Experienced Reloaders?!!

[bphillips]

OK, I made the call to Harrell's that Blake suggested and this is a summary of what I was told based on usage of long cut stick powders like 4831, H-1000 etc

Q. Which which Harrell's measure will work best for this application?
A. They will al work the same, choose based on volume required per throw. Based on my need to load the RUM's he said the Premium was best option but the Classic was exactly the same only fancier looking if I liked it.

Q. So will the Premium throw consistent charges of this long stick powder?
A. It doesn't like it but it will with good technique.

Q. What technique is suggested?
A. Slow easy handle lift to stop, no bumping at top, let gravity work. Slow steady lowering of handle with a pause at about 90* to ensure powder doesn't clog in drop tube.

I ordered one. I'm confident that it will at least allow me to direct drop my 556 & 6.8 loads, & will allow me to record and duplicate settings for all loads. This alone will justify its cost. I am also strongly optimistic that it might allow me to direct drop my course powder loads as well.

We will see.

Please post up when you try it. My loads would be a lot of h1000

[Greyman]

Checkout...
Accurateshooter.com
Long range hunting.com
lots of good info

[Artos]

Test it with both the light tap method & without...I found the bruno was much more consistent with it. I've never used a Harrells but the argument back then was 50/50 when the bruno, Neil Jones & Culver conversions were the options.

Also, be sure to run a bunch of powder though the measure before you start using / testing...it's almost like it needs to get coated with powder/silt to get rid of the initial static. What I did was take a pound of powder I didn't uses & dump it through a couple times. Seemed to help.

[bboswell]

Test it with both the light tap method & without...I found the bruno was much more consistent with it. I've never used a Harrells but the argument back then was 50/50 when the bruno, Neil Jones & Culver conversions were the options.



Also, be sure to run a bunch of powder though the measure before you start using / testing...it's almost like it needs to get coated with powder/silt to get rid of the initial static. What I did was take a pound of powder I didn't uses & dump it through a couple times. Seemed to help.

I plan to experiment. My current cheap powder measure works with about the same method (loser tolerances I'm sure) and I know for fact technique is huge for repeatability. Where this shines for me is recorded settings allowing for repeat of a previous throw where mine takes a while to tune in to a throw weight

[bboswell]

Please post up when you try it. My loads would be a lot of h1000

It came in today, I will modify my stand tomorrow and get to testing!

[Artos]

It came in today, I will modify my stand tomorrow and get to testing!

some have recommended wiping it with anti static towels like you throw in the dryer...I really think running powder through it is the better way to go before testing. Just open the hopper to a large setting so the residual gun powder will coat the internals.

Looking forward to what results you get from the methods.

[Cajun Blake]

some have recommended wiping it with anti static towels like you throw in the dryer...I really think running powder through it is the better way to go before testing. Just open the hopper to a large setting so the residual gun powder will coat the internals.

Looking forward to what results you get from the methods.

yep, Bounce dryer sheets will remove static electricity from the powder measurer

B, if you use a longer drop tube it will drop powder slower and you can fit more into a case . As Paul mentioned , drop lots of charges to condition and break-in the measurer. My method: I slowly raise lever to top, tap twice, then slowly drop charge using a long drop tube. Experiment and find what works best for you

[bboswell]

yep, Bounce dryer sheets will remove static electricity from the powder measurer



B, if you use a longer drop tube it will drop powder slower and you can fit more into a case . As Paul mentioned , drop lots of charges to condition and break-in the measurer. My method: I slowly raise lever to top, tap twice, then slowly drop charge using a long drop tube. Experiment and find what works best for you

Thanks Blake. It came with 2 tubes that are both about 4" long, are saying to use even longer tubes?

[cattlelackranch]

If your crunching powder on loads then a longer drop tube can settle powder better in the case and sometimes eliminate the crunch. Crunching powder can have an affect on setting depth.

If your not crunching loads I wouldn't so much worry about a longer drop tube.

Bullseye pistol powder has a lot of graphite in it and is good at seasoning a powder thrower like Artos mentioned.

[meltingfeather]

I just went through this and took the "buy precision, buy once" advice.
The first conclusion from that perspective is that kits are not compatible with that. They are all "entry level" in one way or another.
I erred on the side of overbuying, particularly in the case prep arena.

For under $2k my list:

Redding T7 Turret
Redding Type S 3-die set
Redding slide bar automatic primer feed system
Redding Competition Shellholder Set #1

Digital Caliper
RCBS Precision Mic Case/Bullet length gauge
Hornady OAL and Headspace & Bullet comparator sets

Redding #2 Powder Scale
Redding Match Grade 3BR Powder Measure

Lyman Case Prep Express
Redding 2400 Precision Case Trimmer
Hornady LNL Neck Turning Tool
Hornady LNL Concentricity Tool + Case neck thickness gauge
RCBS Flash Hole Deburring tool
Redding Case Lube Kit
Imperial Sizing Wax
Franklin Arsenal Case Tumbler

Reloading trays & ammo boxes

MagnetoSpeed V3 Ballistic Chronograph


The RCBS Precision Mic is a very nice unit and pretty much eliminates the need for the Hornady OAL and Case Length Gauge & Comparator sets. Unless you're loading for many calilbers I'd opt for the RCBS.
The L.E. Wilson units are nice but are basically go-no-go gauges and not measurement tools.

[Artos]

Thanks Blake. It came with 2 tubes that are both about 4" long, are saying to use even longer tubes?

It really depends on your load density & style of throwing amigo...a longer drop tube will allow you to lower the handle a bit quicker.

In other words say you have a load where the powder is 1/2 way up the neck on your regular throwing pace with a 4" tube. If you drop the handle really slow it will help pack the powder to where it can sit at the bottom of the neck.

A longer drop tube allows you to throw at your regular pace accomplishing the same results...use the long tube slowly & it compacts it a little more.

[bboswell]

I ran a pound of unique through it at various settings to season it then threw a lot of charges of Accurate 2200 weighing each charge on my RCBS 1010. This thing repeats great but the markings on the vernier make absolutely no sense to me.

[cattlelackranch]

Have you run any short stick powder through it to test for consistency like H4350 or H4831sc?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[bboswell]

Have you run any short stick powder through it to test for consistency like H4350 or H4831sc?

Inquiring minds want to know.

The A2200 is a short stick and it ran good. I got my powder measure stand modified now so tomorrow I should be able to check throws of Varget, 4831 & H1000

[bboswell]

Throwing 59g of H4832SC I am holding 58.9 - 59.1 on all but a couple odd throws. Most throws were 59 - 59.1