Crazy_Quik,

I see this question as somewhat baiting ya might say. It depends on the powder!!!!!!!!
I will weigh every rifle load that I use extruded powders on if I am shooting for consistant/accurate rounds. On the other hand when using powders that throw REAL consistant such as ball or flake like H110 or Unique, I will weigh every 5th or so just to make sure I am still real close. No mistakes at the bench means no mistakes at the bench!!

Smedley

Different classes of loads in my book. For rounds that I consider DG rounds they are each individually wieghed, inspected and fussed over with great attention to detail. I spend a lot of time on these and they are clearly labeled suitable for DG, and often for a specific rifle only. I don't need to load many of these and they take way to much time in truth.

For general hunting I still don't use a lot so I again wiegh them all, and fuss just not to the above pickness.

For Benchrest I can get tied up on the bench for hours, and have a box of cartridges to show for it. I miss no details, brass prep is a PIA and quanity isn't a term that that is relevant, yes each gets wieghed.

For general range ammo I wiegh every the first five, pour four or five and check. If I am getting consistant throws I will spot check.

For pistol I throw everything, I use my dillon.

Powder types is a big variable here, grainular stuff that isn't throwing consistantly I dribble. Ball powders throw well and I spot check. And not all grainular powders are the same, I throw AA-4350 pretty consistanly, IMR-4350 doesn't throw quite as consistantly for me. I also like throwing RL series of powders. Hodgon 4831 doesn't throw consistanly for me so I check it a lot, the worst was surplus 20mm powder I used in my 338-378. It threw like shit, but it was really easy to load for you just needed to fill up the case to the brim and tamp. You couldn't get too much of it in a case if you tried. Only reason I even used it as it was super accurate with a couple of loads and dirt cheap back in the day. The 50 cal guys tipped me off to it and if a remember correctly a 8 lb keg ( smallest it could be bought ) was just at $20.00. The canisters were all king size and seems to me ( been a long while ) that I only found the small 8 lb kegs once. I think I have a empty canister around somewhere, damn I just can't remember how many pounds were in those big canisters, I quit storing that much powder around the house after I had a fire one year at the house. Didn't have a problem and it was contained, but I decided 100+ pounds of powder around wasn't a real good idea without investment on my part to safely store it.

Weigh every one, and do it near a cauldron containing an eye of a bat, the tail of a newt and the wing of something else (can't remember, but it is probably a spotted owl).

before i got an electronic dispenser (with scale built in) i weighed every charge. now with the electronic dispenser i check every fourth or fifth charge on my beam scale to double check the electronic scale. it's redundant but i feel much better about the consistency. i however don't load any large quantities of pistol rounds, and my volume is pretty low only about 100 boxes a year. jj

quote:

Weigh every one, and do it near a cauldron containing an eye of a bat, the tail of a newt and the wing of something else (can't remember, but it is probably a spotted owl).

Steve where ya get that spotted owl wing, I knew I was leavin` something out.........

I just pour from the can till it seems correct.

I'm with Schromf - it depends, but I rarely weigh each load. For most of my pistol loads I just use the powder measure on my progressive press. I check it for consistency before starting the run but then just keep the hopper reasonably full, and check a case every 20 rounds or so to be sure things haven't gone wrong. I do watch the powder levels in the cases as I place the bullet, to be sure there are no double charges, but doubles are almost impossible to throw on my progressive without doing something very unusual.

When I recently worked up a series of 44 Magnum loads using AA9, from the starting load recommended in the AA manual to their maximum recommended load, I used my Redding competition powder measure, and set it by throwing 10 loads in the pan and adjusting until I got a pan that was 10x my desired load +/- 0.3 grains. When I got that set, I just threw the 10 or 20 loads I was making at that charge, checking first, middle and last, which all turned out to be +/- 0.1 grain. That's good enough for pistol work.

When I shot High Power rifle matches, I would turn out my practice ammo and 200/300 yard loads with a powder measure, but would weigh each load for 600 yard competition (plus all the case prep stuff - length trimmed each time, turned necks, uniformed primer pockets, etc.)

"Steve where ya get that spotted owl wing, I knew I was leavin` something out........."

I get mine from old-growth forest with Douglas fir, western hemlock and redwood.

i load for 2 cartridges 7mmRM i weigh every charge because im pretty close to max and its fine between enough and too much, im using an extruded powder so it doesnt throw real well anyway.
The other cartridge is .222 which i use win 748 ball powder which throws pretty well its a slightly compressed load so i can see the powder once its in the case so if there are any that look a little fuller than the rest ill check it.

