LnL powder measure problems

[jojosdad]

I have a new (serial # >10k) LnL press. I'm having a lot of trouble getting it to throw a consistent load of Clays. I measured 15 throws on an electronic scale and got weights varying from 3.5 to 4.0 grains. Does this powder measure have problems with small charges or is it the Clays?
I loaded about 200 cartridges with Bullseye and had only about .1gr variation with it (checking every 10 rounds).

 

[mscott]

I had trouble with Clays, but was only throwing 3 grains for minor .40 loads. I got a LEE auto disk powder measure and have been very happy with it.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

What cylinder and what insert are you using?

Dave

 

[jojosdad]

I'm using what came with the press. How do you tell which one you have?

 

[Canuck-IL]

Even with the pistol insert, Clays is the poorest metering because of the semi-flake shape ... keep the tube quite full and check the cases as you place the bullet. I use Clays with the LnL, but at a slower pace than BE, V310 or TG...when it does bridge on a case, it's pretty obvious visually.
/Bryan

 

[hapi]

as noted already:

clays isn't the best type of powder because it has the potential to bridge. you'll have to check all your loads closely. if you use the powder through the expander feature you can get a powder cop for one of your stations and that will let you know if you're bridging.

 

[Idano]

jojosdad,

You should have better consistency then that with a flake powder. Clean it again with a good safe solvent, I used IPA (rubbing alcohol). Make sure you get inside the linkage too. It also wouldn't hurt to grind down the shoulder nuts so there is no side to side play. Then install an RCBS powder baffle and make sure that you install the correct inserts so the powder measure moves as soon as the case come in contact. If you don't you will leave a ledge where powder will collect. Here is the consistency I see with the different types of powders:

• Ball Powder: maybe my digital scale will change 0.1 gr once in 25 charges
• Flake Powder: +/- 0.1 gr three or four times in 25 charges
• Extruded: +/-0.3 pretty regularly. If I am loading for defense or hunting I weigh every load and trickle to target.

I hope that helps

 

[Steve C]

I'm using what came with the press. How do you tell which one you have?

The powder metering set up that comes with the LNLAP press is for throwing 10 grains or mor more of powder. The pistol metering set up must be purchased and its designed for 10grs or under. With Clays being such a fast powder you need the small pistol metering set up. The only fast powder I use the standard metering tube for is Trail Boss which is very bulky.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

jojosdad,

The cylinder that comes with your press is for rifle powders. I use mine for everything, but use it with a Micrometer insert. I'm not sure if adding the micrometer insert would make a difference using clays or not, but I found it to be much more consistent than the standard insert and much easier to adjust.

I would follow Idano's advice and start with cleaning the powder measure and CAPD thoroughly with denatured alcohol, then I'd lube the measure with some powdered mica or other dry lube, as clays has no graphite in it to lubricate the measure that most other powders have. Then I'd add the powder baffle. You do know certain parts of the measure require application of dry lube, yes?

If those suggestions don't solve your issue, as a last resort I'd look at using the pistol cylinder, which is designed for dispensing smaller volumes of powder. I suspect your issue may be solved before you get to the pistol cylinder though.

Regards,

Dave

 

[MattB000]

I had a similar problem with the same measure when using Unique. The pistol micrometer insert only made things worse, however, the rifle micrometer insert helped things quite a bit.

 

[jojosdad]

Thanks for all the advice.
I'd been using the pistol insert, so that wasn't an issue.
I wasn't aware of the need to lube the measure, but I imagine the moving parts and places where the powder flows would be where I would. Can I use Hornady One-Shot for lubing? If not, are some dry lubes better than others?
I cleaned the measure thoroughly with brake cleaner before I used it, should I re-clean it?
Since everyone but Hornady is o/s on the pistol drum, I guess it's off to Oroville and RCBS fo the powder baffle. I'll let y'all know how this works.
Thanks again.
Peter

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Peter,

"I'd been using the pistol insert, so that wasn't an issue."

Actually, this may be your issue, depending on the powder. I would try the rifle insert and see how things go. I've found many pistol powders work much better with what they now call the Rifle Micrometer insert. If you have the standard rifle insert, try that and see how it goes.

"I wasn't aware of the need to lube the measure, but I imagine the moving parts and places where the powder flows would be where I would. Can I use Hornady One-Shot for lubing? If not, are some dry lubes better than others?"

With most powders you don't, but Clays doesn't have any graphite in it, so you'll likely need to lube the press a bit to help it go through. A little bit of powdered graphite or mica in places where the powder goes through should help. Don't use much and empty it out. You just want enough so the powder slips through freely. Hornady One-shot case lube will do fine in areas where the powder isn't traveling.

"I cleaned the measure thoroughly with brake cleaner before I used it, should I re-clean it?'

No, you should be fine.


"Since everyone but Hornady is o/s on the pistol drum, I guess it's off to Oroville and RCBS for the powder baffle. I'll let y'all know how this works."

I don't think you need the powder baffle. I think the pistol insert is probably your problem. Try using the rifle insert and see how that goes.

Regards,

Dave

 

[jojosdad]

I lubed everything with dry lube and graphite, rubbed down the hopper with a Downey sheet (now my rounds are springtime fresh), and changed to the rifle insert. Couldn't adjust the measure to throw a charge with the rifle insert so I changed back to the pistol one.
It works better; the variance is only .2 gr, so I'll get the powder baffle tomorrow and see how that works.

 

[robctwo]

I've just loaded about 2,000 .45 ACP using Clays. I have an older LnL, using the micrometer insert. Not sure if it is comparable to the newer rifle or pistol. I think mine was sold as pistol, but fit into the original drum. I use a bit of WS2, a dry lube when using Clays as well. I try to get right around 4.0 or 4.1 grains and am within .1 at all times. I really like Clays with the 200 gr LSWC for range/target shooting.

 

[jojosdad]

Thanks for all the help.
Finally got the pistol drum (everyone but Hornady was o/s til now), and it fixed the problem. Every charge is +- .1 grain. Got a different problem, but I'll do a search for it before I start a new thread