WST Powder Use

In the thread re: "Powder Hoppers" I notice several mentions of WST powder. Has this pdr, WST, gained a wide usage? Are a lot of you using it in .45? I have been using it in .38 WC's but I only shoot casually any more and am curious.
Thanks,
Ron Habegger

I switched to WST when Clays and Bullseye became hard to find. A couple of friends switch to VV310.  No reason the switch back.  I use it in my 38 Super too.
- Dave

As soon as they became available I did buy an 8lb keg each of Clays and Bullseye so when the WST runs out I'll use them up.

Like you Ron, I use it for 38 wadcutter. I was using HP-38 previously, but like WST better; meters just as well and it eliminated the unburned powder I was getting (cleaner).

I started using WST in the .45 when Bullseye was in short supply.  Since both are available now, I've been using up the WST and will switch back to Bullseye when it is all gone.  I also tried IMR Target and found it is an exact substitute for Bullseye, whereas WST needs a bit heavier charge to equal Bullseye.

I have always used 3.5 grains of Bullseye with either the 185 or 200 grain lead SWC.  To get the same load results with WST, I had to go to 3.8 grains.  3.5 grains of Target equals 3.5 of Bullseye.

I never switched to WST in the .38 since I had enough Bullseye backed up to load .38's.  The use of WST in the .45 was more of an experiment since I knew Bullseye would be available again once all the panic buying was done last election cycle.  Now I just need to use up that 8 pound jug of the stuff.

I did have some guidance when switching to WST since several of the guys here have been using it for quite some time.  There was not a lot of loading data out there at the time.

I've used a bunch of WST at the recommendation of an experienced local shooter, I really like it. It seems a tiny bit less snappy that BE but does take ever so slightly more to equal the same BE charge.

I have been using 4.4 of WST with Dardas 160 grain .45 and with Zero 185 JHP bullets.

Both loads shoot and function very well in several of my guns.

Ric

WST is less dense than is BE, and most find that it takes .1 - .3 grains more of WST than BE to reach comparable velocity.

On the powder density chart which yields volume of a grain of the powder in cubic centimeters the below are the findings:  ( From Lee Precision charts)

WST .1205
BE .1064
VV N310 .1214
Clays .1462
Alliant E3 .1489

To determine your charge volume take the density figure and multiply by charge weight in grains.

BE 4 gr X .1064 = .4256
WST 4 gr X .1205 = .4820  (same weight, more volume) 

The benefit of a less dense (higher number) powder of a given charge weight is that it fills the case a bit more. This can be quite important to reduce powder position sensitivity on mild to moderate .45 acp and .38 special loads. Notice how close WST and VV N310 are?  Clays and Alliant E3 are excellent light load powders, especially for lead bullets.

WST is my go to powder for cast bullets. In my 45, I use 3.8 gr. with a 200 gr. bullet and 4.6 gr. with a 155 gr. bullet. For jacketed I use VV N310.

Allgoodhits wrote:WST is less dense than is BE, and most find that it takes 1-3 grains more of WST than BE to reach comparable velocity.

On the powder density chart which yields volume of a grain of the powder in cubic centimeters the below are the findings:  ( From Lee Precision charts)

WST .1205
BE .1064
VV N310 .1214
Clays .1462
Alliant E3 .1489

To determine your charge volume take the density figure and multiply by charge weight in grains.

BE 4 gr X .1064 = .4256
WST 4 gr X .1205 = .4820  (same weight, more volume) 

The benefit of a less dense (higher number) powder of a given charge weight is that it fills the case a bit more. This can be quite important to reduce powder position sensitivity on mild to moderate .45 acp and .38 special loads. Notice how close WST and VV N310 are?  Clays and Alliant E3 are excellent light load powders, especially for lead bullets.

Did you mean to say it takes .1 - .3 grain more of WST to equal a BE load. Don't wanna see a noobie go from 3.5 grains of BE to 6.5 grains of WST lol.

zanemoseley wrote:

Allgoodhits wrote:WST is less dense than is BE, and most find that it takes 1-3 grains more of WST than BE to reach comparable velocity.

On the powder density chart which yields volume of a grain of the powder in cubic centimeters the below are the findings:  ( From Lee Precision charts)

WST .1205
BE .1064
VV N310 .1214
Clays .1462
Alliant E3 .1489

To determine your charge volume take the density figure and multiply by charge weight in grains.

BE 4 gr X .1064 = .4256
WST 4 gr X .1205 = .4820  (same weight, more volume) 

The benefit of a less dense (higher number) powder of a given charge weight is that it fills the case a bit more. This can be quite important to reduce powder position sensitivity on mild to moderate .45 acp and .38 special loads. Notice how close WST and VV N310 are?  Clays and Alliant E3 are excellent light load powders, especially for lead bullets.

