measuring pistol loads?

[judgedelta]

I've been loading my ammunition for practice with a Chargemaster and it seems to take forever to load 50 or 75 rounds. I've got a RCBS Uniflow that I used to load with in conjunction with a scale and trickeler when I was loading rifle target or hunting loads. Do most just set a charge on a dispenser with a scale or do you weigh each charge? This is for practice or plinking ammo. Thanks.

 

[mxjunky78]

Handgun ammo I use the Uniflow. For rifle loads I use the chargemaster.

 

[Ifishsum]

Once I have the dispenser dropping the desired charge weight, I might weigh every 10-15th to be sure it's staying consistent, but not every charge.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Define your pistol loads. Most people, most of the time, most loads choose a combination that allows metered loads - this includes choice of bullet, powder and all the rest that work with metered loads and are safe with a range of a little bit over or under - much in the same philosophy as an Audette Ladder test with a rifle.

For very small loads like say a .25 ACP where the range from good to overload is very small I'm inclined to weigh every load.

For pushing limits like a heavy bullet .460 Rowland I feel better weighing every load.

For most loads I pick something I don't have to weigh every load - because the powder measure has proven itself consistent and even with a little variation the load still works for me.

 

[judgedelta]

I only load "middle of the road" loads (.40, 10mm, .44 & .357) from a reliable source. If I feel I need something hot, I'll use factory ammo. Thanks all for the info.

If I was going to load some teeny cartridge, I would agree that weighing would be advisable, if not critical.

 

[LiveLife]

I like using Lee Pro Auto Disk as fixed volumetric holes used to drop powder charges won't allow "drifting" of powder charges.

Once powder settles in the hopper and drops consistent charges, it will drop the same consistent powder charges at the end of 500 or 1000+ round reloading session.

 

[mstreddy]

Judgedelta,
I use the Uniflow as well as the Hornady LNL powder measures. I set it for the desired charge weight, checked on the scale, usually throw around 10 charges to get started/settled, put those back in, and then go to town. When I was loading single stage I would weigh every 10 or 20 rounds. Now that I'm on the progressive I check the first (after the settling) then around 50 and near the end of the 100 round run. I find the Uniflow and the LNL to be consistent at the .05-.1 gr range. I am not loading towards the top end, so I am confident with the measures.
I am using powders that meter well, and I also look into every pistol case before seating the bullet.
The smallest caliber I load for is 380 acp with 2.9gr of Win231. And it's also consistent on the LNL PM.

 

[arizona98tj]

While I use the heck out of my ChargeMaster combo when loading rifle, I can't recall ever using it for handgun ammo.

You indicated it was mid-range loads for plinking/practice. I would set up the Uniflow, verify it is dumping the weight you want, and load the pistol brass using that. The ChargeMaster is overkill for what you described, IMO.

 

[Blue68f100]

When dealing with small capacity rounds the powder selection come more into play. With most of the small cases you only have a 0.3g difference from min to max. Then consider your scales are only ±0.1 gr does not leave much room for error. If your loading max you will more than likely have some over charged. I use ball powders (fine grain), for they meter more accurately. I also upgraded to a set of scales that have 0.02gr accuracy, Gempro 250. You just have to be more diligent when it comes to QC. Then the use of very small powder dispenser help too. Some are design for the <5gr. I like the micrometer heads when it comes to these small charges, just easier to adj.

Be safe.

 

[bluetopper]

Use the Uniflow. Why would you use the Chargemaster in the first place for handgun plinking loads? No use in complicating things.

Set the Uniflow and check it every so often......enjoy.

 

[Drail]

I have loaded handgun rounds only with a Uniflow for many years and it works very well. The Uniflow has two cylinders - the smaller one is designed for small charges used in handgun cartridges. If you only have the larger cylinder for rifle rounds contact RCBS to get the smaller cylinder. I will set the Uniflow up first by "settling" the powder in the hopper by knocking the handle on the frame 5 or 6 times and then measure dropped charges until they become consistent. The "Micrometer" accessory is nice but not really necessary for handgun rounds.

 

[km101]

On handgun ammo I set the measure using my digital scale. Once the charge is stabilized, I check every 10 rounds for the first 50. If there is no variation, I run the load. If I have to add powder, I start the process over.

