Do you guys often load loads that fill the case with powder?

[slowr1der]

So looking in my Hornady reloading manual for a 30-06 I tried two different loads they had with different powders they listed. Each was one step under the max load. I noticed both of them came up to the bottom of the case neck. I think the bullet will literally touch the powder. I'd never reloaded any that filled the case this much. On average do most of you guys use loads that fill the case like this? or do you use ones that don't?

 

[Randy1911]

Some powders do, some don't. The slower the powder, the more it fills the case. Some powders will be compressed when the bullet is seated.

 

[ScratchnDent]

I prefer powders that fill the case as much as possible. They generally seem to shoot more consistently.

 

[slowr1der]

The biggest reason I like them is it pretty much guarantee's I won't get a double charge. I just wasn't sure if that was the only benefit or not.

 

[evan price]

If you're worried about compressing the load, sometimes tapping on the case will settle the powder and get you some more room.

 

[TonyT]

Many years ago a friend and I purchased a 100 ln. keg of 4831 from Hodgdon for 50 cents a pound. We used it for loading everything from 220 Swift to 300 H&H. As I remember the 30-06 loads were filled pretty much to the bottom of the case neck.

 

[Heavies]

In my load for 30-06 with RL-22, the case is crammed full. But on one of my most accurate loads I use Varget and it seems to have a ton of space in there. It just depends on the powder you use.

 

[~z]

Gotta agree with ScratchnDent on this. I have found that my most accurate loads are with powders that fill 85% or greater. The Nosler manual provides this info and is the first book I pick up when loading for a new caliber.

Typically when I hear a small 'crunch' when seating a bullet I think "Oh, this is gonna be a good one"
~z

 

[qajaq59]

I don't mind a compressed load if that is what the manual calls for.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yeah. When I load 165 grain bullets in the ol '06, IMR 4350 pretty much fills the case. I've never loaded compressed loads, but they're mighty close. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I like powders that are on the slower end for any given caliber, Unique for 40 S&W, fills the case and is accurate. I'm running IMR4895 in the .308 with 168 gr HPBT's, fills the case right to the base of the bullet, but not compressed.

 

[hancjamk]

I've loaded 308 with 50.0 grs. imr 4350 and 4831 that filled the case all the way to the top. I got very tight groups and no signs of excessive pressure.

 

[SpamHandler]

One of my favorite .308 loads is compressed.

 

[jmorris]

I do often with rifle cases but not as much with pistol cases.

 

[USSR]

I've loaded 308 with 50.0 grs. imr 4350 and 4831 that filled the case all the way to the top. I got very tight groups and no signs of excessive pressure.

And you won't get excessive pressure (but rather low pressure), since IMR4350 and IMR4831 are both too slow of powders for the .308.

Don

 

[sig220mw]

The higher density volume of the load, the more consistent and even burn you get when the primer is struck. It helps to make a more accurate load.

Plus like someone else said, you have less of a chance of doubling a load which would make for a bad day.

I look for loads that really fill up the case as much as I can.

 

[USSR]

The higher density volume of the load, the more consistent and even burn you get when the primer is struck. It helps to make a more accurate load.

But not when you use a powder with a slow burn rate in a cartridge without the case capacity to generate enough pressure and velocity with that powder and bullet. What you get is low pressure and high ES/SD numbers, and less than optimal accuracy.

Don

 

[Hondo 60]

223 fills the case, my pistols don't come close.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I prefer slightly compressed loads when possible in rifle and as full a case as I can get in my straight walled pistol.
A favorite load for my 30-06 (59.5gr of IMR4350 with a Hornady 150 gr BT) fills the case almost to the lip of the case mouth and a full load of W748 in the 223 with 50-53gr bullets does similar.

 

[don]

I used to load my 22-250 with compressed loads using IMR4350 under a 55gr. bullet that gave me outstanding results.

 

[taxiflyr]

For large amounts of ammo

that I am loading I always use powder that fills the case or almoust does it is easery to keep a eye on over loading a round but for small amount of ammo for special events it does not matter I just keep a better eye on my actions