Brass filled?

sulisa

sulisa

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Hi guys,

I'm planning to try experimenting with loads above the "minimum powder" level, and of course I trip over a newbie question:

For a particular .223 load, it says starting point is 25.5gr, max is 27.something. As I load cases progressively heavier (a string of 25.5, a string of 25.6, 25.7, and so on), I noticed the powder level is rising (of course), but above 27.0, the case is darned-near full (working its way up the neck). How am I supposed to get my boat-tail in there? For full cases, do you just ram the bullet in, compressing the powder? Has anyone ever run into a load that just plain exceeds the volume of the case (shouldn't happen, if everyone's using the same case)

Thanks
 
Compressed loads are not uncommon. There is even a thought that it improves ignition. Everything else being equal, a compressed load is not necessarily a problem.
One situation to watch for is case volume. Some makes of .223 brass are heavier, and have less capacity. What might not be a compressed load in one make might be in another. What might be a safe load in a lighter case could spike pressure in a heavier one.
There are those who use long drop tubes when charging cases. This can make it possible to get more powder in without crushing granules, which can occur with heavily compressed loads.
 
When the powder is loaded, just lightly tap the base of the cartridge on the desk top a few times and the powder will settle in.

SO---? Why are you going over the MAX load?
 
did you try 27gr yets? look for pressure signs on your cases before going over max loads. compress loads with varget about 25.5 gr shoots really well with 68gr HPBT.
 
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Actually as I started with 25.5 grains of Varget, (5 round string), then 5 rounds of 25.6, and increasing 0.1 grains each time, I stopped loading at 26.2gr of Varget. It was at that point I asked myself "wow, there's not much room to seat the bullet - I wonder what 27gr looks like in a case", so I dumped 27gr in and realized the brass is getting really full. Taken a bit further, can you imagine a casing sitting on the desk in front of you, with the powder level with the case rim? As I write this, I'm thinking I should call up Hodgdon and ask them about this - they'll know... (I'll post the answer).

From what I can guess so far, increasing the load should go according to plan, until the base of the bullet has to start compressing the powder. I would be willing to believe that as soon as you start compressing the powder, firing pressure would go up VERY quickly.

Anyway, let's see what the powder guys have to say.
 
Called Hodgdon - very friendly types. Let's see how much I remember:

- yes, the powder will compress when the bullet goes in
- since I have no means of measuring pressure, and speed does not indicate pressure, look for:
- bolt hard to lift,
- flattened or pierced primers,
- shiny spots on the brass where the extractor will have contacted it (?)

He said to take accuracy over speed - test the entire range (or until you hit the above), and choose the load that will give you the best grouping.

So I have more confidence now, and can continue up into the larger numbers. I expect that I will see indications on the brass before I hit the Max, but I can always use a bullet puller on anything too high to shoot.

Thanks for the input guys, always good to get other loader opinions.

Cheers
 
what bullet are you using, 60gr? i might try 26 gr of varget with 68gr hpbt this weekend. have you tried cc1 450 small rifle magnum primers? i was using them with my compress loads and they seem to work really well. what kind of groups did you get with these loads?
 
top loads of powder will also affect case life

and also how primers seat
worked up some loads (primers were on the verge of flattening but primer pockets were not lasting on the reloads)
 
Case head expansion is an excellent way of observing pressure. Measure the diameter of the solid portion of the head of a new case with a micrometer (not a $20 CT caliper). Measure again after firing. If the solid head is expanding, your pressure is too high. Primers falling out is also a sign.
Be careful with .223. Pressure signs can be subtle, until suddenly there is way too much.
 
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