Dudemeister
Member
Preamble (I'm sometimes winded, so you can skip to Main Subject)
I recently started reloading for my .45LC & .38spl, but this post is mostly about my .45LC.
I started originally with Hodgdon Titegroup, but didn't like it much, as it seemed to be too sensitive to it's position in the case, also being dark in color and very low on volume, it's hard to tell how much powder is in the case. So I always was weary of it, checking and double checking every load, which made for a somewhat stressful job, which is never fun.
I then got some Trail Boss, and I really like the stuff. It's so bulky, it's nearly impossible to double load it, which also makes it "insensitive" to it's position in the case. I like most everything about it except it's "dirty". I mean the cartridges are really sooty after they're fired, and after shooting a couple hundred rounds, your hands look like you just finished cleaning a barbecue oven.
So this got me looking at other powders. Don't get me wrong, I like and will still use Trail Boss, but I'd like to find other alternatives. At the last gun show I picked up a bottle of Hodgdon/Clays Universal.
Universal is bulkier than Titegroup, and being that it's a lighter brown color, I can easily tell a double load from a single. It also seems to meter very well through my Lee Pro Autodisk. The current load I like to use is 6gr. of Universal under a 255gr. LRNFP. Yes, it's a bit light, but it works well for me. At the range I noticed that it burns cleaner than the Trail Boss, but it's more sensitive to case location.
Main Subject
So this got me looking into case fillers. I read a whole lot of opinions here and other places and the various recipes, and finally decided to try one simple recipe: toilet paper.
I loaded a dozen or so rounds with 6gr. powder and then stuffed a 1" square pieces of TP right behind it. The edges of the TP cling against the case and the bullet, once seated, will keep the paper there. It's possible that a few grains of powder may find their way around it, but the bulk will be nicely pressed up against the primer.
Before I go to the range and shoot this stuff, I have a few questions:
I recently started reloading for my .45LC & .38spl, but this post is mostly about my .45LC.
I started originally with Hodgdon Titegroup, but didn't like it much, as it seemed to be too sensitive to it's position in the case, also being dark in color and very low on volume, it's hard to tell how much powder is in the case. So I always was weary of it, checking and double checking every load, which made for a somewhat stressful job, which is never fun.
I then got some Trail Boss, and I really like the stuff. It's so bulky, it's nearly impossible to double load it, which also makes it "insensitive" to it's position in the case. I like most everything about it except it's "dirty". I mean the cartridges are really sooty after they're fired, and after shooting a couple hundred rounds, your hands look like you just finished cleaning a barbecue oven.
So this got me looking at other powders. Don't get me wrong, I like and will still use Trail Boss, but I'd like to find other alternatives. At the last gun show I picked up a bottle of Hodgdon/Clays Universal.
Universal is bulkier than Titegroup, and being that it's a lighter brown color, I can easily tell a double load from a single. It also seems to meter very well through my Lee Pro Autodisk. The current load I like to use is 6gr. of Universal under a 255gr. LRNFP. Yes, it's a bit light, but it works well for me. At the range I noticed that it burns cleaner than the Trail Boss, but it's more sensitive to case location.
Main Subject
So this got me looking into case fillers. I read a whole lot of opinions here and other places and the various recipes, and finally decided to try one simple recipe: toilet paper.
I loaded a dozen or so rounds with 6gr. powder and then stuffed a 1" square pieces of TP right behind it. The edges of the TP cling against the case and the bullet, once seated, will keep the paper there. It's possible that a few grains of powder may find their way around it, but the bulk will be nicely pressed up against the primer.
Before I go to the range and shoot this stuff, I have a few questions:
- How many of you are using case fillers, especially for the larger cases?
- What is your currently preferred filler?
- Will adding a filler such TP require a change in the load (powder weight)?
- Will the TP burn completely in the case, or will I start fires with a flaming wad?
- Is this detrimental to the gun, cartridge case, etc?