
Just an observational data point on WST and crimp. I was crimping pretty tight, .463 or so and recently loosened up to .467. I’m getting a lot (more) unburned powder and the load feels weird in my hand.
My shooting sucks and has deteriorated from milquetoast beginner to open choke smooth bore so can’t comment on accuracy in any way shape or form.
In any case I’m going back to a tighter crimp.
My shooting sucks and has deteriorated from milquetoast beginner to open choke smooth bore so can’t comment on accuracy in any way shape or form.
In any case I’m going back to a tighter crimp.
RodJ- Posts : 848
Join date : 2021-06-26
Location : TX
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
If anyone is willing to drive to SE Pennsylvania area, I'll give the three unopened and fourth nearly full pounders to you for $60.
inthebeech- Posts : 623
Join date : 2012-03-17
Age : 59
Location : Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
PM sent I'll take it.inthebeech wrote:If anyone is willing to drive to SE Pennsylvania area, I'll give the three unopened and fourth nearly full pounders to you for $60.
Rodger Barthlow- Posts : 359
Join date : 2013-08-10
Re: WST for med-fast loads only?
I made the drive to meet Ed and purchase the powder from him.
Unfortunately, Ed was feeling a little under the weather and we couldn't talk as much as I would have liked too.
Ed I hope you are feeling better and had a good day at the range.
Thanks for selling me the powder.
Unfortunately, Ed was feeling a little under the weather and we couldn't talk as much as I would have liked too.
Ed I hope you are feeling better and had a good day at the range.
Thanks for selling me the powder.
Rodger Barthlow- Posts : 359
Join date : 2013-08-10
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