Author Topic: Seating Force-Loose Powder????? (Read 580 times)

smoky · « **on:** August 23, 2004, 06:02:04 AM »

The past few weeks have been my first experience with loose propellant, as prior I have only shot pellets. My question is, how much force should I put on the bullet when seating the sabot? I have been been giving it a firm push, once I feel it hit the powder charge. Is this correct? I haven't marked the ram rod yet as I am still in the load develoment stage.

Any comments are appreciated.

Smoky

sabotloader · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2004, 06:18:09 AM »

Smoky,

With loose t7 I have come to the conclusion - do not compress it, because you do not get the same compression each time evenif you want to. I therefore, seat the sabot on the powder with minimal pressure. When I hear and feel the sabot hit bottom I stop. Prior to putting the sabot in I do tap the side of the rifle with the rifle verticle to settle and level the powder (not when I am hunting and trying to get into a second shot) but when I am target shooting that is my usual procedure.

Hope this helps....

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2004, 08:14:21 AM »

I marked my rod, but I still seat the bullet on top of the powder and give a slight push on the ram rod to make sure I do not leave an air gap. :grin:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2004, 09:52:56 AM »

If you are loading after a shot without cleaning, you need to make sure the bullet is seated into or below the fouling ring in the barrel. If loading subsequent load after load, the fouling ring can progress further from the breech and ultimately be too far from the powder and have disatrous results. If you wipe after every shot, not to worry. I shoot T7 and seat the bullet/sabot with pretty much the same pressure each time, that being real firm, without having any accuracy problems. Whatever you do, just be consistent load to load.

fairchase · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2004, 10:47:45 AM »

At the range I compress with my range rod as hard as I can using my first two fingers to pull on the handle. When I can't pull anymore I know it's done.
While hunting I use the palm of my hand (no handle) until it hurts so bad I want to stop. Both methods seem to get me the same amount of pressure, or at least my accuracy seems to tell me that.

Nic_58 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2004, 02:09:01 PM »

Quote from: sabotloader

Smoky,

When I hear and feel the sabot hit bottom I stop.

This is the same process I use with 777. It's very important to be consistent with your pressure. Shooting over a chronograph will tell you real quick that you need to be consistent with your swabbing AND loading techniques to maintain even muzzle velocities which translate into small groups at the range.

Rum River · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2004, 10:52:35 AM »

Are there any tools available that would help with this?

I've heard the 'Kadooty' tools may help, but I've never seen one or know how to use one.

Sam Fadala mentioned a spring-loaded device he made himself that always gave him 35 pounds of seating pressure. Has anyone else tried his approach?