I go away for a few months

[LSP972]

The TP trick was commonly used when I briefly messed around with old-calibre rifle cartridges. I really dont trust the method to be honest...to many variables. I would prefer my reloads to go "bang" and not "BANG!"

If you're trying to develop an accurate load, then no, it isn't much help there.

What we do is download a cartridge to reduce the bullet's muzzle velocity, so it won't disintegrate/distort when it hits the water. We're strictly going for rifling impressions on a more-or-less intact bullet for comparison purposes. And not just bullets designed to expand; FMJ will squash and flatten out. The only thing we've seen so far that isn't affected is AP and other steel core projectiles.

For this purpose, the TP does just fine; keeping the reduced powder charge at the bottom of the case and greatly lowering the chance of detonation.

.

[LHS]

If you're trying to develop an accurate load, then no, it isn't much help there.

What we do is download a cartridge to reduce the bullet's muzzle velocity, so it won't disintegrate/distort when it hits the water. We're strictly going for rifling impressions on a more-or-less intact bullet for comparison purposes. And not just bullets designed to expand; FMJ will squash and flatten out. The only thing we've seen so far that isn't affected is AP and other steel core projectiles.

For this purpose, the TP does just fine; keeping the reduced powder charge at the bottom of the case and greatly lowering the chance of detonation.

.

I've seen that done quite a bit with blackpowder cartridges. One older gentleman that shoots the local Safari Rifle matches tends to bring various BPE-chambered doubles, and every time he presses trigger, there's a puff of dense white smoke and a bunch of cotton batting flying downrange.