Powder Measure Question in Reloading Forum

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Powder Measure Question

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Jeff B	Powder Measure Question	Lead	[-]
Posts: 55 Mar 11 06 2:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None It appears that the weakest link in my reloading is my RCBS powder measure. I'm not talking about speed but accuracy. It's a typical volumetric measure that I operate manually. I do not have a progressive press, but a turret press and a single RCBS press. I'm fine with the process, so that's not the issue. I've used this powder measure for many years and manually I'm pretty certain that I operate it exactly the same every time. Now I notice that when I'm measuring small amounts of fast powders like Tite Group, (because of IDPA loads) that the variation is enough to get velocity deltas near 100 ft/sec in a string of 12 shots! This was never a problem when I just reloaded for hunting as 22 grains of H110 is not much different from 22.2 grains. However the difference of 4.4 grains of TG to 4.2 or 4.6 is pretty noticeable. I assume many of you use progressive presses that use similar volumetric feeders, just activated automatically? Do you see similar variations? Any thoughts? Regards, Jeff B

Chuck Edwards	Re: Powder Measure Question	#1	[-]
Posts: 747 Mar 11 06 10:18 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jeff - Just a thought - I've had larger velocity variations just from using mixed brass - sometimes up to three time the variation as with sorted (or is that sordid? ) brass. If you're using mixed brass, the powder measure might not be the problem. Regards, Chuck Edwards Against the Dictatorship of Relativism
Jeff B	Powder Measure Question	#2	[-]
Posts: 55 Mar 12 06 1:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Chuck, Thanks for your sound advice. I am using all Magtech brass (why, because Federal primers fit so nicely in Magtech brass!). I started weighing every 10th or so load and that's when I discovered the swing in weight. It's not a problem as I load at least 100 ft/sec over PF anyway; more of a curiosity. I would buy another powder measure but it would be hard to believe that any would be built better than the RCBS ... maybe I'm biased and SHOULD look at others! Jeff
frank	Re: Powder Measure Question	#3	[-]
Posts: 211 Mar 12 06 10:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have an RCBS powder measure also. I use a single stage Rock Chucker press and have been using the RCBS press,scale and measure for about 20 years. I check every tenth load also and I can probably count on both hands the times I have had to readjust my measure. I have always bragged on how accurate it is. My measure is the standard Uniflow model and I do use the small cylinder for small pistol loads. I don't know if that makes a difference but it might. The powder might have something to do with it. I have never used Tite Group and really don't know what shape or size it is. I have always used Unique,2400,HP38 and W231 and they have always done great in my measure. So other than the way Tite Group might meter, I am at a loss as why you have any variances. Let us know if you figure out anything definate! Faster Cars,Younger Women,Older Whiskey, More Guns.... Frank
Suicycle		#4	[-]
Posts: 47 Oct 18 11 8:20 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Old thread, but I have noticed the same thing with Clays in my Uniflow. It doesn't meter terribly consistent. Is this normal with flake powder or technique or scale? I always used to throw under and trickle up to my rifle charges. Now I am seeing 3/10's variation every once in a while. Buck Smith / A45117 What does it mean when the primers fall out?

GOF		#5	[-]
Posts: 2131 Oct 18 11 10:28 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Some powders in volume type powder measures to not meter with extreme consistency due to the shape of the grains. Clays is one. I have no experience with TiteGroup. You might try the following two things (1) keep the powder hopper at least half full all the time to provide a consistent weight above to force powder into the drum (2) tap the drumm lightly a couple times before throwing the charge to allow the powder to fully settle into the drum and fill the space.
Suicycle		#6	[-]
Posts: 47 Oct 18 11 1:15 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I might do better if I take out the baffle and let the weight of the powder column force it down more then. Usually I throw right at 3.9 to 4.0 gn but sometimes it will read as low as 3.7 or as high as 4.1 gn. I have always used a baffle and just thrown another charge if one was low instead of using a trickler. Also my digital scale is finicky to use, but accurate. I keep an eye on it with my 4 gn check weights and have never had issues of shifting zero. Buck Smith / A45117 What does it mean when the primers fall out?
noylj.czechpistols82792		#7	[-]
Posts: 24 Nov 15 11 12:01 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If you are actually concerned, load about 20-30 rounds with the powder measure and 20-30 rounds weighing each charge as accurately as you can. After shooting 4-6 five-shot groups, you will have some idea if there is really any effect. In general, a charge weight variation of ±1% will have no effect at and reasonable distance (50 yards for pistol and 200+ yds for rifle). See how your gun(s) respond.

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