matt85
AH legend
I was sitting around bored today and decided it might be fun to make a small tutorial of how I make cartridges for my 8-bore 3.25" double rifle. Use at your own risk!
1. I start with a primed 3.25" case and 67gr of Alliant Blue Dot.
2. Next is four 1/2" cushion wads, three overshot cards, and one 1/8" nitro card. This stack-up is simply what I found got the bullet to sit properly at the top of the case and has not been tweaked for accuracy reasons. These are pressed over the powder using tools included in the 8-bore load kit from RMC. A simple dowel would work as well but getting the thick cushion wads started can be a little difficult.
3. For the projectile I typically use the 84-1200 mold from Accurate Molds. Mine was customized to produce a 0.850" bullet. I also have a push through sizing die that was custom made for me by a gentleman off another forum. The alloy I'm currently using (random scrap lead) is producing 0.849" bullets weighing it at 1240gr.
4. For seating the bullet, I simply put a little Duco Cement around the forward driving band and push the bullets in by hand. I haven't tested this glue extensively, but the idea is to prevent the bullet from shifting under recoil instead of crimping. I got the idea from a black powder cartridge forum and have been testing it in recent loads. Here is the final result:
Lastly here is a picture of the assorted components used in the making of this cartridge:
1. I start with a primed 3.25" case and 67gr of Alliant Blue Dot.
2. Next is four 1/2" cushion wads, three overshot cards, and one 1/8" nitro card. This stack-up is simply what I found got the bullet to sit properly at the top of the case and has not been tweaked for accuracy reasons. These are pressed over the powder using tools included in the 8-bore load kit from RMC. A simple dowel would work as well but getting the thick cushion wads started can be a little difficult.
3. For the projectile I typically use the 84-1200 mold from Accurate Molds. Mine was customized to produce a 0.850" bullet. I also have a push through sizing die that was custom made for me by a gentleman off another forum. The alloy I'm currently using (random scrap lead) is producing 0.849" bullets weighing it at 1240gr.
4. For seating the bullet, I simply put a little Duco Cement around the forward driving band and push the bullets in by hand. I haven't tested this glue extensively, but the idea is to prevent the bullet from shifting under recoil instead of crimping. I got the idea from a black powder cartridge forum and have been testing it in recent loads. Here is the final result:
Lastly here is a picture of the assorted components used in the making of this cartridge:
