Progressive powder measure consistency

[119er]

More specifically, the Hornady LNL AP measure, but surely some tricks should work regardless of brand. If you happened to read my powder cop thread, I'm having an issue with a .5gr variance throwing 25.5gr H335 into a .223 (LC11) case.

Is there a method to getting consistency on a progressive press besides settling the measure and using consistent motions and movements? I resize seperately so the functions of the press will be to prime, charge, check, seat/crimp bullet. I also have the baffle 2/3 the way down the powder hopper and remove the powder measure stop leaving only the spring.

Any advice or tips would be great.

 

[Blue68f100]

If you can get a consisting charge by doing the multiple tap dance with the handle like on a bench mounted dispense, may try adding a vibrating device to the powder dispenser to help settle the powder. If you can not do it manually you will not get it on a single cycle of the handle.

Using progressives make you choose your powder differently.

 

[BYJO4]

My Hornady powder measure has been very consistent on my LNL with the powders I use. I would assume coarse powders could cause some deviation but I don't use any.

 

[GLOOB]

How big are your charges? If H335 meters that bad on a 20-30gr charge, I wonder if something's not wrong with your meter or your scale.

I'd try putting the baffle at the bottom and lubing the insides of the meter with powdered graphite.

 

[Walkalong]

I have my powder measures set up to dump automatically on my LNL. I do not size while loading which smooths thing up a great deal. I bump the press handle at the bottom of each stroke just as I would if I were operating the measure its self. It helps settle the measure just the same.

I'm having an issue with a .5gr variance throwing 25.5gr H335

H335 should meter + or - .1 easily.

 

[Josephnagy1]

I learned this from this website. I was having the same issues and I started using a baffle. It can be bought for six to ten dollars

 

[Certaindeaf]

I've heard that some guys attach a little phone vibrator motor thingy to the measure.

 

[Walkalong]

He may be having static issues. A can of static guard spry will fix that. Static is more likely to affect flake powders though, not dense ball powders so much.

 

[Blue68f100]

I wonder if it's hanging up in the drop tube and not falling all the way out.

 

[abq87120]

All I reload in my LnL AP are pistol rounds. My weights typically run 6 to 13 grains depending on the caliber and powder. I have an Eliminator beam scale with check weights. I have had no issues with the drop ever. Even IMR 800-X, which has a reputation of measuring like hockey pucks, weighs a consistant and accurate throw. I run all five five dies when I load.

My powder resevoir has the baffle in the bottom. I'm using the pistol micrometer and PTX expanders. The PTX causes a little "pop" when the case is pulled off of it. Perhaps that causes enough vibration to cause the powder in the hopper to settle through the baffle more consistantly. The sizing die also may pop when the case is pulled out of it. My dies are Lee carbide sets with a Powder Cop added.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

+1 on the static. I take the lid off mine and open the door to my garage for an hour before I even think about throwing a charge. I let the humidity in from outside. Makes my life a lot easier. The dryer the air gets the worse the problem will be if you have a static problem especially when really cold outside.

I live in the South so I don't have that problem.

I haven't tried Static Guard but will pick up a can next trip to store. If Walkalong uses it, thats good enough for me.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Something else I found out with my LNL-AP is that I can't use my electronic scales when the air conditioning comes on, even if the door in my loading room is open. The slightest brease changes the reading even so slight I can't feel it. Makes me think sometimes my measure is screwed up but then realize that the room is pressurizing or just the air moving changes the reading of what the scale says when there is nothing wrong with my powder measure. I fell for that one once also. In my case when one of my measures get erratic the other two are also.
No brainer that it is static.

If you have more than one measure you could try that. I took my measure to the garage and started throwing charges and the problem went away.

Hope any of this helps

 

[119er]

All good suggestions. This is the first time this drum has been in the measure and even though I cleaned it w/ brake cleaner and wiped it down it may need to be cycled some. I can't really explain that, but it seemed true for my Redding 3BR measure too. I had to drop 50 or so charges to get consistency when it was new, although that was w/ extruded Varget. Colder weather has been moving in but humidity always seems to stay high here on the Gulf Coast. Nevertheless I will check for static and isolate my scale from the bench when I get the chance.

 

[cfullgraf]

...even though I cleaned it w/ brake cleaner and wiped it down it may need to be cycled some.

When my Hornady L-N-L was new, I found it sticking a little during operation. So, I spritzed it with a little dry lube on the drum and the drop tube and the operation smoothed out.

Make sure you let the solvent flash off before putting powder in the measure.

I used both Hornady's cleaner/lubricant spray and Remington's dry gun lubricant.

Other than the original cleaning to remove the preservative, I never clean my powder measures except for wiping out with a dry cloth or soft brush.

 

[grubbylabs]

I wonder if it's hanging up in the drop tube and not falling all the way out.

I had that problem, but I do not use my Hornady on my Hornady press. It is capable of dropping large rifle loads so it is bench mounted while my RCBS is mounted on my Hornady press. I have had great luck with that thing. I was just loading H335 the night before last and it was very consistent. Even Unique drops very consistent for me. I set it do a couple of check rounds and forget it.