POWDER LOADING

[Nick Caprinolo]

I have been shooting a very long time and loading my own ammo for 30 years. When I started reloading, I just used an RCBS drop loader. Never had any trouble with it as far as accuracy was concerned but then I was not shooting bench rest rifle.

Many years later, I decided to build a bench rifle. I still used my old method of measuring powder. I do not shoot competitively. I immediately starting seeing some some great groups. I then bought an RCBS 1500. Of course it was more accurate, but had a tendency to drift. My scores remained the same. I attended several matches as an observer and found most of the good shooters using the drop method. Several told me that at 100 yards, a grain or more did not make a real difference. I noticed that they were using a Harrells measure so I went home a bought one. A very nice instrument. It was more accurate than the RCBS, but not really much. I did not make a difference in my groups.

I am always searching for a better method to accomplish anything I do. While not wealthy, I am able to get the things I want or think I need. Reading this forum, I saw a new type of scale. The Autotrickler. after a few years of reading about this system, I decided to get a scale and the V4. Another outstanding instrument. It is a bit complicated to set up and being 87 years old, I did have some trouble but I finally got it working. It is, in my opinion, the gold standard. Very fast and seldom drifts. No difference in my groups though.

So, At one hundred yards, how accurate must you powder load be.

 

[D Coots]

You can definitely see .2 on the paper with a competition rifle. Within a tenth is good, but not good enough for competition today IMO.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

You can definitely see .2 on the paper with a competition rifle. Within a tenth is good, but not good enough for competition today IMO.

I agree 100%. My point is that for guys like me, we don't need that. Pluss I wonder how others like me do things.

 

[Bc'z]

I agree 100%. My point is that for guys like me, we don't need that. Pluss I wonder how others like me do things.

Nick I'm what you'd call a minimalist at the bench.
Lee powder thrower
Redding #1 tuned scale
RCBS trickler
I know the V4 is fast and accurate and would aid in speeding up my loading process, yet rob me of a simple pleasure....
Quite time at the bench.

 

[6MMsteve]

I load mostly drop, but sometimes I weigh, I get small groups sometimes but it's me mostly I shake, get nervous, when I'm good and relaxed I shoot very good, I was shooting my G19 the other day relaxed felt good was hitting a 2 inch steel target at 25 yds 15 out of 17 x...then somedays can't even hit the 10 inch with 2 clips, so it don't matter what kinda equipment I have or half kernel weights it's all me

 

[jpx2rk]

I have been shooting a very long time and loading my own ammo for 30 years. When I started reloading, I just used an RCBS drop loader. Never had any trouble with it as far as accuracy was concerned but then I was not shooting bench rest rifle.

Many years later, I decided to build a bench rifle. I still used my old method of measuring powder. I do not shoot competitively. I immediately starting seeing some some great groups. I then bought an RCBS 1500. Of course it was more accurate, but had a tendency to drift. My scores remained the same. I attended several matches as an observer and found most of the good shooters using the drop method. Several told me that at 100 yards, a grain or more did not make a real difference. I noticed that they were using a Harrells measure so I went home a bought one. A very nice instrument. It was more accurate than the RCBS, but not really much. I did not make a difference in my groups.

I am always searching for a better method to accomplish anything I do. While not wealthy, I am able to get the things I want or think I need. Reading this forum, I saw a new type of scale. The Autotrickler. after a few years of reading about this system, I decided to get a scale and the V4. Another outstanding instrument. It is a bit complicated to set up and being 87 years old, I did have some trouble but I finally got it working. It is, in my opinion, the gold standard. Very fast and seldom drifts. No difference in my groups though.

So, At one hundred yards, how accurate must you powder load be.

Do you mean 1/10 of a grain in your comment or one full grain of powder??

I've read numerous comments/statements where a 1/10th variation in powder charges won't affect anything significantly for general purposes, so just wanting clarification is all.

