Powder charge method??

[Duffy1298]

Ok gents...I've been reloading for my rifle for some time now. My method for determining the proper weight/amount of powder to use from cartridge to cartridge, is to simply use a dipper and a scale. It works great and all, but damn I can only stand loading a few rounds at a time since it is such a mind f*&k trying to trickle tenths of a grain by hand over and over again. There has to be a better way. What methods/machines/dispensers are you guys using to get the "powder step" of your reloading process done? Thanks for the help!

 

[nauta]

Re: Powder charge method??

My Hornady LNL progressive press drops the charge automatically within 1/10 gr when using a short extruded powder (IMR-8208XBR). I don't measure or trickle at all and still get 1/2 MOA accuracy.

 

[Helter]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Duffy1298</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok gents...I've been reloading for my rifle for some time now. My method for determining the proper weight/amount of powder to use from cartridge to cartridge, is to simply use a dipper and a scale. It works great and all, but damn I can only stand loading a few rounds at a time since it is such a mind f*&k trying to trickle tenths of a grain by hand over and over again. There has to be a better way. What methods/machines/dispensers are you guys using to get the "powder step" of your reloading process done? Thanks for the help! </div></div>

I just started reloading, but quickly determined that I hated weighing charges more than any other step of the process.
So I took advantage of a cabela's sale and RCBS rebate, and got the Chargemaster 1500 combo. I love it.
Just punch in a target weight and hit a button, it automatically dispenses it. When I put the pan back on the scale, as soon as it stabilizes it starts dispensing the same charge again. It takes about 20-30 seconds to dispense 44.5gr of Varget, and in the *very* limited use I've gotten out of it so far (I've done a hundred or so charges), it's only been off once (was over by .1).
It's a lot of money, and definitely sets back the financial benefits of reloading by quite a bit, but it's made it much less of a chore also. Working up a load has gone from tedious drudgery to fun.

 

[Duffy1298]

Re: Powder charge method??

i have seen that dispenser, does it work well i hear it throws charges that are off a few tenths of a gr.

 

[Helter]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Duffy1298</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have seen that dispenser, does it work well i hear it throws charges that are off a few tenths of a gr. </div></div>

So far, in my very limited use, it's been great. It comes with two check weights for verification and calibration, which I checked against another scale and were the proper weight.
I also ran about 30 drops to start out, then weighed them all again to make sure that it's not "fudging" the weight display while dispensing, and those were all exact.
I'll go through another few test series with it occasionally, but the one time it overthrew, it told me that it overthrew (even lit up a little arrow saying "over"), and that time it was only .1 off.
the only thing that I've found that's suspect is the wind/dust cover. If that's not in properly, when closed it can put some pressure on the scale base, which seems to move it's zero by about .3 grains. With that mounted properly though, that hasn't been an issue.

 

[Beef82]

Re: Powder charge method??

RCBS powder measure, trickler, and Redding beam scale. Its not automated, but its affordable and reliable. With short cut or ball propellants it and my technique can be dialed in well enough to only require an occassional verification on the scale. With longer extruded powders I measure every one and trickle most because I'm not happy with being within .1gr.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Powder charge method??

If a charge is properly developed the powder weight can vary a few tenths either way with no appearant effect. But, since 'precision' weighing seems intuitively to be critical and it's easy to do, a lot of us weigh each charge meticulosly. It rarely helps anything at all but it's easy to see and makes a lot of guys feel better so they do it. Including me.

If we can't, or won't, pay attention to our powder handling I suppose it's good to pass that responsibility off to a digital dumpster.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Duffy1298</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have seen that dispenser, does it work well i hear it throws charges that are off a few tenths of a gr. </div></div>

The Chargemaster 1500 is one of the best investments I made for my bench. It's great! Yes, it can sometimes drop an extra 1/10th but it can also be tweaked to lessen that occurrence.

The simple trick of using a 1/2"-3/4" piece of a McDonald's straw , inserted into the end of the dispenser tube, will keep some difficult powders from clumping at the mouth of the tube and falling all at once. You can also "tweak" the internal firmware by changing the amount of time the dispenser will run on fast, medium, and trickle speeds. Just google RCBS 1500 Tweaking. There is also an article on the accurateshooter.com website.

In side to side comparisons, the RCBS is the best of the bunch. I've been using mine for 3+ years now. Even fast enough to use when I'm loading precision ammo on my Dillon 650 and want every charge weighed. I can load at the rate of 100 per hour using this method.

I've run close to 100 pounds of various powders, mostly Varget, through mine and it hasn't missed a beat. Only complaint is that you HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE POWDER DRAIN IS CLOSED BEFORE FILLING

I finally wrote a reminder on the reservoir cap to make sure I did so.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Powder charge method??

I use the powder measure for all spherical powders as the meter very consistently, for the extruded powders like varget and such, the RCBS chargemaster is an absolute necessity.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the powder measure for all spherical powders as the meter very consistently, for the extruded powders like varget and such, the RCBS chargemaster is an absolute necessity. </div></div>

Or an Omega 2-speed Trickler

 

[dlklamfo]

Re: Powder charge method??

You've gotta lose the dipper!!! Get a powder measure to take its place, once you have it set up to throw the charge you need you can then trickle the remaining if you need to.

 

[Duffy1298]

Re: Powder charge method??

i think I'm going to order one next time i have some money saved up

 

[flashhole]

Re: Powder charge method??

I went through all the gizmos and went back to dippers. Sold my electronic measure and the Redding 3BR just sits on the bench. Once you develop a load you can make a custom dipper for that specific charge. Highly repeatable and you know with absolute certainty what charge you put in the case.

 

[Duffy1298]

Re: Powder charge method??

how you go about making a dipper?

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Duffy1298</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how you go about making a dipper?
</div></div>

Old brass with the flash hole soldered closed is a start. Start with a case that holds at least the same volume of powder you going to be "dipping". Straight wall cases work best (IMO). Fill the case with the amount of powder you want, mark the case near the top of the powder line, then cut off. Start with a little extra case and file down as you test the new dipper you just made. For a handle, a piece of #12 or #10 bare copper wire, soldered to the outside of the case works great.

Only downside to dipping is the open powder container/bowl.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Re: Powder charge method??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If a charge is properly developed the powder weight can vary a few tenths either way with no appearant effect. But, since 'precision' weighing seems intuitively to be critical and it's easy to do, a lot of us weigh each charge meticulosly. It rarely helps anything at all but it's easy to see and makes a lot of guys feel better so they do it. Including me.

</div></div>

I agree. It is a pain in the butt and I don't think .1 grain error rate is that important considering there is also the human factor behind the rifle added into the equation. I use the cheap $20 Lee powder measure. It gets you close or right on and then I use a dipper to add until I'm with .1 grain. or trickle back into the hopper bring it down and move on to the next charge. Nevertheless, a good scale is important.

I suppose if a person prefers spot on and has solid proof that his fundamentals behind the rifle are perfect than being anal and throwing money at the problem or standing there dicking around with that one kernel of charge is okay. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[2clicks]

Re: Powder charge method??

I like my Chargemaster for load work ups, But the Harrells powder throw wins hands down once I have a my accuracy load.... much faster to fill cases with.

With the exception of not using powder with longer grains than Varget or IMR4895.

Ball powders rock hard as they do with most mechanical powder throwers.

Imr4064 type powders aren't as consistent out of the Harrells.

Stay thirsty my friend....