Checking ten throws of the measure.

[Bazoo]

I set my lee perfect powder measure to throw 5.5 unique. Got it right on and commended using it. Then I had the idea to check 10 throws. I don't think I've ever done that. 54.5 grains for ten. I think that's real good.

It means I am reading the scale good and adjusting the measure good and throwing consistent.

Am I correct in thinking that my dispersion is good? Or does everyone else get it right on?

I was very happy and continued to load my 44 specials dejure.

 

[AJC1]

Sounds good enough to me, especially for unique which is forgiving.

 

[WeekendReloader]

Looks good to me.
I also check 10 throws and try to dial it in as close as possible. This gets the powder running through the measure and flowing consistently.
I can usually get closer than 0.5 grains when using Win 231. Different powder, different +/-.

 

[PWC]

That's what I do with my Lyman 55. Using 10 makes the math easy.

That gives the accuracy capability for any given powder at any given setting in any given measure.

 

[lightman]

I throw 10 to settle everything then adjust it until I hit the weight that I want. Then I throw 10 more to weigh and divide by ten. If that still hits the weight that I want I run with it. That initial throw of 10 also lets me warm up my throwing arm to get into the rhythm and throw consistent throws. I'm happy enough with the weight difference that you had.

 

[wcwhitey]

Once I confirm my setting on the thrower several times I start to load. I check a single throw every 10th round loaded to make sure nothing has drifted. From what I am reading you set 5.5, loaded then reset your scale to read out 55ish? I wouldn’t mess with my scale in the middle of a string. Before you start loading it’s a good method.

Unless of course your scale is digital then nothing I just said makes sense

 

[bullseye308]

With unique that is fine. It’s definitely good enough as unique has some built in flexibility kinda, compared to, say bullseye.

 

[Bazoo]

Once I confirm my setting on the thrower several times I start to load. I check a single throw every 10th round loaded to make sure nothing has drifted. From what I am reading you set 5.5, loaded then reset your scale to read out 55ish? I wouldn’t mess with my scale in the middle of a string. Before you start loading it’s a good method.

Unless of course your scale is digital then nothing I just said makes sense

Actually I set the measure the previous time of loading. It stayed set up a few days on my bench. I threw a few to get it settled, then checked one at 5.5. Then I set the scale to 55 and checked ten. Then I set the scale back and checked one at 5.5 again best I recall. It's a RCBS 505 scale.

I generally don't check but the last charge, after initial setup of the measure. But I only load 50-200 normally at a time. Sometimes I'll check the last in a loading block.

Usually I load in batches of 50, charging only 50 then seating bullets. I give several throws to settle the powder when I start the next 50.

If I'm working with a new to me measure or powder I'll check more often until I'm confident my rhythm is giving consistent throws.

 

[someguy2800]

One thing with flake or extruded powders I have noticed when you have the measure mounted on the press such as a progressive or a turret is that I don't get the same drop weight if I just just drop charges in a scale pan compared to actually working the press. The extra vibration and movement of the press working tends to settle the powder a little denser when actually working the press.

 

[Bazoo]

I've yet to use a turret or progressive. I will keep it in mind though. Thanks.

 

[someguy2800]

Even on a free standing measure you will also get a slightly different drop weight if you juggle the measure or do a double tap on the handle at the top of the stroke.

 

[Bazoo]

I know that. I get a different weight slightly if I stop and load 50. The next couple are off, so I make it my habit to throw at least 3 whenever I pause and resume.

 

[bersaguy]

One thing with flake or extruded powders I have noticed when you have the measure mounted on the press such as a progressive or a turret is that I don't get the same drop weight if I just just drop charges in a scale pan compared to actually working the press. The extra vibration and movement of the press working tends to settle the powder a little denser when actually working the press.

Yup...that's a thing. I like to do 10 throws running the turret when setting up, and every time I come back to the press if I take a break during a run of the same load. Still don't know how it happened, but I was loading 9mm a year ago or so, running 500 of my favorite load. Stopped for the night and came back to it a few days later. Weighed my 10th round to find I was about .5 grains too much. Pulled some of my previously loaded rounds as a sanity check....they were all fine. Friggin' gremlins I tell ya....

 

[stormshrike]

For some OCD-type people, 10 throws weighing anything other than "desired weight" X 10 feels wrong. For those types, if the desired weight is 5.5gr, 10 throws should weigh 55.0. Not saying I am such an unfortunate person, of course, but I image they would probably be OK with a .1+/- variance with 10 throws. Maybe even .2 on a bad day. Not that I would know.

Like others have commented, how settled the powder is - or is not - makes a difference in how consistent the throws are. One of the best nuggets of powder measure info I found on a forum - don't remember where, might have been here - was when someone said they did about 30 throws to settle the powder before actually charging. At first I thought that seemed excessive, but it helped me understand that settling the powder was an important part of consistent throws.

