Adjusting a powder measure

[Evil Dog]

Was just wondering which method you use.  On my Lyman #5 I usually weigh every charge until it consistently throws the desired charge weight.  My other method is to throw 10 charges and weigh the result knowing that it should be 10 times the target weight... sort of going for the average.  This is with fairly small volume charges such as 5gr of W-231.  What is your favorite method?

[PlacitasSlim]

I weigh every charge until it stabilizes and then once every primer box, so every 100 rounds

[Glanceblamm]

I really like consistency and my Lyman #55 measure is great for even the large flake like Unique or Bluedot by closing off the large bottom chamber completely and using the top two slides.
I get it throwing good charges but have noted that it seems to preform the best within a certain range on the funnel and I will make sure to keep the powder within that range.

Once setup & dialed in as said, I will weigh every tenth charge. The powder charged cases are put back in the loading block till all are complete then a light is shined over them. Sounds casual but the eyeball can quickly detect if anything is light or heavy. This is also done as a safeguard against a dbl charge or an empty case.

[Graybeard]

I weight, adjust measure, throw two charges without weighting and then weight again until I get where I wanna be. I then drop ten charges into the pan and weight to be sure that is still at my desired charge weight and if it is I lock it down and begin dropping charges directly into cases. I put all my cases into a tray and count as I drop the charge making sure the end count of each row matches the number in that row and that the total count is correct. I then tilt the tray under a strong light to verify all charges "look" the same. If any don't they go back into the measure and are thrown again.

If after throwing again it still "looks wrong" I weight it and if it is correct I destroy that case. Once long ago I didn't follow that rule and litterally blew up a TC Contender as a result even tho the powder charge was correct and there were no obstructions in the case. A lesson learned the hard way. If the charge in the case doesn't "look right" no matter what the actual charge is that case is never used again.

[Evil Dog]

I definitely prefer throwing multiple charges and then going for the average.  Weighing each individual charge and fiddling with the adjustment between each throw gets old real quick.  Much better to drop 10 charges and then divide by 10 for the average.

[LaOtto222]

Wow I am doing it a lot differently than the rest of you. I adjust the thrower to a little less than my desired load. I then "trickle" in to the correct weight. I then funnel into cases in a loading block. I check cases much the same way GB does it. Mostly I do this so I do not skip a case or double charge a case, but do pay attention to powder levels and check any thing that does not look right. I do this for every thing I load including my 357 and 44 mag loads. I guess the basic difference is I am loading to weight and the rest of you are loading to volume? Ya I know, I spend a lot of time at the bench, but I enjoy it.  

[Evil Dog]

If I was loading strictly for accuracy I would probably also weigh each and every charge.  The same if I was up in the "max charge" range.  The vast majority of my reloading is 38 Spl using a 160gr RN bullet cast from wheelweight (Lyman # 358311) and 4.5gr W-231.  I prefer the round nose design as it is a bit easier to align than the SWC version when using Safariland speedloaders.  Most all of my shooting is double action at anywhere from 5 to 30 yards, the only accuracy requirement is being able to consistently hit a 7" circle.  I really haven't found any significant difference between weighed vs volume charges other than the time required.  Works for me but your experience may vary.

[PA-Joe]

Key is to be consistent with how you are operating the powder measure. Bumping the handle on both the up stroke and down stoke. If you ar enot consistent with how you operate then you will get significant variation in the drops.

[LaOtto222]

I think that most bench rest competitors use the volume method. They are careful about using powders that flow well in a throwin' machine (H322 for instance). I used to do that, but got discouraged when trying to use some stick powders. I would get very erratic results even tho I double tapped on the up stroke and down stroke. Some times I would "cut" some grains some times I would not. When i cut grains, I would get a heavier load. Maybe because it settled better in the thrower cavity? I started using BLC2, WW748, WW296 (ball powders) because they flowed well out of the powder thrower I have. I really wanted to use some of the stick powder and started to weigh it. I found out it was not too bad and then just started to do it for every thing. I am creature of habit and would get confused on switching methods back and forth so I standardized. I recently purchased a RCBS Charge Master 1500. It works about the same way I used to do, but done a little more automatically. It dispenses power fast until it gets close to the full load and then trickles it in until it gets up to full charge weight. I still inspect cases in the block before seating bullets. It has cut down my reloading time and I feel I am getting as good of loads as I was getting before. Volume measuring is definitely quicker than what I was doing and what I am doing now, especially once you have it set up and if you have a large number to do. I think the results are the same if you are using a powder that flows well.

[gypsyman]

My first powder measure was a Lyman, that had a knocker on the front. Use to tap it up every throw. Now I use a Redding BR3, and when I'm loading fine powder,(H110-296-4227) the measure has a built in micometer on the front, and I can usually get it pretty close to whatever charge I want to use. I tap the back of the measure with my finger tips after I dump the powder, this, I think settles the powder in the column, and makes sure all the powder drops into the case. I'm not to worried about the fine stuff bridging across, but it was a habit I got into when I was loading 4895 or 3031. And then I would set the measure to throw about 1 to 1.5 grs. light, and finish up the charge on my electronic scale, with a trickler It was a rythem I would get in. I was weighing every charge, and still get 300-400 rounds loaded in one evening with out pushing myself. We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!!Remember(12/7/41)(9/11/01) gypsyman