Using grits as filler.........
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Joined
·
86 Posts
I don't think grits would do any damage... but it is sure a waste of good grits... 
A gap of 1/4" would not seem to be a problem really... in fact I have never seen anything that convinces me powder position is much of a problem in revolver cartridges with usual pistol powders...
One of the most accurate pistol rounds ever developed was/is 2.7gr of Bulls-Eye powder under a 148gr cast LWC bullet... and it is nowhere near filling the case.
The only worry I can think of with grits or other fillers is they could get mixed in with the powder over time (handling, transport etc. might shake them enough to mix) which might have some impact on the burn rate. It would be possible to make a card wad out of something like old playing cards to seperate the grits from the powder... but that seems like a lot of work for revolver cartridges.
I seem to recall in the late 1960s and early 1970s people liked to use styrofoam pellets as filler in rifle cartridges... with the preferred product being made by Kodak... and that Kodak was very anti-gun and would not supply the stuff if they had any idea it was for loading ammo... another reason to avoid Kodak even today.
Kapok was a popular filler too... apparently worked ok... though I thought plain old cotton batting would work well too... it should burn out cleanly and not mix with the powder.
FWIW
Chuck
A gap of 1/4" would not seem to be a problem really... in fact I have never seen anything that convinces me powder position is much of a problem in revolver cartridges with usual pistol powders...
One of the most accurate pistol rounds ever developed was/is 2.7gr of Bulls-Eye powder under a 148gr cast LWC bullet... and it is nowhere near filling the case.
The only worry I can think of with grits or other fillers is they could get mixed in with the powder over time (handling, transport etc. might shake them enough to mix) which might have some impact on the burn rate. It would be possible to make a card wad out of something like old playing cards to seperate the grits from the powder... but that seems like a lot of work for revolver cartridges.
I seem to recall in the late 1960s and early 1970s people liked to use styrofoam pellets as filler in rifle cartridges... with the preferred product being made by Kodak... and that Kodak was very anti-gun and would not supply the stuff if they had any idea it was for loading ammo... another reason to avoid Kodak even today.
Kapok was a popular filler too... apparently worked ok... though I thought plain old cotton batting would work well too... it should burn out cleanly and not mix with the powder.
FWIW
Chuck
LeMat said:One of my CAS shooting buddies uses grits as a filler.
I'm working on these Red Dot loads and have about 1/4" from powder to base of bullet. Any worries with filling this space with some grits?
Sure does smell good!
G
Guest
·Mostly a black powder thing. To reduce loads a filler is used. Very bad thing to not fill the case using BP......the bullet needs to be seated on the charge with no air space...
For the Smokeless shooters...I would say if your going to shoot grits, use some Bullseye, as it has a hint of a bacon smell to it :mrgreen:
giz
For the Smokeless shooters...I would say if your going to shoot grits, use some Bullseye, as it has a hint of a bacon smell to it :mrgreen:
giz
Joined
·
2,372 Posts
I believe that everything that can go wrong has been covered by the previous posts. My additional 2 cents is that RedDot is not case position sensitive in a ordinary revolver or autopistol case - especially since you have only 1/4" of space remaining - and I would leave things as they are with no filler. You know..."Treading where angels dare....."
I try to avoid gunpowders that are case position sensitive. That's no problem with most fast-burning pistol powders, but can be a problem when loading reduced charges for rifle cartridges with large case capacities. When this situation arises, I usually use a pinch of light, fluffy fiberfill.
When loading BP cartridges, I've only used thick cork or celotex wads for filler, but I've seen grits, corn meal, and cream of wheat used with good results.
xtm
I try to avoid gunpowders that are case position sensitive. That's no problem with most fast-burning pistol powders, but can be a problem when loading reduced charges for rifle cartridges with large case capacities. When this situation arises, I usually use a pinch of light, fluffy fiberfill.
When loading BP cartridges, I've only used thick cork or celotex wads for filler, but I've seen grits, corn meal, and cream of wheat used with good results.
xtm
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
