What is going on?

[patw]

I was just reloading some loads I use for hunting.  I was duplicating the load I had last used as written on the box:  30-06, 60.0 gr of IMR 4831 behind a 125 gr Nos BT.  Here is the problem, now this is a compressed load, and I did not remember it being so.  I had a couple of unused shells with the same load and I can hear the powder inside when I shake it.  Now the powder is about 1/8 inch from the neck.  I verified the load in the manual, checked and re-zeroed the scale, everything is OK.  The powder is from the same container as the last loads, was stored in an air conditioned room, and the last time I reloaded the shells was three months ago.   The newly reloaded shells weigh the same as the originals.  Everything seems to be the same except the volume of the powder.  Oh, and I only neck sized the empties.  Any thoughts?  I just get nervous when things are not the way I think they should be, and I can't figure out what is going on.

[corbanzo]

Different brass?  A thicker brass could mean less internal room for powder.

These loads and the last loads all sized the same?

Same OAL?

Same powder scale and filling method?  (powder getting either loosened, or packed)

Any unburnt of partial burnt leftovers from the last firing?

If the brass brand and sizing, the powder, the bullet, the OAL, and the methods are the same... sounds like a ghost....

[jhalcott]

  Pat, 4831 is a LOG powder. Perhaps the sticks need to be jostled to settle them in the case a bit. Tap gently on the cases to see if the level drops. When I use this type of powder I use a "drop tube" about 6" long. This allows the powder time/ distance to fall neatly into the case. Some times I will hold the charged case against my vibrating tumbler for a second or two. With my finger over the mouth  to prevent spillage. This USUALLY drops the level a good bit. Have you tried any of the BALL type powders? They take less room and often give better long range ballistic results.

[patw]

Same everything, used the empties that had shot the same load.  Same OAL.  I tried to clean out one empty, no residue inside, same powder level.  I was thinking that Corbanzo's idea of a ghost may be right.  Finally, I tried a different can of 4381, a brand new one and the level is significantly lower, just above the neck.  Still does not make sense since the can was stored correctly, next to the other can, matter of fact.  What could be the deal?  Would you shoot the compressed loads?   I lean to dumping the rest of the can of powder and pulling the bullets off the compressed loads.  I had another load with Varget, and I may just do that load.  I was just hoping to keep sighting in simple.

[ranger 76]

If you feel uncomfortable just pull a bullet from the old load and weigh the powder and then go from there. When you put the powder back in the case you mite find it fills the case the same as the load your doing now. Good luck Lorne

[beemanbeme]

Lets see, you say the NEW loaded cartridges weigh the same as the OLD loaded cartridges.  Hmmm.  I think I'd pull one bullet from a new cartridge and verify the weight of the powder.  And a bullet from an old cartridge and verify the weight of the powder.  IMR4831 is awfully coarse and the difference could be in the way the powder fell into the case.  With a 120gr bullet, a 30-06 case, and 4831, it's impossible to get an overload IN the case.  I think I'd shoot a old cartridge and a new cartridge and if they hit close together, I'd kinda forget about it. 

[SHOOTALL]

same scale ?
was it level ?

[patw]

Pulling the bullet on the old reload was a good idea. I did it and it was 60.0 gr, and like you said, it fills it up about the same as the new loads.  Filling the cartridge slowly and shaking the powder down did it.  I guess I was hopping up and down over nothing, but at least I am not going to be worried about shooting them.  Thanks for the help and ideas. 

[hillbill]

i know ive noticed the altitude and the speed from which you pour the cylindrical imr powders into the case can have quite a bit of difference in how far up they fill the case. experiment with pouring the powder into your funnel over the case from as high as you can as slowly as you can and you will notice that. kind of like a drop tube yu use for BP cartridges.