Variation in Powder Drop
Quote from Reloader on October 24, 2012, 1:07 amI have two 550Bs (both acquired used). Both of them have the same (minor) problem. It is necessary for me to adjust a powder setting with cases in at least the first three stations for the drop to be accurate.
For example, if I have a drop of 4.5 grains, and I start a new reloading session, the powder drop for the first case through will always be 4.7 or 4.8 grains. In the real world, I simply pull the first case and adjust the powder back to 4.5 gr (I always weigh it anyway, to make sure everything is correct) and go from there. After at first three stations have cases in them, the drop is almost always right on, although occasionally it might be plus or minus 0.1 gr.
While this is not a major problem (I have been living with it for about 6 years now), I would like to know if anyone knows why it happens and if there is any way to correct it.
Thanks for any help.
I have two 550Bs (both acquired used). Both of them have the same (minor) problem. It is necessary for me to adjust a powder setting with cases in at least the first three stations for the drop to be accurate.
For example, if I have a drop of 4.5 grains, and I start a new reloading session, the powder drop for the first case through will always be 4.7 or 4.8 grains. In the real world, I simply pull the first case and adjust the powder back to 4.5 gr (I always weigh it anyway, to make sure everything is correct) and go from there. After at first three stations have cases in them, the drop is almost always right on, although occasionally it might be plus or minus 0.1 gr.
While this is not a major problem (I have been living with it for about 6 years now), I would like to know if anyone knows why it happens and if there is any way to correct it.
Thanks for any help.
Quote from Reloader on October 30, 2012, 5:22 pmAlways dump 5-10 powder charges and throw them back to resettle the powder in the hopper before you begin weighing. It is normal for the powder to settle in the bar and under the baffle a bit, so throwing a few charges gets everything back to normal.
Always dump 5-10 powder charges and throw them back to resettle the powder in the hopper before you begin weighing. It is normal for the powder to settle in the bar and under the baffle a bit, so throwing a few charges gets everything back to normal.
Quote from Reloader on October 31, 2012, 3:24 pmYes, I know this, and I always do it (After a couple of drops, I weigh each of the first 10). However, I can make a hundred drops (= 100 reloads), and if I then work the press to finish the last cartridges that are in the shell plate, and then immediately insert an new shell case and go from there, the first (and maybe the second) powder drop is going to 0.1 to 0.3 grains too heavy. After that, everything is good. These machines want cases in the first three stations before the powder drop settles down.
In my previous comment, I noted that I "adjust the powder back down." I did not mean to imply that I physically change the setting on the powder funnel. I meant that I adjust the powder in the case by weighing and removing enough to get the prescribed charge.
I would think that there would be no need for further "settling" because the shell plate ran out of cases.
Any further thoughts?
Thanks
Yes, I know this, and I always do it (After a couple of drops, I weigh each of the first 10). However, I can make a hundred drops (= 100 reloads), and if I then work the press to finish the last cartridges that are in the shell plate, and then immediately insert an new shell case and go from there, the first (and maybe the second) powder drop is going to 0.1 to 0.3 grains too heavy. After that, everything is good. These machines want cases in the first three stations before the powder drop settles down.
In my previous comment, I noted that I "adjust the powder back down." I did not mean to imply that I physically change the setting on the powder funnel. I meant that I adjust the powder in the case by weighing and removing enough to get the prescribed charge.
I would think that there would be no need for further "settling" because the shell plate ran out of cases.
Any further thoughts?
Thanks
Quote from Reloader on November 1, 2012, 4:10 pmIf you cycle the handle without a case under the powder measure, the powder funnel when loading handgun calibers will contact the shellplate and move the powder bar slightly- not enough to drop a powder charge. This movement of the bar compacts the powder in the bar, allowing it to hold a slightly heavier charge. Always dump the first 1 or 2 powder charges then check the weight.
If you cycle the handle without a case under the powder measure, the powder funnel when loading handgun calibers will contact the shellplate and move the powder bar slightly- not enough to drop a powder charge. This movement of the bar compacts the powder in the bar, allowing it to hold a slightly heavier charge. Always dump the first 1 or 2 powder charges then check the weight.