Throwing vs weighing?

[TrxR]

How many of you throw by volume instead of weighing every charge? What are your theories behind the Volume of powder compared to the weight? Does the weight of the powder change much due to humidity? If you throw what equipment do you use to do so?

Thanks

 

[JThorsby]

I use an RCBS powder measure. Actually I've never used any other.
When I'm being careful I toss and then measure each charge, when I'm loading for volume I just measure every 10th charge.
The RCBS measure has never been off, in over 30 years and numerous powder types (not all the same measure).
John

 

[Cort]

It depends on the powder that I am using. My powder measure throws some powders very consistently and other powders not so consistently. If I am using one of the consistent powders then I check the charge every now and then. If it is one of the inconsistent powders, then I weigh every charge (throw a short charge and trickle up to desired charge).

It also depends on how close I am to maximum charge. I tend to weigh close-to-maximum charges very often, while not-so-close get less attention.

And, then, finally, it depends on the purpose of the finished round. Plinking rounds get less attention than target rounds. Pistol rounds get less attention than rifle rounds.

Cort

 

[savageshooter86]

I am betting no one using Varget throws and goes. I have used Lee powder measure and an RCBS uniflow with baffle inside tube and it was still giving inconsistent charges.

I throw then trickle for my match loads and my plinking loads get thrown and loaded

 

[Cold Bore]

If you throw what equipment do you use to do so?

I throw most of mine, with "verification checks" done on a scale every now and then.

I use a Harrell's and love it.

Not cheap, but those that have them don't egret buying them. 8)

 

[M-61]

I have always weighed rifle loads. Never really in a rush as there is too much time between trips to the range.

 

[Immike]

I see the weight of humidity was overlooked and yes it does increase the weight but it takes almost a deliberate effort to create a problem. There was a article in PS magazine about humidity vs weight and I don't see a major problem if you don't leave the powder in the scale for extended periods of time. I can't keep my reloading area climate controlled 24-7 so I load and put the powder away daily. I don't think I could sleep if I threw charges so I weigh everything to the 100th of a grain.

 

[deerdad66]

I'm kinda new to reloading, and I use a rcbs 505, so i measure each load

 

[walley2960]

I use Harrell's. It is the only thrower I have used. H322 and H380 meter pretty well. If you want the most consistent charges throwing light and then trickling up works the best. Especially with bigger stick powder. Just my opinion.

 

[BoydAllen]

I don't routinely load cartridges that require that I use coarse powders that do not throw well, but when I do, I throw a little light and then trickle up to the charge. For may 6PPCs, where I use at least one powder that is difficult to throw to the ES of charge weight that I find acceptable, I have spent an inordinate amount of time working with different measures and throwing techniques, and that has taught me a lot. I now can throw better than I would have expected to (with those powders) than most folks that I know of, and the methods that I use are unconventional, vary from powder to powder and measure to measure. Having said all of that, There are some powders that I will never throw, due to their coarseness. Of course if you don't have a scale that is quite a bit better than any factory balance type scale or most of the affordable electronic scales, you are kidding yourself about the results that you are getting. Of course a blind monkey could throw ball powder, perhaps that is why I use it for whenever I can for things like varmint rifles, where I will be loading a lot of rounds.

 

[TrxR]

From what I am getting from everyone is it depends on the powder and what it is going to be used for. I am currently gearing up to shoot F/TR with a .308 using Varget. I am currently awaiting a Parker tuned beam scale and am debating on what to get for a thrower. I am also considering an Omega trickler. I was just currently reading about how consistent volume was more important than weight but was wondering about other peoples opinions.

 

[savageshooter86]

If you are going to trickle I think any powder measure will work? I use a Lee powder measure and trickle using an RCBS powder trickler and have a GemPro 250 scale. Powder throws inconsistently using Varget anyways. Takes a couple seconds for the powder to register on the scale. If speed was an issue I would get the Omega possibly to do it faster

 

[Bob3700]

Get the Omega trickler and don't look back. Everything else is just a poor comparison.

Bob

 

[22turborimfire]

I'm weighing all loads with a Sartorius GD503 .I do control relative humidity with gauges and humidifier and dehumidifier . I also control temperature as well .The GD 503 will weigh to .005 of a grain .
I keep everything as close as I can .The small things can make a difference .I strive to load the best reload that i can . It's just my nature . I enjoy fine tuning . Guess alot depends on the game you are shooting.

 

[fultonbig9]

I am with bob on this one,I use rcbs powder measure,throw the charge then put it on 10 10 scale with a web cam zeroed on the scale hooked to an older tower, then use the omega trickler that is a must have IMO. I measure every load like that. Joey

 

[jimbires]

I don't use my powder throw any more , I just use a Lee powder spoon . I pick the spoon that is almost my weight , dump it on my scale then use my omega trickler to bring it to spec . Jim

 

[WyleWD]

I have always weighed rifle loads. Never really in a rush as there is too much time between trips to the range.

Agree with this post. Weigh em. If/when you get in a hurry is when mistakes happen. WD

 

[MarkS]

TrxR,

I use a Harrell, and throw everything (Varget is my main powder). When I shot 600 yds benchrest, I did weight match rounds. I do all my load development at the range, and have had single digit ES. I work up a new a load for my 6BRX with Berger 105 VLD. The 6 target agg was 0.100".

Mark Schronce

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I use a combination of both! I first throw a charge, pour that charge in the weigh pan, and then trickle to desired weight of charge. This is kinda time consuming but, it has worked well for me in my load development and consistent loading practices!

Mike

 

[mao0720]

I thow a charge out of a lyman powder measurer, then weigh and trickle on a Lyman 500 beam scale that I tuned up a bit (registers 1 kernel of varget) I then double check the weight on a Hornady electronic scale to verify. If the two scales to read the same reading, then I re-measure on the beam scale, adjust as necessary and then re-check on the electronic scale. When they both read the same measurement the powder gets loaded.