weighing reloads

[cracker57]

A thread on squib loads brought this to my attention, out of 34 responses only 2 people brought up that they weigh their reloads to prevent/check for squibs.
How many reloaders here weigh their finished round? One would have to sort their brass by head stamp but can you still figure out the powder charge? Factory ammo varies by a grain or 2. I don't sort my brass but I would if it was a fool proof way to to stop a squib before it happens.
What do the reloaders here say?

 

[rockquarry]

A waste of time, especially with handgun cartridges that have small powder charges. Weight of each component will vary enough to tell you nothing. Far better to pay close attention when loading and visually inspect the powder charge in every case before seating a bullet. If a measure won't throw a charge consistently, don't use that powder.

 

[USSR]

Wasting your time. The variance in weights of cases and bullets will constantly give you false info as to the charge weight.

 

[gwpercle]

Weighing a round of loaded handgun ammo may not catch a squib remember the cases vary in weight and the bullets vary in weight ... my answer is to reload on a single stage press, in batches of 50 , and reload in such a way that I can inspect the charged cases 3 times ... with my eyeballs ... and check the powder level in each case very closely ... Three Times , before seating a bullet ... My eyes have never lied to me ... empty , partial charge , correct charge and double charge cases are easy to spot .
Since doing the 3 X Eyeball Check ... no problems going on 45 years ... your eyes are usually very good at spotting things .
Gary

 

[2500]

I have done this in the past. While variations in bullet and or casing weight could vary a couple of tenths of a grain, a missed powder charge will be several grains. While I agree with checking the load by sight (which I do) , it can be a last ditch check if you get distracted during reloading, which does happen IRL.

 

[yeti]

Just pay attention while loading. Use a mirror and/or LED lighting if needed.
Weighing completed reloads to screen out your failures is pointless. Sad, too.
Also, sad.

 

[AlHunt]

If you're checking 44MAG rounds with 22 grains of powder, you'd probably see an uncharged case. But, something with 3 to 5 grains, you'd drive yourself nuts.

For me, I use the Little Dandy powder measure with fixed rotors. I hold it by hand and methodically charge 50 to 100 cases in the charging block, checking cases before and after. Nothing is fool proof but this is pretty close.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

A good light on your press or a light mounted on the bench to shine into the charged case is what I do. Take a good look at every one. When I do rifle I use a 50 rd block and check them with a light after charging. Weighing loaded rounds tells you nothing.

 

[drayks]

I sort my small primer 45 Auto brass by headstamp, then case weight after trimming for my PCCs only. I have seen case weights from 78 to 93 grains for Winchester brass, this is extremely hard to manage that much variation and KNOW when the powder charge weight is off. The BLAZER and *FEDERAL* SPP brass only varies between 88-92 grains, much more consistent than WIN. Just sayin

 

[scattershot]

Just check each case for a powder charge before seating a bullet. No need to go to all that trouble.

 

[WR Moore]

I just went through this.......turns out Speer 158 gr LSWCHP have weight variation you'd like to see in rifle match bullets. Case weight, even same brand, was another story. Maybe if your cases all came from the same production lot you might have a chance, but I doubt it. It's amazing just how tiny a weight a grain is.

 

[pantannojack]

I weigh every powder charge except 231 in 38 spcl, 9mm, 45 ACP. I am not so pressed for time that I cannot reload safely.

 

[Rule3]

Just in case nobody mentioned it, Waste of time

 

[Doriangray6]

A thread on squib loads brought this to my attention, out of 34 responses only 2 people brought up that they weigh their reloads to prevent/check for squibs.
How many reloaders here weigh their finished round? One would have to sort their brass by head stamp but can you still figure out the powder charge? Factory ammo varies by a grain or 2. I don't sort my brass but I would if it was a fool proof way to to stop a squib before it happens.
What do the reloaders here say?

A friend of mine that shoots long distance matched with rifles and revolver goes to such extremes with his reloads but I just check every 10th powder load as it goes through my Dillon Square deal press to make sure it's staying within my desired load spec.

 

[rwsmith]

I check them every step of the way, visually. If I come across a leftover, odd out cartridge from long ago, I'll shake it. You can hear and/or feel the powder inside. Usually works with revolver and definitely rifle cartridges (I seldom fill up a case), not so much with 9mm/.380 and such.