45-70 loads, fillers & Larry Gibson's suggestions - reality check?

[huntinlever]

I don't know if this is generally useful and if not, obviously, mods, fully understand if you want to delete the thread. I just wondered if this might be useful to 45-70 shooters in the context of guidance on the use of fillers with given boolit weights and powders, relative to what I've read of Larry Gibson's advice on fillers generally, as can be seen here: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?109280-The-proper-use-of-fillers&p=1188953&viewfull=1#post1188953

So, asking if this is a correct understanding of Larry's guidance, but with respect to this cartridge:

-if using a faster pistol powder like 2400: no filler needed. Fires quickly enough.

-if using a 405 grain bullet, and a "slower 'fast' powder" in the range 4227...4198 (i.e., including 5744), filler recommended. If using a heavier boolit, say, 420+ grains, and one of these powders, no filler recommendation.

-If using medium to slower powders in the range RL7...RL22 and medium to heavier weight boolits for the cartridge (would something like 465-515 grain boolits be examples?), filler recommended.

Thoughts?

[mehavey]

Personal experience is that 405s don't need filler using 5744 at anything 1,200fps & up.

If one needs significant filling, I suggest looking at the starch packing peanuts (https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-2322/Peanuts-and-Dispensers/Uline-UPSable-Peanuts-Starch-7-Cu-Ft-Bag?pricode=WB0393&gadtype=pla&id=S-2322&gclid=CjwKCAiAqaWdBhAvEiwAGAQlthn4LCYgn6uZC1WBaXLT-hbDaqW3tEiVnG_FxA6DDyY39_GP2sCnpBoC468QAvD_BwE) at Staples/Office Depot, etc for powder-to-bullet fill. Turns into literal/fine dust upon firing. ( "puffed" cornstarch, "formable" to case dimensions by simply rolling them in one's fingers and then stuffing it in....)

https://i.postimg.cc/dtkPDfB6/458-Win-Home-Depot-Peanut.jpg
Word-to-the-Wise:
DO develop them from ground floor -- not a blind FollowTheRecipe.
DO cut the Pnut to length to zero-out the airspace.
DON'T develop these filler'd loads w/o a Chronograph to guide you.


Others weigh in as thoughts/experience come to bear as to either thoughts aboves

[Larry Gibson]

I don't know if this is generally useful and if not, obviously, mods, fully understand if you want to delete the thread. I just wondered if this might be useful to 45-70 shooters in the context of guidance on the use of fillers with given boolit weights and powders, relative to what I've read of Larry Gibson's advice on fillers generally, as can be seen here: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?109280-The-proper-use-of-fillers&p=1188953&viewfull=1#post1188953

So, asking if this is a correct understanding of Larry's guidance, but with respect to this cartridge:

-if using a faster pistol powder like 2400: no filler needed. Fires quickly enough.

-if using a 405 grain bullet, and a "slower 'fast' powder" in the range 4227...4198 (i.e., including 5744), filler recommended. If using a heavier boolit, say, 420+ grains, and one of these powders, no filler recommendation.

-If using medium to slower powders in the range RL7...RL22 and medium to heavier weight boolits for the cartridge (would something like 465-515 grain boolits be examples?), filler recommended.

Thoughts?

That is essentially correct.

No, a filler is not generally "needed". Without the filler most loads will go bang, the bullet will fly down range and the bullet will hit the target with some modicum of accuracy, especially at ranges less than 100 yards. However, if one is shooting longer distance and/or wants better accuracy then the filler most often can provide that by enhancing the internal ballistic uniformity. Not a matter of "need" but a matter of what's wanted..

[huntinlever]

OK thanks guys. Triple C of cracked my ribs, Covid and Christmas so out for awhile but I appreciate the info.