How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

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44shooter
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by 44shooter »

With the baffle, new pistol drum, and a little experience things are getting much better. I've loaded every 45 auto case I can find. Even ran out of lead and went to my XTP stash for a few. They all have pretty close to 5.9 grains I feel. I'm going to see if I can find some LNL bushing before switching cartridges. I want to do the same charge in 44 Special and 357. Both with soft lead ammo. Pretty much just cheap, pleasant to shoot, generally useful and hopefully decently accurate ammo
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by 44shooter »

I might see how power pistol meters before loading 38 and 40 next time. It seemed easy to measure out when I used it
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by piller »

Have you ever tried Hodgdon's Universal? It meters well for me.
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44shooter
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by 44shooter »

I haven't tried Universal. I have a bit of Unique on hand. Things are going well with the measure now.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by AJMD429 »

marlinman93 wrote: Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:33 pm I can ask any friend who owns a Harrell's what load he uses for a particular powder, and how many clicks of his Harrel's measure that relates to. Then go to my Harrell's and dial in the same number of clicks, with the same powder, and it will drop the same weight charge as his does. And every Harrell's powder measure will do this.

I have numerous hoppers for mine since they unscrew. I take them off and leave the powder in them with the lid screwed on. I write the powder type, and number of clicks for various charges I commonly use. So when I change powders I grab a hopper and install it on the measure. Then I reset it to zero, and dial in the number of clicks for a certain charge. Then I check the first charge on the scale, just for fun and it's exactly where I wanted it to be.
+1 for the Harrell’s, especially for light charges you want to be precise. Think not just pistol but 300 Blk, 218 Bee, 22 Hornet, 222 Rem, and so on.

For more general use I like the Lee Disk ‘Pro’ model though; quick and easy and automated.

I haven’t really used my Unique-Tek micrometer-adjust aftermarket for the Dillon yet so can’t say on it for sure.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by 1886Lever »

I'm sure it's already been said, but try to use ball powders or powder with small kernels and double bump the handle to fill the charge, using the same amount of force each time and you will see greatly improved consistency. Flake powders and long kernel powders are difficult to work with.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

This works too.
:lol:
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by piller »

I think that is probably the best use for that type of device as I have ever seen. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

On the serious side. I have used a small 110v aquarium air pump attached to hopper for both unique and black powder. It does make a more consitant throw.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by AmBraCol »

Nate Kiowa Jones wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:19 am On the serious side. I have used a small 110v aquarium air pump attached to hopper for both unique and black powder. It does make a more consitant throw.
Now there's an interesting idea. You basically place the air pump on the hopper, plug it in and let it vibrate while throwing the loads normally? Those can really put out the vibes, and can be picked up cheap at yard sales at times.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by piller »

A mild vibration would cause each throw of the powder measure to be more consistent. What I have trouble with is stick powder. Crunchy throws and higher deviation from shot to shot even with weighed charges. The short cut stick powders work pretty good. The older long stick powders are the ones I scoop and trickle each charge for my best results.
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1894cfan
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by 1894cfan »

Here's what I do...pour in however much powder you want to use, then tap the side of the powder measure to settle the powder, then start adjusting the powder measure to throw the amount of powder you want. When you get there, throw about 20 loads into a paper cup then weigh the powder again to confirm the weight. You should be gtg. Piller just reminded me, ball and flake work best, stick? Not so much. When using stick, I adjust the measure to just under the amount I want, then dump each load into the scale then adjust that to the amount I want. I use an empty case 2/3-3/4 full and roll it over the scale pan to the weight I want. Call me cheap, I just never got around to getting one of those new fangled electronic powder scales! :mrgreen: HTH
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by AmBraCol »

1894cfan wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:23 am Here's what I do...pour in however much powder you want to use, then tap the side of the powder measure to settle the powder, then start adjusting the powder measure to throw the amount of powder you want. When you get there, throw about 20 loads into a paper cup then weigh the powder again to confirm the weight. You should be gtg. Piller just reminded me, ball and flake work best, stick? Not so much. When using stick, I adjust the measure to just under the amount I want, then dump each load into the scale then adjust that to the amount I want. I use an empty case 2/3-3/4 full and roll it over the scale pan to the weight I want. Call me cheap, I just never got around to getting one of those new fangled electronic powder scales! :mrgreen: HTH
You apparently use the same brand of powder dribbler I do. :D Every time I look at the store bought ones I figure out something else I could spend that money on, a case of powder works great for getting that last couple or three flakes, balls or sticks of powder that it takes to bring the balance beam to the proper level.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by crs »

Some years ago, my son gave me a Modern Lyman electronic powder measure and it solved all my powder measuring problems This is probably due to me migrating to ball and other powders that measure very well. When handloading ammo that may approach critical pressures or trying to get extreme accuracy, I recycle any load that does not have zero ( 0 ) deviation and this has produced some of my most accurate and consistent ammo ever.
Not magic, just good equipment and methods.
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earlmck
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by earlmck »

I don't have much to contribute to the discussion because all my "powder measure wisdom" has already been covered -- bias toward ball/small granule type powders, give a little vibration (I have a little "double-tap" I do when operating measure), use pistol drum when measuring small loads.

On that last front I have a "secret weapon" I'll share in case you spot one at a garage sale or pawn shop (I found mine in a great little pawn shop in Burns, Oregon). This is the wonderful Herter's pistol powder measure.
Herterpistol1.jpg
Those of you who are connoisseurs of powder will recognize Hodgdon Universal from the pinkish color -- throws a little better than Unique but is still a flake so not vastly better than Unique. As shown the measure is adjusted to throw 2.2 grains of Universal which it does. Not 2.1 and not 2.3 but 2.2. The secret is the small diameter metering chamber:
Herterspistol2.jpg
Unfortunately this old style babe does not have micrometer adjustment but just a friction fit on the rod you push in or out. So a little trial 'n error adjusting but once it is set it is SET.
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Re: How do you get consistent throws from powder measure?

Post by Sixgun »

There's are the powder measures benchrest shooters used in the fifties/sixties. They are slower to use but once you use these you won't settle for nothing else. These have side levers and a see through window.....----006

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