Load density ?

[darrindlh]

Hello,
I am loading my 338 Edge woth ADG brass and N565 powder. At 90.5 gns my load density is 93%. In this size case is this acceptable for consistency?

Darrin

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I think the best loads are the ones that reach pressure at full case capacity. That is always my goal. I think loads in the 90's% are probably fine. Let your rifle tell you. If it shoots well then it is a great load.

 

[MagnumManiac]

My personal preference is for a case capacity of 98% minimum and those above 100% are definitely preferred.
I choose powders that are bulky for that reason, but I also charge my cases differently, I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme. If a powder regularly fills the neck when dumped/poured, my technique will drop that level below the neck/shoulder juncture without fail. This also stops irregularity in burn making it more uniform between shots.
Air gaps are not conducive to uniformity in most cases.

Cheers.

 

[Mike D Texas]

My personal preference is for a case capacity of 98% minimum and those above 100% are definitely preferred.
I choose powders that are bulky for that reason, but I also charge my cases differently, I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme. If a powder regularly fills the neck when dumped/poured, my technique will drop that level below the neck/shoulder juncture without fail. This also stops irregularity in burn making it more uniform between shots.
Air gaps are not conducive to uniformity in most cases.

Cheers.

Same here. I strive for a minimum 97-98% and prefer slightly compressed up to 102-103% fill.

 

[Little Church Mouse]

My personal preference is for a case capacity of 98% minimum and those above 100% are definitely preferred.
I choose powders that are bulky for that reason, but I also charge my cases differently, I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme. If a powder regularly fills the neck when dumped/poured, my technique will drop that level below the neck/shoulder juncture without fail. This also stops irregularity in burn making it more uniform between shots.
Air gaps are not conducive to uniformity in most cases.

Cheers.

"I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme."

Could you please elaborate on how you accomplish that? I have not started reloading yet, but that makes sense to me. I have been reading about reloading for years and do not recall that process. "Reading about" is not doing, but I want to "do it right" from the start incorporating knowledge from people that have been doing it for years.

 

[BRADMOTO]

I like to load to the base of the bullet. Not compressed. Makes seating depth consistent. Some powders loaded with a salt shaker sound gap will still produce low SD strings.

 

[TennJed]

My personal preference is for a case capacity of 98% minimum and those above 100% are definitely preferred.
I choose powders that are bulky for that reason, but I also charge my cases differently, I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme. If a powder regularly fills the neck when dumped/poured, my technique will drop that level below the neck/shoulder juncture without fail. This also stops irregularity in burn making it more uniform between shots.
Air gaps are not conducive to uniformity in most cases.

Cheers.

Hi, I've been reloading for years and unfortunately never heard of the swirl technique just drop tubes. What is the swirl technique? Thank you

 

[Doom2]

The usual recommendation is 95-100% but it likely is more important in magnums to be on the higher end of that range since the powders are harder to ignite and combustion consistency is very important and is dependent on powder orientation.

 

[Gunpoor]

I have found that rifle loads at 80+ percent case capacity seem to give the best accuracy and low velocity deviation. I don't care for compressed loads, because, in my limited experience, the powders don't do well when the cartridges are shelved for several months. I worked up a load for 270Win with H1000 propellent and 140 grain Hornady bullets that was heavily compressed. When shot a few days after loading it gave .250" MOA accuracy and I thought I was good-to-go for a whitetail deer hunt. I shot several deer without a miss, but didn't think it was shooting as good as at the range previously, so, after returning home, I again shot it at paper and it shot a 4.5" group. I pulled the bullets on the remainder of the loads and had to use a pick to remove the powder from the cases. The powder was the consistency of a soft cinder block. I truly don't know if all rifle powders behave this way, but I was done with compressed loads.

 

[Hugnot]

I don't like to squash powder with seated bullets. Select a combo of bullet & powder density to arrive at desired COAL without squashing powder. WWII was fought with the .30 M2 cartridge (.30-06) having a 1/2 inch air gap between 150 gr. bullet & 4895 type powder that worked the M1 rifle gas system. I like ball powders like Staball HD that can be loaded at near 100% in my 6.5-06 with 140's.

 

[Jasbo]

My personal preference is for a case capacity of 98% minimum and those above 100% are definitely preferred.
I choose powders that are bulky for that reason, but I also charge my cases differently, I use the swirl charge technique that allows powder to have a more dense packing scheme. If a powder regularly fills the neck when dumped/poured, my technique will drop that level below the neck/shoulder juncture without fail. This also stops irregularity in burn making it more uniform between shots.
Air gaps are not conducive to uniformity in most cases.

Cheers.

G'day Magnum, Will you kindly elaborate on just how to do the swirl case charging technique? I've been unsuccessful searching the internet. Thank you, Jasbo

 

[Namuh]

From what I remember you just move the pan around in a circle as you drop the powder out of the pan into the funnel, the height you hold your pan makes a difference too, it allows the power to pack tighter in the case. Since the swirl case charging technique was brought up I think you can achieve the same results with a small vibrator or electric tooth brush, just my two cents. I'll be corrected if I'm wrong .

 

[skipglo]

Swirl or vibrate your cases... vibrate packs them evenly too. Just like vibrating cement.If you don't have a vibrator... borrow one from your wife!

 

[Justice1327]

I prefer 'bulkier' powder and case fill 95%+. If I do have a load that is full, I use a sonic toothbrush on the tray to settle the powder before seating.
WRT a seated bullet pushing a bullet back out and changing COAL/Pressure, most bullets are seated with ~60+pds of force. This may happen with those that use a light interference neck fit 1thou or so, but this should not occur with a 2.5th or tighter interference fit. YMMV.