Do you weigh every charge?

[rcmodel]

I have noticed the same thing on occasion.

The only explanation I can think of is.
If lighter:
Aromatic solvents escaped from the power that couldn't escape from the sealed can.

If heavier:
Or, the powder was drier in the can then the room, and humidity added weight.

rc

 

[newrugersafan]

Handgun and small rifle on my progressive I weigh a few to start and check a few as I'm going through the batch. Mine usually are with in a tenth and most of the time are are right on. When loading large rifle with long grain powders ( IMR 4831 ) I drop a charge in the pan and trickle up. I need to find a powder measure that works better with the long extruded powders. Large rifle and small batches get loaded on my Redding turrret. I think I'm going to take the plunge and get a Chargmaster for the extruded powders.

Mike

 

[Hangingrock]

For rifle I do not load on a progressive. The cases are sized, trimmed to length, deburred, and primed then placed in a GI ammunition can for storage.

When ready to finish loading for rifle I‘ll use a Belding & Mull powder measure for IMR series powders and a Redding powder measure for Reloader 15. This is a satisfactory arrangement for ammunition for the 200yd, 300yd, and 500/600yd lines. I’ll check the dispensed charge weight periodically.

As for pistol cartridges on a progressive I’ll check the charge weight at start up and finish. During the process I’ll visually check the case for noticeable low or high powder charges.

 

[FROGO207]

I pretty much mirror ReloaderFred in that I will sometimes weigh charges at random or when first setting up a charge. The only time I will weigh EVERY charge is for my SD ammo. I want NO chance of a problem and this is another cross check to help eliminate any problems.

 

[Floppy_D]

I toss a checkweight on my scale first (an important step that doesn't get mentioned often enough) and I weigh the first charge everytime I sit down for a loading session, then use a loading block to visually compare charges. I "upgraded" from a progressive back to a single-stage because I like to take my time, and I seldom get to shoot as often as I can reload.

 

[ric426]

I'm loading light .38 rounds and learned a good tip, I'm pretty sure from Walkalong who has provided a lot of good information. Since I'm dumping fairly light charges, when I'm checking charge weights I dump 5 into into the pan and then weigh it. I load in batches of 60 (for PPC), so I used to check it before each batch, but I found that my powder measure has been very consistent so now I check at the start of each session and then every second or third batch. The rounds are far more consistent than the shooter...

 

[P5 Guy]

ChargeMaster

Weights every charge while I seat and crimp the one from before. And I cross check a charge in twenty on another scale. No variation more than 0.1 grain.

 

[tango2echo]

I weigh all rifle charges. I weigh smaller pistol charges (anything under .38spl). I weigh every 20th charge on a progressive when loading .45acp and the like. With some powders (like TrailBoss) I just use a powder dipper most of the time once the charge weight is know. In .45LC the difference between 8.0gr and 8.5gr of TrailBoss is about 10 to 15fps. With black powder .45LC loads I do the same thing.

t2e

 

[guntech59]

I weigh every rifle charge that I load. That was how I was taught and it works for me. Slow is good.

I do everything on an RCBS JR or a Lee classic cast so I won't get much speed anyways.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have noticed the same thing on occasion.

The only explanation I can think of is.
If lighter:
Aromatic solvents escaped from the power that couldn't escape from the sealed can.

If heavier:
Or, the powder was drier in the can then the room, and humidity added weight.

rc

I too see small variation in measure setting from day to day. I thought it was just moisture content, but the loss of solvent is another possibility.

The poll does not have a choice for me. When working up a load, I weight every charge but once established, I set the measure and follow my normal process.

Normally, I'll check the measure at the beginning and then about every 50 cases there after. Sometimes more frequently until I am comfortable with what the measure is throwing. Sometimes less frequently if the measure is behaving itself and being extra consistent.

I like measures with micrometer heads. A bit more expense but easy to return to a particular charge.

 

[dc.fireman]

I've got the RCBS Chargemaster 1500 and a single stage press. I can't avoid weighing every single charge. I don't mind it though - it actually gives me peace of mind.

I have a friend that argues with me about it saying the components aren't even that consistent. To which I respond, "Even more reason to introduce fewer variables."

-MW

Amen to that!

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I not only weigh my powder, I weigh each bullet and separate out the bullets that are +-1 and +-2 grains and any others that are further from that I toss in the (plinking) pile.

 

[Sunray]

Depends on what you're loading for. If you want match grade rifle ammo, you weigh every charge. Isn't as important for handgun ammo.

 

[sig220mw]

I use a single stage press and will usually load 20 to 30 of each caliber (pistol) that I will be shooting and so I weigh them.