Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

[Tactical30]

I had just recenly got into reloading about 3 months ago and the way I go about throwing powder is: (using RCBS Uniflow)

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">1st Way</span></span></span>
If I use "stick" powder I usually throw it out of the measure a little short then put it on the beam scale and the trickle the rest in. Its time consuming but accurate and I know for sure how much is in <span style="font-weight: bold">every </span>load.

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">2nd Way</span></span></span>
If I use "ball" powder is seems to meter really well. In the beginning I was throwing <span style="font-weight: bold">every </span>charge a little short and trickling the rest.(as in the first way).
I then realized I didnt have to beam scale every load because of how well it meters. So what I started doing is throwing
10-15loads in brass, straight into the brass from the powder thrower and then beam scaling every 10th or 15th throw to make sure it is still throwing accurate.

I dont see the point of spending $200-$300+ on a digital scale when I always hear faults about them. I know it may be time consuming the way I do it but I know for sure whats in every load.

I know I just got into reloading but the way im throwing powder is it normal? I guess it doesnt matter, its whatever works for me.

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">How do you guys throw your powder?</span></span>

 

[Country]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

I agree absolutely . Throwing a powder charge straight into the case from a good quality powder measure has always been the normal way to do it for a very long time. Digital scales and electronic throwers are fine and dandy for those who like them but just do some research and see how many break down within a short period.
For some coarse hard to throw powders the electronic throwers can be good but for the average family guy struggling to pay his way in life they are an expense you don't need.
I have an old Redding powder measure that is well worn out . It was my first measure but it still works, it did not breakdown or go flat or burnout, or blow a fuse.
PS. Infact when I think about it in the same time that I have had that particular powder measure . I have had to replace .
6 TV sets.
3 computers.
several stereo systems.
about 8 cars.
4 motorbikes.
1 house.
A mass of small home appliances and furnature.
But that measure is as good as the day it was made except it is fairly worn.
Thankyou Redding , what a great company.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

Choice is best made by the type of loading you do - rifle or pistol - and the volume.

IF you load small volumes of rifle ammon, up to perhaps a hundred at a time, the price of a digital dumpster is huge over-kill. But, if you load hundreds of rounds of rifle ammo per session they do make a little sense.

I'm a hunter/varminter, not a range blaster, so the digital dumpster doesn't even interest me. I've used your method #1 for precision rifle loads over four decades, others are just dropped.

Anyone who weighs individual pistol charges is kidding himself.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

I use your #1 method because I load rifle cartridges with extruded powder.

I throw short and trickle the last .2 grains. I use a digital scale because it's easier.

I will eventually upgrade to an RCBS electric powder dispenser. For my .308 loads I will continue to weigh each charge. I don't want to have to wonder if a thrown round was a me or the powder measure and I really don't want to lose a match because of it.

If I start loading high volume .223 for my M4 then I will probably throw into the cases.

If what you are doing is working.......why change?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

I throw 'long', weigh each charge, and pinch excess out of the charge pan, depositing the excess in a small bowl, which can be robbed to augment the rare 'short' charge.

I use an ancient RCBS digital scale because there's no swinging action to have to deal with. Timewise, the digital takes about the same or slightly longer than the balance scale; there's a waiting period before the readout settles down and becomes stable. I've used that scale since I began reloading in the early '90's and it's always delivered the goods for me.

I'm sure there's newer, and faster, and easier, but this is my way; and until it stops working, it's just fine by me.

Greg

 

[Country]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Choice is best made by the type of loading you do - rifle or pistol - and the volume.

IF you load small volumes of rifle ammon, up to perhaps a hundred at a time, the price of a digital dumpster is huge over-kill. But, if you load hundreds of rounds of rifle ammo per session they do make a little sense.

I'm a hunter/varminter, not a range blaster, so the digital dumpster doesn't even interest me. I've used your method #1 for precision rifle loads over four decades, others are just dropped.

Anyone who weighs individual pistol charges is kidding himself. </div></div>
Yes I agree , for volume loaders you have to use faster and less tiring equipment for sure.

 

[toddacguy]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

 

[Mag 300]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

THAT's

<span style="color: #CC0000"><span style="font-size: 20pt">SICK</span></span>

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

You know I hate you now. You got the Prometheus, you got the PVM-21 and Quickload on the way..... Can you adopt me?

Me and my dog are potty trianed
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: toddacguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

 

[JC Steel]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

I use the rcbs chargemaster combo. I. Love it. For the hunti g and shooting I do it is very good. If I am using short cut or ball powders there is not many unit better. It is very accurate. If I am using a longer cut or stick type powder it does sometime throw a charge of .1 grain Over

 

[LA_Lawman]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

i throw and weight in a digital scale, dump to a beam, trickle up, it works great. my rcbs digital scale constantly needs to be re calibrated.... its a pain... i dont have cash for a prometheus... was looking at a lyman unit

 

[Savage_Jake]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Country</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree absolutely . Throwing a powder charge straight into the case from a good quality powder measure has always been the normal way to do it for a very long time. Digital scales and electronic throwers are fine and dandy for those who like them but just do some research and see how many break down within a short period.
For some coarse hard to throw powders the electronic throwers can be good but for the average family guy struggling to pay his way in life they are an expense you don't need.
I have an old Redding powder measure that is well worn out . It was my first measure but it still works, it did not breakdown or go flat or burnout, or blow a fuse.
PS. Infact when I think about it in the same time that I have had that particular powder measure . I have had to replace .
6 TV sets.
3 computers.
several stereo systems.
about 8 cars.
4 motorbikes.
1 house.
A mass of small home appliances and furnature.
But that measure is as good as the day it was made except it is fairly worn.
Thankyou Redding , what a great company.
</div></div>

I have a Redding that my dad got me for xmas last year. I absolutely love it. Its accurate and it has the oil resevoir to dampen the beam. Its definately older than I am too. The box it came in gives it away.

+1 for Redding.

 

[raptorfendercash]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

i use a lyman dps 3.it's fast and dispences most powders within a tenth of a grain.those that it has trouble with i set the charge a little light and use the trickle mode to get exact.

 

[raptorfendercash]

Re: Powder Dispensing/ beam scale or go digital

my brother has an older rcbs dispencer and it does not do to bad but i think the lyman is a better set up.it also has a powder drain slide so no tipping you scale upside down to remove powder.