Questionable reduced loads with slow rifle powder. Should I be concerned?

[gunner]

We had good results with using the TrailBoss and the Alliant Unique powders for reduced loads. The TB is better, most times for the reason that the case is in minimum 70% filled with it. Interesting is that with each rifle we tested it ( .303Brit, 7.5mmX55, 6.5x55) the first round had an deeper impact for around 2 to 3". The VV N110 has its own problems. Main problem is that it is easy to do a double charge, which caused the completely destruction of a nice M38 Swedish rifle from a comrade.

[Pyno&dyno]

buen giorno
I load 26 gn n110 on a 168 gn privi fmj bullet for the 30/06 1903a3 smith corona velocity 636 m/sec gives same results as sr4759 powder with same bullet
a other few examples
us krag 18 gn n110 HN ( haenel en natterman) .308 copper plated high speed 180 gn bullet best groups at 100 m
in danish krag 1889 17 gn n110 .323 190 gn HN bullet also with 17 gn N340 same bullet same results at 100m cases made from 45/90 starlight
winchester musket 1873 n340 7gn on 200 gn leadbullet (shoots like a .22 rifle) nice groups at 100 m
a la prossima volta
greetings from the same site of the pond but a little more to the north/west
jarmann

Hi, do you use any sort of filler with your reloads?

[Pyno&dyno]

The VV N110 has its own problems. Main problem is that it is easy to do a double charge, which caused the completely destruction of a nice M38 Swedish rifle from a comrade.

I agree, but the same can be said for all the "pistol" powder used in long gun reloading.
Did you guys ever compared the speed of reloads using filler as opposed to reloads without? I mean, does the filler really help to keep the SD of the reloads lower?

[Parashooter]

Did you guys ever compared the speed of reloads using filler as opposed to reloads without? I mean, does the filler really help to keep the SD of the reloads lower?

Yes, SD's were usually lower when I used filler (polyester fluff) - but I can't see any difference in the groups at short-range (100-200 yards). I'd probably use the fluff if I were shooting mid/long-range with a large straight case like .45-70 or medium-bore mild bottleneck like 10.4x38R. For smokeless-era cartridges, I'm inclined to trust C.E. Harris' advice -

"Do NOT use inert fillers (Dacron or kapok) to take up the excess
empty space in the case. This was once common practice, but it
raises chamber pressure and under certain conditions contributes
to chamber ringing. If a particular load will not work well
without a filler, the powder is not suitable for those conditions
of loading."

[browningautorifle]

Or...we can go on until we convince ourselves it's a good practice.

[jarmann]

pyno/dino
I never use a filler , my 2/3 gn dacron fluff is a " keeper or holder " over the powder to the primer no more no less , it can also be a poststamp of toilet paper or kitchen roll , that depends of my mood that reloading day , or the weather ?????
a la prossima volta
greetings from flanders
jarmann

[jarmann]

reloaded vitha n120 in the NSW alexander henry rifle:34 gn on a 385 GN PP .458 bullet with kitchenroll poststamp as a "keeper "CCI large rifle magnum primer,mixed cases kynoch/bertram/jamisson
rifle was kicking (hate it ) ,had to aim 50 cm under target center
signes of high pressure "flat primers / rather hard extraction
wil try 30 gn next test
32 gn xmp 5744 with same items , was softer en more comfortable to shoot ,same point of aim no signs of overpressure at all, but unburned grains and residues in barrel and chamber(some small dents on cases )
greetings from over the pond
jarmann

[Rusty.303]

Trail Boss is the go,
The bulk density is larger than comparable powders.
Trail Boss, because of it's bulk density rules out double charges and eliminates the need for fillers to keep the powder positioned correctly.
As an example of Trail Bosses bulk density, in the 30/06 only about 18gns of Trail Boss is half way up the neck.
In the 30/06 13.3gns with a 150 is still subsonic.
With a case full you will still be well under 2000fps.
I have used the stuff subsonic in .303, 308 and 30/06.
I had to work loads down to subsonic not up.
If anyone thinks this is dangerous please remember a case full of Trail Boss in the cartridges loaded produces about 65% the pressure and velocity of other commonly used safe loads.

Please do not quote me on this data, I just thought I would mention my use of this powder so anyone interested can get a bit of an idea of this top powder for reduced rifle loads.

[Jerome Cooper]

It has been pretty well documented that using reduced loads of powders that burn slower than medium rates, such as 3031/4895/etc can cause a condition known as detonation. This type of event can ruin the firearm and/or injure the shooter. It is best to be correctly informed on the subject before "experimenting". Search out and read on the subject and use data published in known loading manuals. Better safe than sorry! J. Cooper

[RBruce]

Here is a web site with some information from Hodgdon on reduced loads. http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20R...le%20Loads.pdf