Powder particles in neck ok when seating bullets?

woodland · February 10, 2005, 11:13 PM

I noticed after charging the cases, there were some powrder grains clinging to the inside of the neck. I took a toothpick and ran it around to brush them off, cause I wasn't sure if they would cause any problems when inserting the bullet.
Just loaded up a bunch of different combinations of bullet styles and powders today, and will be trying them out over the next few days. Can't wait!

By the way, I am loading .223 for my H-BAR Elite. I measured all the charges, and weighed and sorted all bullets. I want to find the best combo, then I will start experimenting with how much difference slight variences in bullet weight, ( i.e. unsorted ), will make. This should be lots of fun!

Here is what I am running:
60gr. V-Max over 23.2gr of 748

60gr. V-Max over 24gr. of 748

69gr. Sierra BTHP-Match over 27gr. of 760

69gr. Sierra BTHP-Match over 21.5gr. of BL-C(2)

52gr. Speer HP over 24gr. 3031

**Mal H** · February 10, 2005, 11:35 PM

I wouldn't worry about any powder grains clinging to a case neck. The bullet will push them down into the case for you. Of all the millions upon millions of rounds loaded each year, I have never heard of a round going off by powder being trapped between the bullet and the case neck - if that is what you're concerned about.

Tom Matiska · February 11, 2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

........I have never heard of a round going off by powder being trapped between the bullet and the case neck -

I know of one suspected case in the late 70's(still makes it pretty rare). A friend was ramming 243 boat tails down on a compressed charge. flash/bang... eyebrows were gone and the ratio of forehead to hair was increased. No frag wounds.

Can't imagine any other cause than powder trapped between the boatail and case neck.

**Mal H** · February 11, 2005, 08:58 AM

"Can't imagine any other cause than powder trapped between the boatail and case neck."

I can. It might be that one in a billion chance of a compressed column of tubular granules lining up just right through the flash hole so that the primer anvil can compress and ignite the primer compound. If he is "ramming" a little too vigorously - it just might happen.

woodland · February 11, 2005, 11:35 AM

Thanks guys, I didn't think it should be a problem, but wanted to lean twoard the side of caution till I knew. Like I said, I am very new to reloading, and I am quite attached to my fingers and whatnot.

Oldphart · February 11, 2005, 12:26 PM

There is one other thing to think about with regard to this: What makes the powder stick to the inside of the case neck? If it's excess lube, it might also cause uneven burning of the powder. I've gone to a routine of depriming/sizing first, then tumbling to remove any excess lube, then priming, charging and seating. I don't really know if that's a better system or not, but it's certainly better than worrying about the possibility of contaminating the powder.

February 10, 2005, 11:13 PM	#1
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	Powder particles in neck ok when seating bullets? I noticed after charging the cases, there were some powrder grains clinging to the inside of the neck. I took a toothpick and ran it around to brush them off, cause I wasn't sure if they would cause any problems when inserting the bullet. Just loaded up a bunch of different combinations of bullet styles and powders today, and will be trying them out over the next few days. Can't wait! By the way, I am loading .223 for my H-BAR Elite. I measured all the charges, and weighed and sorted all bullets. I want to find the best combo, then I will start experimenting with how much difference slight variences in bullet weight, ( i.e. unsorted ), will make. This should be lots of fun! Here is what I am running: 60gr. V-Max over 23.2gr of 748 60gr. V-Max over 24gr. of 748 69gr. Sierra BTHP-Match over 27gr. of 760 69gr. Sierra BTHP-Match over 21.5gr. of BL-C(2) 52gr. Speer HP over 24gr. 3031 __________________ "There is no spoon..."

February 11, 2005, 11:35 AM	#5
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	Thanks guys, I didn't think it should be a problem, but wanted to lean twoard the side of caution till I knew. Like I said, I am very new to reloading, and I am quite attached to my fingers and whatnot. __________________ "There is no spoon..."

February 11, 2005, 12:26 PM	#6
Oldphart Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Posts: 375	Powder Particles in Neck There is one other thing to think about with regard to this: What makes the powder stick to the inside of the case neck? If it's excess lube, it might also cause uneven burning of the powder. I've gone to a routine of depriming/sizing first, then tumbling to remove any excess lube, then priming, charging and seating. I don't really know if that's a better system or not, but it's certainly better than worrying about the possibility of contaminating the powder.

February 10, 2005, 11:35 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	I wouldn't worry about any powder grains clinging to a case neck. The bullet will push them down into the case for you. Of all the millions upon millions of rounds loaded each year, I have never heard of a round going off by powder being trapped between the bullet and the case neck - if that is what you're concerned about.

February 11, 2005, 08:58 AM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	"Can't imagine any other cause than powder trapped between the boatail and case neck." I can. It might be that one in a billion chance of a compressed column of tubular granules lining up just right through the flash hole so that the primer anvil can compress and ignite the primer compound. If he is "ramming" a little too vigorously - it just might happen.