compressed loads

kfn

kfn

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Guelph, Ont
I'm reloading .222 with IMR3031 in compressed loads. I've been tamping down the powder in stages with a toothpick to get it all in easier, but it's PIA & time consuming. Any suggestions in getting all the power in easily?
 
X 2 on the drop tube idea. I use BL-C(2) or Win 748 for my 222. Both gave me a little better results than IMR 3031 in the velocity and accuracy department without compressed charges. Plus they are both ball powders and measure quite nice through a powder thrower.
 
3031 has rather long kernels. This may hinder compact loading. Ball powders, as Scott N uses, or short cuts like Varget which I use may well be easier to load.
 
There are some funnels with extra long tubes from the cone to the case. Or you can just find a piece of tubing that you can add to your funnel. You want to chamfer (use your chamfering tool) the case end so it makes contact just like your funnel does. Just stick it in or glue it to you funnel.
Black powder shooters sometimes use drop tubes measured in feet. Try one several inches long.
 
Swirl charging works very well for me with a standard funnel when using IMR powders. I did an experiment by doing a straight pour into a .45-70 case with IMR 4350 and then doing a swirl charge and found the height of the powder column to be about 3/16" lower with the swirl charged case.
 
I've found that the slower I trickle the powder into the casing, the more density I can get. Then I realized I was wasting a lot of time and got a drop tube.

Wholesale sports sells a funnel kit that includes a drop tube.
 
I switched to a faster powder for my .222 loads...IMR4198/20.5 grs.. Plenty of room left in a charged case. Also, case brands have slightly different internal volumes so... if your not too loyal then changing brands will help a tad.

Ted
 
It's been my experience that when you have to compress that much, you'd be better served with a faster powder in terms of less aggravation and better accuracy. I like 322 for the 222
 
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