Powder Checker saves the day

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showmebob

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I was working up some new loads 10 at a time this afternoon using 700X. I have a RCBS powder checker and I'll admit not always watching it. One of the times I forgot to look at it directly, out of the corner of my eye, something just didn't look right. The checker die showed only a slight charge in the case. I pulled the case and continued the run of 10 (the rest were fine) and then measured the powder in the case. It weighed 2.0 grains instead of the 5.6 the powder measure was set for.
This is the first time I have had this happen in the 1330 reloads I've done so far although I've loaded very few with 700X. Is this common with this powder or just a fluke?
 
showmebob said:
I was working up some new loads 10 at a time this afternoon using 700X. I have a RCBS powder checker and I'll admit not always watching it.
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Well, I can't speak to the 700X, nor can I speak to the RCBS powder checker, as I own neither. However, you have served as a useful reminder to me why I visually confirm the powder level in every case I load. Since I am loading on a progressive, I have a 4 point visual routine that I use during every ram cycle:
  1. Has the decapper pin slipped up in the collet, indicating a problem?
  2. Did the primers advance one primer in the loading chute?
  3. Is there the correct powder in the case?
  4. Is the next case in place and upright ready to load in station 1?
I have recognized a problem with either primer or powder, and been able to proactively fix it, enough times that it keeps my discipline fresh.
 
I size all my brass first, so I don't have to worry about it when I load. I also hand prime before I load, so I don't have to worry about that either. The expander operation is not prone to mess ups. The powder drop is eyeballed when I seat every single bullet over the powder. The crimp and seating can be felt real well because sizing is not happening.

I do not use a powder checker. It is my responsibility to see each and every charge I seat a bullet over.

I have used a lot of 700X, both with a Hornady pistol powder measure and a Redding 10X. So far I do not remember any charges or parts of charges getting stuck in the measure or the drop tube, but as a fairly large flake powder, it could be prone to it in some measures.
 
I am using a Hornady powder measure with a LNLAP. On 380 and 9mm loads I look at the powder when I set the bullet on the case. The 357 light load powders don't fill the case high enough to see and that is why I use the powder checker. I think when I start doing larger runs it will be easy to develop good habits.
 
700X was terrible to meter for me, ended up hand measuring each charge, traded what I had off for Accurate Arms powder. 700X was the single most inconsistant metering powder I ever had, in both the lee perfect Powder Measure, and my RCBS Uniflow.
 
357 light load powders don't fill the case high enough to see and that is why I use the powder checker.
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I have an Fenix LED light shining down into the case and I lean over and look in the case, even for those light .357 loads.

I am not against powder checkers, I just want to see the charge.
 
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