H4895, auto disk, and other powder problems

[liberalwithagun]

I was lucky enough to receive 2lbs of H4895 from my girlfriend today. It looks to be a good .308 powder. The problem is that I get inconsistent charges out of my auto disk. When I use other powders (HP-38, H335) the +/- is generally under .1. The H4895 has seen charge differences of up to 1.5 grains.

Any solutions (trickler maybe)? Is it because it is a stick powder?

On the other fronts the auto disk "leaks" when I use H335 and slightly w/ HP-38. If I really tighten the hopper down it makes a small difference. Suggestions?

When using the auto disk is there a way to make minute grain changes? For example on HP-38 I can go in increments of .3-.4 grains. What if I want to move up smaller?

EDIT: Using H-335 and CFE-223 seems limited for .308. I can only get up to about 45-46 grains. Do I need a seperate powder measure? Lee Pro maybe?

 

[GooseGestapo]

These are well know deficiencies of powder measures and extruded powders.
I've been using the Lee measures for many years. They are what they are.
I've seen equal "inaccuracy" from my Pacific/Hornady powder measure and extruded powders.
The only rifle calibers I've ever used a progressive press to load for are the .223 and 7.62x39. With both, I used the Lee (double disc) and "spherical" powders. Specifically, BLC2 for the .223 and Acc.#1680 for the 7.62x39.

I typically use the Lee dippers to approximate the charges I want onto a powder scale and then dribble up to the charge I want. In other words, I "weigh" all my rifle charges.....

The ony reason I would use a progressive loader for the .308 would be for "burner" ammo for a semi-auto. In that case I'd be using surplus FMJ bullets and accuracy wouldn't be a major consideration. Therefore, I'd use BLC2 with the double disc.

I do keep my measures "tight" and elastomer wiper "clean"..... And I expect a little leakage.....

fwiw; powders such as Benchmark, H322, and larger granule ball powders such as WC-860 don't leak from the Lee measure...... Only the very, very small sphere's such as #2520, ect.

You can use a small ridged handled screw driver and twirl it agaisnt the side of the powder hopper to "settle" the powder charge before throwing it. But, I'd still weigh check each charge....

re: H4895 for .308. IMO it's as good as it gets... My younger brother has been using it for 25+yrs in his .308wcf. He's got a pre-'64 Win Mod-70fw and he uses a slightly above Hodgdon's max load for over 2,900fps with a 150gr Nosler Partition. He's killed a goodly number of elk, several pronghorn antelope, and several freight car loads of deer with it......
But, he's a "hunter", not a shooter..... 100 bullets will last him 10+years......

 

[hogrdr]

i had an original auto disc and it leaked everywhere with ww231. i bought the update kit with the round hopper and seal, it stopped the leaking, but the adjustable charge bar that came with the kit isn't usable with light charges of 231. i throw with the measure then dump it in scale and trickle add to top it off. i do all my max charges that way

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Auto-Disk is not a good choice for long cut rifle powders. The small circular cut-outs are not designed for extruded rifle powders. You have good success with H335 because it's a ball powder. I suggest you buy a different powder measure if you want to throw large charges of extruded powders accurately. BTW, how many times do you have to throw the powder to fill the case? Even with the double-disk upgrade it must be at lease 3X or maybe more???

If you want to keep the price down the Lee Perfect Powder Measure works well. It looks and feels cheap but it's accurate. If you want to spend a little more the Lyman #55 is outstanding.

 

[kennedy]

no way could I use the double disk for .308, I can barely use it for .223. for .308 using H4895 I weigh every charge. results with match kings are great in my rem 700.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

You're going to have to get a different powder measure, but with the small amount of powder you have, I would just weigh every charge and be done with it. Best way to get premium accuracy out of your .308 rounds with an excellent rifle powder that doesn't meter well.

 

[BsChoy]

I have smaller variances in my H4895 in my lee dropper. I still use it for plinking rounds and it seems to be good enough. H4895 is actually pretty short cut not like IMR's version.