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Posted: 6/10/2011 5:34:15 AM EDT
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I just started reloading 223 with RL15 using the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I'm a little surpised that its not metering better, I'm getting +/- .4 grains differences. Is this common? Would a differnt powder measure give better results? I was looking at the Hornady bench measure. Any help? |
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I just started reloading 223 with RL15 using the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I'm a little surpised that its not metering better, I'm getting +/- .4 grains differences.
Is this common? Would a differnt powder measure give better results? I was looking at the Hornady bench measure. Any help? A look into my crystal ball says you will soon be buying a new powder measure. My crystal ball also says there will be a similar post to this one about your new powder measure. I see some frustration for having spent money where money could have been spent on something you needed more. I see over time you will learn to perform a slow smooth stroke on your new powder measure and getting your drops to within .02+|- I then see your curiosity getting the better of you and once again returning to Lee PPM with a slower, smoother, more consistent stroke and finding like many of use here have found. Lee PPM is made for powders like Reloder 15 and does as good a job as any drop does. But don't listen to me because I don't know what I'm talking about. 
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While your variation of .5 grains seems large to me, and may improve a bit with attention to technique.... RE15 throws better than Varget, but nothing like H335 for example. If you ever get RE15 to throw right on... I think you might be the first! I use RE15 for heavier .223 and larger calibers like .308 & 8MM Mauser. I throw light & trickle up. Sometimes it happens to be right on, but usually not. A different powder measure might be a bit more accurate, but I don't think you will find one that will be "dead on" every time. Somebody did a test a while back... maybe 7zero1? Whoever it was, said that they found rounds loaded by simply throwing verses weighing to the exact same charge showed no difference on target.... and in some instances actually grouped better. I found that quite interesting. |
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Wow Smith, you may have just saved me over 100 dollars. I guess I should buy another 1,000 rounds of LC unprimed brass. I try and also switch to TAC powder. I've thrown a lot of RelOder 15 through Lee PPM. It's all in your stroke. Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Consistant.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I just started reloading 223 with RL15 using the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I'm a little surpised that its not metering better, I'm getting +/- .4 grains differences.
Is this common? Would a differnt powder measure give better results? I was looking at the Hornady bench measure. Any help? A look into my crystal ball says you will soon be buying a new powder measure. My crystal ball also says there will be a similar post to this one about your new powder measure. I see some frustration for having spent money where money could have been spent on something you needed more. I see over time you will learn to perform a slow smooth stroke on your new powder measure and getting your drops to within .02+|- I then see your curiosity getting the better of you and once again returning to Lee PPM with a slower, smoother, more consistent stroke and finding like many of use here have found. Lee PPM is made for powders like Reloder 15 and does as good a job as any drop does. But don't listen to me because I don't know what I'm talking about.
You sure been acting funny of late there Smith. FWIW, I always read and listen to what you post. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I just started reloading 223 with RL15 using the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I'm a little surpised that its not metering better, I'm getting +/- .4 grains differences.
Is this common? Would a differnt powder measure give better results? I was looking at the Hornady bench measure. Any help? A look into my crystal ball says you will soon be buying a new powder measure. My crystal ball also says there will be a similar post to this one about your new powder measure. I see some frustration for having spent money where money could have been spent on something you needed more. I see over time you will learn to perform a slow smooth stroke on your new powder measure and getting your drops to within .02+|- I then see your curiosity getting the better of you and once again returning to Lee PPM with a slower, smoother, more consistent stroke and finding like many of use here have found. Lee PPM is made for powders like Reloder 15 and does as good a job as any drop does. But don't listen to me because I don't know what I'm talking about.
Agreed. If you know how to stroke it, it'll come out nicely. 
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The Hornady is a good measure, but the Redding is better but costs more. I was lucky and got mine for cheap at the funshow. 
With some tuning and proper technique, I can drop Re-15 + or - .2 grs. 
