Hey "pop" Question.

[trays7940]

I was loading some bullets with the 76grns of H4831 that you suggested for my 308 norma magnum. When I went to set the bullet, 3.345 coal, I could hear the powder crunching inside of the case. Is this ok? I looked at other handloading manuals and found they say I can go up to as high as 79.9grns. I, however, don't see how you can put that much powder in the case and set the bullet without really packing the powder. :?

 

[Britz]

It is generally not a good idea to compress loads much. Bullets can actually work their way back out of the cartridge if there is too much compression.

 

[JD338]

trays7940

Maybe a drop tube or tapping the charged case on the bench top prior to seating the bullet may help settle the powder charge.

JD338

 

[ldg397]

I read this in one of reloading books. All you need to do is add an extension on to your powder funnel. The farther the drop from the funnel to the case the more it compacts and settles down the powder. Wouldn't have believed it but seemed to work for me.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Stainless works better then copper. For some reason the powder always stuck to my copper drop tubes.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Ditto on what JD338 said. I've had charges soo full (Especially with Barnes bullets) that I would have to seat the bullet and then tap the bullet on the side on the bench and then re-seat the bullet to get it to stay. Not the best option but! And like pop says if it compresses too much it WILL push the bullet back out and mess up the OAL. On the other hand a full case or slightly compressed load will give you the most consistant velocities.
Good luck and Good hunting
Elkhunt :grin:

 

[Guest]

I've heard stories of compressed loads of ball type powder pushing out primers and creating a nasty mess. I've never seen or confirmed one of these, but the stories sure are funny.

One other trick I use is to pour the powder down the side of the funnel in such a way as to cause it to sort of 'swirl' down into the hole. The idea behind the long drop tube is that it gives the powder more time to settle in the case, thereby making it take up less room. Swirling does the same thing. Oh, and pour slower.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've compressed ball powder to the point I bulged the case and couldn't fit round in the chamber, but I've never managed to push out a primer.

 

[Britz]

I've used 2 feet of 1/4 inch plastic tubing fixed to a straight rodd - works pretty good. But when I use a drop tube, I rarely compress loads much at all because they are already "packed"

 

[FOTIS]

I was loading some bullets with the 76grns of H4350 that you suggested for my 308 norma magnum. When I went to set the bullet, 3.345 coal, I could hear the powder crunching inside of the case. Is this ok? I looked at other handloading manuals and found they say I can go up to as high as 79.9grns. I, however, don't see how you can put that much powder in the case and set the bullet without really packing the powder. :?

Providing you're using 180 grain bullets .............


Please be advised .........

I SUGGESTED 76 GRAINS OF H4831 (same max as the 300 Win mag) not H4350. Totally different powder!!!!!!!!! I have never used H4350 but the max

 

[trays7940]

Ok, I might be alright, because I can shake the bullet and I can hear the powder moving inside. My OAL is staying the same but, I don't think Iam going to put any more powder inside. This interesting stuff, though, and thanks for all of the help. :?

 

[trays7940]

POP, You are correct, you said H4831 and I miss wrote in my note to you. I ment to say H4831 not H4850...We are square on the suggestion you gave me.

 

[FOTIS]

Thank you! I was worried.

BTW RL 22 should yield nice results also. Start at 70 gr or so , should max out around 75-76.....