Scale gone bad

[ferggie]

Set up to load 45 ACP 200gr LSWC, OAL 1.25 using WST. Digital scale warmed up for about 30 min. Calibrated it and proceeded to adjust LNL powder measure to drop 4.6 gn's. Everything seemed fine and started loading. Checked the load after 50 rounds and the scale was acting strange. pulled out the balance scale and found it was dropping 5.2 gn;s. Pulled a couple of bullets and in fact they were 5.2gn's.

The max load listed for WST with this bullet is 5.1 gn, granted that is with an OAL of 1.225. I am afraid these will be to hot and need to pull them.

Any suggestions on the best way to pull a bunch of 200gr LSWC's?

 

[Waywatcher]

No help on pulling LSWCs from me.

Honestly, if I loaded some lead bullets 0.1 grains above max I would try it... as follows:

Load some more at 4.6, some at 4.8, some at 5.0, some at 5.1, and if they all acted normal I would let loose with those 5.2 loads.

Basically I would work up to the "mistake" rounds. Powder lots vary. But that's what I would do. Make your own decision!

 

[rcmodel]

A hammer bammer impact puller is the only way.

rc

 

[T Bran]

Just get out the hammer puller 50 rounds really wont take very long once you get in the groove. Just be sure to put a piece of foam rubber in the bottom of the hammer to avoid damage to the bullets.
That is the reason I gave up on electronic scales and now use a beam scale at all times. You just dont know when one goes a bit flakey not bad if it is way off but a little off makes it hard to tell.
Some folks do quite well with electronics and more power to them I just dont trust them.
Stay Safe
T

 

[dnmccoy]

+1 on the hammer. I have the cheapie Frankfort Arsenal one and it works great!

 

[Old Grumpy]

When you use the hammer do it in a room with a concrete floor. No matter how careful you are there will be flakes of powder all over the place. I went to the Dollar Store and picked up a strainer so after I pulled a bunch of bullets (dumping the powder and bullets in a bowl) I could separate the powder from the bullets. beats trying to pick them out with your fingers (that just deposits more powder on the floor).

Once you're done a quick once over with a broom and dust pan will remove all evidence of you error. I speak from the side of experience, I had to pull 384 bullets this summer (I screwed up when I set my dies and didn't perform any plunk tests until I had finished loading 400 rounds).

 

[ferggie]

Thanks

I really appreciate the feedback. I think I have loaded my last round using the digital scale. As a mechanical engineer I trust machanical over electrical, sorry that is just me. Digital goes in the next yard sale.

 

[Rail Driver]

When you use the hammer do it in a room with a concrete floor. No matter how careful you are there will be flakes of powder all over the place. I went to the Dollar Store and picked up a strainer so after I pulled a bunch of bullets (dumping the powder and bullets in a bowl) I could separate the powder from the bullets. beats trying to pick them out with your fingers (that just deposits more powder on the floor).

Once you're done a quick once over with a broom and dust pan will remove all evidence of you error. I speak from the side of experience, I had to pull 384 bullets this summer (I screwed up when I set my dies and didn't perform any plunk tests until I had finished loading 400 rounds).

I don't reload, but I've got a friend that does... When he uses his hammer to pull bullets, he puts the whole shebang inside a ziplock bag and he doesn't make a mess of powder everywhere.

 

[CMV]

Digital goes in the next yard sale.

With a note that it has issues hopefully

 

[mtrmn]

I really appreciate the feedback. I think I have loaded my last round using the digital scale. As a mechanical engineer I trust machanical over electrical, sorry that is just me. Digital goes in the next yard sale.

I agree a million percent-nothing but balance beams for me. My RCBS 1010 been going strong for 30 yrs now with zero malfunctions.
But if your old scale is truly screwed, please don't sell it to a fellow shooter. Take it out and shoot it for it's treasonous behavior.

 

[BYJO4]

I still use my beam scale most of the time. I bought the RCBS Chargemaster several years ago but for most things still like the beam scale. It wont take long to pull the bullets using a kinetic puller. Everyone needs this item in their loading equipment.

 

[oneounceload]

alibrated it and proceeded to adjust LNL powder measure to drop 4.6 gn's. Everything seemed fine and started loading. Checked the load after 50 rounds and the scale was acting strange. pulled out the balance scale and found it was dropping 5.2 gn;s.

If the scale is off, how do you know that the powder charge is, in reality, 5.2?

 

[ImjinScout]

I don't use the hammer to pull bullets, I bought the Hornady collet puller and this thing works like a charm. I have had to pull 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP, I load 200gr SWC's and had to pull about 15 of them and the 9mm collet fits it perfectly. No swinging a hammer for me

 

[chhodge69]

Did you change your batteries? My FA digital scale will give wonky readings when the voltage drops just a couple 10ths from new.

 

[gamestalker]

I've pulled a good deal of jacketed crimped 357 mags. over the years, it really shoudln'e be that different for those LSWC's.

I have an electronic scale and haveonly used it a coupel fo times. I just don't have the confidence that my RCBS balance provides.

 

[rfwobbly]

So you initially saved about 45 seconds using the digital. Now you've lost about a hour. I'm glad you had the balance beam as a backup.

 

[1SOW]

Checked the load after 50 rounds

Aaw, 50 rds practice won't even move you up to a "C" class hammer bammer.

 

[ferggie]

No yard sale

Just kidding on the yard sale. If I get rid of it It will end up in the trash. I couldn't sell it to someone thinking there would be the chance it could cause harm. I would rather concider it a lesson learned and trash the thing.

Mechanical rules!!

I am sticking with the beam!!!!!!!

 

[Krogen]

What kind of scale is it? I have a ancient RCBS electronic scale, the first model they sold and it still works flawlessly. I check it regularly with a set of check weights. It says Ohaus on the back.

 

[ferggie]

Hornady

 

[Krogen]

Uh-oh... A buddy is just getting into handloading and has a Hornady kit on its way to him. I sure hope the scale doesn't sour him on handloading. Hornady's $30 scale collected some pretty negative comments on Midway's site. Have you thought of contacting Hornady to see if they'll make good on it?

Electronic scales were well liked in years past - when they were pricier than balance types. Now that cheap electronic scales abound, so have the troubles.

 

[brickeyee]

When you use the hammer do it in a room with a concrete floor.

Just do not hammer on the concrete floor though.

It will cause cracks in the plastic hammer.

End grain 2x lumber is good.

When it starts to deform to much, swap ends, then cut off some wood on each end (an inch usually does the jib) and use the new clean end.

 

[Blue68f100]

A Anvil works best with the Kinetic pullers and most vices have a anvil. Concrete is too elastic the reason you get a lot of bounce and is abrasive. Wood absorbs too much energy unless your using a hardwood tight grain wood like Maple.

 

[unknwn]

hate to say "I told you so..."

Trusting ANY scale without a proper check weight set is a foolish mistake just waiting to bite you someday.
The ONLY way anyone can say that thier scale is accurate is to have, and use, a check weight set. And then, the check weight set must be utilized periodicly to allow for the continued accuracy of ANY scale.
If you as much as move the thing, you must run the tests with the check weight set. Otherwise you just don't really KNOW, and you are simply tempting fate. That's just how it is.
Who was it that said "..trust, but verify..."

 

[T Bran]

Dont feel to bad most of us have done the oops thing with an electronic scale. Not saying that they are all junk but enough have been that I dont trust them.
Consider it a testament to your good safe practices that you caught it before something far worse than pulling a few rounds apart happened. Nice Catch
T