I just reloaded 280 rounds for a match this Sunday and was unable to hold a consistant powder charge. I was aiming for 5.6 grains of W231, and weighed every tenth charge. If I made a correction, I weighed after five. But my charges were ranging from 5.4 up to 6.0, sometimes varying between drops. Now, I load this without much correction normally. But it has been a couple of weeks and the powder doesn't get dumped into the container when I'm finished. I use a Dillon 650, and the powder jar seals pretty tight, so I've never worried about humidity. It is also in an air conditioned room, with a fairly constant temp. I used the primer follower and stirred the powder and it did not appear clumpy, but the only thing different is the amount of time the powder has been sitting out. Do you think my powder is too moist? Is there something I not considering? I am sure of my measurements, each case was completely dumped out, if I got a very high weight I would measure the next few and sometimes it returned to normal weight on the next one. My press is not that old that anything would be worn, everything is clean. Any ideas for me to try? Can you put a dissecate bag in the powder?
Do you dump your powder measure every time?
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duckloads
Member
I dump my powder mesure after each session. I might go two weeks without reloading, and I do not want to have to remember what powder I last used. dumping my powder is just part of my "clean up" proceedure after the session. But, I guess that it's not to hard to tell the difference between the 4 powders I use.
I do not load large quantities but do load many different calibers. I just use a little Lee Perfect Powder measure and dump unused back in the jar and throw the handle several times to clear it out. I keep a piece of masking tape next to it and write down what powder and grains it was last set at.
OP
At this time I only use W231. I guess out of convenience I've gotten used to leaving powder in the powder drop. Can humidity cause metering problems? I there anything else I should be looking at? The Dillon powder jars seal up pretty good. In my past sessions I could vary maybe .1gr up or down. Nothing else has changed in the set-up.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
Humidity can cause metering problems, but 231 is not highly hygroscopic, and you found no clumping. If you were loading SR-4756 or had found clumps, I'd be more likely to suspect humidity was the culprit. Unless the rate or vigor which you cycle your press is inconsistent, I don't know what might be the problem. Have you checked your drop tube for spider webs?
I can not help you much on that as I do not know how the Dillion meters powder but to me a variance of 5.4 to 6 grs is a lot. I manly use the same powder in HP-38 and I check every 10 to 20 cases on a Dillion beam balance and do not have that kind of variance.
OP
I agree that is alot. I need more control to make power factor. I guess the powder measue is going to get torn down for inspection.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
What you can do is take some powder out of the hopper, weigh a measured volume of it, then weigh the same measured volume out of a sealed factory container. If there is much difference in weight, then humidity is likely the culprit.
I always make sure the powder hopper on my 550 is at least 1/3 full when loading, and I smack the side of it a few times after I first fill it to settle the powder. Then, I dump the first charge, since it will always be a bit overweight. After that, I just try to keep the rate and intensity of cycling the press consistent. If you've only been getting 0.1 gr. of variance in the past, it sounds like you've been doing all that, anyway.
I always make sure the powder hopper on my 550 is at least 1/3 full when loading, and I smack the side of it a few times after I first fill it to settle the powder. Then, I dump the first charge, since it will always be a bit overweight. After that, I just try to keep the rate and intensity of cycling the press consistent. If you've only been getting 0.1 gr. of variance in the past, it sounds like you've been doing all that, anyway.
TSQUARED
Member
I always empty my powder measure aftyer completing a reloading session. Your stated range of 5.4 to 6.0 gr. W-231 is excessive.
I use a Dillon 550 and have it set up with a compkete die set and powder measure for each caliber i load. I mark the powder drop on a label placed on the plastic tube. When I return two eeeks or a month later the powder drop has not changed! I am at a loss to explain your excessive variation within a days loading session.
I use a Dillon 550 and have it set up with a compkete die set and powder measure for each caliber i load. I mark the powder drop on a label placed on the plastic tube. When I return two eeeks or a month later the powder drop has not changed! I am at a loss to explain your excessive variation within a days loading session.
oldRoger
US Veteran
I run a dehumidifier in the work room, RH varies between 37-40%,
I shake the powder container before dumping into the measure,
I have baffles in my powder measures,
I keep a tight lid on the powder measure at all times,
I never leave powder in the measure more than a couple of hours.
What we are doing is inherently difficult; we are trying to measure volume to a specific weight.
A good many cakes have been ruined because the flour was more or less fluffy.
I shake the powder container before dumping into the measure,
I have baffles in my powder measures,
I keep a tight lid on the powder measure at all times,
I never leave powder in the measure more than a couple of hours.
What we are doing is inherently difficult; we are trying to measure volume to a specific weight.
A good many cakes have been ruined because the flour was more or less fluffy.
Amici
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Agreed. There are a number of very good reasons for doing so.
That said, I have NO idea why you are getting such an excessive spread, other than inconsistent operation. I run two 550s and get only minor varations - about .2 grains - if I slam down on a hard-to-seat primer or the like.
magnum12pm
Member
I may have missed it but did you say what type of scales your are weighing your charges with. I once had a electronic scale that just suddenly went out of whack. I did not have time to send it back for repair, I just ordered another one. Problem solved! Its worth looking into, if for no other reason, just to rule it out of the equation....
K96771
US Veteran
Like OCD1, I use the Lee and dump it after each session. I also find that my measurements are more consistent and accurate when I keep it at least 3/4 filled. Accuracy seems to drop when the powder level goes below half.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Choice of words?
Remind me not to be in the room with you when you are loading. When you slam down on a primer, you run the risk of having a primer discharge.
I'm sure you just meant to color your explanation with hyperbole, but remember this, we have folks that are less than novices on this forum.
"Slamming down on a primer" is not the most intelligent way to add that color.
FWIW
p.s. Don't anyone else "slam down" on a primer. You may not like what happens next!
Remind me not to be in the room with you when you are loading. When you slam down on a primer, you run the risk of having a primer discharge.
I'm sure you just meant to color your explanation with hyperbole, but remember this, we have folks that are less than novices on this forum.
"Slamming down on a primer" is not the most intelligent way to add that color.
FWIW
p.s. Don't anyone else "slam down" on a primer. You may not like what happens next!
I empty the measure after each day's use even if I am going to use it again tomorrow. That is probably overkill, but I work hard to eliminate anything that has the remotest possibility of creating an overcharge or of using the wrong powder. Reloading is one hobby where it pays to be very consistent (even anal) in everything you do. I also don't like the possibility that the powder might settle and compact resulting in denser and heavier charges from the measure.
nitesite
Member
Ninety-percent of the time I empty the measure when I leave the room for the day, unless I am going to continue with the exact same load the next day.
Amici
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NOT if you're using a Dillon - which I specifically stated I was.
Dillons size and DEPRIME on the DOWN stroke. If you have a stiff primer, as you likely will if you have a piece of that d***ed Federal "NT" brass, you have to give the handle a sharp pull downward to eject the primer.
That is now my clue to toss the case, as regular primers do not seat well in "NT" brass.
Hoptob
Member
That's right, I'd start by checking the hadrware. Make sure everything is properly assembled, clean inside, moves freely, etc. I had a similar problem once. It got traced back to bent tip of a spring; it kept popping out of it's hole (red arrow in the picture).
Doubt it's your problem, but I always dump my powder measure, bar and funnel. Would hate to have to think "What was that powder that I was loading last month? I think it was HS6... Or maybe it was Bullseye?"
Safe storage of explosives is another concern; I have kids in the house.Mike
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