Canadian Bushman
Well-Known Member
I was wondering if any of you guys are throwing your powder charges, and if so i was curious to the variance in weight of these charges and any opinions about throwing over weighing?
Does anyone throw their powder for their rifles?
- Thread starter Canadian Bushman
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J E Custom
Well-Known Member
It is very common to throw less than Max powder charges without trickling if you have a repeatable
powder measure.
After getting the measure set to throw consistent powder weights, I will normally throw 10 and weigh one then throw 10 more and weigh one until I am done.
I look into every case and if one looks heavy I weigh it and dump it if it is heavy, then I back up until I find the required charge (Normally It is only one that did not measure correctly).
If I am loading for accuracy or max loads I weigh every charge.
Normally once you get the a good rhythm going you can drop charges within 1/10 th of a grain.
So If you have a good powder measure and set it correctly, do the same thing every time, and Look onto every case, it is easy.
If you try it and cant seem to throw consistent charges then you should weigh every charge.
J E CUSTOM
Doesn't it really depend on the form of powder? I could not get Varget to throw consistently, even in a Culver style measure.
moosekiller99
Well-Known Member
Spherical powders will give thrown charges great consistency if you keep the hopper on the close to full side. I really miss H-450 for this reason. It was great with 200 grain bullets in my 338 Win Mag.
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
Yes.
Some powders do not measure well in any type of powder measure and some do. Varget and some other types of powders gave me fits even with the RCBS charge master (Lots of error indications while charging).
If I am throwing the long grain powders I have to check more often and if I cant get it to settle down I just reduce the charge and trickle the final weight.
The new "Short Cut" powders were made for this reason.
J E CUSTOM
Canadian Bushman
Well-Known Member
In the past ive learned there is a school of thought that believes powder volume is more critical to accuracy and velocity spreads than weight, and that throwing powder can be more accurate. Is there any truth to this idea?
g0rd0
Well-Known Member
in truth, I have thrown and it was good, I have weighted and it was good. In reality it is what you with the equipment you have are comfortable with.
About 15 years ago I stopped throwing after a not "good bang". So, I am no longer comfortable throwing
Sully2
Well-Known Member
I have had no problems with Varget and the ChargeMaster...and that why I went to it. With the older style rotary drum model and varget...it kept hanging up and stopping and then trying to tear thru a grain of it was terrible. No problems with the Chargemaster though
When I throw charges I use a Redding BR powder measure. I set it right around my desired charge weight then measure every individual charge on a Dillon beam scale. If it is too light I trickle powder in until it is perfect, if it's too heavy, I do the opposite and trickle the propellant out of the pan back into the powder measure. I never go without measuring a charge, that Redding is extremely accurate but I don't trust anything enough to not weigh each charge. Consistency is key and like my Dad always said "half a grain can kill you!" The only thing that we throw that goes without being weighed every time, is when we load for black powder. We use a Lyman Model 55 Black Powder measure for them and set it for our desired charge. Once set we load 5 then re-check it on the scale. If its off a little we fine tune it until it's right then load 5 more and repeat. Black powder is very forgiving so a .5gr won't hurt you but smokeless is a whole other story.
Lefty7mmstw
Well-Known Member
I toss and trickle with most powders, but some of the fine/short grain stick and most ball can be tossed. As JE mentioned, it is far less critical with mild loads, but with most loads I will weigh before charging.
Coy Franks
Well-Known Member
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I changed to a "Quick Measure" powder measure several years ago. I've had just about everybody's powder measure including a Texan. I sold/give away everything else now and almost have retired my scales. This thing is so consistent its scarey. It does not cut grains of powder even Varget.
Canadian Bushman
Well-Known Member
Ive heard this many times but whenever i read a bulletin on accurate shooter or benchrest central about a new champ in benchrest or a new record, the guy weighs everything on his satorious or some other ridiculously expensive scale.
I think the short range benchrest probably could and do throw charges but i think the long distance guys are all weighing.
I've gotten decent metering results with extruded/stick powders. My trick is after a drop, to tap up with the handle on the RCBS powder measurer 3 times to settle the powder prior to dropping. I can get within a 1/10th once I get the feel down. I don't run into cutting the powder granules as much this way. I QC by weighing every 5th round. Don't really trust stick powders.
Saw this method being used on a reloading commercial.
Saw this method being used on a reloading commercial.
