How Often to Check the Powder Dump?

[roysclockgun]

In terms of hand loading, I have flown by the seat of my pants for over 50 years. No accidents yet! Maybe I am just lucky.
I am still using the Lyman manual dump for propellent. Once I check the throw for five or six drops, I will dump ten rounds and then check the next drop on the scale. The check usually shows a very tiny variation and accuracy is good. I keep the dump full of propellent in order to get uniform drops.
Should I be checking the weight by scale more often?
Best,
Steven L. Ashe

 

[pre6422hornet]

I think we all probably do it our own way.

I purposely set the powder throw to an amount less than I am loading for, then I hand trickle the remaining two or three grains. Yes it is a bit OCD, but I really am an accuracy nut.

I have never pulled factory ammo apart and measured the amount of powder, but I bet it is a grain off either way from one round to the next.

 

[Kodiak]

Steve,

I set the PD then check it after I run 10 drops thru it into a cup. Then, if all is well, I fill 5 cases, then check it again on two sets of scales, .... and so on 'till I get 'em done. My scales are set with certified, calibrated scale wts. Been doin' it this way for 60 years ... works so far :lol: !

Some types of powder, as round, ball type powder and some small-cuts, will meter very accurately.


Jim

 

[300WSM]

Oh boy, there might be some that thump the reloading manual at you here for saying such a thing. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

For me it depends on the powder and what I am shooting.

If I'm loading fine ball powder and once I'm set-up I will measure the first three or four to verify, then run off 8-10 then check one.

This really is where knowing your equipment and having a sense of feel with your equipment comes into play. For example.....

When I'm loading for an AR-15 I am using IMR XBR 8208. It is a stick/extruded powder. Not as big as IMR 4831 but still bigger than a ball powder and certainly not cut equally. When I am raising the arm to drop the charge, if it does't drop it in a smooth fashion, or I can feel it hang up even in the slightest, then I just dump the case right back into the hopper and repeat(.I leave the cap off the hopper when going this route.) This still gives good accuracy. It gives as good of accuracy as non-target/varmint ar's can do with 16" bbl's. Also doing this route the variation is none to a tenth of a grain at most.

In some bolt rifles this is different. It is much more precise and I will measure every one just to make sure unless using a true ball powder and need to get some loaded quickly.

We are also talking loading twenty for a bolt gun as the norm...to loading a few hundred for an AR or pistol.

 

[AzDak42]

Depends...

On bulk production work where I'm not pushing anywhere near max or min, I've come to trust the powder measures on my Dillon 550 and 650. Even with batches showing +/- .2 grains I still can produce tiny little groups. My check when I'm running a progressive is probably one every 50, with a visual inspection on each round to make sure the powder level is where I think it should be. (Also, the 650 is also setup with the automatic powder check that is looking for each load to be in a 'range'.)

On my smaller batch hunting and precision ammo runs, I use a RCBS Chargemaster and throw out any charge that doesn't weigh in perfectly.

One of the counter folks at Dillon summed it up for me once.. "You know, Dave Tubbs uses a 550 with a powder measure for the loads he wins a lot of competitions with.. you think you need to weigh every charge why?"

 

[SJB358]

I check every tenth or so when dumping. I haven't noted anything that has been less accurate than I've expected.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am like Pat, and check every load and top off with a powder trickler after throwing light charges with Lyman 55 PM for canister powder. This is rather OCD but it doesn't take much time.

When I am loading pistol charges with the Lyman 55 and ball or small particle powders, I only check about every tenth load for consistency.

 

[DaveA37]

I purposely set the powder throw to an amount less than I am loading for, then I hand trickle the remaining two or three grains. Yes it is a bit OCD

.

Me too!

 

[wildgene]

...depends mainly on the powder I'm using, Varget @ least every 5th charge, TAC 1:10...

...I put all my charged cases in a block & check 'em w/ a UV light source (most powders "react" to UV light, making it easy to spot any inconsistencies) before seating any bullets...

 

[roysclockgun]

The consensus makes me feel like I am doing okay. When I load to test old military rifles, I throw and go and can get reasonable groups, depending on how bad the bores are. In US M1 Rifles with a muzzle of +1 and a throat of +2, I can get under 2" groups @ 100 yds., with the battle sights, which to me, is acceptable.
When loading to print tight clover leaves with a target/varmint rifles, I weigh every load.
Thanks for the responses,
Steven

 

[HTDUCK]

Depends on the powder I'm using and the cartridge I'm loading.
223 and 308 using BLC2 or H380 , I'll set the powder measure and weigh 4-5 charges to be sure the weight is what I want.
After that, I drop powder right into the cases.

Any other powders, I weigh every charge.
I set the measure .3-.5 grains below what I'm looking for and use a trickler.

 

[Razorbacker]

I think we all probably do it our own way.

I purposely set the powder throw to an amount less than I am loading for, then I hand trickle the remaining two or three grains. Yes it is a bit OCD, but I really am an accuracy nut.

I have never pulled factory ammo apart and measured the amount of powder, but I bet it is a grain off either way from one round to the next.

That's the way I always did it and for the same reason. And also, I was loading hot .45LC loads with hard cast lead bullets in my Ruger Bisley for hunting.
And when I finally transition into bottle necked cases. I'll be loading heavy as well so I don't see throwing near max charges.

 

[Sas874runner]

I think we all probably do it our own way.

I purposely set the powder throw to an amount less than I am loading for, then I hand trickle the remaining two or three grains. Yes it is a bit OCD, but I really am an accuracy nut.

I have never pulled factory ammo apart and measured the amount of powder, but I bet it is a grain off either way from one round to the next.

I did this when I first started to reload. And just the other day did it again to see if anything has cyanged between cheap factory and premium. You would be amazed at the powder amount variations.
270win remington 140 ultra bonded core lokt premier.... 51.7, 50.7, 49.5, 50.5, 51.8, 51.4, 50.2, 51.0, 50.8, 50.6, 50.8, 51.0, 50.7, 51.5, 51.1, 50.2, 50.4, 50.8, 52.0, 51.1, 49.5... appears to be RL 19 or 22

3006 sprg winchester premium 180 ct AccuBond.... 53.0, 53.7, 53.0, 52.9, 53.9, 53.4, 53.6, 53.9, 54.3, 53.7, 53.3, 53.2, 53.9, 54.0, 52.8, 53.6, 53.0, 53.5, 53.9, 53.1.... appears to be w760. of course powder types are just guesses off of apperance.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Variation 2.2 grains with the Remington Premium loads! That is way more than I would expect? Even 1.4 grs with the Winchester Premium is more than I would expect.

No wonder my loads shoot better than factory fodder?

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

A while back I pulled apart some cheap Russian .308. The powder looked like 4895, and every charge was dead on. The charge didn't vary a tenth on my sample of 20.