Case fillers
- Thread starter Kenny45
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TonyM
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I have not tried it but have heard of it. I believe you can use products like BPI Original Buffer, typically used in shotshells as a buffer... I'm not sure it would make that much difference unless the particular load has an extremely low volume...
What application are you using the rounds for?
What application are you using the rounds for?
ReloaderFred
Member
I wouldn't use a case filler in the .22-250, since it's not needed.
With that said, I do use a case filler in my smokeless .45-120 Sharps loads, since the case is 3.25" long. I use Winchester Super Grex, which is no longer available to the public. I bought all Widener's had in stock when it was discontinued about 16 years ago.
You have to be careful in the use of case fillers. The load must be worked up from the beginning with the filler in place. You can't just pick a load and then introduce the case filler, as the filler increases pressure.
There is also the danger of ringing the chamber when using fillers. This is a well documented cause and effect from using case fillers with the wrong loads. It causes a pressure spike and the filler causes the chamber to expand at the point in the case where the filler is, forming a ring in the metal of the chamber.
Different fillers have different affects. If the filler won't compress, it forms a solid slug behind the bullet until it clears the muzzle. If there is any air trapped between the bullet and the filler, it compresses and the pneumatic pressure is what causes problems.
Without a full understanding of what a case filler does, it's not a good idea to introduce them into a high pressure bottle neck rifle cartridge. They are best used in straight wall cartridges, for several reasons.
Hope this helps.
Fred
With that said, I do use a case filler in my smokeless .45-120 Sharps loads, since the case is 3.25" long. I use Winchester Super Grex, which is no longer available to the public. I bought all Widener's had in stock when it was discontinued about 16 years ago.
You have to be careful in the use of case fillers. The load must be worked up from the beginning with the filler in place. You can't just pick a load and then introduce the case filler, as the filler increases pressure.
There is also the danger of ringing the chamber when using fillers. This is a well documented cause and effect from using case fillers with the wrong loads. It causes a pressure spike and the filler causes the chamber to expand at the point in the case where the filler is, forming a ring in the metal of the chamber.
Different fillers have different affects. If the filler won't compress, it forms a solid slug behind the bullet until it clears the muzzle. If there is any air trapped between the bullet and the filler, it compresses and the pneumatic pressure is what causes problems.
Without a full understanding of what a case filler does, it's not a good idea to introduce them into a high pressure bottle neck rifle cartridge. They are best used in straight wall cartridges, for several reasons.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Border Hopper
Member
+1 to Fred's post.
Bottleneck rifle cartridges are lousy candidates for using fillers. See the Nosler reloading manual for the case-filling ability of the chosen powders and note that many reloaders strive for the powder that most completely fills the case. Faster powders like Herco and Unique have been used for LEAD bullets, see Lyman manual, but it is not a practice for the inexperienced handloader.
I have used corn meal, toilet paper and Cream of Wheat for fireforming some of my Improved cases, and use some fillers, like Fred, in straight-wall rifle cases (38-55, 45-70). My 22-250 barrel has never seen filler material, although I do use some powders and loads that only fill the space about 70-85%. They still go bang, have great accuracy and my barrel will last a long time at 3,400-3,500 fps.
Bottleneck rifle cartridges are lousy candidates for using fillers. See the Nosler reloading manual for the case-filling ability of the chosen powders and note that many reloaders strive for the powder that most completely fills the case. Faster powders like Herco and Unique have been used for LEAD bullets, see Lyman manual, but it is not a practice for the inexperienced handloader.
I have used corn meal, toilet paper and Cream of Wheat for fireforming some of my Improved cases, and use some fillers, like Fred, in straight-wall rifle cases (38-55, 45-70). My 22-250 barrel has never seen filler material, although I do use some powders and loads that only fill the space about 70-85%. They still go bang, have great accuracy and my barrel will last a long time at 3,400-3,500 fps.
Thanks for everyones response. I have never used a filler on bottle neck cases. I just seen that article and thought I would ask about it. I use the information in my manuals and don`t do experiments with my loads. The only thing I do is take the perimeter from start to max and adjust my loads .1gr at a time and adjust the OAL.
Thanks Kenny
Thanks Kenny
Offfhand
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Simple fact: Bottle neck cartridges are no problem whatever for using fillers. If fact use of fillers greatly improve uniformity of ignition and subsequent velocity when loading cast bullets in modern bottle neck calibers, especially cartridges with a high volume to caliber ratio like the .22/250. Same with reduced velocity jacketed bullet loads. There have been several excellent articles and guides on using fillers with modern calibers, especially those published in Handloader magazine several years ago by handloading experts. In earlier post in this thread I simply stated "dacron" assuming any knowledgeable handloaders seeing this thread would pick up on it and expand. Apparently there were none, so I'll explain: Dacron is a polyester fiber used in pillow stuffing, etc. I tiny wad of it is easy to insert in a narrow necked case and expands to fill the empty space occasioned by use of reduced loads. It is virtually weightless in these small case-filling amounts, adding nothing to the charge like ,say, cornmeal, etc., and consumes cleanly with the powder burn. Very convenient to use, especially with bottle neck calibers. (But pieces of toilet paper for filler, sorry, but whatever "expert" suggested this is way behind the learning curve.)
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would also suggest that fillers are not needed with jacketed bullets and the normal powders used in the 22-250.
They will already fill the case to the base of the bullet if you select the proper powder for the caliber.
FIllers may be used, and may be necessary with greatly reduced loads of fast burning powder used with cast bullets.
Not necessary, or desirable for over-bore varmint rifle calibers shooting close to 4,000 FPS.
rc
They will already fill the case to the base of the bullet if you select the proper powder for the caliber.
FIllers may be used, and may be necessary with greatly reduced loads of fast burning powder used with cast bullets.
Not necessary, or desirable for over-bore varmint rifle calibers shooting close to 4,000 FPS.
rc
Offfhand
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Quoted from above"
"I would also suggest that fillers are not needed with jacketed bullets and the normal powders used in the 22-250.
They will already fill the case to the base of the bullet if you select the proper powder for the caliber."
This is rather pointing out the obvious,wouldn't you say? But thanks anyway. When discussing reduced loads with jacked as well as cast bullets, using fillers, it's a quite different loading proposition when, say, loading 50 gr jacketed bullets to RF velocities in .22/250 or similar. Not recommended for beginners, but for intermediate handloaders, call it a learning experience.
"I would also suggest that fillers are not needed with jacketed bullets and the normal powders used in the 22-250.
They will already fill the case to the base of the bullet if you select the proper powder for the caliber."
This is rather pointing out the obvious,wouldn't you say? But thanks anyway. When discussing reduced loads with jacked as well as cast bullets, using fillers, it's a quite different loading proposition when, say, loading 50 gr jacketed bullets to RF velocities in .22/250 or similar. Not recommended for beginners, but for intermediate handloaders, call it a learning experience.
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hey_poolboy
Member
I have never even thought of it as necessary. Unfortunately I also have the great misfortune of a barrel that likes it fairly hot. After my last work up I am shooting 50grain v-max powered by 36.8 grains of Varget. There was a marked difference in 200 yd. groups and 36.8 was by far the winner.
Guess I found the sweet spot. Wish it was a couple grains lower though. I don't get to shoot it enough to have to worry about barrel life too much.
I suppose it may be worth a try using a filler of some type. Maybe I could go back and do a work-up and get a good result at a lower charge.
Guess I found the sweet spot. Wish it was a couple grains lower though. I don't get to shoot it enough to have to worry about barrel life too much.
I suppose it may be worth a try using a filler of some type. Maybe I could go back and do a work-up and get a good result at a lower charge.
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