Powder measure or not, that is the question...

[HuntClub]

Ok, so, I don't mean to sound like I'm saying one should not measure the powder in a reload. Just doing my powder measuring a little different this last week and wondering if others have found this to be easier for them as well.

So, instead of using the brass smith I recently purchased, I am using the Lee powder scoop and checking the weight on two separate electronic scales. Sounds slow but it is actually quicker, I think, than using the my powder measure. Just scoop and trickle. check on second scale and fill case. Set up like a little production line. Fill three cases (unless more at same load) and seat the bullet... next. This is the process with load workup but, will probably go back to using Lyman powder measure once the load is set.

Just wondering what other process folks might be using when they measure their loads.

 

[RegionRat]

Before there were automatic powder dispensers like the ChargeMaster or the A&D+Autotrickle, most folks were using some form of dump on a scale and trickle, that is if they were trickling at all.

Sometimes, you checked how wide a tune was and set a tolerance. If the thrower didn't blow the tolerance, you just dumped the charge in and rolled with it. Sometimes, you just checked every so often and dumped them in without weighing all of them.

To answer your question another way, there were even closed-loop vibratory tricklers that were hooked up to a sensor you clamped onto your beam scale. When you dumped in a short charge, the trickler would automatically start to trickle till the scale balance was at null on the feedback sensor that you added to your beam balance.

You would be surprised how well a tuned balance scale could nail a charge this way. It wasn't as fast as we have now, but it sure wasn't slow either. You just had to focus more than with the modern ones.

They still sell this trickler, but not with the balance sensor.


https://dandyproductsllc.com/products/dandy-2-speed-electric-powder-trickler

A scoop or a good powder thrower set to just under the target weight combined with a well laid out trickler over a pan on a tuned up beam balance can still be very accurate and fast. If you have a stable load cell electronic scale that reacts fast to trickling, that can also be a very slick set up.


https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/12/31/reloading-tips-from-top-precision-rifle-shooters/

There are lots of ways to lay this work out so that it flows based on the specific tools you like. YMMV

 

[std7mag]

For my use, i started with the Lee dippers and then trickled on a Lee beam scale.
I upgraded to a RCBS beam scale after finding one at a flea market for $15 or $20. It's been a while.

I still use the Lee Auto Disk for pistol loading.
But have upgraded to the adjustable disk. I have setting for different cartridges, bullet weights, and powders.
I check powder charge on beam scale before i start charging. Then spot check periodically.

My hunting cartridges i've started using an Intellidropper that i purchased last year.
Makes the process much faster.
But even that i spot check with the beam scale.
Haven't found any off yet.

 

[jpx2rk]

When doing load development, I use the Lee scoops to get a "close" amount of powder in the pan of the RCBS 505 scale, then trickle up using a collegiate shot glass. Works for me. I use a cheapo 8" tablet to view the beam pointer/scale. I use a Chargemaster Lite when loading up for varmint shoots, checking every "nth" powder charge it throws on the 505 to check for consistency.

 

[DiffEQ]

What? LEE POWDER DIPPERS?! Blasphemy.
Your charges won't be any good unless you use the Rolls Royce of powder chargers....
::

 

[K22]

For all stick powders, I drop the charge from an RCBS powder measure into the beam balance pan then trickle in a few tenths of a grain to obtain the desired charge for every reload.

After charging all cases, I visually inspect each case to ensure every case has been charged.

This does not take an inordinate amount of time in my experience and provides assurance that I at least eliminated one variable in my shooting, i.e. I have a precise powder charge.

When I loaded certain ball powders, they dispensed from the powder measure very precisely and I could get away with just checking ever 10th charge. I still use this process for 231 powder for my 38 special and 357 magnum pistol loads but I haven't use ball powders in my rifles for many years.

While I don't enjoy reloading, this is a process that does not lend itself well to focusing on speed. My mentor of many years ago had a saying about reloading: "quality not quantity".

 

[Rocketvapor]

Started the wife on Scoops. Made intermediate sizes from 9mm and 38 cases.
"If you gonna shoot you gonna reload"

 

[Doom]

What? LEE POWDER DIPPERS?! Blasphemy.
Your charges won't be any good unless you use the Rolls Royce of powder chargers....
::

And you need a scale that can measure half a kernel of powder!

 

[danny]

Ok, so, I don't mean to sound like I'm saying one should not measure the powder in a reload. Just doing my powder measuring a little different this last week and wondering if others have found this to be easier for them as well.

