Thread: compressed loads

im wanting to get more from my rounds, but to get more from my loads i need to start compressing the powder (the book also says this). now how much can i compress the powder? can i do it to the point where the bullet will no longer seat to the correct depth? or is this too much?

cheers again

Silentscope

When you say You need More from your rounds I'm guessing your looking for more velocity.

If this is so then have you considered changing your powder instead of compressing your current powder.

What is your current Calibre/ Powder/Projectile/Muzzle Velocity?

Why do you need more velocity?

Cheers
Pete

compressing the powder means you will crush the powder into the case, the press will easily push the projectile into a case, even full to the brim with powder.
I have loaded compressed loads into many different rifles and calibres, without issue, I always work up to a load so I can see if there is any pressure issues early.
what I have found is a lightly compressed load will still run fine but the burn rate and performance (accuracy) tends to drop off if you compress heavily. pressure can spike quickly too so be aware.
what is the load you are attempting? you may find someone has already done it and could give you feed back on their results.
greg

Originally Posted by P38

Silentscope

When you say You need More from your rounds I'm guessing your looking for more velocity.

If this is so then have you considered changing your powder instead of compressing your current powder.

What is your current Calibre/ Powder/Projectile/Muzzle Velocity?

Why do you need more velocity?

Cheers
Pete

iv got a 270wsm, 69gr of retumbo, 150 gr nosler bt, 3000fps.

i am probably wasting my time but i was just going to see how much more i could squeeze out, my shooting distances are getting further and futher (not from being lazy and not wanting to stalk, the deer are pretty cagey where i hunt and getting in close can often result in them bolting) and are now in excess of 600 yards. i tried using ar2209 but found that it didnt produce very good fps (around 2700-2850) and found the pressure spiked very fast with small jumps in powder weight and started to blow the primers.

Originally Posted by greghud

compressing the powder means you will crush the powder into the case, the press will easily push the projectile into a case, even full to the brim with powder.
I have loaded compressed loads into many different rifles and calibres, without issue, I always work up to a load so I can see if there is any pressure issues early.
what I have found is a lightly compressed load will still run fine but the burn rate and performance (accuracy) tends to drop off if you compress heavily. pressure can spike quickly too so be aware.
what is the load you are attempting? you may find someone has already done it and could give you feed back on their results.
greg

the load i was going to try is working upto 71-72ish grains, i am currently running 69gr and its on the verge of starting to comress.

When you fill it to the top and seat then pull and put more powder in its compressed

almost every load i have used in 308 is compressed to some degree.
In that case they seem to love compressed loads.

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

I wonder if mythbusters could do a special to find out if compressed loads can push bullets back out.

I'm not a fan of compressed loads.

Bad things can happen if you get it wrong and you may also find your accuracy drops off as well.

However have you tried packing the powder into your cases?

You can gently Tap the case as you put the powder in so as the powder settles better

or you can use a drinking straw placed into the bottom of the case then fill the straw with powder and gently pull it out of the case.

Either method may get you another grain or two without having to compress the powder when you seat the projectile.

Changing your brass for another manufacturer may also gain a grain or two capacity due to differences in the internal capacity of the case.

Cheers
Pete

What powder are you using? It may be as simple as changing powders instead of ramming more into a case

Originally Posted by Toby

What powder are you using? It may be as simple as changing powders instead of ramming more into a case

i tried changing from ar2225 to ar2209 with no good results

Originally Posted by P38

I'm not a fan of compressed loads.

Bad things can happen if you get it wrong and you may also find your accuracy drops off as well.

However have you tried packing the powder into your cases?

You can gently Tap the case as you put the powder in so as the powder settles better

or you can use a drinking straw placed into the bottom of the case then fill the straw with powder and gently pull it out of the case.

Either method may get you another grain or two without having to compress the powder when you seat the projectile.

Changing your brass for another manufacturer may also gain a grain or two capacity due to differences in the internal capacity of the case.

Cheers
Pete

i did some rounds just before and tried tapping the cases to settle the powder, worked ok till i got to 70grains. the max the ar book said it 72gr compressed (i think?) so i guess im good until then.

i am hoping to get a bit of a flatter trejactory as my scopes dials dont go up very high, and i dont want to remove the pin cus ill loose mt zero stop.

What brass are you using mate? Norma or Remington? Few mates running 270wsms and
The Remington brass has a bit more internal capacity and is slightly harder etc

Originally Posted by camo wsm

What brass are you using mate? Norma or Remington? Few mates running 270wsms and
The Remington brass has a bit more internal capacity and is slightly harder etc

using winchester brass, i do have 20 norma brass aswell but i havent loaded those yet trying to keep it all the same

Fair enough mate of mine is getting 3000fps with nosler 150 lr accubonds out of
A 20 inch WSM and with Norma brass 2900 using 2225 for both

Originally Posted by camo wsm

Fair enough mate of mine is getting 3000fps with nosler 150 lr accubonds out of
A 20 inch WSM and with Norma brass 2900 using 2225 for both

ah sweet were about the same then, iv got a 24" barrel