Originally Posted by CPMcGraw

So the pressing action is multi-layered? You fill a small amount, press it, fill some more, press that, etc... until you build up the final amount of powder, then perhaps, you give the whole mass one final pressing to reach the desired compression density?

That explains why the mandrel approach would be difficult. You would also need a mandrel at each fill and press station, and getting the mandrels aligned correctly each time would be difficult. The drilling process can be done in one pass after the cylinder has been filled and final-pressed.

It's a shame the BP couldn't be hard-pressed into pellets separately, then soft-rammed into the cylinder during the final assembly. I know this brings possible deformation and cracking issues into the pellets, leading to grain failures (CATOs).

I'm learning as we go along. This was new information to me. Thanks!