So, instead of using the brass smith I recently purchased, I am using the Lee powder scoop and checking the weight on two separate electronic scales. Sounds slow but it is actually quicker, I think, than using the my powder measure. Just scoop and trickle. check on second scale and fill case. Set up like a little production line. Fill three cases (unless more at same load) and seat the bullet... next. This is the process with load workup but, will probably go back to using Lyman powder measure once the load is set.

Just wondering what other process folks might be using when they measure their loads.

I just use the Lee scoops you mention, in addition to my scale and powder trickler, unless I am doing a large quantity. If I go large quantity, I use my powder thrower instead of the scoops. I don't use the scoops in the manner that they are intended to be used. I either select one that is just under final load weight, or I select one around there, then visually scoop, by eyeball, an amount that is below full, and under the final charge weight. Once I dump the powder from the scoop into the pan, I trickle up and then charge the case. For smaller runs or load development, it is just not worth the setup time to get the thrower going, so that is where the scoops come in.

Danny

 

[1bamashooter]

And you need a scale that can measure half a kernel of powder!

I take it neither one of you shoot competitively

 

[Eric Leonard]

I was loading 28.500 lt32 in my ppc and as long as it was between 28.500 and 28.510 I’d call it good. I’ve changed lots of powder since then and I’m using 28.350-28.360 now

 

[HTSmith]

Started the wife on Scoops. Made intermediate sizes from 9mm and 38 cases.
"If you gonna shoot you gonna reload"
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Dang man, at least C-Clamp a decent press to the table.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The hand press was to start her off.
She can now use the better stuff.

 

[HuntClub]

I take it neither one of you shoot competitively

My competitive shooting is to take a animal with one clean shot.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The Lee Scoops are the best $11.95 I ever spent on a piece of reloading gear. They scoop, they trickle, they take excess kernels out...what's not to like?

HuntClub - the only question I would ask about your protocol would be why the 2nd scale? Do you not trust one of the scales? Are the readings ever noticeably different between the two? Regardless, it seems as though this approach is working well for you, which is all that really matters.

 

[JFrank]

I used Lee scoops for a long while however fatigue sets in during long reloading sessions leading to over throws and re do’s, I much prefer a Harrell’s measure to get me just shy then trickle up.

 

[HuntClub]

The Lee Scoops are the best $11.95 I ever spent on a piece of reloading gear. They scoop, they trickle, they take excess kernels out...what's not to like?

HuntClub - the only question I would ask about your protocol would be why the 2nd scale? Do you not trust one of the scales? Are the readings ever noticeably different between the two? Regardless, it seems as though this approach is working well for you, which is all that really matters.

I recently bought a new electronic scale which uses a wall socket instead of a battery and I am checking it against the other electronic scale, that uses the battery, to see if i get the same charge weight on both scales. I also have a lee beam scale - which I really like - but was thinking that if my electronic hits the same repetitively on two scales I should be good to go a little quicker than if using the beam scale.

I should also add that the beam scale requires eyeballing it... and the old gray mare ain't what she used to be. Well, I never was a mare so that messes that up. Can't say I'm a stud any longer either... More like an old mule with the BIG OLE pot belly pulling the back down. I digress....

 

[Ned Ludd]

I recently bought a new electronic scale which uses a wall socket instead of a battery and I am checking it against the other electronic scale, that uses the battery, to see if i get the same charge weight on both scales. I also have a lee beam scale - which I really like - but was thinking that if my electronic hits the same repetively on two scales I should be good to go a little quicker than if using the beam scale.

I see...a belt AND suspenders man.

Nothing at all wrong with that, I'm the same way. It does adds a tiny bit of extra time to weighing each charge, but that is more than offset by the resulting confidence in the measurements.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I've used two scales. Mostly to catch lost powder grains with fine ball powder.
Scoop, and trickle onto my A&D EJ-54D2, tare a case on the second scale.
Charge the case through a funnel and check the charge on the second scale.
Adds a few seconds to the process.
Cases are pulled one at a time from a loading block (all primer up) and replaced right side up with an upside down projectile in the neck. When the block is done I move to the press.
Case into the shell holder, flip the bullet and seat. then back into the loading block.
Case primer up is empty, case with an upside down bullet is charged, case with the pointy end up is complete.
Lost grains is the only thing I can come up with for this dropped round.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I still use lee scoops.