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    85MikeTPI

    85MikeTPI

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 19, 2014
    2,732
    Ceciltucky
    Sorry if already addressed, my search didn't turn up anything here.

    Has anyone used the Midwest Powders? They come up for sale and in bulk often and have equivalencies to many other powders for load data. I'm not looking for precision here, but for bulk plinking and machinegun loads.

    My Google Foo seems to indicate the they repackage surplus powders which is probably a plus since you're actually getting the same powder, but they can't advertise as such?
     
    Pinecone

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    85MikeTPI said:
    Sorry if already addressed, my search didn't turn up anything here.

    Has anyone used the Midwest Powders? They come up for sale and in bulk often and have equivalencies to many other powders for load data. I'm not looking for precision here, but for bulk plinking and machinegun loads.

    My Google Foo seems to indicate the they repackage surplus powders which is probably a plus since you're actually getting the same powder, but they can't advertise as such?
    Click to expand...

    More likely they are buying and selling military surplus powder.

    Which is not the same as the stuff we buy.

    Those bulk powders vary from lot to lot. So they do testing to determine the load for each lot of power.

    So if you get some, work up a load, and like it. Then later, you buy more, you will need to work up your load again, and it will likely be different than the first one.
     
    A

    atblis

    Ultimate Member
    May 23, 2010
    2,032
    Surplus powder is great and all, some of it is more like an overrun, but it should be considerably cheaper than the retail branded stuff. Last time I looked, it was marginally less expensive. Haven't bought any in a decade.
     
    A

    atblis

    Ultimate Member
    May 23, 2010
    2,032
    Look up how Hodgdon got their start.

    Midwest's prices are getting interesting. Best I could find on 8lbs of H335 was $170+shipping/hazmat. They're selling 16lbs of WC844 for $250 delivered.
     
    Seabee

    Seabee

    Old Timer
    Oct 9, 2011
    517
    Left marylandistan to NC
    atblis said:
    Surplus powder is great and all, some of it is more like an overrun, but it should be considerably cheaper than the retail branded stuff. Last time I looked, it was marginally less expensive. Haven't bought any in a decade.
    Click to expand...

    Some is also pulldown powder and who knows how old it is or conditions it was kept in.
     
    K-43

    K-43

    West of Morning Side
    Oct 20, 2010
    1,882
    PG
    Go for it!
    I've burned 8lbs of the MP branded WC-844 from American Reloading and it's new, bulk, overun, not pulldown. Smells great. Like I enjoy sniffing it great.
    I ordered 16 more lbs when it was on sale for $204 last year. A buddy ordered 16 for himself after he used some of mine.
    In 223 with 55 gr fmj it seems a hair faster than the H335 they compare it to. But if you follow directions and work up, that's fine.
    Every lot will be different anyway, hence I bought multiple 8 pounders from the same lot. It may be a different lot this year and/or next time.
    I'm on the list if they ever get more of the "simiilar to N135" or "similar to N140" back in stock.
    If you only want 8lbs, there isn't much savings, if any, over buying Shooters World or Ramshot on sale. I skipped on their 846 and got 8lbs of TAC for the same price during a free hazmat/free shipping deal online.

    P.S. It's as clean as any St Marks ball powder. Isn't leaving hard crusty stuff in the BCG. Someone always asks.
     
    Last edited:
    John from MD

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,928
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I used surplus powders from the 1960's until about 10-12 years ago when the prices started making brand name powders competitive. An example is 4831 which I used to buy for $9 for 8 pounds. 4895 used to cost somewhere around $20 for 8 pounds. WC 860 was around $8 for 8 pounds. We used to make duplex loads for milsurps consisting of 10grs of Bullseye and an the rest of the case 4831. This would give you around 1500 FPS in bolt guns. You obviously couldn't use it in semi's.

    Don't be afraid to use it. As Pinecone said, you need to work up loads for each batch number you purchase. If you shoot a lot of one particular load, buy a few jugs so you get the same batch.
     
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