Did you mean to say it takes .1 - .3 grain more of WST to equal a BE load. Don't wanna see a noobie go from 3.5 grains of BE to 6.5 grains of WST lol.

Good catch!  3 more grains of WST could be very painful.  BTW, although the density of WST and N310 are the same, N310 is a fast burner on par with Bullseye, where WST is slower burning on par with Green Dot.  Fast burners usually have a snappier recoil.

I was introduced to WST over 20 years ago by a high master. He loved the stuff. I bought a pound and I had a lot of unburned powder residue left and it felt grainy. Maybe I wasn't crimping the bullets tightly enough.

oldsalt444 wrote:

zanemoseley wrote:

Allgoodhits wrote:WST is less dense than is BE, and most find that it takes 1-3 grains more of WST than BE to reach comparable velocity.

On the powder density chart which yields volume of a grain of the powder in cubic centimeters the below are the findings:  ( From Lee Precision charts)

WST .1205
BE .1064
VV N310 .1214
Clays .1462
Alliant E3 .1489

To determine your charge volume take the density figure and multiply by charge weight in grains.

BE 4 gr X .1064 = .4256
WST 4 gr X .1205 = .4820  (same weight, more volume) 

The benefit of a less dense (higher number) powder of a given charge weight is that it fills the case a bit more. This can be quite important to reduce powder position sensitivity on mild to moderate .45 acp and .38 special loads. Notice how close WST and VV N310 are?  Clays and Alliant E3 are excellent light load powders, especially for lead bullets.

Did you mean to say it takes .1 - .3 grain more of WST to equal a BE load. Don't wanna see a noobie go from 3.5 grains of BE to 6.5 grains of WST lol.

Good catch!  3 more grains of WST could be very painful.  BTW, although the density of WST and N310 are the same, N310 is a fast burner on par with Bullseye, where WST is slower burning on par with Green Dot.  Fast burners usually have a snappier recoil.

Yikes, but for simple little " . "  . Corrected, thank you!

oldsalt444 wrote:

zanemoseley wrote:

Allgoodhits wrote:WST is less dense than is BE, and most find that it takes 1-3 grains more of WST than BE to reach comparable velocity.

On the powder density chart which yields volume of a grain of the powder in cubic centimeters the below are the findings:  ( From Lee Precision charts)

WST .1205
BE .1064
VV N310 .1214
Clays .1462
Alliant E3 .1489

To determine your charge volume take the density figure and multiply by charge weight in grains.

BE 4 gr X .1064 = .4256
WST 4 gr X .1205 = .4820  (same weight, more volume) 

The benefit of a less dense (higher number) powder of a given charge weight is that it fills the case a bit more. This can be quite important to reduce powder position sensitivity on mild to moderate .45 acp and .38 special loads. Notice how close WST and VV N310 are?  Clays and Alliant E3 are excellent light load powders, especially for lead bullets.

Did you mean to say it takes .1 - .3 grain more of WST to equal a BE load. Don't wanna see a noobie go from 3.5 grains of BE to 6.5 grains of WST lol.

Good catch!  3 more grains of WST could be very painful.  BTW, although the density of WST and N310 are the same, N310 is a fast burner on par with Bullseye, where WST is slower burning on par with Green Dot.  Fast burners usually have a snappier recoil.

Yikes, but for simple little " . "  . Corrected, thank you!

WST has some issues in colder weather.  So you may want to use BE when it is colder than 40.  I have and have noticed others having issues with light cycling.  You should practice sustained with your loads in similar conditions.

4.1 WST 200gn swc good for all seasons
4.1 WST 185gn swc or hpswc good above 50 degrees
4.2 WST 185gn swc or hpswc good for below 50 degrees. 
3.9/4.0 200gn SWC good SL load. 
4.5 WST JHP , softer than BE same accuracy. 

Below 4.0 you do not get a clean burn 

2.7 WST 38 special HBWC good for swaged. 
2.6 WST 38 Special HBWV good for hard cast. 

You can use it for 9mm too but be careful above 4.2gn you get pressure signs.

It is my powder for lead bullets in both 38 and 45.  See avatar,

pittpa wrote:It is my powder for lead bullets in both 38 and 45.  See avatar,

Psst, there's a hole in your avatar....

I've had good luck loading .32 wadcutter.  1.3 gr for general target, 1.6 for my "heavy" long line loads:lol!:

Seems to last forever.

Has anyone tried N320. It is a little slower than N310.

Yes, for 38 Special SWC it works but not superior to 310 for 45acp. 

4.5 is the load I found to be ok for LSWC. 

On exception is was the only powder that works with plated bullets like Berry's. 

It may be good for JHP but I found 310 and WST to be very good and since 320 is expensive I would stick to WST.

Has anybody tried the new alliant sport pistol for 45 acp or 38 as it is to be close to n320?