The Lyman reloading handbook talks about using a dacron wad over low volume powder charges.  I presume this is to keep the powder against the primer for more consistent ignition?  Well, I am working on a load for my 45-100 at the moment using 4198, which is pretty fast and doesn't fill the case.  I have been getting some flyers, so I thought I'd try putting some of that fibery stuff in and see if it helps.  

500 gr RCBS, 20:1 
32 gr 4198
WLR primers

I shot three, five shot groups today.  My control group at 150 yards measured 1 1/16" (plus a flyer), and the two I shot with the additional wad measured 4" and 5 1/8".  That is significantly worse.  That is no better than the squib load I am working up.   

It looks to me like that answers it.  Does anyone have any comments?

If the rifle is handled same way every time, muzzle up or down, makes no difference long as it's consistent, and the powder is burning up to the intended rate wads are not necessary. 

Wad itself adds another factor that has to be consistent to give good results. How big is a "tuft" weight, position on the powder. compressed or fluffed up lot of things that can go wrong.

Wad is a good way to increase pressure and get powders up to burn rate. You could use a faster powder instead.  I would try some 4759.

Boats

Wouldnt  A 1/4" or longer piece of floral foam work the same way? Instead of Cream of wheat or Kapok?

What is Kapok, Rat Rod? And wouldn't cream of wheat raise the pressures more significantly than something more open and lighter?  And what is "floral foam" Skalkaho? 

Does anyone have the latest Lyman handbook?  I'm curious to know if they still recommend the dacron wad in their 45-70 loads.

Whistlepigger
Look some where else for your flyers. Dont believe everything lyman says. They have had problems in the past. Use powder mfg. sugestions and play with primers, crimp and over all length. I use a quality magnum primer with reduced capacity loads and seat bullet to engage rifling. No unburned powder just tells you all powder is burned an not at what pressure.
Tom

A quick search came up with:

Kapok
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

The search feature on the internet is amazing and easy to use. I use google

Tom,

It is a rolling block action made by Pedersoli with a Bobby Hoyt barrel chambered in 45-100 and stocked by me.  It has a 1:20 twist and is 36" long.  It is my current all around centerfire which I use for woodchucks, coons, strays, and target out to 400 yards, though most of my shooting (target and otherwise) is 200 yards and less.   

I have had it in this configuration for about ten years.  (Before then it was a 45-70.) I used to like Reloader 7 until it went overseas.  I have found the new stuff to be corrosive (!) and not as good, so that is why I am working up a new load with 4198.  It has always done well for me, but it meters poorly due to its grain size.  So far I am happy with the results this time around, but I do get occasional flyers which are annoying.

I hope I am using the right term when I say "flyer."  These are single shots outside the otherwise contained group.  They are almost always within 3" of center at 150 yards--too far for good woodchuck accuracy--and seem to appear about one in eight or ten shots or so.

You mentioned seating depth, crimp and so on.  So far, crimping seems to open my groups up, though I have only tried a profile crimp at this point.  I have not yet experimented with different OAL, though for this bullet to engage the rifling, it would have to be pretty far out of the case to reach it.  (It has a long ogive.) 

KAF, thanks for the suggested reading.  I had not heard of it.  I looked it up, and it was printed in 1995, which was after I had been loading for awhile and after my spell of reading everything on the subject.  I'll see if I can lay my hands on it somehow.  (Oh yeah, and thanks for teaching me about Google. )

My squibs are loaded with light charges of Unique. No Wads. Throw them from a fixed rotor pistol measure.  Take primed cases to the range throw charges increasing until I hear it "crack" supersonic then back down one rotor.  Then work well, almost by a thin margin as accurate as a .22 rimfire.  You do have to mount the gun same way every shot. 

With Unique or any light pistol powder charge it's possible to make a two group  target same rifle by elevating one shot dropping the muzzle next one alternating. Most Cowboy Action loads are Squib and Unique is a often used powder. Short range light bullet low velocity large case it's the best solution.

Back in the days when all of this was new to me I tried Kapok tufts in my 45/70's  Kapok was the flotation in life jackets before man made materials were used.  We got it from old Vest that would not pass inspection. It's a vegetable fiber.  Today I have no idea were you would find Kapok.   When I started shooting matches with "old" guys who knew how to get single shots to perform they got me off the wads as just adding another variable. 

Now I am "old" and don't use wads

Boats