Power Drop Variations - New Reloader

[Guest No Ammo]

I have the Hornady L&L Auto press,

I am having a problem with the amount of power

changing,

Power is W231

For instance:

Setup and weighed for 6.4 gr

I'll get

6.4

6.2

6.2

6.3

6.5

6.5

6.4I

Using Hornady digital scale, use same container every time, not weighing in the case!

I have cleaned the power drop twice to no avail

Also tried rubbing the drop case with dryer sheet to remove static:drama:

Edited May 3, 2011 by No Ammo

[LngRngShtr]

I have found with progressive presses, it helps to "load the press" filling all stations with shells and hopper with powder then cycling through 10 times* or so to get your rhythm sort of a warm up. and then fine tune the powder measure,.. usually I pull the decapping rod for this so I don't leak powder all over and just recycle those 4 or 5 casings

set press, cycle with shells 10 times* , check powder charge weight , adjust as needed

231 should meter well so don't see a problem there.....digital scale,.. are you checking under fluorescent lights ? Some scales read funny for some reason under those try an incandescent bulb

John

* 10 times means as if you are loading 10 rounds ( trying to explain clearer than mud here ),.. 5 shells twice through press but keep the stations full.. then when happy set decapping rod load primer tubes and cycle those shells out as you begin to load.

Also try for a smooth consistent press stroke quicker or slower will affect how the measure accepts from the hopper...

[Guest No Ammo]

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try

[Dolomite_supafly]

Also, put a baffle in the powder measure. Otherwise you will get variations between a full hopper and and low hopper. It is generally accepted that you need to run at least one hopper full of powder to coat its internals otherwise static electricity can cause variations as well.

Dolomite

[dlm37015]

i use tite group it flows better also wash your powder measure tube with soapy water and let air dry

[Grunt67]

LngRngShtr gave you some good advice. I have an old powder measure, used with

a single stage press. (old school ), still like to do it the hard way & know what's

in there. Anyway, it usually takes a few throws to get things settled down, whether

it's the measure or my rhythm. After that, it's quite accurate. Still check it with

a scale. I don't trust nothing or nobody when it comes to reloading.

Just $0.02 from an old codger. LOL

[Bad Habit]

When setting your measure for small charges you will pull your hair out trying to get every charge exactly the change. Do yourself a favor and set your powder measure based on the average of 10 throws. 10 throws should be, in your case, 640 grains. If you get anywhere between 639 grains or 641 grains, set the measure and go. Less stress. More loading and shooting. You will not notice the difference in a load being off by 0.1 or 0.2 grains. If you are concerned you will have problems with that degree of charge variation then you don't need to be shooting that load (or reloading) anyway.

[Guest No Ammo]

Thanks everyone, I'll be fine tuning with your help:koolaid:

[Guest No Ammo]

Problem solved, took power drop back apart and cleaned it with

engine block cleaner, follow other advice above!

now is always with in .1 but mostly right on...

Thanks again