powder measure accuracy

[yzguy]

I have a Lyman Powder measure (this one), and was trying to use it to measure out 3.6 grans of Clays for loading .45acp

I got it close and dumped about 10 charges back in the hopper. Then measured out about 5 rounds and got 3.5 to 3.8 grains (mostly 3.6 and 3.7). Is this normal?

I went ahead and loaded up 50 rounds (I had tested 3.5 to 3.9 already and all were fine) and weighed 3 or 4 of them, and they all fell in the 3.5 to 3.8 range again.

I tried using the knocker, and not using it, and no matter what I did I could not get the same charge 3 times in a row.

is this normal? is it the measure? the powder?

 

[Steve Smith]

Git yerself a fat flat washer...roughly the size of the inside of the hopper. Maybe a 1/2" or 3/4" hole through it. Stick it in there and fill with powder.

Try it agin.

 

[Carlos]

?? How's it work, Steve?

I'm not familar with the powder you're using, but extruded powders (pencil lead stuff) will not throw consistently in a measure. You want a different powder.

 

[E357]

Clays is a very large flake, very fast powder, that does not seem to measure very well in low quantities. In my Lee Disk measures 3.5 is about the lowest I feel OK throwing. If I actually go to the trouble of hand weighing light loads, I found it just as accurate as Bullseye in the 38 target loads - with less powder.

I never liked that Lyman measure - it was built nicely - but I could not get it to be consistant.

Steve Smith: I also don't understand what you mean about the washer. Are you making kind of a "powder baffle" effect thing?

Elliot

 

[Kruzr]

yzguy, people have problems metering the flakes of Clays with all kinds of powder measures. I load Clays on a Dillon 550B and am able to keep it within .1 gr. I load a 200 gr. bullet so I'm up in the 4.0 - 4.2 range. I was having problems until I wiped the inside of the measure down with one of those anti-static cloths you throw in a dryer (get the unscented ones and put it in the dryer for about 15 minutes, then wipe down the insides of the funnel in the powder measure.) I also find that when I use the handle without actually throwing a load on the progressive (doesn't look like its a problem with yours), the next throw is heavy.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have a lyman meadure that I use when I am loading single stage, I also have a dillon 550 with measure, the dillon measure seems to be more accurate and consistant with flake and ball powder in small charge weights, but the bigger the flakes with either the less consistant they are.

The lyman I have has two thumbscrew adjustible slides that regulate the size of the cavity (charge weight), a large one on the bottom and the smaller one that sits on top.

If you are throwing a charge that is small with a flake powder, you may want top close off the bottom large cavity slide, and only open the top one. This makes for a flatter wider cavity, rather than a tall narrow one. That seems to give better accuracy with flake powders.

 

[Steve Smith]

powder baffle

Sometimes it works wonders, sometimes it does nothing. I have sen it help more than do nothing. I say its worth the 30 cents to try it!

 

[yzguy]

I thought it may be the flake size (looked big to me, but what do I know, I just started...)

I think the washer is kinda like a baffle, like this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/699516

Right??

Kruzr,
now that you mention it, I do remember that quite a bit stuck to a funnel (separate plastic one I used for replacing a few charges I weighed), and the inside of the measure when I emptied it back out. I'll give that a shot...

Master Blaster,
mine has 3 parts you can pull out to make the cavity larger, Large medium and small. I have the medium one out 1 notch, and the small one out 2. I actually started trying to use only the small one, but found it was harder to turn the handle because more powder was getting pinched, so I figured if I made it deeper, there would be less width of powder being pinched and easier to turn (and it was).

I think I'll try the static wipe and the washer thing for now. I'll be happy if I can get +- .01 for now (only plinking ammo) and maybe next time try another type of powder.

 

[oldfart]

I don't use Clays, opting for Unique instead. But it's a flake powder too, so I should have a similar problem-- except I use a different measure. I have an 'el-cheapo' Lee Perfect Powder Measure that-- after break-in-- throws 4.5 grs of powder time after time after time after... You get the idea. It is the cheapest POS-looking thing on the market, but it works! I don't worry about static or baffles or cut flakes or anything but getting the bullet seated properly over what I already know is the right amount of powder. Try it, you'll like it!

 

[goon]

I have heard of the baffle idea before. It works, according to a buddy of mine, but I have never tried it because I have never needed to.
I have found that mine will pretty much throw the same charge every time, but I do have to use the same technique every time. It is very sensitive to how it is worked, so I have to be methodical in how I work it.
Also, I have found ball powders to be more forgiving than stick or flake powder. If you are still having problems and are willing to experiment, find a ball powder of similar burn rate and try it.
BTW- I also have the Lyman measure. There are three bars on it that are used to measure the charges. You are most likely using only the top bar for such a small charge. Try using the top two bars, and adjust them so that they are more than less even with each other. I had fits with IMR 4320 until I figured this one out.
And try leaving the handle in the down position between charging cases. It goes against all logic, but it does seem to work a little better.