Observations of working with 800x

[Peter M. Eick]

I loaded up 1400 rounds of 10mm today using 800X. I was working with a mild load for 10mm 8.3 grns and a 180 grn Lasercast slug. CCI300 primers to 1.253 which is my standard for 10mm. My press is a Pro2000 and I was running a baffle. My press is well worn with over 300,000 rounds loaded on it.

First observation. It takes about 10 rounds for the Uniflow (with the small micrometer) to settle in. I was seeing 8.7 grns down to 8.1 grns during the settle in period. All of those charges were dumped and rethrown.

2) The charge weight went heavy as I loaded the press up with all 5 stations in use. 8.3 grns went up to 8.5 grns with the stronger shaking of the press.

3) If I stopped and weighed every round once I reset the weight to 8.3 grns, the charges varied between 8.5 and 8.2 grns.

4) If I just randomly stopped and weighed a charge, it was 8 times out of 10 8.3 and 2 times out of 10 8.4 grns (yes I did keep track).

5) If I refilled the uniflow (for best results, don't let 800x get below 1/2 way full or the charges go light), the next charge was always 8.5 grns.

Conclusions: 800X is an easy powder to throw +/- 0.1 grns with a baffle if you keep the rhythm up on the pro2000. You just have to plan on tossing back the next drop after you refill the powder measure as it will always be heavy.

I am glad I still have 10 more lbs of 800x. It works great in 10mm, does nice mild to wild lead loads and is easy for me to meter.

 

[horsemen61]

That's awesome thanks for sharing peter

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I've found it to meter much worse than Unique, but like Unique a 0.1-0.2gr variance doesn't seem to make a difference on the target. It might make a difference if you're a world class shooter or using a ransom rest. But my problem is that it won't stay within 0.1-0.2gr variance, more like 0.4-0.6. I never did try to run it on my progressive though, only through a measure on a stand.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Have you tried moving the baffle up or down? Also I have seen where some use two baffles set 90* apart.

 

[bluetopper]

Not much difference in 800X and Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

 

[Walkalong]

I agree with everything Peter posted.

Like many bigger grained powders, I am quite sure 800X takes 10 or more throws to settle down. I wonder how many folks are not doing that before saying it meters badly.

Then there is the issue of adding more powder to the hopper. This affects some powders worse than others, but some packing of the powder column happens with all powders when first poured in. Thus the need to settle in, or the around 3 to 10+ throws for the first filling. Topping off isn't as bad.

AA #2 settles in almost immediately, while 700X needs 10+ throws to do so.

I do not size or prime while loading, so the press is not being subjected to much more jerking etc than when I am running throws through the measure to check the weight. A couple of checks after I get started actually loading and I'm good to go.

 

[rsrocket1]

Another observation I've seen with 800X has been that a fat wide powder measure cavity (like one for rifle powder) is better than a long narrow cavity. The flakes tend to settle better in that sort of rotor. I use the rifle rotor in my LnL AP when throwing 800X.

 

[Schwing]

I ended up with 8 pounds of 800x a couple of years ago when I was completely out of powder and it was all I could find.

I found it to be really great for .357. I still use it for my 158 grain RN loads. One observation I had working up these loads was that it was extremely accurate between 7.1 and 8.1 grains. Unlike your experience, I was never able to get it to throw within a +-.1 grain. Mine was throwing charges as far off as .4 grains no matter how many I did. I also experimented with a baffle, then multiple baffles etc with no luck.

After a few abysmal days of hand weighing every charge, I finally got smart and set it to 7.5 grains and just accepted the fact that they would be anywhere from 7.1 to 7.9, well below the 8.9 grain max. I can't tell a lick of difference in accuracy and my chronograph can't see more than around 50fps difference between the highest and the lowest load.

 

[Toprudder]

Haven't tried 800x yet, but I have run into a similar problem wtih 700x. In the Uniflow, a baffle is mandatory. In my Dillon, I mounted an aqaurium pump to the side of the hopper (just rubber bands to hold it on). The vibrations helps settle the powder in the transfer bar. I get decent powder throws with that arrangement.

 

[JimKirk]

I load 800X in my 357 SIG ... I use a RCBS Uniflow with the large cylinder .... I always dump back the first 8/10 dumps to get it settled down ... I also use 800X in some 20 gauge shotshells ...

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I only use a single baffle at the bottom of the uniflow. It works fine for me. I never have thought to try one higher up. I will have to give that a shot some time.

800x is just another good powder that takes a bit of work to use. It is not a ball powder so you can't expect to treat it like one and get good results.

 

[cfullgraf]

I only use a single baffle at the bottom of the uniflow. It works fine for me. I never have thought to try one higher up. I will have to give that a shot some time.

I tried a second baffle in my L-N-L powder measure on the progressive press. The lower one is set so that the baffle holes are not over the metering cavity and the upper baffle is turned 90 degrees to the lower.

It helped with the L-N-L powder measure and flake powder (700-X).

I have a Redding 10-X modified to work on the progressives case activated powder measure system and it works fine without the second baffle.

The second baffle is worth experimenting with and does not take much effort.