Stuffing Cartridges

[ProGun1]

I saw an interesting topic on a very good reloading site. Has anyone copied this on smaller cartridges to success? My concern would be on reloading for semi auto in large qty and then with all the shifting around the powder does migrate into the folds of the paper thus negating the affect of efficient powder lighting. Maybe this is only best for the large cartridges as described and kept vertical until use in a bolt action thus minimizing shake. Your opinions?

http://www.reloadammo.com/rel-location.htm

[Illurian00]

Just use sutible medium, medium/fast powders when loading for your semi-auto. Stick to published load data. A little space in the loaded cartridge is o.k.

This filler techinique is not necessary AND PROBABLT NOT AT ALL DESIREABLE FOR LOADING STANDARD CARTRIDGES to standard velocities w/ suitible powsers.

Those old big bore (and a good many smaler bore) cartridges were loaded w/ 'cordite powder',,,actually it was formed in strands and cut to length to fit in whatever case it was used in. Very erosive.
Another 'era' entirely,,,trully a horse of a different color.

[chromestarhustler]

most of my loads are compresssed loads or close to it so theres no use for this

[MAINER]

This technique is only good for bench or target shooting. The loaded rounds are handled carefully from the loading bench to the shooting bench. I don't think it a good idea for hunting ammo and esecially not for autoloaders. This method may be OK for a low pressure (blackpowder equivilent) load, but not for modern high power stuff, like 308. IMHO


Have seen a few nice old rifles with "ringed" barrels from shooting wads or fillers. Picked up a Colt 70 pretty cheap with a "jugged" barrel from shooting "target loads with a filler".

I used to load straight case 45-70s and the like with wads and fillers, but found it easier and safer to use a more suitable powder, IMR-5744 in this case.

[Survey Punk]

I have heard of chambers being ringed using this, and similar, methods.

JB

[davedude]

there is a filler medium made for taking up space in reduced load cartridges, but I can't remember right off the top of my head. I'll post a link to it when I can.
Reduced loads are encountered often when loading cast bullets in medium capacity cartridges.
The idea was to keep the powder charge right on top of the primer so it is lit correctly.
The problem with filler is that it is dead weight, you have to add the weight of the filler to the bullet weight and adjust charge appropriatly.

Dave Dude

[akajun]

I use Puff Lon Filler on some of my reduced velocity lead bullet loads for rifles and for my 45 70 smokeless loads. It is a mixture of powdered cellulose and moly and does everything the ad says. The downsides is it is a little messy to load and adds to the cost of your loads. However when you have a load that either will not shoot well, has incomplete ignition, or have gas cutting problems with lead bullets it works wonders.

[owlcreekok]

I hae, and will likely again, should the mood strike, use kapok filler over powder charges that are demonstrably smaller in volume than the case capacity. For example, using pistol powder under cast bullets in .30 rifle, .45-70 and Brit .303.

I have demonstarted to myself and proven without doubt that using the kapok to keep the powder back "against" the primer results in more uniform ignition hence reasonable accuracy.

Few people love to make bullets and shoot an 03-A3 at 50 yard , 3" targets, but I do.

[Deltaten]

Cream of Wheat?

I would use grits, as I have a couple of cans semi-full from the recent rat attacks

I'd second the use of a properly sized/graded powder to cart load. The use of filer in a gallery load, as per Owl's input does have it's uses tho; but not the norm.

Paul

[owlcreekok]

I once used Pablum over 231 in some .30 Herrett cases, capped with Alox bullet lube to fire form the freshly wildcatted .30-30 empties.

FWIW