Fire forming brass with filler

[BronkoRob]

what are your preferred fillers for fire forming brass without bullets?

I’ve come across cream of wheat, toilet paper, and wax as the more popular choices. I’m looking to fire form more 22-250AI brass.

Anyone tried wax? Does this leave any kind of residue or does it expel or burn a way clean?

Most likely, I’m going to pack whatever I come up with to a local indoor range and just shoot to form just out of convenience. Should I be packing cleaning gear for wax or cream of wheat?

 

[L.Sherm]

Work up a load just like any other load and go shoot sage rats or coyotes.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

When Ive used tp or wax it was to hold in the cream of wheat. These days I just use bullets. I think the case is formed much better with sharper shoulders vs fillers.

 

[L.Sherm]

When Ive used tp or wax it was to hold in the cream of wheat. These days I just use bullets. I think the case is formed much better with sharper shoulders vs fillers.

And can be very accurate.

 

[Bullseye69]

If it's an AI you should not need to fire form with fillers.
Just load and go. That was how Ackley designed it.

 

[L.Sherm]

I jam my first firing in AI loads just " because" even though a properly set up AI chamber should have about .003-.004 crush fit.

 

[BronkoRob]

I guess I just need to chase a standard 22-250 load that’s shoots well enough to hunt with.

 

[L.Sherm]

I guess I just need to chase a standard 22-250 load that’s shoots well enough to hunt with.

Thats what I would do.
Look at the target I posted in the 20BR thread fireforming brass at 665 yards.

 

[Bullseye69]

I guess I just need to chase a standard 22-250 load that’s shoots well enough to hunt with.

My 223 AI shot superb fireforming 500rds shooting prairie dogs. Didn't have any issues.

 

[400 Whelen]

I have used both ways. It depends on the case being formed. Ackley cases are easy if the chamber was cut correctly. Rimmed cases are the easiest. Others may not also so easy.

In my opinion the most important thing is that the case being formed must establish correct headspace before you pull the trigger. This can be established by using a false shoulder and using a "crushed fit" with brass. I use this a lot, and I use this method if I'm fire forming with a filler or a bullet. Remember never use a filler and a bullet.

Some folks force the bullet into the rifling by seat the bullet "long". While I have done this; I don't like to because it could create high pressure.

If I'm using a filler, I normally point the rifle downward. I have also pointed the rifle upward. Both directions work well. I don't think you would be welcomed back if you did that at an indoor range, even if you cleaned up your mess.

Pointing the rifle horizontally has not always produced a satisfactory case. In my experience forming a base case with a long, tapered body into an a "blown out" case some if not most of my cases come what with dimples on the body. It looks like an old fat woman at the beach wearing a thong. I think this happens when some of the filler is pushed rearward after it has been forced out of the case and before the body of the case is fully formed against the wall of the chamber.

400 Whelen

Ed

 

[dale06]

I’ve used a bit of powder (unique, If I recall correctly) topped off with cornmeal, and a wad of tissue paper forced into the neck. Keep the muzzle pointed up as you load these in case that tissue plug falls out.

 

[Bullseye69]

I did it simular but I used red dot and a piece of paper towel ,then the corn meal and then topped with paper towel. I wanted the corn meal not to contaminate the powder with any moisture. Idk if it really mattered but I'd load them up and fire them off the next day.

 

[Tiratore]

For my 6mm/30-30 I use cream-of-wheat over BullsEye pistol powder with a paraffin plug. Uncooked, of course.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

When forming brass for my .338-06 Ackley, I use bum-fodder and point the rifle up when firing.
I get a nice 'snowfall' of confetti paper, and the shoulders are formed to about 90%. When shooting my fireform load afterwards, the shoulders form perfectly.

Only drawback is pesky, whiny neighbors when doing so, so now I only do it in the outback here.
All my small case wildcats (17 AH, 22 K-Hornet, 223AI, 243AI) I just load bullets and go shoot chucks and rats with them. I get perfect fireformed cases and the joy of a good hit on one of my favorite rodents.

 

[ray h]

When forming brass for my .338-06 Ackley, I use bum-fodder and point the rifle up when firing.
I get a nice 'snowfall' of confetti paper, and the shoulders are formed to about 90%. When shooting my fireform load afterwards, the shoulders form perfectly.

Only drawback is pesky, whiny neighbors when doing so, so now I only do it in the outback here.
All my small case wildcats (17 AH, 22 K-Hornet, 223AI, 243AI) I just load bullets and go shoot chucks and rats with them. I get perfect fireformed cases and the joy of a good hit on one of my favorite rodents.

Rick, years ago when I started fire forming and had busy body neighbors, I used an off set (inlet/outlet) car muffler. I had short barrels to fit a cheap Sav action from Grn Mt Barrels made. I used a fernco coupler ,1" to 2", on the inlet. I taped up the end of the barrel for a tight fit in the 1' coupler end. Secured with a small muffler clamp. I could set at my picnic bench firing away. It was about like a light cap pistol noise. A couple times she was out while I was shooting. She waved , I guess thinking I was beating/working on something. I tried to reduce the noise more by adding a 4 ft piece of 2" PVC pipe with an end cap and holes on the outlet side. The first shot blew the 4 ft pipe probably10-12 foot killing one of Judys flower pots. I was shocked by the amount of gas, after traveling thru the muffler, from the case using Bullseye and tissue. Much more fun just shooting rodents while fire forming.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Much more fun just shooting rodents while fire forming.

Completely agree Ray!

I fireform on rodents with my 17AH, K-Hornet, 20VT and 223AI. Why waste precious powder at today's prices and a bullet when you can launch a favorite rodent at the same time and get a nice completely fireformed case?

It not only makes perfect sense, but also economical sense now too. For those of us that have been at this for quite a long time, spending $85 for a pound of powder is just outright silly!

The only caliber I used to fireform with tissue paper filler, barrel pointed straight up to keep the powder against the flash hole is my .338-06 Ackley. But I've got enough formed cases on hand now that I don't need to annoy my nosey neighbors any more. Elk hunting sure does not require the same amount of formed cases that rat shooting does!

 

[Bullseye69]

Fire forming with filler wasn't very costly when primers were only 2 cents each. I used to buy reloads at cheap auction prices. Save the case, boolit and primer. Used the primers for fireforming as i wasn't sure what they were but was good enough to ignite the red dot. The powder got saved and sprinkled on the garden for fertilizer.
Now that they're over 10 cents it's really not feasible to do a large amount, hell, even a small amount. Lol