D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,396
So.
I loaded up 100 rounds of 44 spl tonight. I had some problems.
My intent was to load 240 grn LSWC over 5.9 grains Unique. I checked my powder measure (Lee Auto Drum) at 30 rounds and discovered it was throwing about 5.3-5.4 grains. According to Lyman, 5.8 is minimum and 6.5 is maximum. (According to the chart that came with the Lee dies, the range is 5.5 - 6.3 grains.) There aren't that many that might be loaded below minimum, but is 5.3 grains of Unique going to be enough to get that 240 grn projectile to clear a 4" barrel?
After making some adjustments to get back up to 5.9 grains, I checked the Auto Drum again after 20 rounds and it was throwing 6.2. I finally settled for 6 even, but I noticed that, every time I checked, it would throw powder in a range from about 5.9 - 6.3 across 5 consecutive charges. I've read that Unique doesn't meter well. Is that what I'm experiencing here, or is something wrong with the Auto Drum?
NEXT...
I set the bullet seating depth using a factory loaded round (HSM 240 grn Cowboy load). I put the loaded round on the ram, brought it all the way up, then turned the adjustment knob until I felt some resistance. The cartridges I loaded tonight measure out at 1.455 - 1.458" OAL. However, Lyman specifies a 1.50" OAL for that bullet. The last batch I loaded shot pretty good (In a 4.2" Ruger Redhawk); do I need to be concerned about this?
I loaded up 100 rounds of 44 spl tonight. I had some problems.
My intent was to load 240 grn LSWC over 5.9 grains Unique. I checked my powder measure (Lee Auto Drum) at 30 rounds and discovered it was throwing about 5.3-5.4 grains. According to Lyman, 5.8 is minimum and 6.5 is maximum. (According to the chart that came with the Lee dies, the range is 5.5 - 6.3 grains.) There aren't that many that might be loaded below minimum, but is 5.3 grains of Unique going to be enough to get that 240 grn projectile to clear a 4" barrel?
After making some adjustments to get back up to 5.9 grains, I checked the Auto Drum again after 20 rounds and it was throwing 6.2. I finally settled for 6 even, but I noticed that, every time I checked, it would throw powder in a range from about 5.9 - 6.3 across 5 consecutive charges. I've read that Unique doesn't meter well. Is that what I'm experiencing here, or is something wrong with the Auto Drum?
NEXT...
I set the bullet seating depth using a factory loaded round (HSM 240 grn Cowboy load). I put the loaded round on the ram, brought it all the way up, then turned the adjustment knob until I felt some resistance. The cartridges I loaded tonight measure out at 1.455 - 1.458" OAL. However, Lyman specifies a 1.50" OAL for that bullet. The last batch I loaded shot pretty good (In a 4.2" Ruger Redhawk); do I need to be concerned about this?