I received my order of 525 BTB today. started to load using data from the BTB piledriver data. I started with 45grains and checking the depth of the powder to the crimp depth of the bullet, I realized there is no way in heck a person can fit 52.5 gr. of H4895 in any case with that bullet. Just to varify my hunch, I proceeded to drop 52.5 gr. in Fed. Rem, Starline, Hornardy, and winchester brass and all brass bulged at the bullet base. Is that the correct data,? is there a misprint, and if not what is the secret.

Hi Quig,

I don't know if the load data for the 525 is correct so please know I am not telling you it is okay to use the method that I use, you must make sure the load data is correct before using what I do.

I load compressed loads in several calibers, my most notorious one is the .256 Winchester Magnum, which I fire from a Martini falling block action. I load 19.5 grains of 4198 and that amount will not fit inside the case!

Before attempting to remove the powder funnel I tap the side of the case until the powder settles about an 1/8th inch below the mouth of the case. This can take several minutes, in fact I use a battery operated vibrating style tooth brush to speed this up a bit. Slowly seat the bullet.

Hope this helps - - but be sure and confirm your load data before proceeding.

Fletch

Hey Fletch, Nice to hear from someone. I did call Bear tooth to varify the load and yes they said it was in fact correct. I am not afraid of compressed loads, but there is no way this charge will fit. I just hope someone with less experience will follow through with the data and hurt themselves. Thats if they can force the bulged case in the chamber. I never ran into data that was this grossly off the mark.

30" drop tube.

I used a drop tube. Its just a matter of simple physical science, a certain amount of matter can only fit in certain amount of space. A person has gone over that simple law if your case bulges.

OK - Since the case bulges even when a drop tube and powder settling efforts are made, how about COAL? Do you HAVE to use the crimp groove, or will your rifle accept a slightly longer cartridge length, i.e., less bullet seating depth? One or two thousandths less depth may make the difference for you. Also, case length may be part of the equation if you must have the crimp groove. Don't trim the brass to minimum - leave it out near max, if possible.

Even using a drop tube, I've found that trickling the powder down the tube instead of just dumping it will help pack the charge better. Stick powder is a lot harder to get maximum density. My favorite 45-70 powder in this burn range is Vihtavuori N133. Might try that or AccurateArms XMR-2015 and see if they won't do the job for you.

I guess you would just have to try it yourself. If you reload the 45-70 try it. I do know the ins and outs of compressing charges. The fact is you can not compress a given charge past the the volume of the case. The load data and bullet is designed for the 1895 marlin, the bullet has one crimp groove designed to cycle through the marlin. The bullet from crimp to base is .83" the compression of the powder is .28" in a straight walled cartridge. The over all bullet length is 1.28" the OAL is 2.557". All I'am trying to say is someone who is new to the game could get hurt if they use the data, it is grossly off the mark. Kdub please try for yourself, if you come to the recommended max send the secret. One last thing compressing that much did deform the bullets and I would like you to get past that problem also.

Oh by the way I do use the 52.5gr. charge of H4895 with a 500gr. Penn bullet with great success.

I have wondered what effect vibration would have on powder/ case volume. You could dispense your powder in the case, then, hold the filled case on a vibrating surface- maybe even your case tumbler, and see if it packs down any.

Darrel