Educate me please-- how to load over 100 percent into the case

curt672 · Friday at 8:49 PM

I see numbers like 102% or 108% of case capacity referenced in reloading data -- my question is , how do you physically get more than 100% into a case?/ Thanks in advance.

Schüler Jumbo · Friday at 8:55 PM

The case is loaded with powder all the way into the bullet seat space (neck) and compressed by seating the bullet.

curt672 · Friday at 9:05 PM

ok so the area of the neck is not considered part of the case volume -- thanks Kinda makes sense -- lol

BryceM · Friday at 9:12 PM

The bullet takes up a good part of the total case volume. The area that is left is used for the calculation. A standard COAL is used to make this calculation.

Wyatt Smith · Friday at 9:22 PM

A long tube funnel will help. But the press will push the powder down with the bullet. It’s nothing to fear although some are afraid of compressed loads. Some powder need compression to work properly, like Winchester 296.

baxterb · Friday at 9:29 PM

Wyatt Smith said:
A long tube funnel will help. But the press will push the powder down with the bullet. It’s nothing to fear although some are afraid of compressed loads. Some powder need compression to work properly, like Winchester 296.

I knew a dude who used an old electric razor mounted to a bench. He would turn it on and set the case on the razor body and the vibrations would settle the powder. He did this before inserting the wad for nitro cartridges.

curt672 · Friday at 9:31 PM

So different length bullets will change the equation as they may have the same COL but not go into the case as deep--- thinking out loud

Wyatt Smith · Friday at 10:49 PM

baxterb said:
I knew a dude who used an old electric razor mounted to a bench. He would turn it on and set the case on the razor body and the vibrations would settle the powder. He did this before inserting the wad for nitro cartridges.

Interestingly I know a similar dude. He made a custom 5.7x28 rifle from a CZ 22 hornet. He would use an electric razor to compress powder for the tiny 5.7 rifle. He is a hell of a groundhog hunter.

Schüler Jumbo · Saturday at 5:30 AM

curt672 said:
So different length bullets will change the equation as they may have the same COL but not go into the case as deep

Very important to follow loading data from well respected sources as they take seating depth into account when publishing powder weights.

Grumpy gumpy · Saturday at 8:39 AM

And don’t forget that some powders don’t like to be compressed at all. Best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
Gumpy

skydiver386 · Saturday at 9:04 AM

Occasionally it's ok to compress charges, but it's probably not a good idea if that ammunition will be placed in long term storage.

baxterb · Saturday at 1:00 PM

Grumpy gumpy said:
And don’t forget that some powders don’t like to be compressed at all. Best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
Gumpy

I have always heard that you should not compress ball powder, but Ramshot told me not to worry about it when my Big Game 9.3 load was slightly compressed. I’ve never had any issues.

deewayne2003 · Saturday at 1:48 PM

baxterb said:
I knew a dude who used an old electric razor mounted to a bench. He would turn it on and set the case on the razor body and the vibrations would settle the powder. He did this before inserting the wad for nitro cartridges.

That’s why you look for those old vibrating hockey board games at yard sales…..

Grumpy gumpy · Saturday at 6:07 PM

baxterb said:
I have always heard that you should not compress ball powder, but Ramshot told me not to worry about it when my Big Game 9.3 load was slightly compressed. I’ve never had any issues.

It’s more things like trailboss, that’s one that seems fine..until it isn’t
Gumpy

Rare Breed · Saturday at 6:56 PM

curt672 said:
I see numbers like 102% or 108% of case capacity referenced in reloading data -- my question is , how do you physically get more than 100% into a case?/ Thanks in advance.

While the bullet compresses the load I would never go beyond 103% and I do not even like that whatsoever. Go to another powder if you need to go over 100% just my 30 years of experience

C.W. Richter · Saturday at 7:07 PM

ANY politician in MN, CA and NY can clearly explain how to do this (using OUR $ as powder!!!

GL. C is nothing, just don't exceed CM. Pour a bowl of your favorite, mass-produced, processed breakfast cereal. Admire the volume it takes up in the bowl...then place your clenched fists down on it and take notice of the difference between poured vs. compressed. That. GL

rifletuner · Saturday at 7:16 PM

I have used a long drop tube and very slowly tipped the powder into the funnel. I can get the powder visibly lower in the case with this method than just throwing a charge and dumping the whole lot straight into the case.

You can also use something like an electric razor or toothbrush on the case to settle the powder as you drop the powder in stages into the case.

C.W. Richter · Saturday at 7:24 PM

If you're S or M inclined, it's p=M*V. Google it. again LOL. I learned it at 16 because federal premium cost $32/box (20) and I could handload 100 300 WM (110 gr varminters or 165 BTSP for deer) for $20/box (20) and of course it was $100/100! Much more accurate, much greater satisfaction, cut out the middleman...GL

Bob Nelson 35Whelen · 2026-09-08T00:05:13-0500

curt672 said:
I see numbers like 102% or 108% of case capacity referenced in reloading data -- my question is , how do you physically get more than 100% into a case?/ Thanks in advance.

@curt672
To get load density of over 100% the easiest way is to use a powder funnel with an extended tube usually 4-6" and trickle the powder in slowly to allow it to settle better.
I personally use a 2 foot drop tube for the purpose.
This only works on stick powders as it allows them to settle and pack into the case better.
Bob

CBH Australia · 2026-09-08T00:37:24-0500

Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:
@curt672
To get load density of over 100% the easiest way is to use a powder funnel with an extended tube usually 4-6" and trickle the powder in slowly to allow it to settle better.
I personally use a 2 foot drop tube for the purpose.
This only works on stick powders as it allows them to settle and pack into the case better.
Bob

@curt672
Bob is a big pr!ck so if you are normal height a 1 foot drop tube should be eye level.

Educate me please-- how to load over 100 percent into the case

curt672

Schüler Jumbo

curt672

BryceM

Wyatt Smith

baxterb

curt672

Wyatt Smith

Schüler Jumbo

Grumpy gumpy

skydiver386

baxterb

deewayne2003

Grumpy gumpy

Rare Breed

C.W. Richter

rifletuner

C.W. Richter

Bob Nelson 35Whelen

CBH Australia

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