Harrell's BR powder loader question.

[gkgeiger]

I tried to call Harrell's to get this answer but no one was there to take the call. Anyway, I just got my new BR powder measurer and I have to set it at 55gr to get a load of 30. Is that normal or have I done something wrong in setting it up?

 

[BoydAllen]

The graduations are not intended to be in grains. What you are seeing is normal. The Harrell's measure is an improved version of the Culver conversion of a Lyman 55 powder measure. The numbers, referred to as "clicks", not to be confused with the detents between them were intended only as references. The original conversions only had one division with a detent between numbers. The usual way of referring to a setting would have been that one's measure was set at 50 1/2 clicks, meaning half way between 50 and 51, Harrell has improved the original design by offering the option of either four or six divisions between numbers. In my notes I refer to those settings as 1/6, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, and 5/6, For instance for a particular load I might note the setting as 52 5/6 clicks, or just 52 5/6. One should not assume that all measure's settings represent identical volumes, so any exchange of load data should be done by weight of charge. Finally, different measure operating techniques will produce different charge weights from the same setting.

 

[gkgeiger]

Thanks, that all makes sense, and I did a lot of weighing before I settled on a number.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And to add to boyds exact advice, when the humidity or temp changes that 55 clicks of volume will weigh more or less than it did so theres no need in figuring out what a certain number comes out to be because its going to change and you have to chase it

 

[BoydAllen]

Beyond that, my range loading note book is all in clicks and none of it in grains. I have an electronic thermometer/ hygrometer (humidity gauge) and when I stumble across a particularly good load, I note the temperature and humidity as well as the measure setting. This is not fool proof, particularly with 133 when the humidity is taking wide swings through the day. At some point we have to learn to read the shapes of our groups as well as consider how ambient conditions are changing through the day, when making decisions relating to maintaining tune. All of this is why shooters may look elsewhere for wider nodes and less sensitivity to ambient changes.

 

[JFrank]

Good thread
Thx fellas
J

 

[rogn]

And to add to boyds exact advice, when the humidity or temp changes that 55 clicks of volume will weigh more or less than it did so theres no need in figuring out what a certain number comes out to be because its going to change and you have to chase it

Ive seen changes of several tenths in a before lunch to after lunch with the measure at the same settings. Sure makes you wonder.

 

[INShooter]

All of these responses indicate the reasons you see so many Chargemaster and other weighting devices at BR matches.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

All of these responses indicate the reasons you see so many Chargemaster and other weighting devices at BR matches.

Its no problem if you know.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive seen changes of several tenths in a before lunch to after lunch with the measure at the same settings. Sure makes you wonder.

Its all about the adsorption man. Using a volume based thrower for a few years will let you know just how much everything changes throughout the day

 

[Baer45]

Something I read about that might help you is to throw ten loads at your desired weight and divide by 10 to get an average. I almost always come in at .02 gr s less he my target load...I love my Harrels and use it for all loads out to 600 yds...best thrower made...imo

 

[JFrank]

Something I read about that might help you is to throw ten loads at your desired weight and divide by 10 to get an average. I almost always come in at .02 gr s less he my target load...I love my Harrels and use it for all loads out to 600 yds...best thrower made...imo

Which one do you use the Premium or the smaller BR

 

[Baer45]

I have the premium but it makes no difference in quality of throw. The difference is size of each click...if that makes sense...one is aimed at benchrest shooters with small throws vs 308 and up with bigger throws...I think. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I know there is no difference in quality. I highly recommend glen zeideckers (sp) book “Hand-loading For Competition ” this and much more covered

 

[JFrank]

My intention is to speed up the process at the range from a lee dipper and trickle up to throw a tenth lite and trickle up. Maybe I’m on another fool’s errand .... again

 

[Baer45]

No, you are thinking correctly and thousands of other hand loaders do the same...you will love that Trickler if you can get it ../Dandy”. Look up Dandy powder Trickler.....

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have the premium but it makes no difference in quality of throw. The difference is size of each click...if that makes sense...one is aimed at benchrest shooters with small throws vs 308 and up with bigger throws...I think. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I know there is no difference in quality. I highly recommend glen zeideckers (sp) book “Hand-loading For Competition ” this and much more covered

Premium has very nice roller bearings on each side

 

[BoydAllen]

I have a lot of experience throwing charges directly into cases with a Harrells Deluxe. Recently, for a friend, I experimented with the more expensive Classic Culver model to work out the best technique for a couple of throwable powders. With the right method, it worked better. Of course this is of little concern when measuring coarser powders that require throwing light and trickling up. I have spend a lot of time experimenting with a number of measures, and powders, and the Classic Culver is a very good measure, as is the more expensive Jones. On the other hand, for throw light and trickle up, just about any measure will work.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I have tried to perfect my throw for charges for my ppc's and have come up short of MY expectations. Having the FX set-up has spoiled me.....SO, for loading at the range, I pre-load 1 dram glass vials weighed on the FX. I bought them on Amazon for about $25 a gross shipped in a protective box that worked great for travel as well. I put white dot stickers on the top of the vials and color code them per weight with sharpies.......Here is a question I honestly don't know the answer to. If I load at the atmospheric in my reloading room in my sealed 1 dram vials and go to the range, is my powder affected by the atmospheric conditions at the range? I personally have not seen it on target. Just curious on others thoughts. I use lot #3 LT-32.

Regards
Rick

 

[JFrank]

Premium has very nice roller bearings on each side

That’s good to know D.
I was actually thinking about calling you yesterday but got busy being lazy on the mountain. Maybe I’ll find time in my social my schedule today
J