Fireforming using shotgun powder

[Dusty Stevens]

No filler and ive used clays and got the same result as bullseye. What i do is look at like a 45acp load and since i dont quote powder charges if a 45 load of clays is 2x that of bullseye i use 2x more clays than my normal load of bullseye and TP. Using no filler it is very forgiving if you make a mistake and get too much. I get fully formed cases ready to expand then turn

 

[Brians356]

I should mention that I fireform my 250 AI from 22-250 rather than 250 Savage. Not only is 22-250 brass plentiful, but I feel perhaps the constricted neck may allow a fraction more pressure buildup from a given charge, promoting sharp shoulder formation.
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[Cbashooter]

When forming 30-40 krag to 38-50 Remington Hepburn I found the filler(corn meal) above light loads of Unique pushed the shoulder out much better than no fillers.
The filler was used as a wad more than to keep the powder over the primer.it also worked wonders forming Krag to the AI version for me.

 

[Brians356]

When forming 30-40 krag to 38-50 Remington Hepburn I found the filler(corn meal) above light loads of Unique pushed the shoulder out much better than no fillers.
The filler was used as a wad more than to keep the powder over the primer.it also worked wonders forming Krag to the AI version for me.

What was your filler?
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[DaveTooley]

I've been using up a keg of Unique I bought probably 30 years ago. 10-12 grs with COW. Yea I know I don't have to use a filler but that's the way I've always done it. Using a filler is a good way to polish the throat on a new barrel.

 

[D Coots]

Evidently fire forming has changed. It used to be you didn't want to hit it so hard the first time to completely form to the chamber.

 

[DaveTooley]

Evidently fire forming has changed. It used to be you didn't want to hit it so hard the first time to completely form to the chamber.

Better quality brass these days. I remember not pushing things hard for several firings in an attempt to work harden the case head.

 

[Cbashooter]

What was your filler?
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Corn meal

 

[longbow]

Buy a Hydro die and your set. I used alcohol,instead of water/oil when I formed A case for my 6 Dasher hydro.I had the first one out there that Lonnie the Hornady tech made up . One light wack with a 4# rubber single sledge.Retop case with alcohol and give it a firm wack! a perfectly formed case. Dry and ready to use.No primers,no powder,no going to the range. So at $200.00 for die X 100 cases , primers,powder,bullets. You figure what works best for you.So I'm out $100.00 difference ,I sit in my shop and blow them out in A very short time.

 

[Brians356]

Buy a Hydro die and your set. ... One light wack with a 4# rubber single sledge.Retop case with alcohol and give it a firm wack! a perfectly formed case. Dry and ready to use.No primers,no powder,no going to the range.

That would form the case to the die. I like forming to my unique chamber in a single pop myself. My "range" is over 4 million acres of federal land just in my county of residence.
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[Brians356]

I've been using up a keg of Unique I bought probably 30 years ago. 10-12 grs with COW. Yea I know I don't have to use a filler but that's the way I've always done it. Using a filler is a good way to polish the throat on a new barrel.

When I was trying fillers, I liked cracked corn better than COW, as it seemed to leave fewer clumps of residue inside the cases. I'd guess it would have a similar effect (if any) in polishing the throat, but that's beyond my ken.
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[jelenko]

Ah, goes to show what I know.
With no experience at fireforming, I, ahem, assumed using pistol powder in rifle loads would be dangerous [it probably is], but looks like many are doing it just fine.

I'm going back to my corner now.

 

[Brians356]

Ah, goes to show what I know.
With no experience at fireforming, I, ahem, assumed using pistol powder in rifle loads would be dangerous [it probably is], but looks like many are doing it just fine.

I'm going back to my corner now.

We are discussing "BULLETLESS" fireforming! No one here has advocated handloading a rifle cartridge with shotgun / pistol powder.
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[KMart]

Any powder in the general neighborhood of Bullseye in the burn chart will work fine.
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I have fireformed a bunch of 6BR to Dasher WITHOUT BULLETS OR FILLER. I have used Red Dot, Clays, and 700X. I use about 1/2 a case of powder and put a TP plug in the case mouth, just to get it to the range without spilling it.
On the BR to Dasher forming, you must build a false shoulder on the case neck to make the primer go off.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I think there are several options that get the job done here...but I've had good results with Hogdon Universal in my 30 Major, necking up and forming the case to the chamber. I use a cotton wad or wad of tissue to hold it in place. I don't remember how much but it's about 2/3rds up the case and I just work up until the shoulders form nicely and I have some neck length growth. Too light does neither. Way too light doesn't even blow the case mouth out good. It's just something you have to play with, with your brass and your gun, IME. But look for those two things...a good shoulder and necks to get a tad longer.

 

[DocDoc]

Good information in this article on this site forming .260AI.

You are being redirected...

 

[SeabeeKen]

When I was trying fillers, I liked cracked corn better than COW, as it seemed to leave fewer clumps of residue inside the cases. I'd guess it would have a similar effect (if any) in polishing the throat, but that's beyond my ken.
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I use coffee and IMR red. The coffee is already roasted/burnt. COW left me digging out burnt clumps from the shoulder with a 90 degree seal pick. Smells much better too.

 

[Cbashooter]

We are discussing "BULLETLESS" fireforming! No one here has advocated handloading a rifle cartridge with shotgun / pistol powder.
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I do it all the time with low/medium power cast bullets in everything from .22 Hornet to .416 Rigby.i haven't blown myself up in 40 years doing so

 

[bigstick6017555]

I just recently fire formed 100 25-35 brass for a 219 Zipper in a lever action using a 357 pistol load topped with wadded tissue paper, worked real well

 

[Elwood]

Trail Boss and no need for a filler but I do use a cheap bullet. I've used it for fire forming Shehane, KMR and 6PPC..