Stick powders and rotary dispensers

[gspn]

I have a Hornady LNL. It has a case activated, rotary powder dispenser. The rotary dispenser hates stick powders. In fact, the term "stick" can apply to both the shape of the powder, and it's effect on the dispenser...it sticks fairly regularly with this stuff.

I can't use the powder measure at all with H1000...it's just too big a headache. I use lots of that powder in my 7mm mag and I tried using the LNL powder measure to save some time on measuring charges...but it's never gonna happen.

I use Varget when loading 5.56. Varget meters better than H1000...however...once every 50 shells or so the dispenser will jam up hard enough to deform the mouth of the case I'm trying to fill. It rolls the case mouth inward, then the sticks get jammed in the mouth with the rest of the load sitting on top of the jam in the funnel. When I pull the ram upward (shells coming out of the dies) the blocked powder falls all over the place...the shell plate, in the primer track, the floor...everywhere.

Whenever this happens I have to take all the shells off, remove the shell plate, primer slide, and primer slide spring, then clean the shell plate, clean the base underneath the shell plate, clean the primer slide track, then reinstall the primer slide, primer slide spring, base plate, tighten the nut, and go again.

I may have to switch to a different type of powder...I don't like stopping even one time to do that...but I've had to do it several times in the past two days.

What's a good non-extruded powder for 5.56?

 

[otisrush]

H335 and W748 work great for me.

 

[cfullgraf]

I also like Accurate 2230 in the 223 Remington and it meters well through a rotary dispenser.

I use CFE223 in my 204 Ruger loaded on a progressive and it meters well. Lots of folks like it in the 223 Remington. One of these days I'll give it a try in 223 Remington.

 

[gspn]

Thanks. I'll track one of those down and try it.

 

[joem1945]

I have a Hornady powder drop. Yes, it doesn't like stick powders but I use a bit of force and just cut the kernels. I did have some very fine grind of powder that would get between the rotor body and the frams. Jammed up tight after a few drops. Had to take it apart and clean it with acetone.

 

[Ironicaintit]

If I had any type of progressive loader instead of using a turret and stand-alone uniflow, id have to stick to ball powders.
But im a patient slowpoke kinda guy (when reloading) and I am very fond of stick powders (IMR 3031, 4198, and 4895 specifically)

But I dont, so I have no idea which ball powders to recommend! H110 is awesome in 30 carbine and 357/44 magnums! Thats all i know.

 

[loose noose]

I used some 4198 this afternoon while I was loading some 175 grain cast bullets with a gas check for 30-40 Krag. I use a Uni-flow stand alone powder measure, (rifle cartridges). I've got two and use the both of them for various powders. One is on my progressive, and for that one I only use powders that meter really well. I do know that the powders such as IMR 4350, 4831, will generally get close but a trickler is of absolute necessity, if your going for the most accurate loads.

 

[JimKirk]

TAC will also meter well for the .223/5.56 ....

For the 7mm Mag ... my suggestion would be to get a single stage press and another powder measure ... because some of the "better" powders for it are "stick" powders ... working with stick powders is a "learned" process gained by throwing charges and weighing them ... once learned ... you will be most likely be able to tell when a charge is "off" by the feel of the way the measure operates ...

 

[sublimaze41]

I feel your pain and frustration. I love Varget for many applications and have a ton of it. I use a Lymann powder dispenser that is accurate to between 0.1 and 0.3 grains, but not when metering Varget. When using this powder at least every 5 rounds need to be returned as the weight exceeds the error margin. I still use it but only when my patience level is high and I have some good talk radio on to kill the time.

This is the only powder I use that gives me fits through the Lymann. Oddly enough it meters H4895 without so much as a hiccup.

 

[Dudedog]

For .223/5.56
All of these metered well using my Lee Pro Disk
BLC(2)
H335
TAC
8208XBR

In .223 I preferred BLC(2) to H335. 8208 and H335 are a tie and I haven't had a chance to do much testing with TAC but initial tests look good.

This site has great pictures of powders
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=95
(link shows TAC but lots of pictures are available)
This one is for H1000
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=156



While not perfect my Lee Perfect Powder measure does a decent job with H4831. I usually set it a bit light then trickle to the charge I want. (loading 7mm Rem Mag)

 

[Sidewinder72]

H 335 flows like water. Great powder and accurate. My go to .223 powder

 

[jgh4445]

CFE 223 has worked for me with no glitches.

 

[Paddy]

Huge fireballs with h335 are a bonus too!

 

[Shootshellz]

W748. Flows very smoothly and accurately through my RCBS Uniflow powder measure.