Link to original thread http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=686876&highlight=powder+cop+issues
I solved my issues with the powder cop being all over the place and will contribute the resolution to several factors suggested by members here. I can't say that one had more impact than the other as I did them all at once rather than trying each one seperately as they all made sense.
1. Polish and deburr the stem and bore of the die. Both surfaces felt rough with a dental pick, the stem was visibly rough. Polishing was done with 320 grit sandpaper on the stem chucked in a drill press and the bore was polished with a patch wrapped on an old worn out .22 cal bronze bore brush w/ 220 grit lapping compound.
I also changed my adjustment procedure. Once the powder measure threw consistent charges I inserted the stem into the Powder Cop with the o-ring set in a groove for minimal movement and left the lock ring loose. Once the ram was raised and the o-ring rose above the body I noted the distance it had raised. Lower the ram and screw the die up roughly the amount that would make the o-ring flush. Dump the case and run it again fine tuning the die height. Some of my problems came when trying to adjust the die with the charged case present and causing it to settle or compress as a result. This will frustrate to no end. Just run a fresh charged case everytime to make an adjustment and it works great!
Other things that helped consistency beside the Powder Cop problems.
2. Moved my powder scale from the reloading bench to an adjacent one. Not sure of how much difference but it seems logical to isolate it and I will continue to do so.
3. Dryer sheet all over outside and inside of the powder measure to eliminate any static. I did this before and after filling the measure.
Thanks to all that suggested ideas and hopefully someone can use this in the future.
I solved my issues with the powder cop being all over the place and will contribute the resolution to several factors suggested by members here. I can't say that one had more impact than the other as I did them all at once rather than trying each one seperately as they all made sense.
1. Polish and deburr the stem and bore of the die. Both surfaces felt rough with a dental pick, the stem was visibly rough. Polishing was done with 320 grit sandpaper on the stem chucked in a drill press and the bore was polished with a patch wrapped on an old worn out .22 cal bronze bore brush w/ 220 grit lapping compound.
I also changed my adjustment procedure. Once the powder measure threw consistent charges I inserted the stem into the Powder Cop with the o-ring set in a groove for minimal movement and left the lock ring loose. Once the ram was raised and the o-ring rose above the body I noted the distance it had raised. Lower the ram and screw the die up roughly the amount that would make the o-ring flush. Dump the case and run it again fine tuning the die height. Some of my problems came when trying to adjust the die with the charged case present and causing it to settle or compress as a result. This will frustrate to no end. Just run a fresh charged case everytime to make an adjustment and it works great!
Other things that helped consistency beside the Powder Cop problems.
2. Moved my powder scale from the reloading bench to an adjacent one. Not sure of how much difference but it seems logical to isolate it and I will continue to do so.
3. Dryer sheet all over outside and inside of the powder measure to eliminate any static. I did this before and after filling the measure.
Thanks to all that suggested ideas and hopefully someone can use this in the future.
