18 September 2005, 05:25
Michel JrUse of filler tube.
I just bought, as recommanded here, a can of H4350, with a 30-06 case, a 165 grains bullet, my Hodgdon manual says min 54 Gr and max 57 Gr. I begin with 55 Gr and i can hear a small noise of powder crunch at the end of seating. Should i try a filler tube if i want to continue up or just "vibrate" and crunch more?
18 September 2005, 06:23
vapodogVibrate and crunch works as well as anything.....long tube drop helps a bit.....I find a few light taps on the bench settles powder a bit.....in the end you merely compress the load anyway. Go with the plan!!!
I wouldn't hesitate to go to 60 grains assuming you know what signs to watch for.
(165 grain bullet, .30-06 H-4350)
19 September 2005, 09:15
fredj338Forster makes a nive dorp tube funnel. It's just easier than banging the case on the bench.
19 September 2005, 15:34
waitaminitA long drop will help, but to my experiments (most in 6PPC with stick N133) TIME and centrifugal forces help most, i.e.:
a) drip the powder SLOWLY into the funnel, and
b) don't throw the powder into the tube of the funnel but on the side walls.
This yields a centrifugal force (you see the single kernels hopping and cicling into the tube.
When the kernels reach their comrades in the belly of the cartridge, the horizontal component of the drop force makes them settle very close to their neighbours.
If memory serves "Precision Shooting" had an article by someone who applied a drill bit in a funnel tube to produce the horizontal force. I found this setup a bit complicate but it seems to support the result of my experiments:
I succeeded to fill 30.5 grains of N133 instead of 28.5 grains - an extra 7% without any extra equipment or costs.
It was a surprise to me that positioning the case on a vibrating underground did not increase the amount of powder significantly.