 

[rwj]

I’m thinking that the V4 system is a very accurate, consistent, and high tech way to make powder charges and should be enjoyed for those conveniences. It is unlikely to reduce group sizes at short range. This would seem more likely to appear at longer distances where velocity variations affect the time of flight. I don’t currently shoot long distances (limited to 300 yards), but I’m going to buy one soon too!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have RCBS and the Lee perfect powder measure, both throw most charges +- 1/10. Mainly I hunting coyote, fox so if the correct bullet(minimum fur damage) holds sub moa to 300 yards I'm good. But the cold bore first shot must be to same zero in the group. I try and find a load +,- 2/10 gr that is less than 1 bullet diameter vertical dispersion at 100 yards. I than will throw and tickle to the middle, 17 - 338 cal, this has resulted in very good hunting loads. I verify throws on a beam and digital scale, and have check weights similar to most charge weights. This will work for 50 ish rds per hour. Someday maybe a electric thrower.

 

[gpoldblue]

I’m thinking that the V4 system is a very accurate, consistent, and high tech way to make powder charges and should be enjoyed for those conveniences. It is unlikely to reduce group sizes at short range. This would seem more likely to appear at longer distances where velocity variations affect the time of flight. I don’t currently shoot long distances (limited to 300 yards), but I’m going to buy one soon too!

Varying powder charges aren't the only thing that causes varying velocity and flight times between the muzzle and the target,,,,,,,,,,air density,wind direction and intensity can and does cause these same variations.

 

[nakneker]

I started out much the same with a Redding powder measure, then a Redding BR3 and then a 10x for pistols. I still use and enjoy them for high quantity loading when I’m on the single stage press, they do a good job.

I bought a charge master lite, it was a little too slow so I bought two, two work great and I’m never waiting on powder. Both scales are on clean electrical feeds, batteries, but they still drift at times. I don’t shoot competition, mostly just shoot small groups for fun, shoot long range and hunt. There are times we’re my SD and ES numbers bounce a bit, it gets frustrating but I still like the units.

I finally sent a deposit in for a Prometheus the other day. My wife was wanting to get me something for my birthday so she’s paying half and I’m paying half. Is It worth the price tag, hell if I know but all the reports seem to give it a thumbs up but then of course who would pay that price and then admit disappointmeant. I like nice tools though and have high hopes. It certainly isn’t necessary, seems like the V4 keeps guys winning, other powder measures too. Just an itch I wanted to scratch.

 

[rwj]

Varying powder charges aren't the only thing that causes varying velocity and flight times between the muzzle and the target,,,,,,,,,,air density,wind direction and intensity can and does cause these same variations.

True. The thread topic is powder charging…

 

[jimmymac]

I’ve run the gamut. I’ve shot matches throwing charges, using a Chargemaster and lately here a Supertrickler.

When I was throwing charges I did okay, but those oddball unexplainable fliers, especially at 200 yards would sometimes make me wonder if I had a bad throw so I gave that up just to get rid of that mind gremlin.

Guys still throw charges at matches and do well, but I’d say the Chargemaster has taken over for the most part because guys have more confidence in it. In just a few short years I observed this change. YMMV

 

[big john 5394]

Nick god bless you for still shooting bench rest at 87 ,if you are shooting at 600 & 1000 it makes a difference .

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Sure makes a difference, which is why I use a V4.( plus the speed and convenience) But not as much difference as load length and neck tension IMHO.

 

[Scott haywood]

Especially at 100 yds a tenth either way won’t hurt you. Until recently almost all short range Benchrest folks loaded between targets by throwing powder. I’ve tried but never got one that could keep it less than 1/10. Another thing, we shoot a lot of N133 and if you chronograph it with very “precise“ charges you will be lucky to get single digit SD’s with it… and atrocious ES’s… but very small groups! I think this means your time is better spent in tuning and wind reading than trying to measure powder to the exact kernel. Now past 300 yds… possibly a different story.

 

[209jones]

Aftyer comparing thrown, beam weighed, Chargemaster 1500, V4, I kinda came to the conclusion the V4 was very nice to use, and very accurate, but, so was the Chargemaster, I just needed to satisfy my OCD with the V4, as I was always wondering about the Chargemaster and how it actually worked for me. Had to see that extra decimal place, that OCD stuff is expensive.

 

[jimmymac]

So far my Supertrickler is working out great. I’ve been loading with it exclusively since I got it, then last weekend reverted back to my Chargemaster for use in a hotel room in between matches. All I can say is that I was missing the Supertrickler. It is incredibly fast in comparison and speed is quite often my focus. I don’t reload to relax. I reload to get ready for the next match so the faster the better.