Powder drop tube

[jsthntn247]

I made one of these yesterday to load 4350 in a 308 case. I used 1/4" brass tubing 2 feet long and made a stand out of wood to hold it similar to this one. I tried dropping a few charges with it last night and if filled the case more than just slowly tapping the poder in out of the tray and tapping the case a few times near the base. What am I doing wrong? I've seen folks say it shoud dramatically reduce powder fill.

 

[BoydAllen]

My experience with a different powder and case is that the length of the tube will only get you so far. In order to get the lowest powder level from a given charge weight, I have to use a slow drop as well, taking a good bit of time to pour the powder from the measuring cavity of a measure, or scale pan down the tube. When I do this with a measure, I use a clear drop tube so that I can monitor the rate. I carefully approach the point where powder will start to drop and when I see powder starting to fall, I slightly reverse the measure handle, to stop it, then I repeat several times until the measure or scale pan is empty. For a charge of slightly under 30 grains, there may be a series of five or six partial drops. There is some advantage to the long tube, but in order to get the most powder in the case, you need to combine it with a very slow drop. I doubt that there is much advantage to a tube that is that long, as compared to one that is say 10", but then that is just a guess. The really long tubes are generally used for black powder, and I have not done any of that.

 

[davebrantnerwv]

All pun intended, you are a Tinkerer. As well as a good cabinet wood worker. That being said ,please
Try what what I learned over 50 years of ReLoading.

Back in early 80-81 , I tried as have many of you all to have done , make Drop Tubes , from 4" to I believe 20". I believe if memory , serves me wright the best was 6 to 8" . I experimented. With
Tubing , id 1/8 , 3/16 and 1/4". All length. Brass, aluminum, stainless and brake line tubing. Believe,
the. brass tubing. From a crafts store seemed to do the best job at about 6-7-8 " long. Flared one end, some times both ends.

To make this a bit shorter , I was weighing powder one day and I missed placed my funnel . Knowing
I had another or two in my OLD. CABNET. I COME ACROSS A HERTERS OLD POWDER FUNNEL THAT I HAD BOUGHT BACK IN THE 50's as a kid. I had been using RCBS 30 cal for many years, the one that came up
Missing. So back to the , electronic Scale , and continue weighing. After weighing out 120 cases , went to the press to seat bullets. I first noticed the powder was , at least .100" deeper a little more depending on the powder. I immediately
Thought I had made a mistake , so back to the scale. I check at least 1/3 of them again they were all
Perfect. Finished seating the 168 bullets. Went to a match , and they shot better then the SAME , loads I had loaded in prior loadings.
Had to find out why, I noticed the hole in the OLD HERTERS FUNNEL WAS MUCH SMALLER THEN THE RCBS 30 Cal. ,( WHEN I FOUND IT , NOT A FOOT AWAY FROM THE SCALE A FEW DAY LATER). I LOADED
5 cases over and over using both funnels. THE HERTERS WAS THE BEST , AND STILL IS. THE HOLE DIAMETER IS 7/32". It is clear plastic. I tried to measure the hole with my Vernier Calipers , but the best way to do it , is using the shank end of a 7/32 drill bit.

About 10 years ago , a friend who owned a sporting good store was trying to make drop Tubes. I told him to let me give him all that I had left , about 8 I. Think, but I told him about my experience with the
Two funnels. We got to looking at the RCBS funnels on his wall Rack , and I noticed a set of 3 in a plastic bag.
Asked if I could do a test , and one of the three was a close RINGER TO MY OLD HERTERS.

I use it on all the following Powders, 4895, 30-31, N-140 , Varget, H-1000 , H-4350, IMR 4831 , H-4831,
Well I think you get the message it works the best for compressed loads. However on the course struded
Stick , you pour it in slower. Do not let it block up the hole , if it does , pour it back on the pan and pour it in slower, try to get the powder to SWIRL AS IT INTER THE CASE MOUTH.

I WAS THINKING OF THE ONE RCBS OFFERS AND I BELIEVE IT SAID 17 to 22 CAL. NOT REAL SURE ON THIS. TAKE YOUR DRILL BIT TO THE SPORTING GOODS STORE. CHECK IT OUT.

IT DROPED POWDER BETTER THEN ANY DRIP TUBE. And he sell the one closes to the 7/32 hole the most.

Now , for what it's is worth , TRY THIS FROM AN OLD FART, GEASER. IF IT WORKS FOR YOU LET ME KNOW.

DAVE BRANTNERWV. 304-788-3637

 

[Down South]

I use a 21st Century 10 inch drop tube and pour slowly, works well.