"pipe insulation" doesn't do it for me.  WHAT kind of material is it?  Or at least a picture and a brand and/or product #.

MSDS sheet will tell WHAT is in it.

The pipe insulation I'm familiar with is the dense black foam type, and I don't know of anyone using that for wads. I'd sure never use any petroleum based foam product in a load. It's flammable, melts easily, and just a poor choice in a cartridge loading scenario.

I tried it (black pipe insulation) in my wifes 32/20 w/o any problems. My only issue was that, because it's round, it was hard to cut with my punch and die. I didn't use a wad cutter like Dave's. I do it in a arbor press.

I stopped using it because of that. I think it's a good idea, as I think it cleans the bore, every shot. I should probably try it in my rifle with #9, to see if it helps the carbon build up.

But, after I put the STS on the rifle, there was enough room under it, to load w/o spilling so, she quit using any wad. She know my feeling on them

We don't pre-charge our cases so, it's a real hassle to keep track of those little, extremely light things. One heavy breath and they're on the ground!

Frank

Kynoch, back a few years ago, told me to only use foam that wouldn't burn, and that's all they sell, so I've stuck with that caution.

This wad discussion (cork/floral foam/pipe insulation) (seating on/off powder/at case mouth) is confusing and disconcerting.  For me, I think sealing the mouth with the foam is least likely to ring a chamber, but that is my best educated guess.  While I could envision chambering an unplugged 32-40 case, I know I am not going to be able to chamber a 32-20 case 3/4 full of powder into a benched rifle without spillage.  So, we takes our guess and takes our chance, I suppose.

Thank you, Dave. That worry about ringing a nice, old barrel is one reason why I never used a wad. The idea of the foam is intriguing, though. But, after seeing that you didn't get any promising result, I guess I'll leave well enough alone. It's been fun lately to try out some molds that I'd left unused for a long time, along with some harder alloys and sometimes it's been rewarding, too. I'd just hoped for one more thing to add to the experiments.

John, It doesn't get any better than that. What a joy life is when you have a reason to wake up and get going onto the next adventure. Again ...............  my sincere thanks.