I bought a Lee Hand Press kit and have all I need to load. I need to add I am relocating for 3months. I will be using a scoop as I dont want to take the scale with. My scoop throws an average of 35.7gr, 2.04gr below my Somchem table. They use the 170gr bullet PRO AMM and I will be loading Hornady 175gr Interlocks PSP. Start load for Somchem S335 is 37.8gr Max 40.6. I am about 2gr below start. Is this dangerous ie detonation etc or anything else to worry about. I wont be using them further than 150m.

One would assume that if the scoop was included in the kit, it would be safe. I'm sure there are thousands or more in use.
Lee does make a scoop kit that has several different sized scoops and a chart that tells you what each scoop will hold with what powder.

Before you relocate make your own scoop from a cut-off cartridge case. You can solder or epoxy an appropriate handle to it if you wish. Since you apparently have access to a scale at the moment, simply trim the mouth back by trial until it holds exactly the amount you wish to load, whatever that amount might be.

They work pretty good, but there is a learning curve to get a consistent load.

Practice while you can.

Stonecreek thats the type of scoop i am using however they average 2gr below the recommended start load and I was wondering if this will cause pressure problems?

I dont really have the time to make another that will hold the extra 2gr but if 2gr below recommended start load is dangerous then I guess I will have to. What do you think?

Lal,

You can make a scoop in about 5 minutes, 10 minutes if you want it to look extra pretty.

What I would suggest is that you should use your scale right now to find a load/powder combination your gun likes and then make a scoop just for that powder. If you are careful and lucky, often times you can use a tubing cutter and an extra cartridge case, or a hacksaw. Cut the neck off the brass, and what I have found that works nicely is to fill the case with your powder and then use a fine file and slowly file it down until it is level with the powder. Then toss the powder and weigh a dipper of clean powder.

Anyway, old cartridge cases with coathanger-wire handles soldered on are really easy and simple to make and work quite well.

quote:

They work pretty good, but there is a learning curve to get a consistent load.

Practice while you can.

Ole Duckie is spot-on!

Mark's idea also perfect IMO.

There is a real learning curve to consistantly measuring powder with a scoop.

Basically, it's doing the same thing, every time.

Now having said that; you can also use a smaller scoop twice, 3x's, or any combination of scoops, large or small etc. to give the exact powder measurement you require for any given load.

Therefore I beg the question; Why would you want to consider using a load that's 2 grains shy of your original load?

A coupla minutes with your scale and any number of househould widgits, a Thimble, Scoops, modified or original cartidge cases would most probably afford exactly the measurement you desire.

quote:

Originally posted by lal:
I dont really have the time to make another that will hold the extra 2gr but if 2gr below recommended start load is dangerous then I guess I will have to. What do you think?

It sounds like you are more concerned with the phenomenon called SEE, or Secondary Explosion Effect, than with getting greater potential velocity from your reload. Assuming that you are happy with the performance of the two-grain "underload", I don't think that you have much to worry about with SEE. SEE is known to occur with a limited number of fairly slow powders in large capacity cases where the loading density is rather low. I'm not familiar with the Somchem powder in question, but your load sounds as if it is for a 7x57. If so, I very much doubt that the Somchem S335 is likely subject to SEE.

Thanks Stonecreek that is what I wanted to know.
Didnt want to take that kind of chance.

Before you go off to Africa try some of the loads. If you have a mishap here it is easier to punt.

Well since its PISSING down with rain today I will male another scoop with a cut case. Wish my Dremel Tool was still around, bloody gardener stole it and sold it for booze! Indeed this can only happen in South Africa

Lal,

One more tip is if a scoop is too big for a particular load you can cut some small circles of stiff paper and tamp them into the bottom with a pencil until it will measure your required quantity.

Mark, funny you should say that, the scoop that came with the die set holds 40gr of the powder I am currently using and I have been punching out plastic discs with a 375 shell. I ended up gluing one in after much trial and error and came to the exact powder weight I require. I remembered this from years ago when I was first starting to load shotgun shells with my LEE LOAD ALL. I would use a small piece of tape stuck on the inside wall of the powder bushing and it is still in use. Thanks for all the help.

quote:

Originally posted by lal:
Mark, funny you should say that, the scoop that came with the die set holds 40gr of the powder I am currently using and I have been punching out plastic discs with a 375 shell. I ended up gluing one in after much trial and error and came to the exact powder weight I require. I remembered this from years ago when I was first starting to load shotgun shells with my LEE LOAD ALL. I would use a small piece of tape stuck on the inside wall of the powder bushing and it is still in use. Thanks for all the help.

Drip molten candle wax into the scoop instead; it's easy to remove a little at a time if you overdo it & just as easy to completely remove if so desired.

The Lee scoops work very good for my 45 ACP and 40 S&W