Accurate Powder Charging

[TooTaxed]

I like range shooting, and tailor my loads to each rifle and handgun according to its preferences Consistent powder charges are essential to make good test loads, and I've used several different scales, powder measures, and electronic measures, which I thought would be the most efficient.

Am somewhat surprised to find that I'm back to dumping the powder less than1/2-grain light from a drum measure into a beam scale pan, and trickling the last few grains until the beam balances. The electronic measure (Lyman 1200 DPS) takes about half an hour to warm up and calibrate after turning it on, is no faster in operation, is noisier, and is no more accurate. I'll still use it for bulk loading.

Interesting...

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Hmm. I've been using a PACT electronic scale for quite some time now. It seems to be stable nearly instantly (I keep it inside at a stable temperature). I have checked it for drift during long seesions using scale check-weights, but it seems to be just fine. I've used the auto dispenser they sell as well. It is a little slower than I am, but for loads in .308 Win/.30-06 Spfld, it can just about keep up with me if I seat bullets as it's dispensing the next charge. I don't use it often, as I'm usually progressively loading plinking or "combat" (IPSC) pistol and 223 ammo and it's really not worth it to weigh charges. Actually, I used to shoot NRA Highpower at a club on a reduced course (all @ 200 yds on reduced faces for prone rapid and slow), and the guy who ran the competition used to kind of chuckle about the extra preparations many of us went through. He was a very helpful, knowlegeable, experienced shooter. (He never really talked much about his own competitive backgound, but one of the guys poked around a bit and found he'd been very highly ranked in his prime -- could still expect him to shoot a couple of strings cleanly in an afternoon even now.) It was his feeling that over the short range we were shooting, there wasn't a real advantage to weighing as opposed to throwing (unless you were VERY inconsistent) -- 0.2 grains difference wouldn't be readily noticed, and even he would throw his charges for this distance, saving the extra work for ammo to use at full distances. I suppose if you're doing benchrest, the requirements might change (though there are some VERY good high-end measures for benchrest). Mostly, he advised us to practice more, get coached by experienced shooters, and simply learn to shoot better! I always did like knowing that the ammo was way better than I was, so I was sure any odd shots had to be due to something I was doing.

 

[bogie]

Huh?

I just use my Harrell measure. I have no idea what stuff weighs anymore.

 

[P0832177]

To each their own, and I have had good results with some powders and the RCBS Uniflow powder measure. I mean with consistent rhythm and a good powder choice you can say check every 10th round, or go longer. I have good consistency with the Dillon powder measure with the right powders. But, some stick powders do not lend themselves to consistent throws. For that I have the RCBS Charge Master! I get a head a few and then do two things at once. I seat bullets, and I powder charge cases!

Every one has to find a groove! I like my Charge Master a lot! I can not afford a Prometheus set up!

 

[artherd]

I have the RCBS digital measure/scale combo, and ADORE it. I can't imagine loading any other way.

It's fast enough that dumping powder and seating a bullet takes longer, even throwing 93gr of RL-25 into my .338Lapua.

 

[30Cal]

I just take what I get out of the powder measure. I've tinkered around with weighing individual charges, but it didn't make any difference at all at 100 & 200yds. Sometimes I weigh individual charges for my 600yd Highpower competition loads.

Ty