I use them on Black Powder loads. Black takes up a lot of space in the hull so Fiber filler is appropriate. Typically fibers take up less space in the hull than a modern plastic wad. Here is how the stack goes
Powder
Nitro card over powder wad, I use the .125, they come thicker and thinner. You need the Nitro over powder to provide a barrier between hot gas and the filler wad.
Filler wad, I use a variety of fiber filler wads. Most of the time buy the 1/2 inch gauge specific and split down to right thickness or use more than one to get a good crimp. Filler fibers are available in several configurations wax coated etc. I use the plain old fibers. Will also use filler wads in modern plastic shot cups to take up space. Example 16 G fiber bottom of a 10 G shot cup intended for larger shot loads makes it fill nice with 1 1/8 oz shot.
Shot
Over shot card wad. Again available in several thicknesses, depending on what the load needs. If fold crimping you don't have to use the over shot wad. But sometimes I do use a O/S in old paper hulls that don't crimp very well.
Thing about the fillers is you use them to adjust stack height. Makes different shot and powder charges come out right for crimping. Ballistic Products has load data for fiber wads, Black or Smokeless. You want to check them for data with your components. Pressures are a function of the whole load, hull, primer, powder, shot wads etc. Fiber may or may not decrease it, Use good reliable data and you won't go wrong. Everything used to be loaded with fibers it's not unusual.
Honest other than biodegradable I don't see any good reason to use fiber wads in smokeless loads. Black powder does not do well with plastic wads, melts and makes a mess, fiber is the way to go.
William Davis
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