Thread: What happens when your case has lots of room left?

If there is lots of space left in the case it can cause inconsistent ignition.
Picture a case only half full of powder. Depending on the angle of the rifle/cartridge, all the powder within the case could all go to one end or the other, or sit with more at one end than the other etc etc etc. This can cause inconsistency in ignition between the powder & primer. For example in a half full case - sometimes powder will be right up against the primer, and other times all the powder might be at the front of the case with a big gap between powder & primer.
The less the powder can move around in the case, the less potential there is for inconsistency caused by difference in the powder column & how it is ignited by the primer.

Originally Posted by ChrisW

If there is lots of space left in the case it can cause inconsistent ignition.
Picture a case only half full of powder. Depending on the angle of the rifle/cartridge, all the powder within the case could all go to one end or the other, or sit with more at one end than the other etc etc etc. This can cause inconsistency in ignition between the powder & primer. For example in a half full case - sometimes powder will be right up against the primer, and other times all the powder might be at the front of the case with a big gap between powder & primer.
The less the powder can move around in the case, the less potential there is for inconsistency caused by difference in the powder column & how it is ignited by the primer.

Cute picture. But no. The primer isn't a little spark at the end of the case, it will fill the entire case with flame.

And I'd be interested to see any evidence of the powder-location-vs-accuracy theory.

Originally Posted by mimms

Cute picture. But no. The primer isn't a little spark at the end of the case, it will fill the entire case with flame.

And I'd be interested to see any evidence of the powder-location-vs-accuracy theory.

Lol.
If you want ultimate consistency then you want to minimize variables, and powder being able to slosh around in the case is just another variable. Im not talking about the powder failing to ignite, im talking about ensuring the powder column within the case is relatively consistent for maximum consistency. Its generally accepted that loads where the case is almost full with powder often perform better than those with more free space.
Is it due to the consistency of ignition and the way the powder burns? Is there the potential for powder sprinkled along the bottom of the case, or all packed up the front, only half filling it up to burn with less consistency than a case that is packed full?

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Lol.
If you want ultimate consistency then you want to minimize variables, and powder being able to slosh around in the case is just another variable. Im not talking about the powder failing to ignite, im talking about ensuring the powder column within the case is relatively consistent for maximum consistency. Its generally accepted that loads where the case is almost full with powder often perform better than those with more free space.
Is it due to the consistency of ignition and the way the powder burns? Is there the potential for powder sprinkled along the bottom of the case, or all packed up the front, only half filling it up to burn with less consistency than a case that is packed full?

Point of diminishing returns with all things "consistent". I'm not arguing that consistency isn't good. I'd like to see evidence.

Got any? "lol"

And I am all about the down-range, I don't want "ultimate consistency" i want "effective". I don't weigh cases, trim meplats, re-point projectiles, blah-blah-blah, not doing so will introduce inconsistency to my loads.
But I have a 99% chance of connecting the shots when i take em, so they're consistent enough