Wads and more wads

[Ga.Smokey]

so as you guys know I've recently gotten into smokeless
I'm running bullet to bore.
I hear about wads
Can someone shed some light on the different types. Where you get them and when to use them
thanks
John

 

[ENCORE50A]

That's almost like asking what the best pickup is.....

There are two basic wads generally used. Veggie and wool. In my rifle, some bullets shoot better with a veggie wad, while another shoots better using a wool wad. Brakes can make a difference, as some tactical brakes won't shoot a veggie wad well and require wool. Radial brakes accept them all.

Luke sells them at Bullets & Sabots - Arrowhead Rifles

Some never use a wad shooting SML. I never shoot without a wad, wool or veggie, depending on the bullet.

 

[Ga.Smokey]

That's almost like asking what the best pickup is.....

There are two basic wads generally used. Veggie and wool. In my rifle, some bullets shoot better with a veggie wad, while another shoots better using a wool wad. Brakes can make a difference, as some tactical brakes won't shoot a veggie wad well and require wool. Radial brakes accept them all.

Luke sells them at Bullets & Sabots - Arrowhead Rifles

Some never use a wad shooting SML. I never shoot without a wad, wool or veggie, depending on the bullet.

When would one suspect they need one?
Poor accuracy
Velocity variations
What are the benefits of a wad in general regardless of type.

 

[ElDiablo]

What are the benefits of a wad in general regardless of type.

Helps seal the bore before and during ignition and protects the base of the bullet.

You can also buy a punch and make your own instead of buying them.

 

[ENCORE50A]

When would one suspect they need one?
Poor accuracy
Velocity variations
What are the benefits of a wad in general regardless of type.

Its like most builders will tell you.......... Remove your breech plug. Then push a bullet 1/2 way down the bore. Look through the bore at a light.

In general ....... using a wad won't cause issues with your accuracy. Some fine propellants require the use, as some can bypass through the grooves. They help seal the bore.

 

[Ga.Smokey]

Helps seal the bore before and during ignition and protects the base of the bullet.

You can also buy a punch and make your own instead of buying them.

Thank you sir
I would suspect it would help with ES and SD also?

 

[ElDiablo]

Assume you are smooth sizing. Depends on the particular dimensions of your bore, but, for example, you may have .450” ish lands and .458” grooves. That’s a lot of space (.004”) for moisture to get by or gas to go by upon ignition before complete obturation. So SD and ES could certainly be affected and thus accuracy ( dispersion).

I wouldn’t shoot without a wad.

 

[ElDiablo]

Some good insight from one of Mark’s posts. Pressure can vary greatly wad vs no wad.

 

[Ga.Smokey]

Some good insight from one of Mark’s posts. Pressure can vary greatly wad vs no wad.

View attachment 38041

Thank you much appreciated
Yes I am smoth sizing.
320 gn dynamo bullets
60 gns reloader 7
I/20 TR
Yes bore is .450/.458
Sizing to .4505 right now have had excellent accuracy but ES SD are not where I want to be.
Am running a lot of muzzle brake.
5 side ports per side.

 

[Ga.Smokey]

Thank you much appreciated
Yes I am smoth sizing.
320 gn dynamo bullets
60 gns reloader 7
I/20 TR
Yes bore is .450/.458
Sizing to .4505 right now have had excellent accuracy but ES SD are not where I want to be.
Am running a lot of muzzle brake.
5 side ports per side.

SD in the 70s Es in the triple digits
Can't shoot distance with that.

 

[ElDiablo]

320 gn dynamo bullets

Dynamos? How’d you pick those? You don’t hear about many guys shooting them.

 

[Ga.Smokey]

Dynamos? How’d you pick those? You don’t hear about many guys shooting them.

They came with the barrel
I wanted one right now so I could hunt with it this year.
It was the quickest way to shoot accurately with a hunting bullet.
My thing is i want as close to bench rest accuracy out of a hunting bullet as I can reasonable get.
I'm ready to hunt inside of the range availible .
Am i ready to go shoot 500 yards
certainly not..

I have a bunch of other bullets to try.
250 grain hornady sst didn't go that well. They didn't stabilize.
I'm sure I need to do something to them. There jacket is really hard.
I'm sure they didn't engage the rifling as they key holed.

I'd like to shoot barnes tmz bullets but I'm out of time.
Hunt starts tomorrow here.
I'll play with it more after season let's out.
Need to get a knurling tool set up I'm sure.