Vibrate powder measure?

[K22]

Not really, it promotes more consistent charges and stops bridging of the powder, especially with small charges.

I obtain relatively consistent charges (well w/in + or - 0.01 grains) with small amount of (5.7 grains) of 231. I found that keeping the power measure about 3/4 full aids in consistent charges. Also, I condition the measure with 12 throws before discharging into the case. I spot check every 10th discharge and they are almost always spot on. Also, I tap the measure front, back, and sides to settle powder before conditioning the measure as described above.

 

[memilanuk]

Bear in mind what the OP was asking about: the Dillon APM, possibly with an extruded powder. The little tricks of "wiggle your ears three times while holding your nose just so and standing on one leg (your left, *not* the right)" don't really apply.

 

[AlNyhus]

P

A solution to a problem that does not exists?

It's very real to many competitors.

 

[pertnear]

I made a gadget that had a mercury switch, AA battery & a vibrator from an old phone. It attached with the existing screws on the handle for my RCBS powder measure. When the handle came up the vibrator came on & it shut off when the handle came down. I didn't do exhaustive testing, but best I could tell, no improvement. I wish it had worked because I'd be a multi-millionaire today selling them to flash-hole deburring tool buyers!

 

[bozo699]

A solution to a problem that does not exists?

How so?
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

I obtain relatively consistent charges (well w/in + or - 0.01 grains) with small amount of (5.7 grains) of 231. I found that keeping the power measure about 3/4 full aids in consistent charges. Also, I condition the measure with 12 throws before discharging into the case. I spot check every 10th discharge and they are almost always spot on. Also, I tap the measure front, back, and sides to settle powder before conditioning the measure as described above.

I don’t think I’ve tried it in a standard powder throw but in a RCBS Chargemaster Win 231 is the worst powder I’ve ever tried metering! It and Hp38 is horrid! What powder thrower are you using I need to try it
Wayne

 

[Eudean]

It's interesting. The possibility the constant vibration may add more uniformity to powder throws over "clunking" the same time each throw.
Likely a lost in noise improvement, testing needed.

 

[nettle]

I'm glad all my powder measures require is for me to operate the handle. I must be one of the lucky few.

 

[K22]

I don’t think I’ve tried it in a standard powder throw but in a RCBS Chargemaster Win 231 is the worst powder I’ve ever tried metering! It and Hp38 is horrid! What powder thrower are you using I need to try it
Wayne

I am using a 50 year old RCBS powder measure with the small drum cylinder. I check every 10th charge with a Lyman Beam balance that I check every 6 months with standard weights. I have had no trouble with consistency, always well within + or - 0.01 grains, and most of the time spot on which is certainly satisfactory for pistol loads.

I've loaded literally thousands of 38 special and 357 magnums over 50 years. As I said, I condition the measure by keeping it about 3/4 filled, tapping the sides before I start discharging and I discharge 12 "dummy" loads before I start charging cases.

PS: Edit added: I forgot to mention that uniform operation of the measure handle (force) is essential. I employ a brief pause at the top stroke which seems to contribute to uniformity.

 

[K22]

P

It's very real to many competitors.

It appears so.

 

[K22]

How so?
Wayne

I just never experienced any problems using a standard powder measure but as I said, I am just a tad above an average shooter if you consider varmint grade accuracy a tad about average.

But I guess in my case this is not a fair comparison since I weigh every rifle load because I use strictly extruded powder therefore in my case, it's an "apples and oranges" comparison.

However, I do charge pistol cases directly from the powder measure using 231.

 

[DDRanch]

FYI. This is for using on a Dillon S 1050.

 

[Someone online]

I just take my wife's vibrator to settle the powder

 

[Webster]

Not really, it promotes more consistent charges and stops bridging of the powder, especially with small charges.

Are you saying you never weigh every charge? Why are some guys buying $1000 electronic scales?

 

[searcher]

Now Amazon is going to wonder why all the men are buying vibrators...
Seriously - I find using a vibrating device to settle the powder interesting. Just for kicks, I'm going to stick an aquarium pump I have laying around on one of my hoppers to see what (if any) improvement there is. Sounds like it might help a tad, based on the difference in charge weights just from tapping the handle down sharply a half dozen times. I like that polishing technique too. At least it will be pretty if nothing else. Anything to get those Dillon hoppers working better....

 

[memilanuk]

Now Amazon is going to wonder why all the men are buying vibrators...

In 2024? Probably not...

 

[Larry Koch]

I just take my wife's vibrator to settle the powder

Will she give it up that long?

 

[Someone online]

Will she give it up that long?

She will just have to wait for me.

 

[JFrank]

Are you saying you never weigh every charge? Why are some guys buying $1000 electronic scales?

I use a Harrell’s br powder measure and even though it’s a quality tool it’s not consistent enough for accurate loads.
For example one throw may be 31.5 while the next is 31.7 or more verified on a FX120

 

[divingin]

I tried strapping a small 5V motor with an offset weight to my Hornady powder measure. Can't really say it made any difference (pistol powder; was having trouble with a specific charge weight.) That motor was probably too fast a vibration, but it was enough of a hassle (and the noise was annoying) that I gave up on the idea.