Benefits of the drop tube.

[bobm]

I'm in the middle of loading some .30-06 with 165 Sierra Gamekings, using FL sized WW #2 fired brass, CCI 200's and Reloder 22.

I forgot how bulky RL-22 is nearly filling the case with 59.0 grs. Out comes my decades old home made 7" drop tube. The right side case is as thrown from the Redding measure.

The left case is same charge dumped into the scale pan then into the drop tube. This netted me about .185 more bullet seating depth with out excessive crushing of the charge.

Carry on.

 

[acbrunton55]

I'm in the middle of loading some .30-06 with 165 Sierra Gamekings, using FL sized WW #2 fired brass, CCI 200's and Reloder 22.

I forgot how bulky RL-22 is nearly filling the case with 59.0 grs. Out comes my decades old home made 7" drop tube. The right side case is as thrown from the Redding measure.

The left case is same charge dumped into the scale pan then into the drop tube. This netted me about .185 more bullet seating depth with out excessive crushing of the charge.

Carry on.

I don't drop without a drop tube anymore. I have the Area 419 funnel and drop tubes. I can vary from 3" to 12" in 3" increments. Minimum 6". Recent load, .308 Peterson brass with 44.0gr Varget, 185gr Juggs, 12" drop.

Carrying on.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Two other helpful ways, pour the powder real slow so it has time to settle and the other is put your pointer finger over the case mouth and pick up the case and tap it a few times on the bench top. Neither quit as good as using a drop tube.

Frank

 

[NorCalMikie]

If you tap the side of the case, it WILL lower the level. No drop tube needed. You're loading one at a time anyway.

 

[jccinohio]

I didn't believe a drop tube could be so effective till I tried it...

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have tried tapping, thumping, jiggling, vibrating........drop tube along with a slow pour gets the most powder in the case at the lowest level for me. Different methods get different results depending on the type of powder but funnel and slow pour works for all.

 

[6Creed73]

Yep, drop tubes are great. I get the best results when pouring into the drop tube funnel slowly and at a slight angle to create a spiral with the powder. This has saved me many times loading big 225gr bullets for 300BLK.

 

[bobm]

Two new unfired .375 HH with 95 grs. RL-22 dumped in, then drop tube filled.

Two once fired .416 Rem. with 103 grs. RL-22 dumped in, then drop tube filled.

Same two .375 HH with 86.0 grs. H4831------(7583)

 

[BoydAllen]

Powder Column Height Varies with Case-Filling Methods « Daily Bulletin

Most of us assume that if we weigh our powder carefully (down to the tenth of a grain or less) we can achieve a uniform powder fill from case to case in our handloads. Weighing does ensure that the weight of the propellant in each case is the same, but is the column of powder the same by volume...

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[markm87]

I forster drop funnel everything that's not loaded on the progressive.

 

[bobm]

Couple more.....in the same .375 HH brass.

IMR 7828.....83.0 grs.---------(7584)
H 4350..........89.0 grs.---------(7586)
H 4895..........87.0 grs.---------(7587)
SR 4759........67.0 grs.---------(7588)
IMR 4198.....79.0 grs.---------(7589)

 

[JMayo]

30br
I don't get allot of difference with any drop tube more than 10", 14, 20 compared to each other. 4198, N130, LT 30 no matter how slow i tap it in.
Heck my 5" tube does well if i go really slow.

 

[ronemus]

I get the best results when pouring into the drop tube funnel slowly and at a slight angle to create a spiral with the powder.

This is often referred to as swirl charging, an it works very well. I tend to use 100% charges, so I use a Forster funnel with 6" drop tube for everything I shoot, including pistol; blue dot flakes take up a lot less room in 10mm Auto using the drop tube.

 

[Webster]

Powder Column Height Varies with Case-Filling Methods « Daily Bulletin

Most of us assume that if we weigh our powder carefully (down to the tenth of a grain or less) we can achieve a uniform powder fill from case to case in our handloads. Weighing does ensure that the weight of the propellant in each case is the same, but is the column of powder the same by volume...

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Does compacting the powder with a drop tube change the burn rate?

 

[bobm]

I believe the burn rate would be unaffected whether drop tubed, loose pack or compressed charges. The chemical makeup will not change.

 

[BoydAllen]

Does compacting the powder with a drop tube change the burn rate?

I have never had any indication that using a drop tube would change burn rate.

 

[Shooter13]

30br
I don't get allot of difference with any drop tube more than 10", 14, 20 compared to each other. 4198, N130, LT 30 no matter how slow i tap it in.
Heck my 5" tube does well if i go really slow.

I'm loading N130 in 30BR, 34.5 grains with a 12" drop tube, I need more drop tube!!! Next week I'll be trying a 19" drop tube! Yes, pouring s l 0 w!!

 

[OmegaRed]

I'm loading N130 in 30BR, 34.5 grains with a 12" drop tube, I need more drop tube!!! Next week I'll be trying a 19" drop tube! Yes, pouring s l 0 w!!

I use a 4" and go up to 35gr no issues. 21 century funnel

 

[Shooter13]

I use a 4" and go up to 35gr no issues. 21 century funnel

I'm using Area 419, not sure what the difference is.

 

[Webster]

I believe the burn rate would be unaffected whether drop tubed, loose pack or compressed charges. The chemical makeup will not change.

I was thinking about how the primer flame might travel thru the charge.