Odd Density Issue With Titegroup?

[TenDriver]

I was loading some 9mm with Titgroup the other night, and after setting my powder measure, the charges seemed to get heavier after a few throws. They started at 3.8 gr, and ended up around 4.4 with me dumping the charges back in the hopper and backing off the setting to get it down to 3.8. I was measuring on a digital scale which I thought might have been the reason, but I verified this was happening on a beam scale as well.

Any ideas?

 

[LiveLife]

What powder measure are you using?

Perhaps powder in the hopper settled and powder drops became more dense?

After I add powder to the hopper, I throw several charges until the charges become consistent from powder settling.

 

[rcmodel]

BDS nailed it.

All powder, in all powder measures, packs down and the charges increase after you add new powder to the measure.

Always throw a bunch of charges using your normal operating rhythm before deciding it is doing what you think it is doing.

rc

 

[gahunter12]

Titegroup is known for this. As BDS, and RC said I always fill my measure, and let it sit while I'm getting other things ready. Then I will throw 10-15 charges. Finally I will throw a charge to check weight. Once I get my weight correct I will throw, and weigh 10 charges. If I'm loading 3.8gr of Titegroup I will get between 37.9gr-38.1gr for 10 charges.

 

[TenDriver]

BDS, I have a Lee measure.

Sound like I need to change my method. I had also thought about putting a baffle in there, but haven't gotten around to it.

I load mostly stick powders and haven't run across this before. Thanks for the responses.

 

[LiveLife]

I use Lee Perfect Powder measure and several Pro Auto Disk.

After you pour the powder in the hopper, tap the hopper a few times to speed up the powder settling. You should get more consistent throws faster.

Once settled, both Lee powder measures throw Titegroup and other small flake/ball powders within .1 gr variance for me.

 

[ATLDave]

As others have noted, powders will settle in the hopper, and some settle more than others. I use a Lee turret press, and I crank it through 3-4 full revolutions before I throw the first charge. Then I tare weigh* the first several charges to make sure it has settled down to the range that I'm expecting based on previous loading sessions.

If I'm using a new powder, or throwing a new weight of it, then I'll throw a dozen or more test charges to see how consistently its metering. If it settles down quickly, I may trust it for a while but then check frequently. If it doesn't want to settle down, then I know I've got a powder that just doesn't meter well. (That's generally an indication that I will have a 99% full canister of that powder for quite a while.)

* Zero the scale with the primed brass on it; throw charge; re-weigh brass with powder in it. This is the best thing, IMO, about a digital scale.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

A baffle is a must to prevent compaction and insure consistent charges. If you don't have one grab an aluminum can and make one.

 

[sexybeast]

I disagree about this with titegroup. I also have a lee powder disc and right now titegroup is in the hopper. I was loading 9mm last night, sat down and did a few this afternoon and measured the first one. 4.8gr exactly, which is what its set on. All the following one's were 4.8 too.
Now Red Dot! Overnight it will make the first drop .3gr over at least. Other flake powders too. 231 and Universal are real good about variances too.

 

[Walkalong]

Always run 10 or more charges through a measure before checking weights or using, because most powders settle some, and some settle a good bit, but 3.8 to 4.4 is a whole lot.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I have three different brands of powder measures and they all do that until settled at startup, with Titegroup and every other powder out there.

I have Lee, RCBS, and Hornady measures. I fill them, tap them around a little, and cycle 10-20 times to get them consistent.

It's perfectly normal when their first filled. If you continue to have problems after that you may have a static problem. Then Static Guard is your friend.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

I use 231 and while the effect isn't as pronounced I usually will throw 10 times then do 2 10 throw averages that are measured. With my 3.0gr 150gr swc load I get very consistent results after that first 10 throws, usually between 29.8 and 30.0. Almost forgot to mention I'm doing this with a Lee Pro Auto Disk measure.

 

[kcofohio]

I can't go much below 5.0 gr with TG on my Lee, or it will throw inconsistants charges too. But I use a charge-bar that adjust by micrometer. The problem is the cavity is longated at this small of adjustment that the flakes seem to hang and not fill the void. But the "Perfect Powder" doesn't have the steps to hang on, and it throws consistant. This has been repeated with 2 different canisters with different lot #'s.