How full should the case be?

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:14 am

With a rifle powder (slow burning) it's been said not to load them light, to ensure even burning and no detonation.

So, how full is full? More than half, 80%, is there a general rule?

I'm going to be working on loads with copper bullets, and there doesn't seem be load data for them. And they are longer than lead bullets of similar weight, so I have to figure it out from existing loads. I don't need magnum loads so I'm wondering about the minimum to fill a case with a slow powder.

FYI I got a can of H4895 to start out with for rifle loads, in 30-30 and 35 Rem.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:17 am

It is best for purposes of consistent and complete ignition to have at least 50-100% load density although every load and firearm are going to respond slightly differently in at least some detail.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:48 am

With the slower powders like IMR3031 (which is the slowest one I use), I've found that the extreme spread in velocity drops the fuller the case is, and it can be very, very significant. There's no sharp cuttoff line .... the fuller the better but I like to have a minimum of 60% full once the bullet is seated.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:38 am

sobenk -

I assume you are using Barnes Copper Bullets. Are you? Further, I hope you have some Barnes 150gr TSX Flat Nose .30-30 bullets on hand. Do you?

Here is the Barnes info for their .308 .30-30 TSX FN 150gr copper bullets. It'll give you a good starting point. Disregard the top chart as it is for TC guns only.

Anyway, this should get you off to a good start. As for seating them, I am going to use the top grove as my crimping canealur (sp?). Please note that they do give loading info for H4895 which you say you have on hand.

Hope this helps. Sorry, I don't have any info for the .35 Rem.

Us CA guys have got to work together on this -- you, me, Mike D, handirifle, etc..

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:39 am

Who's bullet are you useing? If it is a Barnes they have load data for their bullets to take out some of the guess work.

Modoc beat me to it.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:06 pm

I believe for H4895 you shouldn't wander very far from the min. recommended charge for a given bullet weight. I am a firm believer in a moderate load which uses a case filling, slower burning powder for cast.