Best way to measure powder

B

bdotson

Guest
I know there are many ways to measure powder i am just looking for a few options. What do you think is the BEST way to measure powder,I want accuracy,speed ,easy, load at range,Best of everything. One thing that has puzzled me is how accurate does your measured load need to be for benchrest accuracy? For this discussion lets not let price get in the way. If you could have any measuring equipment out there what method would you use?
You can spend as little as a few bucks for dippers and a beam scale. as much as several hundred for the new precision powder throws. What about the new rcbs chargemaster or lyman dps 3. would you use a powder throw and not trickle the load up? What would you think about using a electronic measuring device such as the chargemaster at home store loads in the plastic test tubes for transport to the range,now all loads are measured weighed and ready for transport. is there a better way? Lets talk about stick powder as well as others
 
Some powders, ball and fine grained stick, measure well enough with a powder measure, AND good technique.(takes practice with a scale) Others require a scale. I know of several Benchrest shooters who load with a Chargemaster at the range using one of the battery packs designed to boost a car battery and an AC converter. It seems to be an ideal setup. One puts it on its own small table, to isolate it from vibration. I still use a measure for 133, but until I developed a better technique, I was on course to buy a Chargemaster. I may yet.
 
Last edited:
Price no barrier?

The Prometheus II from Brand Cole, when/if it ever comes out. Or find someone with a 1st gen. unit and mug 'em. ;)
 
I use the ...

RCBS ChargeMaster Combo and preload at home because I don't want to be distracted by the loading process when shooting especially during competition. Loading has never been more fun and easy with this unit. My "Old-Timer Benchrest Competitor" friends use the Harrell's Precision measures http://www.harrellsprec.com/ at the range and elsewhere and swear by them. I strive for one tenth of a grain accuracy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This is a good topic. I have often wondered what the best (most efficient) way is.

I use a Harrells but unless im using a ball powder I can get as much as a .3 ES variation over the course of loading 50 rounds. Its normally right on, but that one shot might be the diference between winning and losing.

So I normally set it about .2 lower than what I want, drop it in an old once fired .300 Weatherby cartrige (because its big and easy to handle), pour it in the scale, weigh it, and trickle up. I learned not to drop it directly onto the scale because it makes a mess and causes me to recalibrate the scale more often as well. Its goes very fast once you get used to it because you get the feel for the trickler and know what it takes.

Has anyone used both the chargemaster and a good thrower like a Harrells? Which is the better way to go? I've been looking at the CM for a while but dont know if it would be a step up or down.
 
Measuring Powder

I have two beam scales, one a RCBS 505 made by Ohass, the other by Redding, a Dillon electronic scale and a Denver Insturments MXX123. I own a Lyman 55 with a Culver conversion, a Harrells, two Reddings BRs, 2 Hornaday LNL, one Quick Measure, and 6 Dillon measures. I ust bought a RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I am still experimenting and learning but so far I have been very happy.
Rustystud
 
nonliberal said:
This is a good topic. I have often wondered what the best (most efficient) way is.

Has anyone used both the chargemaster and a good thrower like a Harrells? Which is the better way to go? I've been looking at the CM for a while but dont know if it would be a step up or down.
Click to expand...

I use both the CM and the Harrells for competition purposes.
For loading big kernel powders in bigger cases, the CM is still the most accurate way to go. It will throw to .1 grain accuracy. With my best efforts, I can get a big powder, like say H1000, to throw to the .3 accuracy levels with the Harrells. However, if throwing charges for something as big as an ultra mag for example, .3 may not make any noticeable difference unless you're shooting a rifle capable of seeing it.

With smaller kernel powders like N133, the Harrells is usually .1 grain to spot on accurate once you get consistent with your lever running. I have never noticed a shot with my 6ppc ever going out of the group with a charge that was .1 grain above or below the others in the group. Taking your eyes off the flags for a moment in a switch will cause a much larger flyer for sure.

Then there is the practicality issue and the time issue. While I don't mind packing my battery pack to the range to run the CM, it takes more effort, time, and there are converters, plugs, and other things associated with the CM. With the Harrells, you only have the thrower, a stand, and a clamp. And it will work just as good in a tornado as it will in a dead calm. The CM has a windshield but there are still gaps in the sides where a good wind can flutter the scale. I brought both scales to the Cactus this month and the hurricane that blew in on Sunday shut down the CM in a hurry. I didn't even set it up to check weigh. I would have been in big trouble if I didn't have the Harrells ready to go.
And as mentioned earlier, the CM must be level and on a good solid table preferably by itself away from bumps and vibrations. So it ends up being burdensome, time consuming, and an extra hassle. Not to mention that the CM throws one charge in the same amount of time the Harrells can throw 6 charges.

So for the most part now, I use the Harrells for competition unless there are three relays for lots of time to load and there is a place out of the wind to reload. And even then, the Harrells still gets the majority of the workout.
 
cases

it has always been my understanding that the main reason for reloading at the range is so we can shoot as few cases as possible, therefore less chance for a variable in cases.( ie shoot the same 5 cases ever time.) right or wrong? you tell me as I am new to this game and looking for the best way to do this. I have noticed that we can buy plastic test tubes 3" tall with a cap at mc master carr for around 20 bucks for 50 tubes. What do you think about loading the tubes and labling them as to the weight at home with a CM that you leave on all the time so it does not have to warm up. then load the known weight charges at the range? will this work? is it better than a harrels? now I dont need a battery for the CM and wind is of no matter? what do you think? thanks Buddy;)
 
In 1-200 yd.Benchrest , the main reason for loading at the range is so that the rifle can be kept in tune during a match.
 
Last edited:
Throw and measure

I have Bruno center drop and harrel measures and Johnson Designs "quick measure".

The JDS measure seems to throw more loads "dead on" . The draw back on this measure is that one cannot throw directly into the case with any degree of accuracy. Throwing into a pan, (held directly against the bottom of the drop tube) really works well. doing this does not allow a slow trickle type drop into the case. In other words it's not too good with full case loads.

The Bruno center drop throws more consistantly for directly in the brass loads. (this measure looks very much like Neil Jones' powder thrower) . The chamber that measures the powder is directly under the center of the bottle, whereas the Harrel is skewed to one side.

None of em will throw dead on every time. Throw enough loads, then weigh, you will find that loads will show up at least .3 grains off on occasion, even with best of technique. A while back this discussion showed up, and we find some of the best shooters take "pre-weighed" charges to the match. Weigh them dead on at home, and carry them in glass vials to the match. You should know your range of weights for keeping your rifle in tune and take enough of each to get you through a the match.

It is likely that the variation inherent in the throwers is acceptable. I know that i saw the winners at Manatee throwing charges. I'm sure they had the occasional varied charge, yet they still shot winning aggs.

Air movement makes weighing charges at the range impractical. (unless you are inside a motor home, or indoor loading building)

practice throwing, and be confident...

Kirk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top