Poweder Measuring Question

PastorDan · 10-09-2010, 14:29

Ok, I am an amateur, I shot my first reloads today and I need to work the loads a bit. A friend has loaned me a Redding powder measure that He says is pretty accurate. And I guess it is, it is accurate within 0.2 grains 8 out of 10 throws. Still for me it is just not consistent enough for me when I am just starting out. If I want to load 4.8 grains I want 4.8 grains in EVERY case.
I have added an electronic scale and powder trickler to my gear. I will throw a charge 0.2 -0.4 grains light, weigh it, then top it off with the trickler. I am doing this for my 9mm and 223.
The question is this, am I being anal (if I am I am ok with that) or am I taking the care that most do. I just want to know that I am loading what I think I am. Feedback please

WiskyT · 10-09-2010, 14:49

I trust a powder measure more than an electronic scale. Most people trust them, I don't.

GioaJack · 10-09-2010, 14:50

Honorable job you have there... I know your boss very well... he has a much better sense of humor than most people realize.

Now, to your loading. Yes, you're being too anal. Even most bench rest shooters don't trickle their powder anymore, they just dump it and shoot, there are many more variables that have more effect on accuracy.

If you're loading pistol and not at or over max loads already you'll never notice the difference with a .02 variance. Different powders have different throwing characteristics, some will throw very consistent but even then .01 variance is pretty much the norm.

If you ever get to the point when you can hold steady enough where .02 grains actually makes a difference in your shots remind me never to shoot against you... at least in a fair fight.

Try throwing a few different powders just so you can see it's pretty much the norm... you'll feel more comfortable with it. Good luck.

Jack

Brass Nazi · 10-09-2010, 15:11

I do that with rifle but not with pistol. .2gr is not worth messing with unless you are at a max load.

Some powders work better in certain measures that others. If you are worried about the inconsistency try using a fine grained ball powder.

PastorDan · 10-09-2010, 15:26

Thanks, Now I know and will be able to reload a bit quicker.
As far as the scale goes, I don't use only a e-scale I have a beam scale also and they match so far. but any feedback on the electronic scale would be benificial also

WiskyT · 10-09-2010, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorDan

Thanks, Now I know and will be able to reload a bit quicker.
As far as the scale goes, I don't use only a e-scale I have a beam scale also and they match so far. but any feedback on the electronic scale would be benificial also

If your beam balance has a problem, you'll see that it doesn't balance smoothly. If your digital scale is off, how would you know? It could be okay with a check weight, and every time you check it, but it could be wrong on a load you trickle up and you wouldn't know it. There are lots of posts on the internet where guys complain about them wandering, interfeared with by flourescent light, and needing fresh batteries etc.

LASTRESORT20 · 10-09-2010, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskyT

If your beam balance has a problem, you'll see that it doesn't balance smoothly. If your digital scale is off, how would you know? It could be okay with a check weight, and every time you check it, but it could be wrong on a load you trickle up and you wouldn't know it. There are lots of posts on the internet where guys complain about them wandering, interfeared with by flourescent light, and needing fresh batteries etc.

Yes...very true...and agree.

oneofthose · 10-09-2010, 15:26

As others have said above, 0.2 is not worth worrying about unless your approaching max loads.

I was that anal when I started out too; better safe than sorry when you're learning. I added one of those little baffle things and that seemed to help. Someone at the club suggested static could cause an issue and they suggested wrapping a dryer sheet around the hopper with a rubber band. I have know idea if that helps any more than wearing one of those goofy bracelets helps with joint pain, but I do it anyway.

**n2extrm** · 10-09-2010, 16:40

As others said I wouldn't worry unless you are at or near max.

A couple of ideas, clean the measure inside and out, make sure it is dry and free of lube.

Wiping it inside and out with a dryer sheet will help with static build up.

Keep the measure 2/3 full or there abouts. This usually helps with consistency.

Tap the measure a bit to try and settle the powder before you begin and after you top it off.

I have never used a baffle before but others have reported improved results with them.

Throw several charges and dump them back into the measure before you weigh the charge.

Again the powder you pick will make a difference. In 9MM I use WSF, meters very well in my Dillon measure. In .223 I am using Varget and it varies .2 grains through the same measure at it's best.

I know you don't have a tumbler, with that in mind you may be getting carbon from the inside of the case on the scale when you dump the charge, this will throw off your readings. Very hard to see it mixed in with the powder if not impossible. Some people will use a dedicated case to weigh their charges. Weigh the case (or zero the scale to the case) and weigh all charges in the case. If you weighed the case subtract the weight if you zero the case then that is your charge weight.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-09-2010, 20:37

For pistol all you need to do is stop using Unique. Almost any good powder will measure .1gr consitent in most powder measure. Rifle is something that is more difficult to find a powder that meters well but they do exist.

PastorDan · 10-09-2010, 20:44

I will try a different powder, that is why I only by 1 pound at a time until I find what works good for me. Thanks

shotgunred · 10-09-2010, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorDan

I will try a different powder, that is why I only by 1 pound at a time until I find what works good for me. Thanks

Try 5.2 grains of WSF or 4.7 grains of Power Pistol.

(Assuming you were talking about 124 gr bullet in a 9mm.)

Colorado4Wheel · 10-09-2010, 20:46

In my measure Unique loads consitently IF I never change the process. Any stop or change in motion to the press will vary the result of the measure.

PastorDan · 10-09-2010, 20:50

I have noticed that I gotta do it just so and I can get the powder to drop even. I am also starting to be able to feel when one does not throw right.

PastorDan · 10-09-2010, 23:20

Sounds like a plan. I will run out my Unique first but I enjoy working the loads out and trying different things. If I can pull the lever on my press I am a happy man

VN350X10 · 10-10-2010, 14:40

P.D.
Like Jack I know your boss well....

Something to point out here that nobody else has mentioned......:
Your powder charge WEIGHT will vary due to humidity in the air.
From a dry day in say, Phoenix to a damp day in Miami, the same volume of powder might vary in weight by as much as a half a grain !
This is why commercial (read Win, Fed, Rem) loading operations use a VOLUME measure for the loading lines.
Once you have determined what volume to make your charge, based on charge weight, and set your powder measure for it, don't wory about day-to-day variations, just keep using the same volume & you'll be fine.
Even if you're at a max load, you'll be O.K.
Even with a benchrest rifle, shooter error makes more of a difference than a .1gr variation !

uncle albert