Which powder trickler do you prefer?

[280PLUS]

I see there's a bunch of them so I'm just wondering which would be the best choice. I'll be using Bullseye powder to load .45 for target. Is it fine enough to trickle in the last couple tenths? My goal is consistency and accuracy naturally.

Thanks!

 

[1911user]

Hand trickling every powder charge for pistol ammo will get old quick. I suggest looking into an adjustable powder measure and learn to operate it consistently.

I do have a basic powder trickler that'd probably sell new for about $10, but I only use it for measuring very small batches of ammo when working up a load. A basic one from any of the big name reloading companies will work fine.

 

[280PLUS]

Yea, understood on the getting old. I don't plan to do too many of them like that, just about 100 or so per month for the once a month tournament I shoot.

 

[USSR]

280PLUS,

After having bought a trickler, I find it much easier to use index finger and thumb, and the trickler collects dust.

Don

 

[loadedround]

The wife's measuring spoons work just as well.

 

[280PLUS]

Thanks.

wife, "Why are you headed for the basement with that meauring spoon?"

me, "You don't want to know."

wife, "Okie dokie!"

 

[The Bushmaster]

USSR Canned air solves that problem...The dust I mean.

280PLUS...Understand the wife thing. My wife has stopped asking those questions. She just shakes her head now and goes about her business.
I use a Midway battery operated trickler ($20 +/-) for years. Works quite well and easy on two AA batteries.

 

[Deanimator]

Yea, understood on the getting old. I don't plan to do too many of them like that, just about 100 or so per month for the once a month tournament I shoot.

I think you're wasting time which could be better used in shooting, dry firing, loading more ammo, etc.

In the Bullseye-L mailing list, I talk to some of the best shooters in the world. I don't think I know a single one who trickles charges for pistol ammo. Most use progressive presses.

I trickle all of my rifle loads, but then I never shoot closer than 600 yards.

 

[280PLUS]

Guess I don't trust the new to me old 450 JR to load them exactly the same every time. Once I get it set up and run a few rounds through it I'll know more about whether I think I should or not. If I can get good consistency without the trickle part I'd agree it's not necessary. FYI, I took 84th in the Expert category for the 2006 indoor pistol nationals. So naturally I'm looking for every edge I can get.

 

[Cledus J. Crabb]

A 30-30 case is what I use to trickle powder.
It holds plenty of powder, meters nicely and the rimmed base lets it sit securely on the loading bench. Seems to be easier and quicker than the regular factory tricklers.
CJC

 

[m0ntels]

I got a Lyman electric one free with my Uniflow. It works when I need it. Trickling isnt too complex an operation so any should work for you.

Randy

 

[jubo]

Lyman 1200dps... why go half a$$ed? ha ha.

 

[WayneConrad]

The Redding #5 Powder Tricker has worked well for me. It's heavy, which makes it hard to knock over and easy to work with one hand. It's smooth and well made.

 

[jubo]

Yes, if you're doing it by 'hand' then you want the heaviest trickler out there, I know lyman, hornady, and I believe lee and rcbs are all plastic. Redding makes nice stuff.
The reason you want it heavy is so that if you 'bump' it, even slighly when approaching the thing, it will drop powder in an uncontrolled manner, completely the opposite of what a trickler should do.
That said I have a Lyman, its adjustable for height so I can use it with taller scales. I rarely use it though, as my electronic 1200dps does it all automatically. Slowly, but +-.1grn.

 

[Hazzard]

I have an old Hornady which works well for me (it's ceramic, not plastic). I really don't think you'll find much advantage in trickling powder charges on pistol loads over a quality powder measure for 45ACP, however. And I've done it both ways.

 

[Critter183]

I have a cast aluminum RCBS that works just dandy. In fact, I just got done with it for the night.

 

[Critter183]

I'm anal about handloading. Every case gets examined. Every primer pocket gets cleaned. Once fired brass gets flash holes deburred. Cases get sized and trimmed and case length checked. Every powder charge gets weighed. After seating bullets every OAL gets checked.

I figure if I'm going to do it, do it right. Besides, it's fun.

 

[P95Carry]

Easy trickler - cheap too

One empty .44mag case, and one empty .45acp case.

Bell the .45acp a bit and apply a smidgeon of taper crimp to .44 case - it should then go into the .45 case a bit and hold thru friction.

Knock out whichever primer you wish and then fill with some of powder in use.

Hold with deprimed end down and tap like a pepper shaker gently - powder will come out in very small qty's.

I don't bother with trickle much but when I do - this does the job nicely.

 

[Howdy Doody]

I can pile on about the RCBS. It works just fine. I think it was around $12 when I got it and I use it for my 38-55 and 45-70 loads with a Lyman balance beam scale.

 

[280PLUS]

I like all of these ideas. Given the idea that I probably don't want to spend all that time trickling charges for .45 here's one that I think will suffice that I just saw in the "ABCs" book. They show using various cases as powder measures and brazing little handles on them. I imagine if I trim a case to the exact length of what it takes for the desired amount of powder when level full I'll be close enough on the powder charge consistency. All I'll have to do is dip and level the powder off. But I DO plan to start loading rifle in the fairly near future so all this info will be put to use when I do.

Thanks!

 

[Critter183]

I do own a Lee powder measure set:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/40380-20380-1848.html

For $7 or whatever, it is well worth it. It came with a slide calculator for determining which measure will give you the closest charge weight for the powder you're using.

I toss the charge onto the scale and trickle from there. If you don't need precision, just toss the charge into your funnel.

 

[1911user]

If you are not going to trickle the last few tenths of a grain on the powder weight, an adjustable powder measure will be much more consistent than a powder scoop.

 

[hooks]

Lyman 1200dps II. I love it.

 

[stellarpod]

I agree whole-heartedly with WayneConrad. The Redding #5 is a great trickler, as it is heavy and very stable. You won't have to worry about inadvertently knocking this one over. If you have an opportunity to pick up several different models in a side-by-side comparison you'll see what we mean. They probably all will do the job (along with all of the home remedies listed here), but the Redding #5 just feels better.



stellarod

 

[ojibweindian]

Believe it or not, a Lee powder dipper