What's the most "fluffy" space occupying powder?

[TVDean]

I wanna down load 10mm to the USPSA production class power factor of 125. I'm aiming for a 135gr @ 1000fps.

The current powder I'm using (Titegroup) would only need about 4.0gr to get to that velocity (I'm guessing).

I hear that when you have such little powder to air ratio, shot-to-shot consistantcy goes to pot.

What powder would better fill the case, yet yeild low velocities?

[Poodleshooter]

Your other option is to use some Dacron filler to occupy the space. Basically, the small piece of fabric works to keep the powder against the primer to insure better ignition.

[E. BeauBeaux]

Poodleshooter has it right, that way you can use the powder of your choice. A dollars worth at a fabric store will last forever. This trick really works, I use it alot on 38's.

[TVDean]

Are you boys pulling my leg?

What happens to the fiber as it's exposed to the heat and pressure?

Does it melt or just get blown into fibereens?

If it melts, does it gum up the barrel?

I guess I'm trying to do what .38Special target shooters do, right?

Tell me more, tell me more!

[WESHOOT2]

TiteGroup is designed to allow airspace in its combustion area.
Use TiteGroup, reassured that it is perfectly safe for the 10mm target loads you seek. You might also try Rainier 180g TMJ-FP's over some TiteGroup.

[JNewhouse]

.....fibereens....>snicker<

[TVDean]

Despite Hodgdon's literature about Titegroup, when I called the man told me that I would experience inconsistancies with that little amount of powder.

I guess the only way to tell is to fire 10 rds over the chrono. Anything under 25 fps difference will be fine for me.

Thanks all.

[griz]

I don't reload for the 10mm but Red Dot and AA5744 are both "fluffy" powders.

Fibereens is my word for the day.

[Hutch]

No one is pulling your leg about the fiber wadding. That's a very common technique when loading rifle cases with a pinch of Unique to launch cast bullets. Have no idea where it goes, but it's either consumed in the conflagration, or blowed out the barrel, 'cause it ain't in the bore. Unless it's blown to tangerines.

[WESHOOT2]

Suggest velocity variations MEAN NOTHING if all the bullets impact the same hole......at least if we're only talking accuracy.....

[Paul B.]

Dacron fiber works well in rifle loads. However, I'm not too sure about using it in handgun ammo. There was a letter or question about it in one of the American Riflemans a few years back, and the complaint had to do with dacron melting in .44 Mag. loads and getting gunk all over the gun. The AR suggested using kapok instead. Only problem there is who has kapok anymore?
Paul B.

[TVDean]

Update: Chrono'd 10mm 180gr with 3.5gr of titegroup. I'm a happy shooter.


Gun: Glock M20 10mm, stock barrel, Wolffe #12 recoil spring and stainless guiderod.
10 shots:
738
744
743
749
750
739
731
727
732
746
------------
Avg: 739.90 FPS which equates to a 133.18 power factor. (USPSA's Minor is 125)

I must say 23 fps extreme spread over 10 shots is very impressive given the fact that only 3.5gr of powder is in that mighty 10MM case.

Kudos to Hodgdon's Titegroup! Works as advetised.......

Shooting this mild of a load through a full size Glock should be unfair in Production Division! He-he!!

[WESHOOT2]

Better in Limited Class w/ 20-rd mags.....

[banjobart]

Clays takes up more space per grain than others. WST takes up almost as much space. Both are fast burning like Titegroup.

Tite Group takes up just about the least space per grain.

[TVDean]

Thanks bart!