Carrying charges for range load workup

[Keith Glasscock]

I am thinking about doing all of my load development in one session at the range.

Here is my idea:

Over the spectrum of charges possible, transport 30 to 50 of each charge in test tubes to the range. That way, when I find a charge that I like, I can assemble more with my Wilson dies. I would be immune to the errors and time-consumption of trying to weigh charges at the range, and I could proceed directly from charge weight testing to seating depth to final proofing without having to run home to make more, or take rounds apart afterward.

Now the questions:

What test-tube material would be best? I was thinking glass or pyrex for static electricity issues.

Any problems with my plan? Feel free to shoot holes in it. I am just trying to think of an easier way.

 

[Immike]

I got a bunch of cigar glass tubes once from my neighbor that had plastic caps. If you can find someone using those would be handy.

 

[FTRinTexas]

I did the same thing with test tubes for 2 trips to the range. Gave it up when I built a wind box with a glass front. Weight as a go with a balance beam scale. I used the plastic tubes with caps. Bought them off of E-Bay.

Even at the house, my Parker beam scale sits in the wind box at eye level. The wind box is used to carry all the reloading equipment that I need. Also use a K&M arbor press.

 

[Milo 2.0]

May be Redneck as heck, but if a guy could get a buy on foam earplugs, or save up used ones, you could just stuff them in charged cases, and use your ammo box to haul them.
Then you wouldn't have the woodworking project of making stands for the tubes.

I better watch myself or my true colors might show, here's a hint: those realtor flags double as wind flags, and six per house is too many

 

[Immike]

May be Redneck as heck, but if a guy could get a buy on foam earplugs, or save up used ones, you could just stuff them in charged cases, and use your ammo box to haul them.
Then you wouldn't have the woodworking project of making stands for the tubes.

I better watch myself or my true colors might show, here's a hint: those realtor flags double as wind flags, and six per house is too many

Your a genius!! Buy cork plugs for the cases is good thinkin. What's wrong with sponsored wind flags?

 

[Terry]

I bought small bottles made for scented oil. They allow me to preload for large matches.

 

[bheadboy]

Drug store pharmacy have vials about 2" tall and 1/2 dia with screw caps, it they wont sell to you call a supplier, I did and bought 250- they work great.

bob

 

[MarkS]

Guys,

I do all load development at the range. I have a Harrel powder measure http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/products/new-br-premium-powder-measure. Just get a starting load, record the numbers and load. They are VVVVery repeatable. I have a Arbor press and a RCBS Partner for loading. I can load two or three rounds, and fire them, then go from there. You don't load tons stuff, that does not shoot. You can more of the ones that do shoot well.

Mark Schronce

 

[Milo 2.0]

May be Redneck as heck, but if a guy could get a buy on foam earplugs, or save up used ones, you could just stuff them in charged cases, and use your ammo box to haul them.
Then you wouldn't have the woodworking project of making stands for the tubes.

I better watch myself or my true colors might show, here's a hint: those realtor flags double as wind flags, and six per house is too many

Your a genius!! Buy cork plugs for the cases is good thinkin. What's wrong with sponsored wind flags?

Sponsored flags, that cracks me up, and for the irony, I'm not so sure out in the boonies on our range, a couple might just say 21st Century, not shooting of coarse!

 

[TimP]

I use BD Vacutainer vials bought them on Amazon. They cost under $30.00 per 100 and are glass with a rubber stopper. They will fit in a MTM H-50 ammo box.




http://www.amazon.com/Vacutainer-B-D-Red-Top-mL/dp/B0018EKKX4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1

 

[brian427cobra]

I'm a Diabetic, there is so much waste associated with this disease, I started saving my test strip containers, I precharge them from my Gen2 Prometheus in the range I want to test, I bought a used RCBS Partner Press to FL size the cases, and seat with K&M Arbor Press with Wilson die, I clean the brass with a Krazy Klothe.

 

[XTR]

I shoot a smokeless muzzle loader. I carry charges up to a total of about 70 grains of powders and/or main charges and boosters for duplex charges. I have used two items that have worked very well for my application.

One was fired 7mmRM cases with foam earplugs to plug them. For accuracy shooting with there is probably a bit of a problem there because on occasion a few kernels of powder will stick to the plug.

The other was these:

Amazon, free shipping about $7 for six. I have a dozen, that will get me though a range session with my ML.


Oh yea, Milo, I think part of the problem with powder sticking to the plugs may have been that some were used

 

[AckleymanII]

Years ago, I used to carry my loads in plastic dime holders, no idea what they cost today.

 

[memilanuk]

I've been doing more loading at the range, similar to what MarkS described. I'll take a bunch of prepped and primed cases, my Harrell's Custom 90 measure (only 4 clicks vs. 6 on the Premium) and an arbor press and a box of bullets. I spend a little time the night before throwing and weighing three charges per major division (i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, etc.) and making a chart/graph for setting vs. throw weight. That way I can keep an idea in mind of where I'm at when throwing charges at the range. Starting out doing load development @ 100yds this works pretty well, even @ 300yds. After that point I usually have things narrowed down enough as far as charge weight and seating depth that I can pre-load at home, shifting to weighing charges for the rounds necessary for further testing @ 600, etc.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I shoot a smokeless muzzle loader. I carry charges up to a total of about 70 grains of powders and/or main charges and boosters for duplex charges. I have used two items that have worked very well for my application.

One was fired 7mmRM cases with foam earplugs to plug them. For accuracy shooting with there is probably a bit of a problem there because on occasion a few kernels of powder will stick to the plug.

The other was these:

Amazon, free shipping about $7 for six. I have a dozen, that will get me though a range session with my ML.


Oh yea, Milo, I think part of the problem with powder sticking to the plugs may have been that some were used

I have not loaded at the range bit I do have these same containers for blunder bust..I would go this route

 

[RandyD]

Enter a search for plastic tubes ebay, and you will have lots of choices for a low price. Years ago, I bought 100 plastic tubes with screw on lids that hold can hold a premeasured powder charge for every caliber that I reload, including up to a .300 Win Mag.

 

[Raythemanroe]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Count-LARGE-16-x-125mm-Borosilicate-Glass-Test-Tubes-With-Caps-New-/121105913416?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c32799648


Could work

 

[mesamec]

Here's a video review I did for AS on the RCBS Summit Press, using plastic test tubes purchased through Amazon for not much money, that may give you some ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i9phIfc0SE

 

[memilanuk]

What size (in ml) are those tubes?