Admittedly I am a newbie but I was checking some powder measurements last evening and among the dillon terminator, Lyman 500, RCBS 5-0-5, dippers and the dillon powder throw I found it very difficult to get any two of the above methods to measure "on the button"! So, does it really matter if you are off .5gr or less? I am not pressing the high or low side of loads here just trying to determine if I am anal or normal. As a follow on if .5gr is as close as I can achieve why should I be loading in .5gr increments and not say 1.0gr increments? I was using H 4350 at 58 gr levels.

as long as you "work up" your loads and use the same scale for your future reloads, the accuracy of the scale is quite unimportant to a degree!

You will discover that the accuracy of balanced beam scales is progressive....meaning the farther out you go the more innacuracy you have.....but even balanced beam scales almost always are well within .5 grains of accuracy to 150 grains.

Electronic scales are not the same.....I don't use them so cannot comment on them.

Since you are tuning a load to your rifle and watching for pressure signs and such as you go, the absolute accuracy of your measuring device is not as important as is its consistancy.
I use a 10-10 and a Lyman 1200 and both of them are guarenteed to be accurate to .1. When I run a load from the Lyman and proof it on the 10-10, it is right on (on rare occassion, it will read .1 higher or lower) and the same is true when I proof a 10-10 load on the Lyman.

I agree with the other posters, but for peace of mind I settled on the RCBS 505, with a set of check weights. Mainly to check consistancy, and also to check my actual setting. They won't weigh to 1/10gr if you have the setting wrong.

Powder throwers with course powder will be lucky to stay under .5gr variation, and electric scales need the check weight fairly often. At least it's quick enough to do.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
as long as you "work up" your loads and use the same scale for your future reloads, the accuracy of the scale is quite unimportant to a degree!

Exactly.
Right on.

Don

Thanks to each of you for sharing your knowledge. I am trying to pick one of the methods and get enough confidence in it to be able to put away the other equipment. I find that space becomes a premium on ones loading bench very quickly.

On that note, keep a balance beam scale, and a powder measure. Use the powder measure for the volume loading and the scale for checking the powder measure and precision loads

digital scales are for girls

quote:

Originally posted by CharlieHo:

digital scales are for girls

Jealousy can be an ugly thing!

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
Thanks to each of you for sharing your knowledge. I am trying to pick one of the methods and get enough confidence in it to be able to put away the other equipment. I find that space becomes a premium on ones loading bench very quickly.

As far as I know there are three makers of scales
1. Lee.......

2. Hornady.....

3. Ohaus.....who makes scales for just about everyone else and they are also very good!

If you don't have room for a scales then you need to add on.....it's the most important tool on the bench!

quote:

Originally posted by CharlieHo:
digital scales are for girls

No way..

Digital scales a great, but not for reloading.
Beam balance all the way.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
I was checking some powder measurements last evening and among the dillon terminator, Lyman 500, RCBS 5-0-5, dippers and the dillon powder throw I found it very difficult to get any two of the above methods to measure "on the button"! .

Are you having trouble measuring the charge within +/- .5 grains or weighing the same charge on different scales?

4350 is one of the more difficult to throw consistent charges from a powder measure as the longer grains tend to hang up in the drum or powder bar and +/- .2 gr. would be very good uniformity for a thrown charge. Uniform technique in working the measure will help shrink variation. +/- .5 gr. would be a bit more variation than I would accept.

If you are just wanting ot check the weight of a thrown charge, you could weigh the same charge on your different scales to see how accurate the various scales are, or just weigh one bullet on each scale.

Regards,
hm

hm, I was taking the powder thrown by the Dillon, weighing it on the Lyman/RCBS/Terminator and getting variations in weights. Also tried the dipper and tried the three and just could not get consistent measurements. Also tried two or three different throws from the Dillon and they were not as accurate as I expected. I am however on the high end of the Dillon powder bar and have now gotten the magnum bar and will see how that works over the weekend.

quote:

was taking the powder thrown by the Dillon, weighing it on the Lyman/RCBS/Terminator and getting variations in weights.

If you were weighing one charge on three scales, the results were just a difference in zeroing of the scales and is not surprising.

quote:

Also tried two or three different throws from the Dillon and they were not as accurate as I expected.

4350 is a very difficult powder to throw accurately from any measure. I never tried it in my Dillon, but had excellent results with 4895 and, of course, any of the ball powders.

I loaded all my match ammo used out to 600 yds. on the Dillon using thrown charges and (at least most of the time) managed high master scores.

When throwing stick powders with the Dillon, you must really pay attention to small details. I ease the handle up to just feel the bullet (in seating die) or fired case (in sizing die) touch and then, with a smooth, quick stroke run handle all the way down, being careful not to bump anything. Any bump, hesitation, etc. can affect the powder density in the hopper and the flow of powder into the powder bar. If I feel anything out of the ordinary, I spot check the weight of the charge just thrown and also the next charge, which also can be off a tad.

Another thing that you can do is spend some time developing an optimum charge for your rifle; one that +/- .2 gr. variation does not affect your velocity or POI. Do a search on the "ladder method" of load development developed by Creighton Audette for more info on this.

I doubt the magnum powder bar will improve the variation, but have never used one. Any of the short cut powders, such as 4831SC will work a bit smoother and ball powder works great for thrown charges. Good luck.

Regards,
hm

With 4350, 4831 and similar powders you can't "throw" charges to .2 grain or less. For these powders I use an old AMT Auto scale which is basically 2 motorized tricklers feeding a beam balance. It works great. Some feel it is too slow. If I have a need for speed I use 2.
If you want to use a measure to throw charges consider a ball or spherical powder.
If your scales did not agree with each other you might practice zeroing them. And then try a set of check weights. I like beams for weighing powder when you set it and use the same weight repeatedly. Balance beams suck for weighing bullets and brass in significant quantities.

Any kind of scales suck if you have to stand on them.