[fourdollarbill]

I have tried clays and unique just recent and these powders do not meter very well. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve? My powder measure cuts it pretty well but the charges are still erratic by a half grain or so. I realize they are going to be dificult I was just hoping to hear a good idea or two.

[LightningMan]

I use trailboss and it doesn't meter well either, so I tape a $7 fish tank air pump from Wally-World to the powder hopper of my 550 Dillon. The vibration of the pump keeps the powder flowing and prevents it from hanging up. Just plug it in when you reload & unplug when done. Works for me, LM.
Tip use clear packaging tape, as you will be able to see when your powder is getting low.

[JimKirk]

I'm not sure which powder measure you're using, but my RCBS Uniflow does a reasonable good job of metering most powders. The trick that I found is to have the measuring cavity only turned up toward the powder hopper when I raise the handle up. When I raise the handle the cavity fills and when I lower the handle the charge dumps. I have seen other that have it the opposite way. When mine was opposite I could not get very good results at all. I think it works better because the powder is NOT receiving the vibrations and packing into the cavity.

Jimmy K

[jfrey]

I took the powder bar out of my Dillon SDB and polished the inside areas with a Dremel tool and polishing compound. This put a mirror shine on these areas and they are a lot slicker. Unique now flows a lot better and metering is really consistent. I'm getting +-.1 gr. in my 9mm and .45 rounds very regularly. For pistol ammo this seems to be well within reason. I also grounded both of my loaders to eliminate static buildup in all areas.

[ants]

Coat all surfaces liberally with powdered graphite.
Liberally means 2 or 3 times as much as you were planning on using.

[Idano]

If you don't already have a powder baffle get yourself one. I have one in both of my RCBS power measures and my Hornady powder measure; they are repeatable to +/- 0.1 grains with Unique on a 5.5 gain load.

Idahogreggory

[Russt]

I have/use the Uniflow, Hornady, & Lee auto disc w/adjustable charge bar. They all seem to bridge, cut, & give erratic charges with loads less than 5 grains. If I stay above 5 grains they seem to do alright. I use Universal or 231 with lighter than 5 grain charges.

[dwhite]

I just loaded up some 38 Specials with 3.2 grains of Clays using my Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I was surprised it held +/- 0.1 grain. As I didn't know what to expect I weighed every fifth drop.

As coarse as the stuff is. I expected a much wider spread.

Lee doesn't recommend Unique in this measure but I'm going to try a pound and see what I can do with it.

All the Best,
D, White

[bigtony]

I've used clays, trailboss, and hp-38 in my uniflow. They all metered within +/- 0.1. I always try to use the same motion. I've heard the powder baffle works well, or to tap the side to get the powder to settle the same every time.

[fourdollarbill]

I'm not sure which powder measure you're using
Its a Redding 3b.

I'm getting +-.1 gr. in my 9mm and .45 rounds very regularly. For pistol ammo this seems to be well within reason.
Good point, I think is just the need to make it all perfecto even if it not an issue. Kind of an I'm board so how can I fix it deal...:D

Very good ideas I see above. Thanks, $4

[Walkalong]

Use a powder baffle. Use something to get rid of static. Practice your throw technique. (Sure, smooth and consistent here. Real slow isn't better.) Clean the internals. Graphite helps to smooth things up.

Static is the biggest cause, IMHO, of wildly varying charges from good measures like the Redding. Wipe all parts clean with Isopropyl Alcohol, Use static cling products etc.

This spray (http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Laundry/Static-Cling-Spray/ID=prod4261&navCount=0&navAction=push-product) is said to work. I have not tried it, but I am sure it does.

Clays does +/- .15 for me easily. Usually better. Results on target are the most important anyway. :)

[joed]

I had very bad luck with Unique in my Dillon measure. So bad in fact that I no longer have any Unique. I'm looking at switching to Power Pistol or Universal.

For the most part Unique was pretty good. But all of a sudden it would start throwing squibs and I can't live with that.

Someone told me to put a weight in the powder measure. Haven't tried that one but I think it would work.

[GP100man]

+1 for ants reply , post #5 . Its the only thing I know of that will help get consistentcy better with any kind of measure you use.

I cut a peice of fluffy towel apply graphite to the towel, insert , then shake the measure until everything is coated!!

Get some disposable gloves before startin though!!

Save the towel in ziploc bag until needed again .

[buck460XVR]

With my Uniflow, I use the "double-tap" technique and rethrow any charge that I feel has been "cut". I also find it works best to keep the hopper filled to the same level.