Powder Measure - still weigh every one?

[Potatohead]

At the beginning of the session, my little system is: I check a charge every time I look over and the pan on the scale has almost quit swaying.

Once Ive been going for a bit and I feel everything is tip top, I pretty much just try to keep my seating/eye position the same every pull and rely on looking in each case for a low/no charge.

 

[FROGO207]

Every one develops their own method that works best for them. I like my Lyman/Ideal 55 measure as I can compensate for the size flakes and get to throw accurate loads. For plinking/blasting ammo I load with the batch method 60 rounds to a block. Mid range loads so I set the throw, after it settles down I correct as necessary then load em up. I check the load once at random near the end of that block. Visually inspect the levels all at once with a bright light then seat the bullets. With hunting/precision ammo I throw a short load and trickle up using a Lee scoop. As time goes on and you become more comfortable with the results the checks can decrease some. Now if you use scoops and can actually scoop consistently, the volume will never change and therefore will never get out of adjustment. YMMV

 

[rskent]

Gojuice101 and wanderinwalker

You guys get good results metering Varget?

What powder measure do you use?

 

[Tony k]

Nope. When I'm first starting out a batch I set the powder measure close, drop 10-20 charges to let the powder settle (dump them right back into the hopper), then I start doing final adjustments. Once I drop 10 charges in a row that are my target weight, I start loading. Then weigh every 10th charge for the first 50 rounds. After that if I'm not seeing any issues, I check every 50th charge and any charges that look low to my eyes. This is loading pistol ammo and .223 AR plinking ammo on a progressive. When working up rifle or pistol loads, and loading hunting or precision rifle loads, I weigh every charge even when using a powder measure.

^^^This

The only difference is that I throw about 50 settling charges at the beginning of a session. Also, once I think I've got the load right, I weigh 10 charges combined. In other words, let's say I'm going for a charge weight of 5.9 grains. My combined 10 should weigh right about 59 grains. If it's above 60 or below 58, I assume it is not throwing a very consistent charge with that powder and avoid batch loading near max with that powder.

 

[Panfisher]

Generally I will use my RCBS measure for about all except large extruded powders lIke 4831 or 4350. Throw some settling measures and run with it. I used to think that IMR 4895 wouldn't be consistent through the measure, but started to actually weigh them, never as much variance as it seemed, so I just keep rolling now.

 

[thefish]

Once I get the charge correct, I weigh every 10th drop.
They all have been consistent.

 

[Chuck R.]

Like the others "it depends". The majority of my loads are thrown, and the weights checked periodically.

I now use a couple Harrell measures, and they're amazing accurate. Coarse powders; IMR etc. I do weigh every charge and trickle in when I'm close to maximum.

For what it's worth, back when I was competing in BPCR Silhouette and long range I compared thrown VS. weighed charges for both accuracy and chronographed for consistent stats. I honestly could not tell a difference between the "two powder charging methods" as long as I maintained a + or - a couple tenths of a grain, which is well within the accuracy of either my Harrell's or Dillon measures.

Chuck

 

[bluetopper]

Rifle cases, I prepare them to be loaded. Pour in powder in my Hornady LNL powder measure, tap the side of the measure a few times to settle the powder then go about weighing and adjusting my throws. By that time the powder is settled in good then I prime, charge, and seat progressively.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I use a single stage loader for all of my reloading.

I'm not a competition shooter but, I demand that my guns shoot very accurately. What I've found out is the difference in .1 grain doesn't affect accuracy. There just isn't a difference in pressure between those loads that makes one hill of beans, if proper detail is shown on the other aspects. Same seated depth, same crimp pressure if one is applied, the "sweet spot" distance from bullet to lands is found in combination to crimp amount and seating depth, same primer lot, same brand of case, etc....

My Lee perfect powder dispenser will get the load within .1 every time. And. most times after running 20 or so charges through it, it will get it exactly right most every time. If not, it might be .1 lower or higher on large granulated powders. Something like 2400 and it is dead right every time. That is assuming the electronic reloading scale I check every 10 or so rounds on is not deviating. It is so precise and sensitive, most every load that does say .1 difference when testing, the powder pan can be removed and laid back on it in a different area and often, it says the exact charge that time.

So, it is a wash in my understanding, experience, and thoughts. I will say this, once you have the powder dispenser set to the charge you want, when going through the motions of loading the shell, do it with the understanding of what it takes. When raising the handle, let it set until you hear it fill with powder etc... It only takes a 1/2 second to get it right but, in my experience, when it shows .2 deviations in loads, it is due to going to quickly with the powder loading.

To sum it up, they are extremely accurate if used correctly. and using them will show zero detriment in accuracy versus hand weighing and filling each individual case. God Bless

 

[BLU]

Loaded up 100 rounds, (two different types of casings), to test each load for accuracy. I weighed every load. I'll do the same for 50 .38 Special +P just to be sure none are over the max.

That being said, I generally check every fifth load on the scale figuring if I do have a problem with the Win231 flow, I've only 'lost' 5 rounds. Rarely do I have any variations but I still check. Murphy's law dontcha know. I use a single-stage press because I'm a control freak about reloading. I want to see each step being done correctly.