4227 metering woes

[roval]

I opened my bottle of 4227 yesterday and started doing a ladder workup for jacketed and coated 158 gr bullets for 357 mag.

when I saw the small particles, I thought that metering this would be a piece of cake but surprisingly it was difficult to meter consistently with my Dillon powder measure. the measure including the powder drop funnel was wiped down with a dryer sheet. I get a spread from 14.4 to 15.2 in one setting i was aiming for 14.5. I ended up weighing each charge individually for now. It also keeps spilling some particles during the drop even if you pause briefly at the end of the stroke.

is it really like this? i meter unique, 700 x more consistently than this.

haven't shot any of the loads yet.

 

[bocefus78]

My lee pro auto disc drops that stuff within .1gr everytime. I know nothing about your drop, but since it blue and good quality, I suspect something is wrong somewhere.

 

[BigBore45]

My lee pro auto disc drops that stuff within .1gr everytime. I know nothing about your drop, but since it blue and good quality, I suspect something is wrong somewhere.

my lee is very good with it too.

 

[243winxb]

the measure including the powder drop funnel was wiped down with a dryer sheet.

My reloading manuals do not* use a dryer sheet.

 

[Buck13]

4227 is pretty much the best-metering powder I've tried in my Lee PPM. Surprised to hear of your difficulties. Maybe clean out the measure and run a little powdered graphite through it before trying again?

 

[buck460XVR]

4227 measures very consistently for me also outta my Uniflow.

 

[roval]

It's certainly got me stumped.. that measure has been used for bullseye, unique and 800x (poorly for the 800x) and should have a lot of graphite for lubrication.. Its using the small bar which should be good for up to 20 grains before going to the big bar. I will clean it off and sprinkle some graphite after reassembly and we'll see.

 

[kerreckt]

4227 meters great in all my devices. (2)Lyman 55, (2)Lee PPM, and all three of my Dillons (two 550 auto and one 450 manual). I can't imagine why you are having problems. Have you taken it apart and checked it out? I clean and lube mine from time to time. Good luck

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Was that dryer sheet used? The new ones leave a coating that you don't want.

 

[Trek]

If you are using the small charge bar, I would recommend that you try the large charge bar, and see if that throws a more consistent charge. I had a similar problem with Trail Boss powder. I was trying to throw 5.7 grain charges using the small charge bar, but it was just not trowing consistent charges. It was all over the place, just like you experienced. I switched to the large charge bar, and bingo, I started getting very consistent charges (+- 0.1 grain or less). Even though the book says the small bar is good for up to 20 grains, not every powder meters the same. Some powders are bulkier than others. The shape of the grains makes a big difference too.

If switching to the large charge bar does not work, then it is time to call Dillon.

 

[roval]

dryer sheet has been used multiple times prior to each reloading session for eliminating static but still relatively stiff. I've used them brand new and never had any issues with it

I did take it apart and wiped it off but didn't see anything amiss. I reloaded with this 357 mag setup tonight but I used unique for this session and as expected everything was good as before.

I'll try it next week with another measure when I start doing a load workup for 44 mag.

 

[roval]

trek- thought about switching to the large charge bar till I read the small bar "up to 20 grains " part. I have a new set up for 44 mag I haven't used yet but will use the large charge bar then as the start dose is 21.5 gr and i'll try dropping lower charges from 13-14- 15 grains then and see how that will work.

 

[HOWARD J]

I had problems when I first put my Dillon back in service
I cut up a drier sheet ( about 1 1/2"wide) & placed it all the way down in the powder holder
Then draped it over the top about an inch & taped it there
Then I put powder graphite on the powder bars & rubbed it in well to the metal on all sides.
Don't just pour it on & leave it
After that I had no problems