Powder That Doesn't Fill the Case..

[halifax]

I've always been uncomfortable using a powder that only fills the case just a little bit. I know these loads would not be popular if this was a problem. Should I just get over it and trust the primer to do its job? Has anyone actually had an experience where insufficient ignition was a problem due to this?

(I'm talking about staight-walled handgun cases here.)

TIA

[Fjold]

I've been filling 45 ACP cases less than 1/4 full for almost 30 years. It still bothers me because of the chance of double charging a case without it overflowing. But that chance keeps me focused and careful when I'm reloading.

[halifax]

I've been filling 45 ACP cases less than 1/4 full for almost 30 years. It still bothers me because of the chance of double charging a case without it overflowing. But that chance keeps me focused and careful when I'm reloading.

Since you didn't mention it, I'll assume you've never had a problem with the powder not igniting completely. Yes?

[Chief-7700]

Never had a problem.

[Rule .308]

Get over it. 5 grains of powder in the bottom of a .45ACP piece of brass equates to a splash of powder in the bottom at best. That amount, or thereabouts, of W231 has been pushing 45 caliber slugs for decades without a hiccup. Just becareful not to double charge one and it will be fine.

[XDRoX]

I've always been uncomfortable using a powder that only fills the case just a little bit. I know these loads would not be popular if this was a problem. Should I just get over it and trust the primer to do its job? Has anyone actually had an experience where insufficient ignition was a problem due to this?

(I'm talking about staight-walled handgun cases here.)

TIA

You don't have to worry about ignition, you need to worry about a double charge. Double charges are very dangerous, can ruin a gun, and injure people.

I try to always use powders with more volume to lessen these risks.

WST is a great, if not the best, powder for light to medium range loads in 9mm and 45acp. I also use it in 38spl with fantastic results.

[luckygunner]

Powder

I've always tried to use powders that fill the case 1/2 full for double charges but during the ammo shortage I was using anything I could get my hands on. I wouldn't worry about insufficient ignition.

[not-fishing]

My youngest son and I shoot club Bullseye Competitions up here in Northern California. I started with a S & W 19-3 6" wheelgun that he now uses. In 38 spl we use 148 HBFP, basically a flying coke can.

Originally for my reloads I used Unique and had a case separation which stuck the cylinder to the barrel.

I had overcharged the cartridge.

Now I use Trail Boss, dirty but it fills more of the brass. I also look at each brass after charging with powder - it's my belt and suspenders attitude.

I do try to vary my powders to fill the various cartridges I reload but only to where if I have double charged them I have an overflowing case.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I've had a few sort of "hiss" and then go but those were all straight walled rifle cases, not pistol...

You should be fine...

[kmca]

I think you'll find that the powders that are a problem, contain a warning about using "below minimum" charge weights, i.e. 296 in magnum loadings.

[bohoki]

shake a factory rifle round there is often enough room in there to hear it rattle around in there

gunpowder is a mouse that turns into an elephant

if its a tiny mouse it turns into a tiny elephant but that's still pretty darn big

[ireload]

I would not worry about it. Like others have stated it's the double charge that can ruin your day and your gun. When it comes to powder charging that's when being anal comes in handy.

Since I do not use progressive loader, when I charge my cases with a powder measure, I make sure that after each charged case that the powder measure's rotor is in the dump position when I put the charged case in the loading block. All of the un-charged cases are laying down on the bench so I know they are empty and away from the loading block.

Yes it can be time consuming but I have not experience any double charge.

[Cowboy T]

In answer to your question, you should be just fine.I load a fair amount of .38 Special using a small charge of Bullseye powder. I also load .45 Colt with a small charge of Titegroup. Basically, you want to stay at about 10,000 PSI or higher to ignite all your powder, and you're golden.

As others have said, your bigger worry is a double charge. On my progressive presses, I have yet to have one. However, just in case I did, I chose loads that would not blow up my guns even in that event. A double-charge of Bullseye in my light .38 Spl load is listed in the reloading books as a regular .357 Magnum load. Since my revolver is a .357 Magnum (and a beefy one at that), that's some good insurance. Yes, I gradually worked up to that "double-charge" load just to make sure. But that's my "last resort" insurance, and I don't count on it when reloading! Proper reloading technique is my first defense against a double-charge.

Good luck, and be safe.

[halifax]

In answer to your question, you should be just fine.I load a fair amount of .38 Special using a small charge of Bullseye powder. I also load .45 Colt with a small charge of Titegroup. Basically, you want to stay at about 10,000 PSI or higher to ignite all your powder, and you're golden.

...Good luck, and be safe.

Thank you Cowboy. Was having a hard time grasping the physics here but "stay at about 10,000 PSI or higher to ignite all your powder" sure helps.

Double charges I can certainly understand and I'm careful to avoid them.

[halifax]

Did some more research. Seems the main issue with powders that don't fill the case is inconsistent velocities.

I'm heading out to the range to chronograph a series of handloads for .41 SPL right now. Trail Boss, Power Pistol, and AA#5. I really like the way TB fills the case.

ETA: Back from the range. PP and #5 do not offer any advantages over TB; although, #5 seems to burn cleaner. I will stick with TB.