Safe fillers in bottle neck cases?

[andym79]

Hi guys can someone please let me know what fillers are safe in bottle neck cases?

Puff-lon?
Cream of wheat?
Sawdust?

(Is it true that organic solids all form hard plugs from time to time "bad in bottle neck cases").

Kapok?
Dacron?
Toilet paper?
Cotton wool?
BPI Original buffer?


I have not previously used any but am considering!

The proposed loads are these using cast bullets:

6.5X55 H4198(AR2207) 18 grains 140gn GC projectile
6.5X55 H4895(AR2206H) 23 grains 140gn GC projectile

6.5X55 H4895(AR2206H) 28 grains 132gn GC projectile
6.5X55 H4895(AR2206H) 29 grains 156gn GC projectile

6.5X55 H4350(AR2209) 33 grains 132gn GC projectile
6.5X55 H4350(AR2209) 35 grains 156gn GC projectile

6.5X55 H4831(AR2213) 36 grains 132gn GC projectile
6.5X55 H4831(AR2213) 37 grains 156gn GC projectile

6.5X55 H1000(AR2217) 42 grains 132gn GC projectile
6.5X55 H1000(AR2217) 42 grains 156gn GC projectile

 

[Potatohead]

Im curious about this also. Is this done often? Are you supposed to do it? I haven't seen much about it in any of my manuals.Wheres RC when you need him?

 

[blarby]

Rc answered this a long time ago

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-625206.html

 

[35 Whelen]

I answered before RC did.

I might be inclined to use it with the first couple of loads you list, but not the rest. I used Cream of Wheat and PSB shotshell buffer when I loaded IMR4198 and IMR4759 in the 303 Brit.

I'd suggest you head over to the Cast Boolit site for more informed information. This thread is certain to degrade quickly as folks who've never used filler are terrified of the notion and will suggest you switch to IMR Training Wheels, sorry, Trail Boss.

35W

 

[ironworkerwill]

IMR Training Wheels, sorry, Trail Boss.

Too right! But I do like TB and TP.

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks.
So you shouldnt just go off half cocked, using filler in any cartridge you please. Like say, 223 it sounds?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Dacron is generally considered safe, and it's all I use. But I take care to FILL the case with Dacron -- a little puff lying on top of the powder with an airspace ahead of it might just be dangerous.

 

[Rule3]

None. Do not recall any of my manuals recommending it. I suppose in the good old days it was used.

I have a huge Kapok tree across the street and can send you pods full of it. Hey maybe sell it on Flea Bay!

 

[jerkface11]

I remember when handloader magazine tested puff-lon and they loved it.

 

[gamestalker]

I never needed a filler for a bottle neck load, but I don't load cast / lead type loads either. I have used a filler for some 45 lc loads a while back, I used Dacron with great results. I think I got the idea from my #10 Speer?

GS

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Generally speaking, fillers are used in two cases:

1. For cast bullet loads when the charge is quite small for the case.

2. For some black powder cartridges when loaded with smokeless powder.

The idea behind a filler is to keep the charge against the flash hole, for better ignition. With a small charge in a large case, in extreme cases the primer can flash over the powder, driving the bullet into the lede, while the charge hangs fire. When it goes off, the bullet stuck in the lede can boost pressures to an unsafe level.

 

[FROGO207]

I always choose a propellant that is 75% or more fill so no need of a filler and can detect an double charge instantly. Just the way I was taught and it has served me well for many years. The filler I save for assembling buckshot loads. YMMV

 

[Vern Humphrey]

But there are times when you can't do that -- it's difficult to find a power that will fill 75% of the case and work with cast bullets. Similarly, the very large black powder cases leave a lot of empty space when loaded with smokeless powders.

 

[243winxb]

Never use a filler. IMO.

Kapok was in the old Lyman using Red Dot type powders for cast bullet GC loads. I found out by testing that IMR 4895 produced better accuracy out of 30-30 & 30-06 with no filler .

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You can use "ordinary" powders like IMR 4895 or 3031 for cast bullets -- sometimes. You usually have to go below the recommended starting load, though, otherwise you'll get more velocity than your bullet can handle.

Faster powders, like Red Dot are often preferred, though, because they "slug up" cast bullets better.