At what point in a case is it considered full of powder? Body shoulder, shoulder neck or top of neck. Thanks
A Question About Case Fill
- Thread starter Curmudgeon
- Start date
Do you hear crunching noises when you seat your bullets?
If yes, then it is full. Proceed with extreme caution.
If yes, then it is full. Proceed with extreme caution.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
It's considered full when the volume of powder equals the total volume of the case minus the volume of bullet boattail and bearing surface that are in the case. There is no exact line or spot on a case that represents this fill as it can change depending on the powder you're using, how deep you seat your bullets in the case, and the type of bullet and the volume in the case it occupies. If you want a rough estimate, somewhere around partway up the shoulder would be a reasonable guess.
gunsandgunsmithing
M.Ezell
It's really full when the powder pushes the bullet back out of the case but I think the ideal fill rate it with the bullet lightly touching the top of the powder column. Very lightly compressed.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
If you like, you can take a case and set it up with a neck diameter that allows your favorite bullet to just slide without being overly sloppy. Place a dead primer to plug the flash hole.
Then, take powder charges in steps and measure the seating depth with the bullet being gently compressed on the powder column. If you run that charge weight through a few steps that go a little below and a little above your actual seating depth for a given bullet, then you have some actual data to compare to your load recipe.
Then you may find it interesting to run a different brand of bullet to see the effects of the difference in the boat tails or bullet bases.
This is an exercise we often run when for example we are experimenting with fire formed designs such as the 6 Dasher and there are choices to make in terms of prescribing the freebore.
Then, take powder charges in steps and measure the seating depth with the bullet being gently compressed on the powder column. If you run that charge weight through a few steps that go a little below and a little above your actual seating depth for a given bullet, then you have some actual data to compare to your load recipe.
Then you may find it interesting to run a different brand of bullet to see the effects of the difference in the boat tails or bullet bases.
This is an exercise we often run when for example we are experimenting with fire formed designs such as the 6 Dasher and there are choices to make in terms of prescribing the freebore.
+1^^^ on 338's post. Also, slowly pour the powder on the upper side of the funnel and allow it to "swirl" or vortex to the bottom of the funnel and on down the drop tube. It'll give you a noticeable amount more room in the case as opposed to dumping it all at once down the center of the funnel. JME. WD
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I agree! I’m enjoying the Forster Blue Ribbon funnel for this purpose on my .223.
I had a load for my 223 that was grouping very nicely using a Lapua 69 gr seated .010 into lands, over Varget. Trouble was, the case was so full I could not seat the bullet further into the case without the charge pushing the bullet back out making any attempt at seating consistency impossible. I dropped the charge by .9 gns and got a better load while seated just a little deeper into the case at .005 into the lands.
Then I tried a ball powder and picked up more case room, a better jump seating, and even better groups at a higher velocity.
Then I tried a ball powder and picked up more case room, a better jump seating, and even better groups at a higher velocity.
I doubt many shooters over 60 can hear powder crunch.Do you hear crunching noises when you seat your bullets?
If yes, then it is full. Proceed with extreme caution.
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
I have posted this before, but will give it some more mileage. For compressed loads, or just to settle the powder in a very full case, I use a cheap electric vibrating tool engraver. Just clic it on and touch the side of the case full of powder. The vibration will settle the powder rather nicely. I place my finger over the top of the case to keep the powder in. Cheaper the better.
Example: https://www.harborfreight.com/elect...ent=&msclkid=9611ebb65585157d2f17b4356bb6d6f4
Example: https://www.harborfreight.com/elect...ent=&msclkid=9611ebb65585157d2f17b4356bb6d6f4
gunsandgunsmithing
M.Ezell
It's much the same reason I shoot a 6Grendel instead of a ppc, too.
gunsandgunsmithing
M.Ezell
I've not done it myself but I'm told some people carry a cheap battery powered electric tooth brush with them, for the same reason. Both seem like good ideas, though.
I’ve also read somewhere about people using an electric toothbrush Oops I guess I should’ve read the above post first
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
What?Being well over 60, that's true for me . . . even with my hearing aids on.
In the vertical ... More options......
hew:Yes we need some more !
Favs from another forum:
:-//
:=\
:wtf:
Oh hell they don't work here !
I may be mistaken, but does it not make sense that an identical weight on say a powder like CFE-223 will take up less volume than Varget or similar?
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