Crushed loads?

[kc]

So here is the dilemna, I go by the book on all my loads and start out low and my case is just about full, what the hey? after checking the powder and the load and scales its right on,
so here I go loading this up,I go to the second setting and its at the top and some of the powder runs over and nothing fits? on a dare I try the posted highest load in my book and its over and snot full of powder is running out, 8 grains is the max in my book and its never in the case.
I am using a long tube funnel to guide my powder.
I hope I don't blow my action or throw smoke and flash all over myself.
I did a few crushed loads that were at the top of my new case and bulged the corner.
I did all my mesurments on my case both length and diamiter, I just hpoe I never blow this one.

 

[SidecarFlip]

First off, what caliber, secondly what propellant?

You won't blow up your rifle with an overload, thats what the lateral holes are drilled in a modern receiver for..... to let the fire out.

 

[kc]

I am using the LYMAN #47,loading manual.
The calibe is .308
and the book calls for 46gr and max51.6..
of IMR 4350.
there is no way I can get 48 grains in this load.

 

[longrangehunterII]

Keith something is way off if there is more powder then what the case will hold! Don't risk injury if you're unsure? Compressed and more powder then will go in a case are two different things, something is wrong?

 

[Catfur]

Have a friend (who's methodology I certainly won't be copying) who's reloading method for .243 win is fill case to top with WWII surplus H4831, pound bullet in, shoot.

If the book says it's a compressed load, and you've worked up to it, it should be relatively safe.

 

[longrangehunterII]

Keith, very few reloading manuals show IMR4350 in the 308 Win. Hodgdon's own web site doesn't even list it as a powder to use! Sierra does with their 165-200 grain bullets but it's a very slow powder for that case size and for a 165 gr. bullet 48 gr. is under max in their book, but most only start to use it with 200 gr. bullets. I looked through all my books and it's not used much.

I took a new unfired Lapua 308 case, 48 grain of IMR4350 will take the powder to the shoulder/neck juncture using a long drop tube, which is fine. The bulge in your case though is an issue..... it may not chamber or very well?

I'd use a faster powder to honest, I like powders that fill the case well, just not that much and I think it's too slow of a powder in the 308 Winchester.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Certainly an issue. I have some 1 pounders of 335 and 322 and Varget. If you want to drive down, I can sell you one of the pounders.....

I'll have to go look and make sure just what I have in the cabinet but I do have extras I can part with......

 

[kc]

I took out my beams and checked my loads on 4 batches reloaded to book the beams were on the powder just dumped into the loading tray,
Tomorow I will be pulling every .308 I have loaded and changed my powder.

 

[Nimrod]

Are you using surplus brass? It can have quite a bit less internal capacity. Just a thought.

Bob

 

[AZShooter]

LongrangehunterII put 48 gr fitting the case near the shoulder. If you put the same amount in your case how full does it get?

Not knowing that answer yet but thinking of possibilities:

Are you are using different brand case than the case Lyman used? (Military cases have a smaller internal capacity) Are you using a drop tube? Perhaps your balance beam scale is not correct.

I would use a known weighted object and then set balance beam scale to that value and see if it balances. You must rule out the scale. Then drop the powder through at least a 4"or longer tube into case.

I have encountered some difficulty with powder not fitting a case in the past. I have also compressed my share of powders. As long as the bullet doesn't move after seating you will be fine. Get a precise measurement of a loaded round then measure it again a few days later. I have seen bullets relocate for a longer OAL with heavily compressed loads.

Do some more tests and share your results here. I am interested in all the facts. Lets see if you can solve this issue.

 

[SidecarFlip]

FYI, military brass has a thicker base and web that consumer brass but it's only a grain or two difference in capacity.

It's the powder btw or should I say, shape of extrusion. 'Powder' s a misnomer. All propellants (smokeless) are extruded in sheets and processed into shapes. Burn rates have to do with compounding and extruded shape of the granules.

Thats why some 'powders' meter better than others when you throw a charge. It's the physical shape of the granules that determines how it flows (meters) and how is 'settles' in a case which is why you use a drop tube to 'settle' the powder (extrusion) in cases where the charge takes up all or most all of the internal capacity. The drop tube allows the 'powder' to settle and take up less space in the cartridge body....

Actually, neither here nor there as it's over the top in this case, in the case...lol

It's the wrong powder. Pull it and reload with the correct for the particular caliber/projectile. Don't forget to resize the necks after you pull the bullet.......

 

[kc]

I always use a droptube when throwing a load.. I should have all the bullets pulled by 3:00
this is Winchester brass never fired I miked all of the cases some were around .003 longer
than posted in my Manuals.
I have some 322 I can change to, its not as accurate but it will get the job done at 300 yards.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I always use a droptube when throwing a load.. I should have all the bullets pulled by 3:00
this is Winchester brass never fired I miked all of the cases some were around .003 longer
than posted in my Manuals.
I have some 322 I can change to, its not as accurate but it will get the job done at 300 yards.

People get overly anal (IMO) about case length. Keep in mind that all bottleneck cases grow a bit each time they are ignited, it's an inherent characteristic of the case and how it indexes in a rifle chamber. The materiaal (brass) 'flows' under ignition of powder pressure and moves toward the bottleneck and case mouth.

I trim to Sammi length +- 0.003 and check after a couple loads and check for cracked case mouths and test springback and anneal at that time if necessary but thats for another thread.... Annealing has been discussed to death on this forum......

When Len posts my review of the Little Crow Brass Trimmer or WFT as it is trademarked, I think you will find it interesting and enlightening.

 

[kc]

I agree all my knecks are usualy a bit shorter at starting, I always check my brass for cracks
and splits. I have found that after they have been used 3 times they are streched and are weak, so they get crushed and put into a 5 gallon can.
I think the problem is over, I turned the Bullets into .3006s. Its to bad there not SSTs.