.300 WSM question

[boobap]

I loaded some shells and while doing so, I heard the powder compressing down. I have barnes XLC 180gr bullets with H4813 powder. I called barnes and got the load data and they said min load is 67gr and max is 72gr. I only put is 67.5gr and it still compressed the powder. Is this correct? I know that the 4813 is bigger powder (eliptical) so there is more "air" in the shell as opposed to the flake or ball powder. Any thoughts, concerns, or pointers on this one. I am "newer" to reloading and the sound of the powder compressing kinda makes me nervous in fact I havn't shot any of those loads yet...

 

[Walkalong]

Get a long drop tube, such as the one for the Redding measure that the link below shows, for your powder measure and it will compact the powder more as it fills the case and lower the top of the powder charge. If you trickle the charge slowly through the drop tube you can get the powder even lower in the case.

Shooting those loaded rounds won't hurt a thing.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=REPM&item=PM-7006&type=store

 

[snuffy]

Gitcha one o' these;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=554122

When using the long drop tube, pour the powder onto the side of the funnel, S L O W L Y. This will cause the powder to swirl around the taper of the sides of the funnel. Then it drops into the case packing or settling into a smaller space than when rapidly dumping it into the case.

Compressed powder charges are a normal thing in some calibers. They can be more iniform than charges with space above the charge.

When loading my 300 WSM MOST of my powder charges are compressed to some degree. It's a fact of life for that cartridge.

 

[dakotasin]

don't sweat the crunching powder - its common.

if you are shooting barnes bullets in the wsm, swap over to 165's - you won't have a need they can't fulfill better than the 180's can... and that will help w/ your level of compression.

my 300 wsm enjoys rl-19, and 165 xlc's. good luck.

 

[Sunray]

Relax. Compressed powder loads are normal and nothing to worry about. You must have really good hearing if you can hear it though.