Author Topic: Are some factory loads compressed? (Read 294 times)

tvc15 · « **on:** June 17, 2006, 04:44:32 AM »

Since I started reloading I have developed a habbit of shaking loaded cartridges to feel how much air space is in them. I opened a box of hornady 140 grain .270 factory ammo and noticed there is very little if any air space. (I can hear nothing) would this be a very full or compressed load? TVC15

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2006, 06:41:35 AM »

Hard to say. Only Hornady knows for sure and they probably ain't gonna say NUTH'N!!

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2006, 08:58:42 AM »

Long time back there was an article in one of the gun magzines about the Hornaday Light Magnum ammuntion. As I recall the author stated that it was a compressed load(270 Win??). He pulled the bullet and dumped the powder out. Then he tried to put the powder back into the case. He was unable to accomplish the task. I would say that is a compressed load.

He stated the factory used special equipment to load the Light Magnum ammunition.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2006, 10:47:18 AM »

Most factory ammo is not going to be compressed for the simple fact that it's not that easy to do consistently on automated equipment. But the Hornady Light Mag ammo and the Federal equivalent both are. It's a proprietary process both firms have developed that allows them to do it. I'd expect you'll find darn few if any other factory rounds which are.