IMR 800x metering problems

[hornadylnl]

I got some IMR 800x to reload 40S&W. I'm loading on an LNL AP press. I started off using my pistol rotor and insert and the charge was all over the place, mostly several charges would be at least 1 or 2 grains under like it wasn't dropping into the rotor like it should. I then tried the rifle rotor and insert and basically got the same problem. I've loaded clays for 45 and only had 1 or 2 tenths deviation with that flake powder so I'm trying to figure out why I'm having so much trouble with the 800x flake powder. It is kind of humid in my reloading room but I don't thinkt that would be the problem because the powder wouldn't have been exposed to the air for more than 10 or 15 minutes. I'm thinking I'll save that powder for loading 12 gauge but I'm not so sure I'd trust it to meter very well with my Lee Load All 2 either. Did I just throw away $16 on this can of powder? Anybody else had problems with 800x metering?

 

[Walkalong]

I have heard it can be difficult to meter, but I have never tried it.

Universal Clays & AA#5 work very well for me in the .40.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have a uniflow that does well with 800x +/- 0.1 grns is normal. The key for me is use a baffle, small powder micrometer and cylinder, keep the measure full, smooth consistent strokes and a well worn in Pro2000 press.

 

[corey006]

YES...

800X is notorious for metering poorly.

I just got my pistol rotor today for my LNL AP...but judging from your experience with 800X I will not even bother trying it in the progressive...

I have had some success with using a RCBS Dandy Powder Measure but still would not trust it 100% with Max loads.

If you want a powder that meters better than 800X and has similar performance try Bluedot or maybe even Longshot.

It sucks that it meters so poorly. I can get over 1200fps with 200gr XTP's in my 10mm with it, but I have to individually weigh each charge.

 

[GP100man]

Hget some powdered graphite & put a little in the measure then shake it around then empty it & start trying it again . it works & graphite in small doses wont hurt a thing!!!
i use herco & 800x looks the same ,but meters ok in my lee auto discs.
especcially after treating em with graphite!!!


gp100man

 

[Brainstem]

700x and 800x are extremely hard to meter. I've used everything from a Redding BR, to a Bonanza BR, to a RCBS BR, to a Dillon measure... even a Lee Perfect powder measure and a lee auto disk measure.

Its a shotgun powder that measures the best with a charge bar, not a revolving cylinder. I like it in .45 ACP, however I like the consistent charge of WST or 231 better.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've used 800X for years for my 38 wadcutter loads. Never have been able to get it to measure out of my Lee perfect measure, my old Lyman 55, or my Little Dandy. Measures pretty good with lee dippers tho.

 

[Dave P]

I use it for high performance loads in 357sig and 10mm. But I hand measure every one!!

 

[Walkalong]

700x and 800x are extremely hard to meter

I like 700X, but it doesn't meter well from my Redding 10X measure.:banghead:
It did pretty well from my Hornady pistol measure which uses brass bushings.

 

[Shoney]

800X is a wonderfull powder for some applcations. It is hard to meter well on an LNL, but can be done within acceptable levels, but with more work on the loaders part.

You cannot keep much powder in the meassure, under 1/2 inch. You must make each throw of the handle consistent. This means that you must contantly check the loads until you get the process right, and you must be adding small amounts of powder on freqent intervals.

This process was a PITB hastle for most loads, and I found better powders with similar results, but for those few loads with the superior performance, I am willing to hand measure each one.

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.



I have given up on metering 800X.
I weight every charge.
I have used about 1 can.

Owi, do I hate pouring big 800X flakes in a tiny 25acp case

 

[PsychoKnight]

Yep, my can has lasted a loooong time. I seldom use it, but when I do I also hand weigh every charge - hence why I don't use it often. But I get extremely high velocity and accuracy with it, with good burnout and while the muzzle flash is big, it resides quickly. I only use it for benchrested groups at 50 yds, or when I had a scoped 11" 44mag S.BlackHawk, at 100yds.

If you insist on using it, you may do best with a Lee expander die in place of the auto powder drop assembly in the LnL. It accomodates a funnel atop the die for scoop dropping. Run the Lee scooper backwards into a small cup of 800X just unti it fills and don't scrap off the excess, and you'll discover consistent hand-crafted metering. Sometimes old tech works better.

 

[joneb]

If you think 800X is a pita try IMR Trail Boss it bridges often in my Redding Mod 3 with the micro pistol meter, this may not be related but a .30 dia hole with large flakes spells trouble for me. I E-mailed Redding and asked is they made a charge bar with a .5" dia hole for the Mod.3, they do not. If they wish to sell me other products they better start With Trail Boss and other light bulky powders I remove the flow restricter and firmly tap the side of the reservoir before each through.

 

[Okiecruffler]

The only reason I put up with that cranky stuff is that I haven't found any other powder that can come close to it's performance in my snubbys with WCers. Works really well for 256win mag too. I go thru at least 8 pounds a year.

 

[hornadylnl]

I should have asked the pros before I bought this can. On the other hand, I don't like to ask about every single powder I want to try because everybody will think that I'm too lazy to look things up. That is why I started another thread asking if there was a chart anywhere that listed popular powders by type. I looked through my Lee manual and couldn't find anything. I also have a Sierra book but it only has rifle data. I have a few powder manufacturer pamphlets. I'll have to look through those to see if they list it by type. I don't understand why the companies can't say what kind of powder it is on the can.

 

[the pistolero]

Much of what I'd read on here about 800X had to do with the fact that it didn't meter well, which is why I went with Accurate No. 9 for my first go-round with loading my own. Runs like water through my Uniflow measure, meters DNO 99.44% of the time and gives me great velocities and accuracy in 10mm. I can't testify as to its merits vs. 800X, but it works well for my purposes. You might try it if you don't want to mess with 800X.

 

[Master Blaster]

The problem is that the hole in the pistol rotor for the lock and load is too small, and you will have bridging problems no matter what powder you use unless you stick to a very fine ball powder. I had a pistol rotor for my LNL which I returned. I now use a micrometer rifle rotor which works OK.

I say the rifle rotor works OK because you will find that you have to keep the LNL powder measure loaded about halfway or use a baffle to get consistent powder drops with small volume pistol charges.

Why they dont make a rotor with an opening halfway in size between the pistol and the rifle rotor is a mystery to me.

BTW I have a Dillon 550B and a Hornady LNL and I have loaded about 5000 rounds on the LNL and about 80,000 rounds on the 550B. The Dillon slider is much more consistent for small volume pistol charges and is not sensitive to the powder level in the hopper like the Hornady measure.

 

[PsychoKnight]

The only reason I put up with that cranky stuff is that I haven't found any other powder that can come close to it's performance in my snubbys with WCers. Works really well for 256win mag too. I go thru at least 8 pounds a year.

Might I suggest trying VihtaVuori 320N?
I get the performance of the 800X, without any of the negatives. Not cheap, hard to get, but seems worth it if I'm right about it being a candidate for the best all around higher energy pistol powder, and even meters very consistently.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've heard good things, but I've never even seen VV powders in this area. 800X is on every shelf. There are a couple of different VV powders I'd like to try, especially in my contenders.

 

[TonyT]

I purchased akeg of it almost 20 years ago for relaoding 28 ga. shotshells. The dealer warned me about it's poor metering ability and he was correct. I disposed of a half keg after having more than my share of "bloppers" in the 28 ga. Consider the $16 a learning expereince.