Powder measure throwing wrong loads

Paul T · 04-14-2008, 09:18 PM

Started having problems with my powder measures throwing loads erratically and varying weights upt to 1 grn either side of the load.
Also sticks and the whole charge doesnt drop fully some times.Im thinking it needs a good cleaning but Im kinda leery 'cause I dont wanna screw up
any thimg that has a high tolerence any suggestions?

502adamh · 04-14-2008, 09:23 PM

I use carb cleaner and compressed air seems to do the trick when cleaning or changing powders

Mooseman684 · 04-14-2008, 09:25 PM

They are made to disassemble and clean , just take your time...Some Powders meter better than others. Long cut powders are the hardest to throw evenly...
Rich

billy · 04-14-2008, 09:26 PM

ive used graphite to lube a thrower before.
it works well.

toolman · 04-14-2008, 09:37 PM

I don't use one much, but when i do, I lightly thump the handle at each end of the stroke.

billy · 04-14-2008, 09:45 PM

i use mine almost on a daily basis and the powder itself seems to lube it just fine.
PAUL T ,
how old is your thrower?
is it broken in?

SwedeSteve · 04-14-2008, 09:51 PM

Valid points from all! I gotta reiterate, depending on the throw, wth a decided "thump" on each end, you wll be erratic! That is why I recommend "throwing" within a 1/2 a grain and "trickling into home base"

big boomer · 04-14-2008, 09:58 PM

They say check every 10th shell always sounded like good advice to me. I have to take mine apart and clean it sometimes. Mostly my bulseye measure(remember these they have brass rotors and throw only one charge and there is a chart converting from bulseye to other powders but after a while it gets sticky to turn. I've got a dozen different rotors for this one its great for pistol.

pajaro · 04-15-2008, 01:37 AM

i check every 5th handgun load and weigh each rifle load individualy.... i dont trust the powder measure very much...... also eyeball all the loads ...... cant be too safe....

wunhunglo · 04-15-2008, 01:54 AM

I'think you've got it sussed right from the start, it needs a good cleaning. Might even have had some damp powder stuck inside the measuring chamber; that definittely causes erratic loads.
Strip, clean & dry.

irish murphy · 04-15-2008, 03:21 AM

Is it one of those Lee plastic powder throwers?If so buy a decent thrower.I had one when i first started and threw it in the bin.Now ive got x2 hornady lock and loads and a redding.Lyman,RCBS also make some good throwers.If its not the plastic one,the other fellas have given some good advice mate.

.22guy · 04-15-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish murphy

Is it one of those Lee plastic powder throwers?If so buy a decent thrower.I had one when i first started and threw it in the bin.Now ive got x2 hornady lock and loads and a redding.Lyman,RCBS also make some good throwers.If its not the plastic one,the other fellas have given some good advice mate.

Agreed. I have a lee thrower and it's a piece of crap.

AKHunter · 04-15-2008, 12:35 PM

I make sure to add a little "thump" or shock with the throwing handle eveytime. I try to do it the same way/firmness each time for consistancy, this helps to settle the grains in the hopper during setup and tends to provide a more consistant result for me. I also weigh every single charge before dispensing it into the shell casing. Most powders I use are long cylindrical powders so they do not meter all that well. Some practice with the device will get you closer to your needs.

Also, after loading the hopper and throwing a few charges, I don't bother to even weigh or use them, they go right back into the hopper. Once I get it adjusted I usualy have to discard 2 or 3 charges back into the hopper before I get consistantcy that I am happy with.

I find setting up the powder measure and throwing the charges the most tedious of the reloading process but the results are certainly worth it.

Paul T · 04-15-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i use mine almost on a daily basis and the powder itself seems to lube it just fine.
PAUL T ,
how old is your thrower?
is it broken in?

Yea both are one is and older rcbs I was given by a friend and its well used and the other is that plastic lee loader thing

rdale501 · 04-16-2008, 12:48 AM

Paul get yourself a Redding. I have one and it's very accurate. I too weigh each round, with the finer powders I wouldn't have too, it's just something I do.

Drygulch · 04-16-2008, 07:38 PM

Toolman, your right, I have a Hornady, and it will sometimes have that extra delayed
dribble especially with the longer spherical powders. Double tapping the handle on the downstroke insures that all the powder has dropped. One other time I had a small part of the powder lid seal (styrofoam) fall in the hopper as I was pouring. It created erratic charges.
Rod

billy · 04-18-2008, 09:26 AM

my old rcbs is a great piece of equipment.
the lee?
erm....
not so good..........

gandog56 · 04-18-2008, 08:19 PM

Yep wiping out the hopper with a dryer sheet trick usually fixes the static clinging problem. Also depends on what kind of powder you're throwing. Flake powders don't meter as well as ball powders.

JOEGUN94 · 04-19-2008, 10:34 PM

i just received the rcbs, i used red dot powder no problems, the switched to win 231 worked very well, i randomly weighed a few, all within limits.
the uniflow,[small size] is the one i bought, saw no sense in the large capicity one.