 

[judgedelta]

Thanks for the tip on the small cylinder. My Uniflow came in a kit and I'm reasonably sure I didn't get both cylinders. If it's not in the box, I'll call RCBS tomorrow.

 

[UziLand]

I use the uniflow for mid range and light plinking loads. I usually weigh every fifth round. Unless I am using one of those powders that don't play well with the rcbs. I charge ten cases then look them over with a pen light as a double check. I load with a turret and prime with a single stage.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I've got my lee powder measure set up to dump directly into my bench scale.

Dump, check weight, into case.

 

[PistolPete45]

About every 10 rounds , more if the weight is fluctuating a little & less if it dead on after 5 or 6 checks . I also have a baffle in my RCBS uniflo . http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-UPM-Po...198?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46105dd786

 

[PO2Hammer]

For most auto loads I drop right from my measure to the case, visually inspect, and seat the bullet. Weigh 4 or 5 charges randomly for every 50 I load.

With revolvers I charge 50 cases at a time directly from the measure, put them into a loading block so I can compare them all together, weigh 4 or 5 to check.

 

[cfullgraf]

There are several things to do to get good results with a Uniflow, or any other drum style powder measure for that matter.

First, I throw 20 or so charges before even weighing a charge and adjusting the measure. This settles the powder column.

Second, I use a baffle in my Uniflow although many have success without one. make sure the holes in the baffle do not line up with the metering cavity The peak of the baffle should be 90 degrees to the travel of the cavity.

Third, operate the measure the same way every time. I do not like to put any more vibration into my measure as possible, but some folks have success with wrapping the measure a time or two at the top or bottom of the stroke.

For pistol sized charges, the small rotor drum works better in the Uniflow. These days, RCBS generally does not include the second rotor with the Uniflow. So, you will need to purchase one if you do not have one. Check the equipment list for your kit.

The micrometer metering stem is handy for adjusting the measure or returning to a particular charge assuming you recorded the setting. But, it does not make the Uniflow throw charges more accurately.

Hope this helps.

 

[oneounceload]

Once I have the dispenser dropping the desired charge weight, I might weigh every 10-15th to be sure it's staying consistent, but not every charge.

^^^ This for pistol loads. I weigh each rifle load, but mine are for hunting and I want the most accurate and consistent loads for that that I can get

 

[jcwit]

I use the Lee Pro Auto Disk. I cycle 10 15 times dumping each charge back into the hopper, then weight a charge, if the charge weighs the same as it's supposed to, AWAY WE Go, then weigh every so often, just for a check.

This works very well for me and has for decades. YMMV

 

[oldcelt]

I get very accurate measured loads with the uniflow even with flake powders, good enough for plinking but for target or hunting or max I will weigh each one.The object of handloading is to obtain top shelf ammo although I have seen some top shelf factory stuff.

 

[Potatohead]

I slow way down on checking the weights of the throw, after I'm satisfied that it's throwing the correct charge. Then I situate myself just right on my stool where I can peep in and see where the correct charge comes to in the case, and stay in that seating position/keep my chair at that length from the press. Then I go by that visual a good bit of the rest of the way, while Measuring one here and there of course. It probably sounds a little not to dependable but I feel like Im getting a decent enough read. Some powders I probably wouldnt do this with.

 

[Miata Mike]

I use the Lee Pro Auto Disk. I cycle 10 15 times dumping each charge back into the hopper, then weight a charge, if the charge weighs the same as it's supposed to, AWAY WE Go, then weigh every so often, just for a check.

Such a simple idea like this great. Like BDS said, once things settle down, I check powder weights every so often until I add powder to the hopper again.

The RCBS Chargemaster is good for handgun load development.

 

[shooter1]

I load on a Dillon 650. When my powder measure is set to my satisfaction, I drop 10 charges and check the average. If it's within a tenth of a gn, I load what I need. If might be a couple hundred or a couple thousand. Powder measures are very accurate if you keep them at least half full and use the same loading rhythm.
str1

 

[double bogey]

I use the lee auto disk on my classic turret for pistol. I set the 10 10 scale for desired weight, weigh several drops til I'm satisfied, and weigh every 10th round. I load .45, .44 mag, .357, and .38sp.
When doing rifle, I use the single stage and weigh each charge.
If I were doing plinking rifle, I would do it the same as pistol.