Corn Tumbling Media in my Charge

General RE LEE

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Loaded up some 7mm STW with 8133 (80 grains) and noticed one of my loads compressed. I knew I was on with my powder scale so I pulled the bullet and dumped the charge in the powder tray. Mystery solved; there was some left over corn cob tumbling media left in the case.

Will this shoot fine? I've heard of people fire forming cases with cream of wheat mixed in with a charge.
 

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Fire forming with COW or grits is very different. A small charge of shotgun powder is placed in the case first, then filler is added above. The small charge is used to move/compress the filler above and move the case shoulder.
A full charge of rifle powder + filler could easily spike pressure. I don't know if I would try that - even with the current powder shortage. Sorry🤔. Better to be safe. (And check cases carefully in the future).
 
A full charge of rifle powder + filler could easily spike pressure.
Better to be safe.
No doubt about it 👍. Considering all the variables involved with a 65,000 psi "explosion" going off 2 inches from your face when the trigger is pulled……no sense in adding unnecessary risk. Check those cases!
 
No doubt about it 👍. Considering all the variables involved with a 65,000 psi "explosion" going off 2 inches from your face when the trigger is pulled……no sense in adding unnecessary risk. Check those cases!
Even if it didn't raise pressure, which I suspect it will, and by an unknown amount, how does it clean cases? Because it is an abrasive. Do you want it in your barrel scrubbing it @ 65,000psi? The stuff might even instantly turn to carbon given the temp and pressure. Really abrasive.....
 
I always turn cases upside down in my loading block to double check. Also keep a compressed air can on bench for cleaning areas not easily accessible plus blowing out cases. Small bright LED flashlight helps a lot as well to look into case. Just normal part of my case prep now PRIOR to loading.

Why? Cause same thing happened to me MANY years ago causing pressure spike, bolt lift was a little stiff which caused me to investigate and found walnut in load. What really ticked me off was I pulled the entire 20 round load and it was the ONLY two cases that had walnut particles in it! Still glad I pulled since it was absolutely right measure to take when dealing with potential unknown pressure causes. Particles in case are changing load density plus may interfere with primer ignition so they can adversely affect the load.

There are no shortcuts in reloading relative to safety and this is one of them.
 
Want to be careful about the compressed air source. Most air compressors will add both moisture and oil to the air in microscopic amounts. A so-called "oil-less" compressor may not add the oil, but it will add the moisture and who wants to listen to one of those anyway?

Condition the compressed air with a filter/dryer (I think it needs to approach being cleaned enough to breathe and those are very spendy filters) or use one of those disposable cans made for cleaning computers like Muddy mentions.
 
Want to be careful about the compressed air source. Most air compressors will add both moisture and oil to the air in microscopic amounts. A so-called "oil-less" compressor may not add the oil, but it will add the moisture and who wants to listen to one of those anyway?

Condition the compressed air with a filter/dryer (I think it needs to approach being cleaned enough to breathe and those are very spendy filters) or use one of those disposable cans made for cleaning computers like Muddy mentions.
My filter and dryer on my compressor is actually very economical at least until Covid hit it just uses a roll of toilet paper
 
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