 

[someguy2800]

Yup...that's a thing. I like to do 10 throws running the turret when setting up, and every time I come back to the press if I take a break during a run of the same load. Still don't know how it happened, but I was loading 9mm a year ago or so, running 500 of my favorite load. Stopped for the night and came back to it a few days later. Weighed my 10th round to find I was about .5 grains too much. Pulled some of my previously loaded rounds as a sanity check....they were all fine. Friggin' gremlins I tell ya....

Did you top off the powder hopper when you started back up? That will get ya too.

 

[PWC]

My scale and powder measure are not on my bench. I keep them away from vibration from single stage press operation. I put them on a high stool to my left or on a near eye level shelf (I reload sitting down).

Measure has a baffle made from online template. Search for powder baffles, they are made from alum cans and scissors; xperiment til you find one that fits your measure and powder drop process. Baffle shape and how you throw the charge will dictate how full to keep the measure for consistency.

 

[bersaguy]

Did you top off the powder hopper when you started back up? That will get ya too.

Ahhh, yup....that was probably it

 

[Walkalong]

As long as no one throw was too little and no one throw was too large, which can average out very nicely, yes, that's a great average.

 

[lordpaxman]

Am I correct in thinking that my dispersion is good? Or does everyone else get it right on?

The power of statistics… The biggest problem with a 10x series of throws that aren’t individually measured is you don’t know how wide the curve is. You can have +/- 1 grain throws but the average looks fine. I measure each throw when I do a series of 10 to see how well the measure is performing. Metering is a powder property I keep in the log book. I also do QC check when in a production run, hoping, between the powder check die and my eyeball, that’s enough. Good luck.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

When setting up I weigh around 20 drops and the second 10 has to be really close (+-.1) or I start over.
I measure them all, not dump 10 then weigh them. I need to see my variations to know I didn't have a coincidentally good avg of 10 drops.
I use to have a powder measure that would do that to me. I don't have it anymore.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Sounds like I'm maybe even a little more cautious than most. I'm using a turret press and Auto drum for pistol and .223. For the first 10 rds, I put the case on my digital scale and zero it. Then I cycle the powder drop stage and weigh the case again. Then I do the same every 10th rd to see if anything changed. With HS-6 or CFE-p, I get a consistent +- 1/10. With flake powders like the Red Dot I've been using lately, +- 2/10 is the best it will do. So if I'm loading near max, I remove the Auto drum, use my digital dropper, and funnel each charge into the expander die.

 

[Bazoo]

Interesting replies, thanks everyone for sharing.

Right now I have my scale set on a shelf behind the bench but it is attached to the bench still. I do plan to isolate it when I rework my room. I normally take the scale down when not in use. It's only set up for measuring and bullet seating normally. Or if I charge all I want before bullet seating I take it down before seating.

When I set my measure up I weight about 5, after I throw a few to settle it. I'm right on or .1 short with unique and my ppm and techniques. And right on every throw for ball powders.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think the OP is fine, a setting of 5.5, ten at 54.5 for average 5.45, we don't know how far over/under individual charges are but not likely enough to make a difference in bulk pistol ammo.

I load pistol ammo on Dillon progressives and leave the measure full unless it will be idle for a pretty long time. I weigh the first two or three to be sure the powder hasn't clumped or the cat hasn't turned the dial, then motor on. If I get a funny feel on the handle or an upset in processing, I check the last powder charge.

I load good rifle ammo single stage with extruded or black powder weighed. My PACT dispenser or my hand trickler technique give me a spread of -0, +0.1 grain. My Long Range friend insists on his target ammo powder charge be dead on. He said yesterday that he had gone back to a balance beam because his good digital scale had failed and its replacement was not as accurate or precise.

 

[kalielkslayer]

I weigh individual drops, usually 5-6 at the beginning. If they are consistent, I start loading but check every 5th one for a while. Once I’m confident it’s consistent (around 50 rounds) I’ll stretch that out to weighing every 10th to 15th round. That’s on a Dillion Progressive.

Rifle is done on an old Rockchucker and every round is carefully measured.

 

[mdi]

For me it depends. For my "accurate" loads or when doing a load work up, I don't want average loads, so I weigh more often. For my range loads where average performance is OK I may set up the measure with an "average" setting/charge. I'm old and slow, so sometimes I'll weigh every charge. Yesterday I weighed 50 charges of Bullseye for my 38 Special handloads. No big deal.

BTW; If I'm needing a bit of speed charging cases (getting close to dinner time) my Lee PPM is consistent enough to extend the time between weighing charges...