Powder thrower

[scout1]

I got an 8 pounder of the 8208XBR in a week or so ago and decided that I want to speed up my reloding process and spend more time pulling the trigger and less behind the loading table.
My dream is to be able to prime 50 cartridges, put them in a loading block and run them one at a time under a powder thrower, seat the bullets and be done. Heres the thing, I do spend alot of time in the begining on my brass. I keep everything uniform, brass weight, length, shoulder, bullet bearing surface and dont want to sacrifice accuracy.
I have an RCBS and a older Redding and neither are consistant enough to trust without weighing every charge. While I'm not a professional competitor, I do compete occationally in local events and try to push myself tward better performance through practice. In load development I can achieve a node window of say .3 to .4 grns depending on the days conditions but getting my powder thrower to operate within these parameters has been usless. I guess I'll be saving my quarters for a Harrells culver unless someone has another idea.

 

[fdshuster]

jon: I think that most will agree that getting any drum type powder measure to throw consistant charges is a challange, when using stick powders, especially those with "big sticks". I use the RCBS Uniflo for ball powders where it does an excellent job, and my volumn requirements are such that I'm able to handle weighing charges on a beam scale/ 15 minutes to weigh 20 charges/ that's acceptable to me. You may be forced to go the electronic route, as with the RCBS, Lyman, Pact, etc.

 

[scout1]

Thanks for the reply Frank,
I have an RCBS Chargemaster as well, it works OK but I was wanting to speed things up a bit. I havent put it to a stopwatch but I'm guessing it takes approx 30 or 35 seconds to throw a charge and taking it to the range is out of the question. I've been reading up on the Harrells and understand that the same type of accuracy can be had +/- .1 grn reliably. Depending on thoughts and opinions provided here I may just sell my Chargemaster in order to fund the purchase of a Harrells.

 

[BoydAllen]

There are some strategies to speed up your Chargemaster use. First of all, some serious gains have been made by reprogramming. Another thing that has been mentioned is to use something like one of the Lee dippers to put the majority of the powder in the pan. Using a powder funnel that is caliber specific and designed to stand on the case neck helps, and seating one while it measures the next lets you multitask. Combine all of these and make a run, and let us know how it worked. ;D

 

[scout1]

There are some strategies to speed up your Chargemaster use. First of all, some serious gains have been made by reprogramming. Another thing that has been mentioned is to use something like one of the Lee dippers to put the majority of the powder in the pan. Using a powder funnel that is caliber specific and designed to stand on the case neck helps, and seating one while it measures the next lets you multitask. Combine all of these and make a run, and let us know how it worked. ;D

Thanks Boyd, but running a dipper, Chargemaster, caliber specific funnel (got one) and seating bullets, all at the same time sounds a little too hectic and possibly dangerous. I know you got a belly laugh picturing me trying to run that gauntlet though. ;D

I'm really wanting this to be more enjoyable than a chore if you can see where I'm comming from.

 

[scout1]

The guys that run culver style throwers at matches or at home. Do you check weigh your loads, every one, every 5 or 10. How dependable / reliable are they. I'll be loading for my .308 as soon as it gets back from the smith, action work, bolt sleeved, new barrel. I had a reamer cut from my dummy round running the 155 Scenar. I am not asking for advice because of novelty or wanting a new toy, I want to speed the process up while maintaining accuracy and dependability. "OR" should I just stick with what I have and be satisfied?

First hand experience and thoughts are appreaciated.

 

[BoydAllen]

What powder?

 

[6BRLongRange]

I got an 8 pounder of the 8208XBR

 

[DaveWhite]

I use a Harrell's Culver measure for my .308 in addition to a couple of varmint rifle loads (.22-250 and .204 Ruger), and have found it to be very consistent with Varget, IMR4895, and Reloder 10X. My former scale (a 9v Pact) indicated that the charges were +/- 0.1 grain, but how good those numbers are is unknown. I have a brand new acculab scale, so it is moot now.


For varmint loads, I set 100 primed and prepped cases in two Sinclair poly loading blocks and take the power measure to each case. I learned this from a pistol shooter many years ago, and I can throw all of those 100 charges in a matter of about 10-15 minutes.

For the paper punching loads, I weigh each charge, but it does not take too long if you are doing 100 at a time. I set my measure right above the scale so that all I have to do is raise the measuring pan up to the drop tube of the measure, throw the lever and bring the pan back down to the scale. Trickle up to weight and throw into the funnel on the casing, move funnel to next casing and repeat 99 times. That process is pretty quick too. Have never timed myself on that , but I would guess this takes only about an hour for 100 rounds.

For the varmint loads, I think even .3 grains would not make a big deal, as even at very long range the wind is the bigger issue than elevation. On paper, I think even with a marginal electronic scale, there is some consistency question, but I already sold the old Pact, so I have no way to check the variability. Will just have to soldier on with the new Acculab...

 

[scout1]

Thanks Dave, thats closer to the path I want to travel

 

[BoydAllen]

I have a Harrell's Premium, and have had the use of a Acculab. If it is coarser than 322, IMO you can' t do -+.1 over long runs, and if an old scale tells you you can, I think that you had scale issues. As to drop and trickle, if you are going to do that, why have a Chargemaster? (I drop and trickle...don't yet have a Chargemaster...but I have used one quite a bit helping a friend get ready for out of state and country hunting trips.) What is dangerous about seating while the Chargemaster is measuring out another charge? Also, there do not seem to be any issues with reprogramming, and considerable speed to gain. As for varmint rounds, I always use ball or fine grained stick powder and throw, which I do with a loading block on my open left hand, moving up and down the rows. My measure is set up so that the drop tube is outside the edge of and below the table top. Using this method I can work with a very steady rhythm. I have spent a lot of time throwing and weighing with the Acculab. Reality can be really hard on what one thought one knew.

 

[bheadboy]

Scout1, i have two original Culver measures, they will vary =+/- .00-1 if you are consistant with your vibration at the end of cach stroke, otherwise +/-.2-3 techniques is important

i use a rcbs chargemaster set up to trickle, throwing 90% of the load with an old Lyman measure into the pan then set the pan on the chargemaster for the final amount, it works very well and fast this way for volume and target, forcompetition i check the pan in the chargemaster before removing to put powder in cases

Bob

 

[cfrazier77]

I am using a RCBS Chargemaster for 46 grains of 4064 which is even longer. I reprogrammed it and it has speeded up things a lot. When I am sitting at my press I have the Chargemaster behind me on a sturdy table. When one charge is done I dump it and turn around and seat a bullet. By the time I am done with that the next charge is ready.

 

[scout1]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll take a look at the programming instructions and see about speeding up the Chargemaster. I think I was avoiding that in case I wanted to eventually sell it down the road. If its not overly technical I'll give it a shot and save the money for something else. I always need more boolits and powder ;D

 

[BoydAllen]

The factory is on baord with reprogramming, and you can always put it back to the way that you got it. Give them a call.They will help.