Reloading room environment ?

[dvdt]

I had some really bad luck yesterday with some loads. I'm curious if my environment might have something to do with it. Either way, this is something I've been wondering for a while and thought it would be good to discuss.

I have a chargemaster 1500. I leave my varget in the tube. I have paper towel holds around the plastic tube so light isn't hitting the powder. I also lay a bone dry towel over it and now I have a nifty little cover for it.

I used the same components, same lot, same everything and had some terrible vertical stringing.

My questions are:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]am I an idiot for leaving my powder in the tube? [*]do those efficient light bulbs hose up the chargemaster?[*]My AC was on, but I used the plastic cover while dispensing. Am I drinking too much kool aid here?[*]My bench is next to my door (live in an apt), could that affect the powder even though it's in the tube?[*]Any other tricks to the trade to consider?[/list]

I have overhead lights but left them off. In the same corridor if you will that is my "reloading room" I have my computer desk. I have the light with one of those efficient (non LED) bulbs pointing up to the ceiling and wall. Is this a problem? If so, what kind of light won't hose these scales up?

What about my powder in the machine? Dumb idea?

The horizontal stringing wasn't too bad. It's about on par with what I'm capable of I think. There was some wind but I don't think that was the culprit. I'm pretty sure we know who did that, ME!

If the vertical stringing hadn't been so bad, these would have been great groups imho. The best group was around 1.3 edge to edge, but I had several 0.7 and 0.8 horizontal (probably about as good as I can shoot) which makes me wonder if my powder charge was hosed somehow.

I'm not using the McD's straw on my chargemaster, should I? I thought this would only prevent over throws which isn't a problem for me right now. The chargemaster has been dead nuts on every time.

Other ideas or considerations?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

Plasma TVs nearby or on the same circuits have been known to cause issues. I'm sure in an apt there is one nearby.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

Also, do you recalibrate the scale each time before you use it?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

Sorry, keep thinking on this. Also, where's your cell phone? I've gotten weird weights with my cell in my pocket, now it's at least 20' away when loading.

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

jasonK, what scale do you use? My old scale was sensative to interferance. My charge master doesn't seem to be effected much at all.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: montana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jasonK, what scale do you use? My old scale was sensative to interferance. My charge master doesn't seem to be effected much at all.</div></div>

I've got 2 Chargemasters.

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

sorry, don't want make a turn with this thread. Keeping the powder in the tube will discolor the tube. From what I know, that is the biggest draw back. I also live in a very dry area. Moisture wrecking things is almost never a concern.

 

[dvdt]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Plasma TVs nearby or on the same circuits have been known to cause issues. I'm sure in an apt there is one nearby.
</div></div>

I do have a plasma and it is probably on the same circuit. I had it on playing a music channel. I suppose I could try unplugging it next time.

Are plasma TVs considered vampires like the old tube TVs? Do they constantly pull a small amount of current? I suppose I could Google this...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also, do you recalibrate the scale each time before you use it?
</div></div>

Yes, I absolutely recalibrate before I use it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Sorry, keep thinking on this. Also, where's your cell phone? I've gotten weird weights with my cell in my pocket, now it's at least 20' away when loading.
</div></div>

Hmm...I bet my work and personal cell was within 10 ft of the chargemaster. I won't swear to it, but I suppose it's possible that it was in my pocket. I'll try moving them next time.


Thanks for the great suggestions!

I realize it is certainly possible to be shooter induced, but with all 50 shots and not having a single good group, I'm hoping it's something other than the nut behind the trigger.

What about lights?
Draft from the AC ?

 

[jasonk]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dvdt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about lights?
Draft from the AC ?

</div></div>

Those 2 would be low on my concerns list. Ceiling fan maybe, but unless the AC was blowing right on the scale I'm not concerned.

 

[caustic]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

maybe static electricity i leave a dryer sheet under the plastic lid when not in use, also I have my computer monitor right beside and never had any issues from it.

 

[pdogdown]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

Did you take your rifle apart when you cleaned it between groups?

Scroll down and check out the nice article on tuning savage actions. It applies to mine in a McMillan A2 stock. 50lbs on the front and 35lbs on the back where mine is at its sweet spot.

I ran across the same/similar problem shooting a known load that one holed previously and and opened up to 1/2 in. I now have a cheap harbor freight torque wrench that I always use to put my stocks to the same torque.

Hope this helps or you figure out what changed. It can be nerve wrecking at times when one thing changes and you have to figure out what it is.

Justin

 

[pdogdown]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

Also, I have seen cell phones ring on vibrate and make noise come through close computer shields. I wonder if one of those things you put on monitor cables (starts with an F) that shield interference will help the CM.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dvdt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]am I an idiot for leaving my powder in the tube? [/list]
</div></div>

Leaving poweder in the tube is a recipie for the powder soaking up moisture--this will change the burn rate and shorten storage life of any loaded rounds.

Don't do it--check
Idiot--not so much.

 

[dvdt]

Re: Reloading room environment ?

I will start taking the powder out of the tube. Definitely don't need/want moisture finding its way to my powder. Is there any chance this is what caused this ?

Could this be variances in the lapua cases? These were virgin cases and were from different boxes. That seems like a stretch to me?

I did not take the barreled action out of the stock. I'll double check torque on the rings and action screws.