Wad Stack in PP load

[Don McDowell]

It's a head scratcher for sure. When my reloading stuff was right next to the sliding door going to the upstairs deck I could load a few round, pop out on the deck, get on the bench and shoot a steel target at 270 yards. Put a lot of test rounds down the tube. Then when the overseer of the house decided I was taking up way to much of the loft, and got the man cave brought in and set in the back yard the amount of testing slowed

The primers I like aren't a problem, but the powder on hand is a worry.

[semtav]

Jim,
you might check out this thread- http://shilohrifle.com/forums/viewto...350351#p350351

Interesting what different wads do to PP bullets.
May not be as big of an issue with GG bullets.

So far I've noticed that having the veg wad next to the bullet is a little easier on the base of the bullet.
Havent tried a felt wad yet.
Alloy is as important as the wad.

Since I have a lot of the 1-25 alloy and lot of WW alloy, I think I will test the last load I posted and see how accuracy holds up.
Not exactly the Rix mix but close

[JKR]

Brian,
I’ve been watching your testing with great interest.
Unfortunately, not being a member, I don’t get to see the pictures. Even so, it’s easily understood. Well done!
Jim

[semtav]

A +WW alloy.jpg

There is my last test
.060 wad vs .030 wad
Both over an .030 LDPE wad

[martinibelgian]

IMO it all is a balancing act - powder quantity and granulation, alloy, wad(s) used - and all of that at the right MV for your rifle. That's what is meant by a 'balanced load' so a 45-70 might be best with softer alloy, less/thinner wads, faster powder - 1 or several of the former. You just need to find the sweet spot for your cartridge/rifle combination that corresponds with a suitable MV for the range you will be shooting at . Caliber also plays a role there, of course.
No one ever said it was simple...

[JKR]

Thanks for posting the picture. I haven’t noticed that problem in the few bullets I’ve recovered. I’ll find a few when the snow goes and examine them closely. I do wrap a little past the paper line on the bullet. I’m currently running 93 grains 1 1/2 Swiss, .060” PWad, 16/1 mix.

[semtav]

Thanks for posting the picture. I haven’t noticed that problem in the few bullets I’ve recovered. I’ll find a few when the snow goes and examine them closely. I do wrap a little past the paper line on the bullet. I’m currently running 93 grains 1 1/2 Swiss, .060” PWad, 16/1 mix.

You have to keep in mind these were patched to groove bullets without much room for expansion. So I have different results but still a good demo of what diff thickness wads will do.

[JosieGun]

I think there might be a time and place for a .45-xx wad stack. For 200yds and less I don't see the need for a cartridge build meant for 800yds. While I could punch out thick wads with a Cornell press punch, it's just easier and cheap enuf to use Circle fly .460 wads and save the press punch for the thinner LDPE and milk carton wads. I only paper patch and all are bore riders, so I like to get as much of the bullet into the rifling as possible which means lots of unused space in the case, so enter the need for wads. Of course, as has been already mentioned in this thread, the bottom line is what the gun likes and demands. It all seems to work well enuf for me and a variety of Sharps and Rem rollers ... and now, for a modern Henry or CVA Scout break open with glass attached to help old eyes.

[Gobeyond]

Anybody try 70 grains Swiss 1 1/2 or schuetzen 1fg in 45-70 . It fits easily. Straight walled bullet .442 with baco 9 pound onion skin with 1/16 wax wad. Really just the powder. Surprising how much will fit in. Maybe @JKR ?

[Gobeyond]

Maybe the height of the stack is necessary. A 1/16 wax wad will do all three, seal, cushion, etc.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Anybody try 70 grains Swiss 1 1/2 or schuetzen 1fg in 45-70 . It fits easily. Straight walled bullet .442 with baco 9 pound onion skin with 1/16 wax wad. Really just the powder. Surprising how much will fit in. Maybe @JKR ?

The fatter the bullet the less lead required to move to fill the grooves, think .445 or .446 and wet wrapped with Seth Cole 55w tracing velum. Less lead displaced less bullet setback and shortening. Think world record group 5@200, multiple national scope Championships.

Kenny Wasserburger

[JKR]

I’ve been doing this for a while now and have to agree with Kenny. Fatter bullet, thinner paper. The jury’s still out on wet patching though.
JKR

[Gobeyond]

The fatter the bullet the less lead required to move to fill the grooves, think .445 or .446 and wet wrapped with Seth Cole 55w tracing velum. Less lead displaced less bullet setback and shortening. Think world record group 5@200, multiple national scope Championships.

Kenny Wasserburger

I hear ya Mr. Wasserburger