Compressed Loads

Qtiphky · December 19, 2008, 01:20 PM

Question about compressed loads. What are the safety issues that you need to worry about. If the manual lists it as a compressed load, it is still safe, correct? You just need to watch for signs of too much pressure? When you load a compressed load, will it "feel" different when you are seating the bullet? Is the length listed the real length or can you seat the bullet a little deeper so the length corresponds better to the action of your gun? I haven't had the need/desire to get close to this before but am now just wondering about it.

Thanks

rwilson452 · December 19, 2008, 02:01 PM

compressed loads are out there real close to too much. work them up very carefully. do NOT seat the bullet any deeper. this could cause a serious pressure spike. Don't start at the max load that indicates a compressed load ever. your rifle may not like it.

Ozzieman · December 19, 2008, 02:16 PM

A lot depends on what you’re loading and what gun you’re loading it for.
As long as you stay within the book numbers and work up to max loads slowly and look for and understand the pressure signs you’ll be alright.
One thing to watch for is when you’re loading military cases. A compressed load for commercial cases in 223 will be a lot more compressed when loading the same in a military case due to the thicker walls of those cases.
All manuals give min max over all length for loaded rounds. You should stay within this length. It will improve accuracy. If you load with bullets to far out and they make contact they can be pushed back into the case when they hit the lands of the barrel in a long gun. If they are loaded too deep, the bullet has to far to jump before hitting the lands and will degrade accuracy.

December 19, 2008, 01:20 PM	#1
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Compressed Loads Question about compressed loads. What are the safety issues that you need to worry about. If the manual lists it as a compressed load, it is still safe, correct? You just need to watch for signs of too much pressure? When you load a compressed load, will it "feel" different when you are seating the bullet? Is the length listed the real length or can you seat the bullet a little deeper so the length corresponds better to the action of your gun? I haven't had the need/desire to get close to this before but am now just wondering about it. Thanks

December 19, 2008, 02:01 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	compressed loads are out there real close to too much. work them up very carefully. do NOT seat the bullet any deeper. this could cause a serious pressure spike. Don't start at the max load that indicates a compressed load ever. your rifle may not like it.

December 19, 2008, 02:16 PM	#3
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	A lot depends on what you’re loading and what gun you’re loading it for. As long as you stay within the book numbers and work up to max loads slowly and look for and understand the pressure signs you’ll be alright. One thing to watch for is when you’re loading military cases. A compressed load for commercial cases in 223 will be a lot more compressed when loading the same in a military case due to the thicker walls of those cases. All manuals give min max over all length for loaded rounds. You should stay within this length. It will improve accuracy. If you load with bullets to far out and they make contact they can be pushed back into the case when they hit the lands of the barrel in a long gun. If they are loaded too deep, the bullet has to far to jump before hitting the lands and will degrade accuracy.