Making accurate powder charges

[Quackaddict]

I have decided against buying a kit for reloading, based on what you guys have said, I am acquiring bits of stuff here and there and am looking for your opinions on a method for throwing powder charges.

IF you had to choose, would you pick an automated system like the RCBS chargemaster combo, or a quality scale and powder measure? Why? I have only used a cheap powder thrower and its good to get close but you always have to trickle to get where you wanna be.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

You'll not find a throw that will throw exact each time with most powders you'll be using in rifle reloads. It's also not like you'll be loading a 1000 at at time like you might do for your 45 or 9mm. It's not really a race to get your reloads done and the little bit of time it takes to throw a charge in the pan, set it on a beam scale, spin the trickler to get it exact and seat the bullet is not that big a deal. I'd much rather take those few extra seconds weighing each charge and knowing it is exact than hoping that the throw dropped the same charge as last time. If you're planning on shooting way out there then why not make sure that each round is as close as possible to each other.

Quite a few of the powders that rifle shooters use are a stick type and a few of those long sticks tend to get cut when you throw a charge. Vargent goes thru a lot better but I bet it only takes me a few seconds to throw a charge, set the pan on the scale and spin the trickler to get it right on. Reloading should be enjoyed knowing that you are striving to make each round hit exactly where you want it to go and knowing that the following shot will be as identical to the previous one as you can get. Others may disagree but I've not found weighing each charge to be a big deal.

Topstrap

 

[918v]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

I have a Chargemaster. It throws faster than I can charge the case, place it in the shellholder, and seat a bullet. The charge it throws is consistent because I keep it plugged in 24/7 and zero it before each charge. I found that if I set it to throw .1 grains under, it will actually throw dead-on as the scale reads less the slower you build-up the powdercharge in the pan.

 

[christpher7]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

go with the chargemaster.. it is accurate and fast.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quackaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IF you had to choose, would you pick an automated system like the RCBS chargemaster combo, or a quality scale and powder measure? Why? </div></div>

I spend so much time in brass preperation that the amount of time saved by automating the rst of the whole process is (essentially) meaningless. So, Lets say I just shot 100 rounds of 308. Deprime, measure, lube, Size, measure, trim, chamfer, deburr, {possible anneal,} throw in tumbler overnight; takes at least 3 times as much time as: prime, throw, trickle, drop, seat, box.

 

[TT]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

For me, I have found "or" is a false decision point. I use both the RCBS Chargemaster and a powder measure - depending on the powder. RE15 is within +/- 0.01 grain using a powder measure but Varget is twice that (longer stick), as it does not meter as well. Therefore, I use the the Chargemaster for Varget.

Comparing cycles time, I can throw charges faster with the powder measure (RE15) compared to the Chargemaster (Varget).

 

[dragonjr45]

Re: Making accurate powder charges

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spend so much time in brass preperation that the amount of time saved by automating the rst of the whole process is (essentially) meaningless. So, Lets say I just shot 100 rounds of 308. Deprime, measure, lube, Size, measure, trim, chamfer, deburr, {possible anneal,} throw in tumbler overnight; takes at least 3 times as much time as: prime, throw, trickle, drop, seat, box. </div></div>

+1

I use a lee powder throw set about .1 gr short of what I want, and top off the last few drops by hand onto a Denver Instruments MXX-123, which measures to 1/50th of a grain.