How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

[GasLight]

Hello all,

Wondering if anyone has fireformed a PPC sized case using the Cream of Wheat method? If so, what powder and how much did you use?

Thanks

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

I use a 40 S&W case full of Bullseye then packed cotton on top to hold it in place. I used cotton balls and packed it in the case with a small wooden dowel. Point it straight up and fire it. People will think it's snowing. But there has to be pressure enough that the cotton or cream of wheat has to be FORCED out of the gun barrel. The pressure is what makes the case form to the chamber. I know a guy that was going to do it in his garage. He found out that cotton traveling that fast will leave a hole in sheetrock.

What kind of chamber do you have and who did the work for you?

 

[AJ300MAG]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

I've used 18rg's of 231 to fireform. After I fill the case I press the neck into a block of wax to keep it all together. Might need to experiment with BD to get the correct load. Too light and the body/shoulder junction will have a larger than normal radius.

I wouldn't fireform in a garage...

 

[Clark]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

For 257RAI fireforming, 10 gr of any pistol powder will do, and then back fill with cream of wheat. Coat the outside of the case with a high pressure lube, like Moly-Dee. Fire straight up or fill the case mouth with Ivory soap bar and fire horizontally. This will form half a shoulder.

For .223 shooting rodents, 13 gr Blue Dot is mild with 60 gr bullet, but 18 gr Blue Dot is too hot with 33 gr bullet.

 

[GasLight]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of chamber do you have and who did the work for you?</div></div>

My chamber is a 6.5 DD (grendel improved and shoulder bumped forward). I had the barrel chambered by Brux

I knew that you needed to back fill with something, the cotton balls might works well, may give that a try, how tight do you try to pack them in?

Thanks

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

In a PPC case I can stuff 1 full cotton ball TIGHT with a wooden dowel 6 " or so long. After the powder is thrown, I start packing the cotton in. I do it a pinch at a time. It usually takes me 4 or 5 tries to get the full cotton ball inside. I pack it pretty good as I put it in. Then go over it again when all the cotton is in. This will give you a case neck that you can expand and be able to turn. But the shoulder isn't formed with sharp angles until the 2nd full power load with a bullet.

Is the chamber a tight neck?

 

[AJ300MAG]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

I just finished fireforming some PPC cases last month by seating a .223 bullet <span style="font-weight: bold">(OVER RIFLE POWDER ONLY!!!)</span>and then firing them in a 6mm barrel. The brass doesn't turn out as well as the wax method so I'm going back to the old way. With the small case capacity of a PPC and a load of 18grs + I don't believe detonation is an issue so I skip the COW... YMMV

 

[GasLight]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

No, it is not a tight neck.

I have some red dot here, perhaps that will be better suited than the blue dot, looks like the blue dot is considerably slower than anything mentioned here

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

I'm sure some other powders will do fine. I just had the Bullseye on hand and don't use it any more.

 

[rasp65]

Re: How much blue dot in a PPC size case COW method

I have fireformed for 6.5 TCU using the cream of wheat method. I believe I started around 5 gr of Bullseye and filled the case to the bottom of the neck with cow and put a wad of papertowel on top. I lightly oile the outside of the case and fired it. Checked the shoulder and added powder until I got the result I was looking for. So start low with whatever fast powder you choose and increase until you get your shoulder right. Your barrel will get increadably filthy from shooting this stuff.