CRAZY_QUIK

FOR TARGET ROUNDS I WEIGH EVERY ONE, FOR EVERYTHING ELSE I CHECK EVERY FIFTH ROUND TO INSURE NOTHING HAS GONE AMISS.

NOW THOSE GUYS WITH THE DILLONS THAT HAVE A 454 CUBIC INCH ENGINE HOOKED UP TO THEIR PRESSES AND PRODUCE 4000 ROUNDS PER MINUTE , I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO THINGS.

OBVIOUSLY BY LOOKING AT YOUR POLE RESULTS THERE AREN'T TOO MANY DILLON USERS OUT THERE OR AT LEAST AS MANY AS WE ARE LEAD TO BELIEVE, BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO WEIGH EVERY CHARGE. THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF "BIG BLUE".

Yo Crazy,

As mentioned before in this thread I also think your question is slanted. It depends on what is being loaded and I use different powder dispensing methods.

I now have the very fine Lyman 1200 Digital Powder System and I trust it. It is a scale and a dispenser and used as such with both functions. Before purchasing the Lyman I used my RCBS scale, powder trickler and RCBS Powder Measure in different combinations depending on what was being laoded and still use a combination of these tools.

All of my Big Game loads are currently loaded with the Lyman. Very easy to see what could perhaps be "out of skelter" in the cases but this has never happened so far, although I pay attention to what I am doing. I also normally load at least 50 catridges at a time for established loads and at least 12-15 for test loads. I also check each and every load with a Mini-MagLite flashlight pointed directly into the case to ensure every case has powder and to calibrate if there is any variations from one to another prior to seating bullets.

When I use my trusty RCBS Scale for making up test loads - I use the trickler as I always have to ensure everything is spot-on.

I use a Dillon Square Deal for my handgun catridges with established loads (don't do much testing anymore), set-up with my scale and normally load anywhere from 100 to 500 .44's, .357's or .38 Spl's at a whack and have never had an issue.

For small cases and loads that are most often used with easily dispensed powder with finer granules for target, competition, informal range shooting and some hunting purposes like .222's & .223's, I use an RCBS Powder Measure that is set up with a Powder Scale and occaisionaly checked during powder filling. Never had it move off the set charge one time and the first and last charge have always been correct. I'd rather spend and extra 10 minutes making sure everything is set correctly and right-on than load 200-300 .222's with a powder charge that is off a coupla tenths.

Net, any of these pieces of equipment can be incorrectly set-up, be changed or alter while in use and/or incorrect readings taken or given. The loader needs to pay attention, check the settings and check their readings. Garbage in - garbage out!

IMHO one of the most important rules is not the charge of powder but to clear the reloading table/bench/place/area for loading (organization) and ensure the CORRECT powder is being used for the inteneded application.

Sounds awful technical but is in essance, like the past art mentioned above using Newt, Bat & Hemlock etc......

I don't find any difference between a full
hopper of powder and one almost empty.
I use an ancient Pacific measure without a baffle. Being paranoid I still check from time to time with my scale. At normal ranges it is very hard to see the effects of a few tenths of a grain difference. My chronograph sees it, but the target dosen't.
Good luck!

I agree with some of the above. It depends on what you are loading.

My large rifle loads, I weigh every charge, whether it's with the electronic or beam scale.

small cartridges, using ball ammo, I throw from my RCBS powder thrower.

Hey Crazy_Quik, I also weigh every charge for my Rifles. If it is only 20-30, I often just use the Trickler by itself and don't bother with the Powder Measure at all. And for "Test Loads" where you only have 1-3 at each Powder Level, I find it especially helpful and quicker than messing with the Powder Measure.

If anyone wants to try using the Trickler like this, I can recommend that you rotate the "hole" inside the Trickler so it is straight up. Then take a Red Marks-A-Lot and put a dot on top of the Trickler Tube where the Powder falls out. Now you can rotate the Red Dot to control how fast the Powder comes out as you tilt the Trickler Tube over the Scale Pan.

Straight up allows a quick flow and is best for the "Stick Powders". A bit to the side helps slow the "Ball Powders" to a usable amount. Once you notice the Scale Beam begin to wiggle, slow the flow or set the Trickler down and begin trickling so you don't over-fill.

Grasp the Trickler like it was a glass of water and have your Trigger Finger over the Knob. Then you can control the flow with how much you Tilt the Trickler as well as the Hole position. Easier to do than it is to read about how to do it.
---

For the Pistol and Revolver "Practice Loads" I weight about every 10th one. For the Revolver "Hunting Loads", I go back to weighing each one.

