Varget thru a drop tube

[grovey]

Does using a drop tube to fill cases with Varget actually net more capacity than a few taps on the side of a small case like a .223?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yes. The longer the more powder you can get in

 

[JohnKielly]

More importantly, it's likely to be consistent case to case.

 

[Zero333]

Pouring the powder in the funnel so it swirls like a toilet flushing also helps.

I use a 4" drop tube with the swirl method. With out the swirl method, I would need a longer drop tube.

 

[Texas10]

Yes, absolutely. I shoot a 69 gr. Lapua 223 set .005 into the lands of my Criterion barrel and a full case of Varget. Until now, I have always swirl charged and tapped the case to settle charges but that method is not good enough to get consistent seating at my charge weight and seating depth. I tried a 10 inch drop tube and it did resolve the seating issue I was having. The difference was only a few thousandths of an inch, but enough to make a difference.

To test the different methods, start by dumping an overcharge into a sized case but with a spent primer. Top off the kernels protruding from the neck and dump the charge back into your weighing pan.

Now charge the case again using the swirl and tap method. I tap to the tune of "Shave and a haircut, two bits", that's seven times and note how far down the neck the charge is. Dump it back in the pan and repeat 10 times looking for consistency.

Then find a plastic straw that'll fit in your funnel and over the neck of the 223 cartridge. Try various lengths and methods of pouring the charge into the funnel note the results.

All this is quite un-necessary unless your charge weight and seating depth require a drop tube method of charging. In other words, you may need to use a drop tube if you're hearing the powder being crunched as the bullet is seated and your seating depth is not consistent enough to maintain accuracy.

 

[PatMiles]

Drop tubes do work.

 

[grovey]

Drop tubes do work.

View attachment 1080431

Nice setup. Is it store bought?

 

[grovey]

I won't mention the hot load I was fiddling with before it got too cold, but it was in the neck of a .223 case when slow dumped with a swirl. 10 or so taps allowed me to seat my heavy BT bullet, but I had to adjust my seater down like 0.10 - 0.12 to get the extra 0.005 deeper seating depth I needed. Hell, maybe the chosen brass won't take the abuse anyway.

 

[jimmymac]

I like this one.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/293879/forster-blue-ribbon-powder-funnel-with-long-drop-tube

 

[Texas10]

I won't mention the hot load I was fiddling with before it got too cold, but it was in the neck of a .223 case when slow dumped with a swirl. 10 or so taps allowed me to seat my heavy BT bullet, but I had to adjust my seater down like 0.10 - 0.12 to get the extra 0.005 deeper seating depth I needed. Hell, maybe the chosen brass won't take the abuse anyway.

You might want to re-check the BTO after an hour or two and see if it's still the same. When you compress the charge it tends to want to push the bullet back out. Sometimes not right away, but few temperature cycles will move it along quite nicely.

 

[PatMiles]

Nice setup. Is it store bought?

Nope, home brew.

 

[grovey]

You might want to re-check the BTO after an hour or two and see if it's still the same. When you compress the charge it tends to want to push the bullet back out. Sometimes not right away, but few temperature cycles will move it along quite nicely.

I agree, and I'm sure they are. The load I was working on this fall would buck the wind so much better than the load I used last yr if I can tame it.

 

[grovey]

Nope, home brew.

Again, very nice. I searched the world over this summer, and saw some acrylic tubes I think could be fashioned with the right drill bit. Care to share where you got yours?

 

[Johnny_V]

I recently started using an aluminum funnel setup from Area 419 and love it. They make drop tubes for their funnels in 3" increments, so you can adjust your drop tube to the length desired. Might be a bit pricey for some, but never a fear of static with this setup.

https://www.area419.com/product/master-funnel-kit/

https://www.area419.com/product/droptube/

 

[Steve Ladino]

Pouring the powder in the funnel so it swirls like a toilet flushing also helps.

I use a 4" drop tube with the swirl method. With out the swirl method, I would need a longer drop tube.

I use the swirl method to load the 30 br. otherwise it's crush and push back time.

 

[PatMiles]

Again, very nice. I searched the world over this summer, and saw some acrylic tubes I think could be fashioned with the right drill bit. Care to share where you got yours?

I bought it on either Amazon or Ebay a couple of years ago. 1/2" OD x .189" ID x 12", several pieces. I don't see it now so you might want to call Dane Brecher at Plastic-Craft Products in West Nyack, NY. That is who is listed on the shipping label.
I modify the tubes on my lathe to fit Saturn funnels and the particular caliber I need them for.

 

[rmist]

Use a 21st Century funnel drop tube...multiple lengths available. Currently I'm using a 6" with no issues filling 223 or 308's with lots of powder. As stated above, swirling makes it easy.

 

[Ccrider]

Pat, how do you ‘modify’ the tubes on your Lathe?

 

[wboggs]

I use a copper tube with a funnel on top and flared on the bottom. You can cut it any length you want. It does make a difference with heavily compressed loads. You can see the powder sitting much lower in the case.

 

[varget204]

I load a lot of 204 ruger rounds,i use powder funnel with a cheap electric toothbrush to vibrate power in the case, touch bottom of case it goes right in;have never had trouble getting Varget in .20 cal neck