I use a drop tube connected to the measure. I set and check my measure then drop charges directly into the case. Proper technique, is using the same motion, same amount of force for every stroke of the PM. Being consistent is the key. Something you won't learn over night, but worth learning in the long run. Good luck If you are interested, here is the link to my PM tuning thread. |
| Like already said, it's all in the stroke. I have a Redding 3BR powder measure and have no problem throwing R-15 and IMR-4895 to +/- .1gr but it took a lot of practice to get there. My dad also made me a longer handle for it, it helps a lot to "push" through the "crunch" of some of the powders while being consistent. |
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http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/P7250490.jpg The Hornady is a good measure, but the Redding is better but costs more. I was lucky and got mine for cheap at the funshow. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/PC280352-1.jpg With some tuning and proper technique, I can drop Re-15 + or - .2 grs. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/P8150509.jpg I use a drop tube connected to the measure. I set and check my measure then drop charges directly into the case. Proper technique, is using the same motion, same amount of force for every stroke of the PM. Being consistent is the key. Something you won't learn over night, but worth learning in the long run. Good luck If you are interested, here is the link to my PM tuning thread. Dryflash.. how much different is the rcbs uniflow compare to the Redding. Is it just the internals are different ? thanks |
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I have a bench mounted Hornady measure, and use RL 15 for .375 H&H. It gives me about a half grain variation, but a half grain isn't that big a deal when you're throwing 77 grains. It's a stick powder, and I don't think any of them meter that well through drum type measures. |
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http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/P7250490.jpg The Hornady is a good measure, but the Redding is better but costs more. I was lucky and got mine for cheap at the funshow. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/PC280352-1.jpg With some tuning and proper technique, I can drop Re-15 + or - .2 grs. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20Measure/P8150509.jpg I use a drop tube connected to the measure. I set and check my measure then drop charges directly into the case. Proper technique, is using the same motion, same amount of force for every stroke of the PM. Being consistent is the key. Something you won't learn over night, but worth learning in the long run. Good luck If you are interested, here is the link to my PM tuning thread. dryflash.. how much different is the rcbs uniflow compare to the Redding. Is it just the internals are different ? thanks The RCBS measure is OK. But.... What I don't like about it is the lack of a proper micrometer . Look at the other 3 measures, they have an easy to read micrometer as standard equipment. You will want to write down the number for future reference after adjusting the measure for a given charge. Most of the time the RCBS scale on the adjusting bolt is towards the back and hard to read once adjusted. The upgrade micrometer for this measure is $40. The other measures come with a proper micrometer. So for an extra $40 the RCBS can be made to equal the Hornady. I would buy the Hornady and save the $40. Also the RCBS's powder hopper is glued in and not removable like the other 2 measures. This makes it hard to polish the internals if you want to tune the measure. One thing that will help any measure is a powder baffle, and lubing the internal parts ( read my tuning thread, don't use oil). The Redding is just higher quality than the RCBS or Hornady, and is a better measure. But if you have a line on a Uniflo for cheap, get it, but if buying new get a Hornady or Redding. Good luck. |
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dryflash
thanks the response !!! you are correct about uniflow's bottle. i purchased one in the late 80's with my rock chucker press and added the micrometer when they offered it as an option.. so really not too much difference than.. what i have already.. I was going to look at purchasing new powder measure but looks like in about the same if i did.. |
Even though you can't remove the powder hopper, you can still dissemble your Uniflo and wax it up.
This is furniture and wooden floor wax, but also works well slicking up steel parts. Woodworkers use it to coat the top of their table saws so they don't rust. This is why I had some on hand. It's a paste. Put some on a clean rag, rub it on. Let dry, wipe off film with a clean rag. This is very similar to car paste wax without an abrasive. Coat all steel interior surfaces of the PM. Hasn't effected the powder at all, I've been using this wax in my PM's for 3 years now. It makes a big difference with how smoothly your PM operates. Keep the Uniflo you have, wax it up, and practice your powder throws. |
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