Horn. Powder Drop Crimping 30-06 Case?

[Uncle Richard]

Help,
Im reloading rifle (30-06) for the first time on my Hornady Lock-n-Load. During the upstroke ~midway, there is a catch, which takes some force to finish the upstroke cycle. The catch ends up crimping the 30-06 case mouth. Im using 4350 powder. The catch doesn't happen unless the powder is in the Powder Drop. Note that I'm not using the powder baffle. Tried it, but still getting the catch. The only thing I can come up with is that the 4350 powder is getting caught between the edge of the rotor and powder funnel, which takes force to shear the powder. The force to finish the upstroke caused the 30-06 case mouth to crimp.

What's causing the "catch"? Anyone have this problem? I don't want to use another powder, but will. Note that I'm getting decent charge consistency, +-0.2gr.

 

[gamestalker]

It's not the powder causing your problem, it's a die adjustment problem. Back your die out until you don't feel that "catch" as you termed it.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Thanks Gamestalker, Ive tried this and tried it again as you suggested, but don't believe the die adjustment is the problem. I adjusted the die so that the meter insert has plenty of room left to travel at the peak of the upstroke of the ram.

I probably shouldn't call it a "catch," better describe it as a binding. The binding occurs when the meter insert is about halfway through the upstroke, where the meter insert is parallel with the floor. The crimping of the case mouth occurs during this time. I did notice the midway point of the upstroke is when the mouth of the rotor is almost closed.

Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Happy new years.

 

[Walkalong]

Something is put together wrong or adjusted wrong.

 

[Blue68f100]

The case activated dispenser is not the best when it comes to Large/long Tubular/stick powders. They do not dispense good in rotor type of dispensers. I ran in to the same thing use IMR4350 in 7mm Rem Mag. What I had to do was to cycle the ram up and down till it cleared the hang up. Forcing it rolls the mouth like you found out. It only take a little movement (up/down) of the ram to clear the hang. I normally use a SS press when it come to loading rifle ammo. But then I'm weighting every charge too. If I shoot a lot I may look at a different powder. But my load in my gun is 1 ragged hole at 100 yrds if I do my part, so I not really interested in developing another load with another powder.

Option is do not use the case activated drop and manually operate when the ram is up.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Thanks Blue,

I bet if the rotor meter didn't have such a sharp edge, the binding wouldn't be as bad. I don't think I want to pay $30 for another rotor if I screw it up.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the same problem with the RCBS Uniflow too.

 

[danbowkley]

I did the exact same thing a couple weeks back. Basically the powder is binding up the measure; that extra resistance you feel is the measure actually shearing the powder kernels. This is easily checked by putting something in which to catch the dropped powder underneath the measure and manually operating it. If you still feel the catch, that's what's happening.

Anyone have any suggestions for a powder suitable for .30-06 that actually meters worth a fart?

 

[Uncle Richard]

Dan,

Winchesters website states that #760 is used in their factory loads, which is a ball powder. Thats what I'm going to try. Ive read a few posts that 760 meters well.