Need some advice

[sniper]

Powder measures and such

One can probably better a ".4-.6 grain" variance with the LEE dippers...?

One possible solution would be to drop into a scale pan and trickle (as needed) to the desired weight.

Cheers!

P.S. Although most progressive press users have some kind of "powder cop" to detect missed or multiple charges, one still needs to verify the accuracy & reliability of the drop: I would opine that +/- .1 gr is the usual goal...?

I could never afford progressive presses with all their marvelous bells and whistles, so my reloading has been done with basic equipment.

For my rifle loads, I used Lee dippers that dispensed slightly less gr. weight than the load I had chosen, then trickled the load to full weight on my scale. Not "efficient" and definitely not fast, but very satisfying to know my loads were consistent.

For my pistols, I have used the little Pacific/Hornady Pistol measure that uses bushings and dispenses consistent amounts, even with Unique. Sometimes, tho, the charge amount published for a bushing doesn't match reality. Best to weigh and know for sure what weight each bushing dispenses, for a good average charge, and I check regularly, and when I open a new bottle of powder.

Recently, I bought a new-appearing full size measure. The fellow that sold it to me had replaced it with an RCBS Uniflow measure. No argument there. Inspecting and tuning the measure, I found the operation to be very rough, so I ran some powdered graphite through it, which helped some. I then polished the drum and body bearing surfaces with FLITZ, which smoothed the operation to what I think it should be. I also found the fellow had installed the small powder chamber upside down. I don't think that did much for his load consistency. Probably reason enough to sell me the measure for a good price. I think I will make a baffle for it, then use it for my pistol loads. I just today figured what sort of a mount I could use.

 

[growr]

To get the most accurate and consistent loads, I counted every flake....
Takes a little longer but I KNOW that the powder is exact.!!

Randy

PS.
Not really, I am very happy with the powder throws on my Dillon 550B.

Was once told there is no way you can load accurate .308 ammo on Dillon 550 with IMR-4895 powder.....really?

I made Master in Service Rifle and he was never close.....but he weighed EVERY charge!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've been using a Lee Pro Auto-Disk for my handgun loading. For rifle loading I'm using a Lyman #55 which is probably the best powder measure made other then the super expensive competition measures.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Good suggestions above: Baffle, tapping, several throws before starting to weigh. One other thing I have noticed is the way the fluorescent lighting in my shop throws off my digital scale. I find when I'm loading a block of 50 pistol rounds, my digital scale has to be re-zeroed five or six times. It's always drifting. When I get a drop that's .5 off, I'll re-zero then re-weigh, and it's right on. Might check that too if you're loading with a digital scale under fluorescent lighting.

 

[twodog max]

I don't think your measure is the problem but your technique may be. As many have pointed out consistency is the key to accuracy. With the ball powders mentioned here is what I do based on nearly 50+ years of loading.
I fill my measure about 3/4 full set a funnel in the measure and mostly fill it. Sort of a baffle. Once I get the charge weight set I charge 5 cases and check the charge weight on the scale. Almost always it is right on the button. I then charge 10 more and check again. I then check the weight about every 25 cases until done and always at the final case.
I work my measure the same way each time, or try to. I visually check each case for powder and the level in the loading block before bullet seating.
This process has served me well loading for a long time. My powder measure is an old RCBS I bought about 1970.
Loading equipment can sometimes be the source of a problem but in my experience most problems are operator induced. Again based on my experience.
Good luck on solving the problem

 

[toad67]

Another option is to pick up an RCBS little dandy powder dispenser. They seem to be pretty cheap these days.

 

[mikejh]

Are you sure that the variation is coming from the powder measure? If you are using a cheap electronic scale it may be sensitive to where you place the weight on the scale, among other things. Do a repeatability test on the scale by weighing the same sample over and over. Do a weight placement test on the scale by changing where you place the weight on the scale.

 

[824tsv]

I'm not sure if this has been covered or not, but what drum do you have in your Uniflow? There is a large and small. In my experiance a large drum is very inconsistant at throwing small charges of powder. For a pistol calibre small powder charge, the small drum is required.

 

[GunsandCoffee]

Technique is usually the culprit and adding a baffle is a good idea.

I fought a Redding measure under similar circumstances and eventually decided the juice wasn't worth the squeeze.

I sold the Redding and purchased a Harrell Schuetzen measure - best money I've ever spent on a reloading tool.

It's an heirloom-quality tool that has performed amazingly well. +/- .1 grain is the most variation I've ever witnessed, but that was the exception.

I've owned them all and I won't use anything but a Harrell.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I’m finding that my RCBS uniflow 3 is not holding the .1 (+/-) grain tolerance that is advertised. It’s varying around .4-.6 grains during a 50 round load.

Do you know the nut is tight? Also do you fill the Uniflow all the way up? Because if it is only a quarter or half full you will get that variance.

I never had a problem in 40+ years of use. I would have to think operator error.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

You should be able to get closer than that with ball powders.
Adding a baffle helps. Some other tricks: keep the hopper about half full, tap the hopper gentle a few times to settle it, give the handle a tap-tap at both ends of the throw, throw about 10-20 charges before you try to dial in your charge weight, etc. They used to sell a small drum for light powder charges that would probably help but they are hard to find now.
Your other option is to throw light and trickle up.

I always keep the hopper full and once I get to about half full I would more powder.

 

[GunsandCoffee]

I use these on my Dillon PMs and it definitely improved their consistency:

RCBS Powder Measure weight | eBay

 

[243winxb]

Funnel used as a baffle in powder measure.

Funnel used as a baffle in my old measure.