04-14-2008, 09:18 PM	#1
Paul T Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mounds Ok Posts: 1,127 Blog Entries: 6	Powder measure throwing wrong loads Started having problems with my powder measures throwing loads erratically and varying weights upt to 1 grn either side of the load. Also sticks and the whole charge doesnt drop fully some times.Im thinking it needs a good cleaning but Im kinda leery 'cause I dont wanna screw up any thimg that has a high tolerence any suggestions?

04-14-2008, 09:25 PM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 12,759	They are made to disassemble and clean , just take your time...Some Powders meter better than others. Long cut powders are the hardest to throw evenly... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-14-2008, 09:26 PM	#4
billy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 20,490 Blog Entries: 161	ive used graphite to lube a thrower before. it works well. __________________ ANGRY SMART AND SOBER

04-14-2008, 09:37 PM	#5
toolman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 7,358 Blog Entries: 25	I don't use one much, but when i do, I lightly thump the handle at each end of the stroke. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

04-14-2008, 09:45 PM	#6
billy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 20,490 Blog Entries: 161	i use mine almost on a daily basis and the powder itself seems to lube it just fine. PAUL T , how old is your thrower? is it broken in? __________________ ANGRY SMART AND SOBER

04-14-2008, 09:23 PM	#2
502adamh Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 71	I use carb cleaner and compressed air seems to do the trick when cleaning or changing powders

04-14-2008, 09:51 PM	#7
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 26,404	Valid points from all! I gotta reiterate, depending on the throw, wth a decided "thump" on each end, you wll be erratic! That is why I recommend "throwing" within a 1/2 a grain and "trickling into home base" __________________ In the absence of orders, ATTACK !!

04-14-2008, 09:58 PM	#8
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,615	They say check every 10th shell always sounded like good advice to me. I have to take mine apart and clean it sometimes. Mostly my bulseye measure(remember these they have brass rotors and throw only one charge and there is a chart converting from bulseye to other powders but after a while it gets sticky to turn. I've got a dozen different rotors for this one its great for pistol.

04-15-2008, 01:37 AM	#9
pajaro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: newcastle, california Posts: 466	i check every 5th handgun load and weigh each rifle load individualy.... i dont trust the powder measure very much...... also eyeball all the loads ...... cant be too safe....

04-15-2008, 01:54 AM	#10
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 4,831	I'think you've got it sussed right from the start, it needs a good cleaning. Might even have had some damp powder stuck inside the measuring chamber; that definittely causes erratic loads. Strip, clean & dry.

04-15-2008, 03:21 AM	#11
irish murphy Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra,Australia Posts: 1,026 Blog Entries: 5	Is it one of those Lee plastic powder throwers?If so buy a decent thrower.I had one when i first started and threw it in the bin.Now ive got x2 hornady lock and loads and a redding.Lyman,RCBS also make some good throwers.If its not the plastic one,the other fellas have given some good advice mate.

04-15-2008, 12:35 PM	#13
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	I make sure to add a little "thump" or shock with the throwing handle eveytime. I try to do it the same way/firmness each time for consistancy, this helps to settle the grains in the hopper during setup and tends to provide a more consistant result for me. I also weigh every single charge before dispensing it into the shell casing. Most powders I use are long cylindrical powders so they do not meter all that well. Some practice with the device will get you closer to your needs. Also, after loading the hopper and throwing a few charges, I don't bother to even weigh or use them, they go right back into the hopper. Once I get it adjusted I usualy have to discard 2 or 3 charges back into the hopper before I get consistantcy that I am happy with. I find setting up the powder measure and throwing the charges the most tedious of the reloading process but the results are certainly worth it.

04-16-2008, 12:48 AM	#15
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 535	Paul get yourself a Redding. I have one and it's very accurate. I too weigh each round, with the finer powders I wouldn't have too, it's just something I do.

04-16-2008, 07:38 PM	#16
Drygulch Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 86	Toolman, your right, I have a Hornady, and it will sometimes have that extra delayed dribble especially with the longer spherical powders. Double tapping the handle on the downstroke insures that all the powder has dropped. One other time I had a small part of the powder lid seal (styrofoam) fall in the hopper as I was pouring. It created erratic charges. Rod

04-18-2008, 09:26 AM	#17
billy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 20,490 Blog Entries: 161	my old rcbs is a great piece of equipment. the lee? erm.... not so good.......... __________________ ANGRY SMART AND SOBER

04-18-2008, 08:19 PM	#18
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 13,902	Yep wiping out the hopper with a dryer sheet trick usually fixes the static clinging problem. Also depends on what kind of powder you're throwing. Flake powders don't meter as well as ball powders. Last edited by gandog56; 04-18-2008 at 08:21 PM.

04-19-2008, 10:34 PM	#19
JOEGUN94 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MARSHALL Posts: 260	i just received the rcbs, i used red dot powder no problems, the switched to win 231 worked very well, i randomly weighed a few, all within limits. the uniflow,[small size] is the one i bought, saw no sense in the large capicity one.