I voted for "weigh every charge" only because there wasn't a "depends" category.

I usually just throw powder for plinking rounds in my .44SPL, .38, 45LC, etc., while checking every fifth load or so. The .223 and others get weighed every round.

Just weighing every charge is not a panacea. Keep an eye on everything.

Over the years my best habit has been to look down into every case when the block of cartridges is supposed to be done. Any change in powder height and that includes none at all is a crucial test. Lots of light is very good for this check.

I weigh rifle and throw pistol loads.

For all my rifle loads I weigh every charge. Set the powder measure to with a few tenths of the desired weight and then trickle up.

For my .45 ACP, I check every 5-10 charges. I also load under "max" just in case. I would really hate to mess up my Kimber.

For my rifles´ reloads I weigh very single charge ... for handguns, every fifth or so, so as to assure myself the powder thrower is working properly ... whenever I find a minor change, I re weigh the whole lot from where the last accurate load was found .... reloading IS an activity where twice is better than once !!

quote:

So how many of you weigh every charge, weigh every third or fifth charge, or just set the thrower and weigh a couple charges?

That's kinda a 'loaded' question.

For rifles, I do trickle and weigh every charge since A)I seem to get best accuracy within 1-2 grains of listed max charges and B) large stick powders that I seem to end us using don't throw well.

For pistols, I check weigh about every 20 and throw them into cases directly, but I am usually loading for economy and light recoil, so am at or near starting loads.

Reading between the lines, when near max, weigh each...when loading light, throw them all. YMMV!

.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
I use a RCBS electronic charge master powder dispenser and scale. It weighs every charge and is quick and accurate

Mee Too! It's the best.

NO electronic scale at my house...

tried one, and returned it...

505 beam scale and a powder trickler...

Period...

If someone doesn't have the time to weigh each charge and something goes KaBoom, then he has no one to blame but himself...

to me it is a safety issue if nothing else...

cheers
seafire

If I am loading tubular powder Generally I use my 50 year old Redding dispenser.

If I have a small batch and am dispencing ball powders for plinking, hunting and such I'll use my Lee loader, no weighing. My Redding looses its smoothness with the little balls.

If I'm doing close work for testing and accuracy and such I use Lee dippers supplimented with a small home made powder adder. I can easily add or remove powder to or from the scale pan.

The deviation in velocity seems to be little different if I do or do not weigh. roger

I weigh every charge.

Steve- You forgot hummingbird's eyelashes

For rifle cartidges that may go hunting I weigh every charge. Have a ol fashioned powder measure, an electronic powder dispenser, and a Lyman 1200 electronic scale. I really like the Lyman 1200.

For pistol cartridges and .223 I use progressive presses which have powder measures ... works fine for the intended uses.

I just dip the cases in the powder till full and cut the excess off the top with a credit card.

Whitey

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

If anyone wants to try using the Trickler like this, I can recommend that you rotate the "hole" inside the Trickler so it is straight up. Then take a Red Marks-A-Lot and put a dot on top of the Trickler Tube where the Powder falls out.

Hell, HC

I screwed it up! I put a black line on the side of the trickler tube.

What the hell can I do now?

I weight every charge, but cheat a bit.

I set my powder measure to drop the charge I want as close as practically possible.

I put my empties in a loading tray, and drop powder in them from the powder measure.

I empty each case into the scale's pan, and check it.

Some of them are precisely what I want, some are just over, or just under. These I adjust by either adding or removing powder.

Depending on the powder, a few can be grossly over or under.

Walter does it in his own unique way.

As we know he is going to load some ammo, certain preparations are done for his pleasure.

We hide all the powder funnels, except two. One has a tiny hole that barely one granule of powder would through at a time. Another one we have enlarged the hole in so it fits over 45 caliber cases.

I prime all his cases for him - I actually end up loading all his ammo, as you will see in a minute, as I cannot trust him with anything that goes BANG!

He asks my wife to provide him with some refreshments - usually a large helping of a cake or pie, with a ginormous dolop of vanilla ice cream, topped with hot chocolate and sprinkled with crushed nuts!

As he gets himself ready to start weighing his powder, we retire to the other end of the room, pretending to busy ourselves with something or other. We do this so as not to distract Walter from his work. In fact, it is a better idea to take a 410 shotgun and go out to teh yard and shoot some birds for the crocs!

When one comes back, he can hear music playing and Walter singing happily along. This is a percect sign that Walter is REALLY enjoying himself. In other words, screwing things up in grand scale.

I go to look at his handiwork, and notice that he had managed to charge about 10 cases in about one hour!!

