Granulated buffer "wad" powder/shot separator revisit

[Sparkitoff]

I'm curious and intrigued with using a corn meal/farinia/wheatina type buffer in place of a hard wad in shotgun loads. Info here and elsewhere calls for an amount of buffer equal to the amount of powder. Here's the deal - I use pre-measured tubes when hunting. If I put equal amount of powder/buffer in the tube there is too much room for it to move around. Eventually it is mixed all together. However, If I put 7/8 ounce scoop (about 72 grains) of powder I can fill the rest of the tube by using 1 1/2 ounce scoop of corn meal ( about 100 grains). The cornmeal weighs less than a 1/2 in fiber wad and about the same as 3 -1/8th cards. So overall load weight is about the same. Is there something I'm missing? Why does the corn meal have to be the same volume as the powder? Why can't I have nearly twice as much and still be effective?

 

[Sparkitoff]

In case it wasn't obvious, I can just pour the tube of powder/corn meal down the barrel at once for convenience. Then use the shot dropper and overshot card.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I would not drop it together and have not heard or seen it done so.
I understand the equal volume is just for ease of using the same measure.
I have also seen others using a separate flask with a lesser spout for the corn flour.

 

[Sparkitoff]

If I have to add an extra step, I'll likely not do it. I'm tyring to simplify what I carry and the ease and speed of loading.

 

[wtilenw]

I guess the results will be your answer

 

[Britsmoothy]

If I have to add an extra step, I'll likely not do it. I'm tyring to simplify what I carry and the ease and speed of loading.

Yeah I understand that but don't you all ready use fibre and card wads?

 

[Sparkitoff]

Right - so I'm trying to eliminate one step. Pour powder/filler, pour shot, cover.....vs. pour powder, load card, wad (or corn meal separately), pour shot, cover. If it doesn't eliminate one step, I'll just keep on keeping on with wads.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Right - so I'm trying to eliminate one step. Pour powder/filler, pour shot, cover.....vs. pour powder, load card, wad (or corn meal separately), pour shot, cover. If it doesn't eliminate one step, I'll just keep on keeping on with wads.

If you just used thin cards and no fibre wads it would be less. Certainly worth a try to see if you get better performance etc etc.. it is not the law you must use two or even more types of wad like a thick card then fibre then overshot card.

 

[centershot]

I've used an equal volume of powder and corn meal, then my shot load followed by a card. I found better patterns if I used a little more shot than powder, so, 60 gr. of 3f, then 60 gr. of corn meal and then 80 grains of shot.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

I've used an equal volume of powder and corn meal, then my shot load followed by a card. I found better patterns if I used a little more shot than powder, so, 60 gr. of 3f, then 60 gr. of corn meal and then 80 grains of s

What thickness of card over shot?

 

[centershot]

What thickness of card over shot?

The OS card was .030" thickness.