Dillon and Uniketek micrometer

[kestak]

Greetings,

I am a little bit puzzled here.

I am used to load 5.1 grain of No2 with the UniqueTek micrometer. Never had to change the setting in months. Of course, I do check the powder weight thoroughly each time I start to load and at around every 100 rounds I load.

Yesterday, I finished a 5# of No2 and oppened a new container. Both have been bought at the same time and both have the same production batch number.

At my weight check time, I noticed I had 4.8 grains instead of 5.1 grains!!! I had to adjust the micrometer end from 3 to 24 (For those of you that have one, you will understand). First time it happened to me that I had to do such an adjustment. Usually, I may fine tune 2-5 digits. But not almost a whole turn of the dial!

Any idea what maybe the issue? Has it ever happened to you? With a micrometer bar or the usual bar that you had to reset of such an amount?

Thank you

 

[loadedround]

It appears that your open can of powder had absorbed moisture since it was originally opened. Moisture + powder=heavier density=heavier powder weight.

 

[nbkky71]

I've seen variations on my Dillon when the powder level drops low in the powder measure. I mean really *really* low, as in almost empty. The only other thing that I can think of is an accidental bump/adjustment on the powder measure, or an inconsistent throw on the handle. Usually the Dillon measures are really good about keeping a consistent throw, with the occassional +/- .1gr variation.

I'd also ask how you're performing your weight check: beam scale, digital scale, etc.? I only ask because recently my RCBS 1500 Chargemaster has exhibited some erratic behavior when measuing and throwing charges... as much a .2 -.4 grains off.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I keep my powder at a minimum 1 inches in the powder tube and maximum 6 inches.

I measure my powder with 2 scales. I always do 5 to 10 measures and the last 3 measures must be +- .1gr. My 10 measures are always done by throwing 4 charges and dividing them by 4 to remove the imprecision ratio of the scale. Then I do a few measures with one throw and they must be +- .1 gr too.

Thank you

 

[D. Manley]

I use the Uniquetek micrometer as well so I do know what you talking about. I'd say it's just a little variation between the old lot and new lot of powder...I've noticed the same thing before. No big deal, you can either re-adjust your spreadsheet (if you use it) or just continue to use a little "Kentucky Windage" to compensate.

It's hard to describe how really neat these things are, no? I have 23 powders entered into my spreadsheets and one of these days, I'll add the few that remain undone. Nice to go directly to a desired throw of all your powders virtually instantly.