I offer to seat the bullets for him, and as I pick the charged cases from the loading tray, I can see the holes in the loading tray half filled with powder!

"Where did this powder come from?" I ask.
Without looking, Walter answers; "It comes from the powder pot of course!"

"But isn't it supposed to be in the case instead of the loading tray?"

Now I got his attention, he looks at the tray.

"OH SHIT! Why did you do that? You know how hard it is to weigh every bloody charge?! Saeed, you are a bloody menace! Go away and leave me to finish my loads!"

"Calm down you bloody nitwit! You have been using the wrong powder funnel, here look hoe it fits OVER the case neck. That si why half the powder is spilled outside!"

"What do I do now?"

"You go and sit over there and finish your dessert. I will charge the cases for you. You can then seat the bullets"

"Well, you better call your wife and asked her for more cake and ice cream. As usual, she did not give me enough!"

Walter, as many of you already know, is our resident gunsmith. He tries his best, but, usually his customers never come back again!

He has the dubious distinction of having shot himself numerous times. Once with a shotgun, several times with an air rifle and once with a 22 rimfire.

But those are other stories I might include in a book I am considering writing about his adventures.

Like Saeed I weigh every charge and cheat a little. I set the thrower to slightly less than the charge I'm after. Then finish off with beam scale and trickler.

I have just tried using my new electronic scales to weigh powder and although it might be a situation where it takes a little getting use to, I prefer the beam scales as I appear to get a quicker response to changes in the amount of powder being trickled. Anyone else find this is the case?

Regs

I've never understood this, "weigh every 10th charge" business. Your powder measure is either accurate, or it isn't. If it changes in use, you've got other problems! I set it correctly, double check it, then load. End of story. I have 2 MEC shotshell presses that I have installed adjustable charge bars on. I set them over 10 YEARS ago to throw 17.5 Gr. of Clays powder. I've loaded tens of THOUSANDS of rounds on both of them. I'll bet my house if I go and check one it's dead nuts at 17.5 Gr. the way it was 10 YEARS AGO! It's good to be careful, but come on. Why pay over $100.00 for a powder measure if your not going to trust the damn thing?? I just loaded over 2,000 rounds of .38 Special on my Dillon. I checked the first case, and the last. Neither one varied more than a tenth of a grain. In almost 40 years of handloading tens of thousands of rounds I've never had an issue of varying powder charges because of a measure not performing up to task. You have got to trust yourself and your equipment. Bill T.

It is extremely difficult for ANY powder measure to throw the same charge with some slow rifle powders.

Pistol and shotgun powders are much easier to meter, and like yourself, I have used 4 Ponsness Warren shotshell loadfer for years, and never worried about it.

Likewise for Dillon pistol presses.

I have tried some of the best powder measures, including those used by the bench rest community, and none will drop all charges at the same setting.

Hey Woods, Get a Side Grinder and 60grit paper then send it all over to Walter to have him get the Black mark off that tube. Or, be happy with the way you have it working for you(which is what I'd do).

Hey Bill T, Depending on the type of Powder and how much Powder is in the Measure, it has created small variations for me. Unless you are loading at the absolute MAX for a specific cartridge, it probably isn't enough variance to become a SAFETY issue though.

When loading shotgun shells, I do the same thing you are doing except I use the non-adjustable Bushings for about $2.49(back when I bought them). Never concern myself with it at all and the shells shoot fine.

But, I reload shotguns, pistols, revlovers and rifles all differently.

My measure is an ancient Pacific . It has no baffle but there is no differene in charge as the tube empties. I still weigh every so often, but it never changes.
Good Luck!

I should add that I bought a Lyman DPS 1200 Powder Dispenser last year. I don't use it much because I've switched to WC-872 Ball Powder for all my overbore magnums and it throws from a measure fine. I try to deal with long stick powders as little as possible these days. Bill T.

When Iam using ball powder or flake powder I set up the measure and go to it.

When I use stick powders I end up weighing every charge.

I am sorry but loading up several thousands of rounds for p dogging I don't have the time to weigh every one.

I find myself going more and more to ball powders just because they are easier to weigh out of a measure.

I use lee dippers to a 10-10 rcbs scale the a rcbs trickler.. it really doesn't take thet much longer.

While I balloted that I weighed every charge, in the past, while loading for pistol or 30 Carbine in a progresive press using ball powders I checked every 5th or six rounds. Using extruded powders I still checked every round as it does not meter nearly as smoothly. I like to think that for my hunting loads the extra effort of weighing every charge is well worth having each round the same. AND the trickler is my friend, even though I use a 30/06 case as my trickler.