Arkansas Paul
Member
When loading extruded powders, I'll weigh each, but I don't trickly up anymore. I'll weigh and if it's not within .2 either way, I'll pour back in the hopper and weigh the next one.
Do you hand weigh your powder charge for each cartridge?
- Thread starter mastiffhound
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I charge each load by hand, whether rifle or handgun, using a Dillon 650 press. I use the Dillon powder drop for handguns and a Hornady drum-type with case-activated kit for bottlenecks.
Any further expenditures that the OP might consider for reloading components would probably be better spent on psychotherapy and medication.
Any further expenditures that the OP might consider for reloading components would probably be better spent on psychotherapy and medication.
DurangoKid
Member
Do you think that Remington and Winchester hand weigh every charge? Of course not. Federal factory ammo is a leader in wining the big important matches. The weight of the brass case and the primer weight has more to do with accuracy than does the powder charge. If you are over concerned about run away pressure start by finding the water capacity and case weight of your brass.
jcwit
member
Yup this. Beat me to it.
I weigh to get the measure set, then away we go, and check now and then.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Absolutely not. I have better things to do, like shooting.
Why waste my time if my purposes do not require an elevated level of precision??? I handload so I can shoot more, not for the sake of handloading.
jmorris
Member
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- Sep 30, 2005
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Depends on what kind of match rifle your shooting. 3 gun ranges and targets are generally setup so you could compete with factory ammo of you wanted to. No big worry, as long as you pick the right powder.
1000 yard benchrest is a different story but if your competitive, you likely are happy to use your $1200-3000 Prometheus powder measure every chance you get.
Float Pilot
Member
There are people who are HAND-LOADERS
and there a RE-LOADERS.
I am a Hand-Loader.
For Rilfe all are weighed.
For hunting, target and self defense pistol all are weighed.
For things like Cowboy shooting I use a powder thrower and weigh every tenth case or so.
and there a RE-LOADERS.
I am a Hand-Loader.
For Rilfe all are weighed.
For hunting, target and self defense pistol all are weighed.
For things like Cowboy shooting I use a powder thrower and weigh every tenth case or so.
DurangoKid
Member
A hand loader or a reloader? Am I missing something here? Over the past 50 years of hand loading I have reloaded 1,000s of rounds. Now do I get a special decoder ring?
I weigh a lot of powder charges. When I'm trying a new load I weigh every charge, both handgun and rifle. When I'm working with a powder that doesn't give 1/10 or less variation in my powder measure, I'll weigh each charge. Prolly don't need to be that particular, but I don't have a quota and I'm not in a hurry (reloading is a hobby and I enjoy it, so if it takes me 1/2 hour longer to load a box of ammo, so what? There are no rules that say you gotta produce a certain number of rounds per hour or the reloading police will ridicule you publicly ).
).bobinoregon
Member
For my family heirloom 1875 SAA and early 1900's 30-30 I hand weigh every charge just to be absolutely sure. Everything else pretty much goes through the Dillon measure on the 550 with an occasional check on the scale. I recently got a RCBS chargemaster combo for some of the oddball stuff I load only a few at a time for and it really speeds up the measuring.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I wonder if any of those who weigh every charge have ever tried it differently to see if they're really gaining any accuracy from doing so. My guess is, probably not.
Like it was said earlier, the Bench Rest guys don't weigh charges. Plus who would be buying all those $250+ electric powder charging toys?
Reloading seems to be a reason to spend lots of money rather than making ammo better or cheaper. Reminds me of the Harley guys 10 years ago, only the most expensive chromed parts for my bike.
Reloading seems to be a reason to spend lots of money rather than making ammo better or cheaper. Reminds me of the Harley guys 10 years ago, only the most expensive chromed parts for my bike.
SSN Vet
Member
only on my personal defense reloads.... because...
1. they are loaded fairly hot.
&
2. I want to maximize quality control
1. they are loaded fairly hot.
&
2. I want to maximize quality control
I reload on my Lee turret - 4 handle pulls turns a spent case into a finished round. I check my well seasoned Pro disk dispenser a few times during a reloading session but find it be very consistent.
FWIW I use only Win 231/HP-38 which is known to meter very well.
If batch loading and weighing every single charge gives you comfort, and meets your realistic ammo output needs, then who am I to suggest you to change yer ways? - lol - you only gotta keep you happy.
FWIW I use only Win 231/HP-38 which is known to meter very well.
If batch loading and weighing every single charge gives you comfort, and meets your realistic ammo output needs, then who am I to suggest you to change yer ways? - lol - you only gotta keep you happy.
mcdonl
Member
I like this matter of volume... For pistol, I use that simple Lee formula for calculating the volume measure density... Basically it says 1cc of the powder weighs <.0903 for W231> as an example... then I take my desired charge and multiply by the VMD and then just throw charges and weight occasionally... it makes since
R.W.Dale
Member
I way the first and last charge that's IT
I've tested it every way to Sunday and my thrown charges produced the tightest groups. And that minute difference was only discernable with a sub 1/2 moa rifle.
Your Chronograph will tell you the story too if you'll pay attention to what its saying.
Another phenomena I've noticed is that a set volume of powder EVEN FROM THE SAME CAN will sometimes vary in weight depending on atmospheric conditions day to day.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=389430
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
I've tested it every way to Sunday and my thrown charges produced the tightest groups. And that minute difference was only discernable with a sub 1/2 moa rifle.
Your Chronograph will tell you the story too if you'll pay attention to what its saying.
Another phenomena I've noticed is that a set volume of powder EVEN FROM THE SAME CAN will sometimes vary in weight depending on atmospheric conditions day to day.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=389430
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
mcdonl
Member
When I first used my micrometer in the lee autodisk I wrote the VMD down on the jar of powder, the next time (Different season) I used this powder it measured differently.
G11354
Member
I hand weigh all my rifle rounds especially if im using a powder that doesnt meter well. Usually I throw my powder a hair on the low side and trickle up to my desired charge.
mljdeckard
Member
I should probably add, I think most of the reason for any fluctuation I get is due to my cheap powder measure. I'll set up the RCBS soon here and see if it's more consistent.
R.W.Dale
Member
It will be provided you completely disregard the instructions for setting it up and instead arrange the handle drum configuration to dump on the downstroke.
That way you have the weight of your arm behind the cutting/despensing action rather than just your wrist muscles
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
SSN Vet
Member
There are environmental factors that will affect VMD....
Humidity and static being two...
Though VMD is effected by density, it's not the same as density.... as VMD also reflects how close together the granules of powder pack.
oneounceload
member
I only charge rifle loads by hand one at a time. Handgun from my RCBS Uniflow is reliable and accurate and shotgun drops from my MECs are always spot on
BigN
Member
I measure each load individually on an electronic scale. I don't trust the auto stuff.
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