Powder throw

Hmmmm ... couldn't you just attach the vibrating motor out of an old cellphone to your powder hopper?

I am thinking about doing this when I am using Unique/Promo as I usually get .1 gr consistency with most other powders.

I also have an RCBS Powder Measure but I have the accessory Micrometer Adjustment.

I don't need to shake or vibrate anything, it throws within one granule of powder every time, I know I couldn't get any better than that, unless I weigh every single charge (which I do for my long range varmint rifle).

Lets just consider this idea for a minute.

It's not actually offered or suggested by any major manufacturer; they've been throwing powder for many years.

It's not suggested by any powder makers either.

It's not offered from any maker of reloading equipment that I have a catalog for.

It's not offered by any third party custom press parts supplier.


What do they all say on throwing powder? A baffle, a smooth stroking action, an independent way to check weights that is itself checked, a clean work area and attention to details. Not once the need for a vibrator.


Seems like vibration is unnecessary.

My Uniflow throws just fine ... I try not to shake or vibrate it in any form... matter of fact it is away from my press as charging is a separate part of my reloading... I charge each case then set them into a reloading block only to go back under strong light to verify each case is the same level powder... it is easy to spot any differences.

Jimmy K

I remember reading, but can't remember what forum, about someone taped an old fish tank air pump to his powder measure. He claimed that it gave more consistant throws. I never felt a need to do anything with my RCBS.

One thing I HAVE always done, though, is make a definate 'hit' when moving the measure to one end then back again. I don't force it, I don't go real fast, just a definate same-speed stroke until it hits top and same-speed stroke until it HITS bottom.

When that happens each time, just a bit of powder can be seen flowing past the baffle plate which is an inverted V-design that pretty much sits in the bottom of the Uniflow hopper. I am sure it also helps to release all the powder in the measure cavity so it all drops, not leaving so much as a flake or granule of powder!

I also run about 10 - 20 charges at first, and throw them back into the hopper. That seems to help relieve any sticking that may occur with some powders to the hopper sides.

I have read about attaching a vibrating thing to the powder hopper, probably the same thread that howinmad read as it was a fish tank pump.

Once i get the powder column settled and the measure throwing consistent charges, I do not like to vibrate the measure anymore than necessary. No wraps, taps, bumps or jolts for me. So, since I have a process that works, it ain't broke and I am not going to "fix" it.

But, folks get good results with all sorts of different techniques with their powder measures. The real key is to do it the same every time.

The company I work for has a patented product that requires very, very fine glass beeds to be precisely dispensed into a cavity in the body of the platic molded part.

We've used a semi-automatic mechanism with a gated drop, very similar to a good powder drop for years.

We're dropping a six digit number of bills (and the first digit isn't 1) on a completely automated assembly line this summer, and are scheduled to take delivery of it in a couple weeks.

The drop uses long channels machined in to a plate that is mounted on a vibrating plate with very precise control of amplitude and frequency of vibration (similar to vibratory feed bowls).

The designers prototyped this module of the machine ealier in the spring to prove the concept out and it gets getting amazingly consistant and precise drops.

There is NO gate. The channels are open to the drop tubes at all times. When the vibration stops, the movement of the beads in the channels stops and secures the drop.

The control of the vibratory plate is programed into the PLCs that run the entire line.

I can't take credit for any of this, but I took part in the design review meetings (looking for obvious hiccups in ergonomics and procedures) and the set up was VERY impressive.

We refer to the lead mechanical designer at this vendor as the "mad scientist" and he really looks the part, with a bald top and bushy hair pushing out in all horizontal directions.

consistency

just like some say their powder measure had a knock in it, as they can get consistent throws, but it requires them tapping, I have heard of people taping a sonic toothbrush to their hopper

But this can cause (and can fix too) powered bridging, it may cause difficulties if it just packs and not liquify the powder.

+1 for Walkalong...I have an RCBS uniflow with powder baffle...consistency is key.

Though, if equalizer would develop a vibratory powder dispenser assist mechanism in beta version, I would offer to give it a trial run under controlled circumstances.

I have never used the RCBS measure. I have been using a Lee pro auto disk measure five years and with the five powders I have used it has never been off more than .1 when I have checked it. Most of the time it's dead on. Same with my Dillon measure but I have only loaded a couple hundred 223 and the only powder has been H-335. I found consistent technique to be the key to consistent charges.