weighing powder

len917

len917

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Hi Guys,
I know most or all of you know to check your powder weight carefully prior to dumping it into the case. The problem was setting the beam scale incorrectly reversing the full grains and 10th grain.
Twice this week a caught myself with incorrect weighing.:eek:
I have a RCBS 505 beam scale and a small Hornady digital scale.
The first was using Bullseye in .38 spec. I set the beam scale to 7.2 instead of 2.7. I quickly found this out when I double checked the weight with the digital scale--as I always do on first load. The second time was today. Long story short, It's probably wise to weigh on a digital scale along with beam scale at least on your first load.
Be Alert--Len917
 
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Good catch by you. I also use a beam and digital scales. Use the digital scale for a quick weight check while setting up the powder drop, then when satisfied, I double check with the beam scale (RCBS 10-10]. The beam scale is the “Master Scale” - what it reads is Gospel.
 
When setting up my thrower, I will typically throw 3-5 at once and average the results. I use a Redding beam scale I got back in 1972.
 
Good catch. Your 38 isn't going to like 7.2 grains of Bullseye. One of the best reloading investments I've made is an RCBS Loadmaster. You enter your load weight and the dispenser sends it into the tray. When I use my progressive press, I do like tominboise, and throw several charges to make sure that I'm getting the right weight. The moral of your story is that if you are not going to commit to paying attention, you probably shouldn't be reloading.
 
cmj8591 said:
Good catch. Your 38 isn't going to like 7.2 grains of Bullseye. One of the best reloading investments I've made is an RCBS Loadmaster. You enter your load weight and the dispenser sends it into the tray. When I use my progressive press, I do like tominboise, and throw several charges to make sure that I'm getting the right weight. The moral of your story is that if you are not going to commit to paying attention, you probably shouldn't be reloading.
Click to expand...

Picked up a Hornady Auto Charger last year and love the thing.

Like everyone else has mentioned, I also have a digital scale for checking the drops on the presses when getting things setup for a session.

My biggest complaint would be the Frankford Arsenal scale I have switches to grams when you calibrate it and you have to switch it back to grains, but it's pretty obvious what happened when you look at the numbers.
 
When I zero my 505, I use check weights, either exactly matching the powder load or the nearest combination.
 
STORMINORMAN said:
From an appropriate LEE Dipper into the pan of an Ohaus 1010 and trickled to the desired powder amount...
Allows a cross-check by both VOLUME & WEIGHT.
Cheers!
P.S. You'll NEVER confuse 2.7 with 7.2 (nor vice versa) with this method!
Click to expand...

You'll keep KABOOMS at bay,
When you scoop and weigh. :D

Excessive case lube that contaminates the powder can make for some semi-silent ignitions, and still get the lead 230gr/45s down range.
Just a swooshing sound after a small pop.
 
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Mistakes can and will happen. When you have safety checks built into your loading routine to catch those mistakes before the ammo makes it into the gun. Double checking your charge weight with a second scale is a good practice and prevented a serious mishap. Good on you sir...
 
"I set the beam scale to 7.2 instead of 2.7"

Dyslexia
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Treatments can help manage condition, no known cure.

COMMON SYMPTOM IS REVERSING THE ORDER OF LETTERS AND NUMBERS.
 
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Another reason I try to steer clear of faster burn rate powders.

Years ago I loaded more precision rifle and prefer high density loads.

That carried over to my handgun rounds too. Most powders I use a double charge will jump out at you.

We are all human, we make mistakes. Sure glad you caught these!
 
Have and use 2 RCBS beam scales, my original 10-10 Ohaus( sent back couple years ago for recalibration) and a new 5-5. Also have 6 manuals from 70’s to today which I check.
Always set measure, throw 3 or more amount and weigh on both scales when adjusting to desired weight. This can take some time but you Never Rush any part of reloading. By chance a “ near maximum” load I weigh every 10th weight from powder measure. Use cartridge blocks to hold cases and always check powder level unless inserting bullet into case immediately after charging with powder.
One can Not Be To SAFE when reloading.
 
Good Catch .
Remember in reloading ... Only You Can Prevent Overloads !
Load like you have good sense ... Well Done .
Gary
 
STORMINORMAN said:
From an appropriate LEE Dipper into the pan of an Ohaus 1010 and trickled to the desired powder amount...

Allows a cross-check by both VOLUME & WEIGHT.

Cheers!

P.S. You'll NEVER confuse 2.7 with 7.2 (nor vice versa) with this method!
Click to expand...
The point is that I set the scale in reverse
 
I was a sponsored service rifle competitor for Hornady for quite a few years. A trick to very accurately set your measure that Dave Emary told me to use was to throw 5, or 10 charges in the scale pan, and weight that.

For instance, if you're throwing a 5.6 grain charge, 10 of them should weigh 56.0 grains. Or in larger calibers, say a 54.3 grain charge, 5 of them should weigh 271.5 grains. This allows for a very precise, and repeatable setting on your measure.
 
My scale must be different than yours. I have to turn a barrel on the end of the beam for anything under 10 grains. A person would have to be very distracted to make a mistake doing that.
 
i use a Lyman DPS 1200 electronic dispenser and scale. I verify the first three loads on a beam scale and every tenth one.
 
So you moved the big block on the left to 5, then the little dingus on the right to 2.2?

That is just a total read error. But, your safety protocols worked.

Most of my loading is handgun with a Little Dandy (fixed rotor) measure and ball powders. Verified on a beam scale for single drop and then an average of 5 or 10, then spot checked in the loading block. I'm constantly referring mentally back to my target charge weight.
 
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