Compressing Powder

CoElkHunter · Nov 22, 2019

What is the “most productive” technique for the compression of powder in a cartridge case when reloading? I have a LOT of Barnes 450 and 500gr bullets for my .458 WM that I will be reloading soon with W748 ball powder ( I have 9 lbs of it) which isn’t probably the best available, but I want to use it up. I MAY have to compress it and if so I’m asking this question? Thank you!

Wyatt Smith · Nov 22, 2019

A long tube funnel and get it to swirl on the way down. It helps settle it down more.

Newboomer · Nov 22, 2019

Add to the above: Dump the powder into the case and then shake or tap the case on a firm surface.

Wyatt Smith · Nov 22, 2019

I know a man who vibrates them with an electric razor.

CoElkHunter · Nov 22, 2019

Wyatt Smith said:
I know a man who vibrates them with an electric razor.

Cool idea! Thanks!

Ray B · Nov 22, 2019

I have found that Ball powders have less potential for techniques to get the air out than stick powders. In addition ball powders were the ones that Winchester was using when the 458 WM got the bad press resulting from overly compressed loads. I've used 748 in the 458 WM but with lead core 500 grain bullets. I took care not to use loads where there was more than just a slight tightening of the powder when the bullet was seated. I may have not gotten Lott type velocities but the loads were quite accurate and consistent.

CoElkHunter · Nov 22, 2019

Ray B said:
I have found that Ball powders have less potential for techniques to get the air out than stick powders. In addition ball powders were the ones that Winchester was using when the 458 WM got the bad press resulting from overly compressed loads. I've used 748 in the 458 WM but with lead core 500 grain bullets. I took care not to use loads where there was more than just a slight tightening of the powder when the bullet was seated. I may have not gotten Lott type velocities but the loads were quite accurate and consistent.

Thanks for this information! I’m only using the W748 to use it up. I’ll switch to another powder (maybe H335?) after that. I guess I’ll load the Barnes bullets down a bit for practice and not have to compress the powder charge too much?

Dr Ray · Nov 23, 2019

Be gentle. 748 is fairly compact anyway so should settle “tightly” before compression.
I suggest using Winchester primer or a Federal to ensure a great fat spark to ensure a great ignition.

perttime · Nov 23, 2019

CoElkHunter said:
I guess I’ll load the Barnes bullets down a bit for practice and not have to compress the powder charge too much?

Sounds like a plan, unless you have some inexpensive bullets that you can use for practice and plinking.

Dr Ray · Nov 23, 2019

H335 and w748 are the same as far as I know. Those powders are, I believe, just packaged differently.

WAB · Nov 23, 2019

My H4350 loads in the 9.3x62 are heavily compressed. They are working extremely well but in 40 years of reloading this is my first experience with compressed loads. Any watchouts I need to be aware of?

Daggaboy375 · Nov 23, 2019

I use an old electric vibrating toothbrush.

DB375

Shootist43 · Nov 23, 2019

CoElkHunter, how much Win 748 were you thinking of using with the 450 & 500 gr. bullets respectively? Out of curiosity I ran some QuikLoad possibilities that showed even mildly compressed charges to be over P-Max pressure.

PHOENIX PHIL · Nov 23, 2019

WAB said:
My H4350 loads in the 9.3x62 are heavily compressed. They are working extremely well but in 40 years of reloading this is my first experience with compressed loads. Any watchouts I need to be aware of?

My loads for my .458B&M are quite heavily compressed. So much so I use some of the techniques above to settle the powder as much as possible.

Still when I seat the bullet I leave the round up in the die while I'm pouring the powder for the next round. If I don't the bullet will actually "bounce" back out a bit. I say bounce because I can actually feel it as I raise the bar. But leave it up in the die for a bit and the powder will settle in further and no problem with bullet depth.

CoElkHunter · Nov 23, 2019

Dr Ray said:
H335 and w748 are the same as far as I know. Those powders are, I believe, just packaged differently.

Thanks Dr Ray, I didn’t know that! I would like to find a cross reference chart for powders? I have found a reference chart for powder speeds, but not between the different powder manufacturers as far as compatible powders?

CoElkHunter · Nov 23, 2019

Shootist43 said:
CoElkHunter, how much Win 748 were you thinking of using with the 450 & 500 gr. bullets respectively? Out of curiosity I ran some QuikLoad possibilities that showed even mildly compressed charges to be over P-Max pressure.

My Hornady reloading manual states 74.0gr start (1950fps) and 79.6gr max (2100fps) with a 500gr DGX or DGS bullet. But, since I’m loading the longer Barnes bullets, these charges may have to be reduced with the 748 powder? They may work with the Barnes 450gr ? I’ll have to play around with the powder charge?

CoElkHunter · Nov 23, 2019

PHOENIX PHIL said:
My loads for my .458B&M are quite heavily compressed. So much so I use some of the techniques above to settle the powder as much as possible.

Still when I seat the bullet I leave the round up in the die while I'm pouring the powder for the next round. If I don't the bullet will actually "bounce" back out a bit. I say bounce because I can actually feel it as I raise the bar. But leave it up in the die for a bit and the powder will settle in further and no problem with bullet depth.

I would imagine with that cartridge there would be heavier compressed loads? But, if the bullet weight is the same with a verified loading manual powder charge, what difference does it make if the powder is compressed? It’s the same amount of powder in the case? I’m sure my factory loaded Barnes 450gr have compressed powder from the factory?

CoElkHunter · Nov 23, 2019

perttime said:
Sounds like a plan, unless you have some inexpensive bullets that you can use for practice and plinking.

Well, the only reason I bought and am loading the Barnes bullets, is that I purchased them on Gun Broker for about .26 each u.s WITH shipping! The hard cast bullets were at least twice that! The Barnes copper the barrel up a little bit, but I’m working on that issue and don’t really care! Like I’ve stated before, I’m a cheap SOB and that’s also why I want to burn up this 748 powder! Ha! Ha!

Wyatt Smith · Nov 23, 2019

My buddy got a bunch of those for his 458.

CoElkHunter · Nov 23, 2019

Wyatt Smith said:
My buddy got a bunch of those for his 458.

Yeah for that price I don’t care if the bullet “petals” expand or not! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Compressing Powder

CoElkHunter

Wyatt Smith

Newboomer

Wyatt Smith

CoElkHunter

Ray B

CoElkHunter

Dr Ray

perttime

Dr Ray

WAB

Daggaboy375

Shootist43

PHOENIX PHIL

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