Lock-N-Load measure question

[stu1ritter]

`I was working on some light 44 magnum loads with 6 gr. of Trail Boss behind 240 gr. LSWC. I was getting wildly erratic throws from the measure. I always throw 10 or 15 to settle everything and I could not get any consistency at all, varying as much as 3-4 grains per throw. Sometimes right on, sometimes half charges. This is my first experience with Trail Boss and it isn't very satisfying. Wonder if anyone else has experienced this. I normally use Bullseye, VV N320 and Clays and never have any metering problems with those powders being usually plus or minus .1 gr.
thanks,
Stu

 

[FishingPilot]

Not exactly sure what you are using for a powder thrower. My experience is this:
If I take out the indexing rod on my Lee press and use it in single stage mode (load powder in all of the cartridges, then seat the bullet in all of them, then crimp all of them) I never get accurate charges after the first one unless I reach up and vibrate the hopper so the powder settles in the pocket. When the press is indexing, the vibrations of the different stations settles the powder into the pocket. Again, just my experience with powder throwers.

If you have it bench mounted, then none of this helps.

 

[stu1ritter]

This is the Lock N Load powder measure that comes with the Lock N Load progressive press. After the trouble with the Trail Boss I emptied the measure and refilled with VV N320 and once again, never more than .1 gr deviation. It's almost as if the Trail Boss wouldn't flow into the measuring drum. The powder measure gets bounced around with each stroke, much like using a tapper on an old measure.

Stu

 

[aguablanco]

I have the same unit and absolutely no problems with W-231, H-P 38 0r Bullseye so far. Is it possible the powder got a little wet? You could try wiping everything down with a dryer sheet in case it's static related.
RichH

 

[spfortjohn]

rub a dryer sheet on the outside of the plastic tube, Might be a little static in the tube

 

[stu1ritter]

I do have the press connected to ground with a nice ground strap but perhaps the static buildup is in the plastic hopper. I'll give it a go and see what happens.
thanks,
Stu

 

[FlyFish]

I have had the exact same problem with TB in the LnL powder measure. The TB flakes are rather large and very light, which makes them susceptible to bridging when you use the pistol rotor with its small-diameter cavity. I switched to the rifle rotor when using TB and the problem went away - the variation between throws is a bit larger than I would generally prefer, but I only use TB for very light .45 Colt cowboy loads, so for that application a little extra variability makes no difference.

 

[H Richard]

Look at the size and structure of the powder granules. Bulky granules don't throw near as accurately as ball powder or fine grain powder.
they clump and hang up in the drop tube.

 

[stu1ritter]

Thanks FlyFish. In the back of my mind, when I finish with the VV N320 this go round I'll put the rifle drum in and try it. I would think 6 - 8 grains should meter out of that thing. I'll give it a go. You really get spoiled with powders that meter properly. I've also had a few "warmer" shots from Clays through the L-n-L measure. I've ordered a RCBS pistol competition measure for another press but I think I'll try it in the LNL.
Stu

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have the same (older) model and another thing you might do is tap the handle in the top and bottom positions which can help empty the powder and settle it...........

Sometimes a good cleaning of tube and dismantle of powder tube and light lube of frame is needed to put back is top shape.......dust,goo,and crud can build up,over time as well as serface rust.

Good luck.

 

[bluetopper]

Take the baffle out of the powder reservoir if you haven't. I never use mine with any powder.

 

[FlyFish]

I would think 6 - 8 grains should meter out of that thing.
Stu

Should be OK - I was able to get satisfactory (not great, but OK) performance from the rifle rotor throwing only 5 gr charges of TB.

 

[stu1ritter]

I have had the exact same problem with TB in the LnL powder measure. The TB flakes are rather large and very light, which makes them susceptible to bridging when you use the pistol rotor with its small-diameter cavity. I switched to the rifle rotor when using TB and the problem went away - the variation between throws is a bit larger than I would generally prefer, but I only use TB for very light .45 Colt cowboy loads, so for that application a little extra variability makes no difference.

Well, finally got around to using the rifle drum for 6 gr of TB. Nope. I am getting 2-3 correct at 6 and then it throws 5.5. I've wiped the measure down with anti-static cloth and gave it a shot of anti-static spray on the outside. Still throwing too far off for me to consider using. I'm just going to trade this bottle of TB for something else.
thanks to all,
Stu

 

[ga6693]

I have the same problem with TB in my LNL AP press. TB is one of those powders that does not meter well due to the bulkiness of the granules.

 

[358156hp]

Some combinations just aren't always practical. I have a terrible time with Titegroup in my Dillon measure. It's not a real issue since I've grown to loathe Titegroup.

 

[MarkDozier]

Thanks FlyFish. In the back of my mind, when I finish with the VV N320 this go round I'll put the rifle drum in and try it. I would think 6 - 8 grains should meter out of that thing. I'll give it a go. You really get spoiled with powders that meter properly. I've also had a few "warmer" shots from Clays through the L-n-L measure. I've ordered a RCBS pistol competition measure for another press but I think I'll try it in the LNL.
Stu

Use the Rifle drum and large rotor and you should have no proble,. i use TB in 30-30 loads and they were all dead on =-.1 grain.

 

[AzRedleg]

I have also had large variations using TB in my Lock and Load powder measure. As others who have actually used this combination have alluded to it has nothing to do with static, wet powder, or a dirty measure. The pistol rotor is much worse than the rifle rotor which works pretty good. It has everything to do with the shape of the powder granules. The pistol rotor ID is just too small to deal with powder granules this large and light but is extremely accurate with the finer powders. Interestingly, TB flows through my lee perfect powder measure...perfectly!

 

[stu1ritter]

With the L-n-L measure using the pistol drum I was getting anywhere from 3-6 gr. drops while looking for 6 gr. drops. With the rifle drum I'd get 2 pretty accurate 6 gr. plus or minus .2 and then a 5.5 or even a 5 grain drop. This combination of Trail Boss and the L-n-L measure just wasn't making sense to fight with. I have ordered an RCBS competition pistol measure for another press and I will give that a try and see how it works but considering the size of TB granules and the smallish size of accurate pistol drums, I don't think it will work, but I will try it. Interesting that TB works well in the Lee!
thanks,
Stu