[model12freak]

I saw a post which I can no longer locate.

Could someone please give a general explanation as to the effects of increased seating pressure on wads during reloading and it's effect on pattern density etc ?

As an example, if wad pressure is 45 during reloading and I lower the seat so that 55-60 lbs of pressure is exerted, what happens to the round/pattern or any other variable?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[wwb]

With one-piece wad/shotcup wads, the wad pressure must be high enough to compact the powder charge, but not so high as to collapse the wad. Usually, anything from 20 lbs to 50 lbs will work fine. Anything between these two extremes will have very little, if any, effect. Wad pressure was more critical back in the "good old days" when you had felt wads and card spacers.

 

[model12freak]

Thanks WWB ! One less thing to worry about.

 

[Burnt Powder]

Well, even collapsing the wad a little doesn't hurt anything, sometimes it is necessary, Many of the new wads actually collapse a ways during crimping anyway. Some wads like the Hornady/Pacific Versalite are designed to collapse to accomidate the different hulls and shot charges that can be loaded with them. Basicaly, like wwb said, if you don't go to extremes either way wad pressure is somewhat a non-issue today. Seat them firmly on the powder and then form a nice tight crimp and your seating problems are gone. With some hulls, namely the 12 ga new style AAs and the Remington 20 ga sts I have to put quite a bit of wad pressure in my loads to get a nice crimp without crushing/deforming my loaded shells. Doesn't seem to effect the pattern in the slightest!

BP