Thread: Loading .577 snider?

Originally Posted by norsk

The filler is used to take up the air space that *might* cause damage to the gun as the powder burns.Also the theory is that if the powder is lying flat,the sparks from the primer ignite a larger surface and this can cause detonation.

You can use anything for a filler that is pliable,Kaypoc,cotton wool,newspaper,foam backer rod,raw wool..

Wether either of the two things happen in actuality is a whole other subject.I always use fillers for reduced loads but never for "full house" loads in black powder cartridges with straight walled cases.

A fiber wad(s) is used to either help take up air space or to sweep fouling from the barrel with each shot.The lube helps keep the fouling soft and reduce the amount of lead deposited in the barrel.Because the surface of this wad is generally rough then a "card wad" another wad generally made from Milk carton is placed waxy side up so the felt wad is not pressed into the base of the bullet and accuracy is ruined,

The hollow base bullet you mentioned sounds like the original Mine Bullet that was designed to expand into the rifling upon firing.It only does this sometimes and was one of the reasons Sniders had a reputation for poor accuracy.

Thanks very much for the info. Very helpful.
Do you think this "stack" would be ok? Pour powder charge into case, pack cotton wool on top of the powder to take up space, then place a disk fashioned out of milk carton type material on top of the cotton wool - then seat projectile?
Also, from what you said - I don't really need to run any wad or filler, unless there is a lot of free space in the case?