Powder measuring?

[Rcd567]

How do most of you guys measure your powder for your favorite loads? I'm using a balance beam and trickler. Slower than the second coming of the Lord. I know of at least three automatic, digital loaders...Lyman, RCBS, and Hornady. But the reviews on them are mixed. I read where they drift, lose the weight, and don't work worth a darn.

What do most of you use?

Thanks.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Powder measuring?

I've been using the PACT Dispenser and Scale. Easy to use consistant. Scale is seperate and can be used as a standalone scale.

 

[tim3gun]

Re: Powder measuring?

I just got a RCBS loadmaster 1500 and loaded 100 rounds tonight in about an hour. It varied a 10th on a few charges but that is easily fixed. Its waaaay faster than what you are doing. I was doing the same thing you are until tonight.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use the RCBS chargemaster and it works jsut fine. if youre worried about accuracy, it has 2 check weights that you can occasionally throw on there to double verify the zero.

speeds things up exponentially.


Usually I seat a round while the powder for the next round is dispensing.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use a Prometheus, 1 kernel and probably more like 3/4 kernel accurite balance beam dispenser, I can charge a case every 30 seconds, a Gen2 Prometheus is full auto, and 1/3 kernel accurite every 15 seconds, if you have to ask how much you can't afford one.

 

[lvmike]

Re: Powder measuring?

Chargemaster 1500 and Prometheus user here. Chargemaster was good to .1 with some effort and took on avg about 45 seconds to throw and check. The prometheus is a gen1.5 and produces a charge within .1gr at a rate of about 15 seconds when dialed in correctly. It will register 1 kernel but I have not seen a noticeable gain so I use it for the speed and acceptable accuracy. A charge thrown to the kernel still only takes around 35-45 seconds.

Both were good systems and I still leave the chargemaster setup for my 308 and the Prometheus for my 243 as changing powder in either is time consuming.

 

[Jerkface11]

Re: Powder measuring?

I throw every charge. My 6.5x47 is sub MO at 300 meters with Varget. And my .264 Winmag is at 200 with IMR5010. 5010 isn't an easy one to throw either.

 

[Swan]

Re: Powder measuring?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LVMIKE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
and the Prometheus for my <span style="color: #FF0000">243</span> as changing powder in either is time consuming. </div></div>

Aaah, you sellout bitch!

 

[JFComfort]

Re: Powder measuring?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LVMIKE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
and the Prometheus for my <span style="color: #FF0000">243</span> as changing powder in either is time consuming. </div></div>

Aaah, you sellout bitch! </div></div>

Takes one to know one!!

LOL, jk!

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use a Harrells powder measure, RCBS 750 scale, and Redding powder trickler.

 

[Mutt]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use the Chargemaster 1500 as well.

If you want to get faster throws you'll have to go digital.
If you're worried about drifting (as I am) the best advice I read about electronic scales was to calibrate it and then right after successful calibration weigh out a quarter, dime, nickel and penny and write the weights on 'em in sharpie.
Use these to verify accuracy periodically during weighing.
The check weights are great too but I find a little more comfort in the coin weights being closer to my actual charge weights.

Mutt

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: Powder measuring?

Prometheus Gen II

 

[shooter19802003]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use a scale and trickler for precision stuff. For everything else...I just throw the powder directly into the case and check the charge about every 10 time or so. I am not big on electronics.

 

[mscott]

Re: Powder measuring?

I've been a die-hard balance beam and trickler guy, but recently started using the Hornady automatic. When trickling I know I'm accurate to the last couple of kernels. The electronic takes several kernals at a time to get to the next.1. My groups with the Hornady are just as good as the balance beam, so maybe I've been missing something???? Time will tell.

 

[vman]

Re: Powder measuring?

Chargemaster Combo

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: Powder measuring?

chargemaster. Don't forget to put the Mickey D's straw in the spout. That straw will get more accurate results with less over and under charges.

 

[shooter19802003]

Re: Powder measuring?

Damn...I might have to break down and go digital. Peer pressure is a bitch...lol.

 

[Rcd567]

Re: Powder measuring?

I see no one uses the Lyman. Around Christmas a local sporting goods store had one for $125. I'm not sure if it was on sale, or mismarked. Didn't buy it at the time. Am now kicking myself as when I went back to get it, it was $256.

Doh.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Powder measuring?

Everything for 300 yards and less I throw with my Harrell's Premium. For longer range ammo I throw the charge slightly light and use a Lyman's powder trickle to sneak up on it. I use an RCBS balance beam scale for final measure.

 

[TDaly25]

Re: Powder measuring?

I started with the Lyman 1200 DPS and used it for 3 months before it developed a problem. I've been using the RCBS Chargemaster and LOVE it. It is much faster to use and change powders and my accuracy is VERY good. Naturally, some powders are easier to maintain consistency with than others

 

[perkinsd_theone]

Re: Powder measuring?

Lymann 1200. 4 years old and still handing out 76 grains at a time ! been very happy with it and I can honestly say that it doesn't get baby'd.

 

[hgr2]

Re: Powder measuring?

I really don't think most scales are consistantly accurate enough to make a hill of beans diference in the overall charge weight from charge to charge. +- .1 or .2gr is such a small overall percentage of most charges that other variables will have a greater effect on the finished round.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Powder measuring?

I use an RCBS Uniflow to throw charges and an RCBS 505 to weigh. What you use and how you do it is pretty cartridge specific, 1/10th grain in a 300WM is not nearly as crucial as 1/10th grain in a 300Whisper. What you will do with your ammo is also a big factor. I throw charges of Varget straight out of my uniflow for my 6BR loads. I will only shoot them at 200M max and they will be far better than MOA, plenty good for pistol silhouette. If it has to be exact I throw light and trickle. I had a bad experience with a digital scale about 15 yrs ago and have resisted the urge to buy another. I believe I can balance weigh a charge in less than 30 seconds with my method.

 

[5RWannabe]

Re: Powder measuring?

i use a tabletop powder measure to give me an aprox , but still shy of my load mark.

place measured amount on (i know ) digital scale.... where i use a trickler to get the weight i wanted, dump into shell and repeat...