I'm a rifle handloader, and I've decided to load for my .45 Colt revolver. I'm using Solo1000, and beginning with 5gr, and working up to about 6 grains. Either quantity doesn't begin to fill the .45 Colt case. Should I be using Cream of Wheat, or some other inert/neutral filler? Thanks. George

Cream of Wheat is mentioned for that purpose in this months NRA magazine "Rifleman".

I think before I went through that hasle I'd use a different powder. Just seems like alot of extra work.

You need the filler to be safe with that powder....I'd switch to a bulkier powder.....thousands of rounds have been shot with similar loads and not a problem....BUT there can be a explosion if the powder is laying wrong when the primer ignites it and lots of pressure....similar "blow ups" have happened with 38 special and the old 2.7bullseye load....and millions of them are shot still but it CAN and HAS happened and double charges won't do what some of the "light" load blow ups have done to pressure and guns........I use shotgun powder in my lighter pressure 45colt loads to get the bulk without using the filler.....I'd rather use more powder-cost per round than mess with the cream of wheat......good luck and good shooting-loading!!

If you really wanted to use filler a small piece of Dacron snugged up against the powder charge works, but I would switch to a bulkier powder.

I'm assuming you are interested in "standard" Colt loads? If so, try Hodgdon Trailboss powder, its bulky for it's weight, and was brought out for the cowboy action shooters.

I personally find that filling the Colt case with 34 grains (volume) of FFg blackpowder tends to fill the case quite nicely, no need for fillers then!

Herco (shotgun powder) works real well in my colt 45. real bulky powder filling the case and good accuracy.

Ultimately, fillers work better with black powder. Some smokeless powders cause KABOOMS with fillers or ring chambers.

TrailBoss and TiteGroup (in spite of the small volume--it's made for that) can help a lot.

Even Kapok and Dacron are suspect.