Am thinking dhom nailed it. People assume the slight variations in charge weights you may get with unique and some powder measures equal a variation in accuracy. Like automatically assuming a lesser ES in small number of velocity readings equates to better accuracy, it just ain't so.
Redding Powder Measure & Unique
- Thread starter forestswin
- Start date
Am thinking dhom nailed it. People assume the slight variations in charge weights you may get with unique and some powder measures equal a variation in accuracy. Like automatically assuming a lesser ES in small number of velocity readings equates to better accuracy, it just ain't so.
AveragEd
Member
I have a 30-odd year-old Redding measure that came with the smaller "match" micrometer - I don't recall the model name or number and there isn't one on the unit. My only problem with it was a tendency to increase drop weights very slightly and very gradually. After double-checking the micrometer setting, I came to the realization that powder settling or compacting from vibration is the cause. "Fluffy" powders amplify the problem.
I didn't shoot my handguns for almost 15 years until recently, don't use the measure for rifle reloading and had forgotten about the settling business. I loaded 150 .44 Magnum target loads yesterday with 5.5 grains of Clays and after throwing five check drops right on 5.5, it was dropping 5.7 grains after 50 rounds. Then I reset the measure to drop 5.5 and loaded the other 100 with no variation. I just have to remember to bump the reservoir a few times to settle the powder before I start using it.
For rifles, I use an RCBS ChargeMaster dispenser and scale. They are a little costly but they really save time and do the trickling for you.
Those who have mentioned consistent operation of the measure are right on with their advice. If you pause for a second at the top and bottom of each stroke, you'll find your drops to be very consistent with any powder.
Ed
I didn't shoot my handguns for almost 15 years until recently, don't use the measure for rifle reloading and had forgotten about the settling business. I loaded 150 .44 Magnum target loads yesterday with 5.5 grains of Clays and after throwing five check drops right on 5.5, it was dropping 5.7 grains after 50 rounds. Then I reset the measure to drop 5.5 and loaded the other 100 with no variation. I just have to remember to bump the reservoir a few times to settle the powder before I start using it.
For rifles, I use an RCBS ChargeMaster dispenser and scale. They are a little costly but they really save time and do the trickling for you.
Those who have mentioned consistent operation of the measure are right on with their advice. If you pause for a second at the top and bottom of each stroke, you'll find your drops to be very consistent with any powder.
Ed
Heck;
my breathing, grip, trigger pull and eye sight is worse off than any .2 grs difference in powder throws will ever be !!
You guys worry way too much.
my breathing, grip, trigger pull and eye sight is worse off than any .2 grs difference in powder throws will ever be !!
You guys worry way too much.
AveragEd
Member
It isn't accuracy that concerns me with handgun powder drops, it's safety. If I'm loading 2.3 grains of Clays in my .38 Special wadcutter shells and get 2.5 grains instead, that's almost a 10% increase. That may not be anything to worry about but what's that old saying ... oh, yeah - better safe than sorry.
Ed
Ed
OP
forestswin
Member
Ed
I sort of agree - accuracy does concern me - but safety does concern me more. If I'm loading close to max (rarely) or charge range (min to max) is small - the powder measure will be directed right into the scale pan (see picture post #1) for each round. Its my low-tech measure/scale combination.
so far 5.0 grains of unique and 11.4 to 13.2 grains of 2400 are the only charges that go directly into the case. even with them every 5th case goes back on the scale - as the title of the post suggests - verify then trust - but I guess verify will always be around.
