Powder thrower micrometer?

Ed Dixon · September 26, 2002, 09:00 PM

Anybody use one of these, like the screw-on one offered by RCBS? I was just wondering if they're that much of a timesaver and if they really can dial in previously-recorded settings reliably. I've been pretty impressed with the consistency of my RCBS thrower so far and was wondering if this would be a worthwhile upgrade item.

dsteinman · September 26, 2002, 09:20 PM

I use one and find it very handy when working up a load. Once I have the load performance I desire, I take a standard insert, adjust it to this charge, lock it down and label it..

Bogie · September 27, 2002, 01:13 PM

I used one, and it worked fine, but since I tend to do a LOT of adjusting (I shoot benchrest), I broke down and bought a Harrell measure.

The RCBS measure was repeatable, and I had no problems with it. Just wanted something that was faster to screw around with.

C.R.Sam · September 27, 2002, 01:27 PM

Great for getting real close to a known load...
But be sure to ALWAYS check the load with the scales.

Sam

Bogie · September 27, 2002, 02:16 PM

I second that - The only measure I have that I trust enough to not need to do that is my Harrell.

Ed Dixon · September 27, 2002, 08:09 PM

Been downright prissy about checking so far. I check the first 10 throws for consistency before loading any at all and then check every 10th after I start. I've seen some folks here say that their starting check is only three throws. Is that reasonable? Also, the trickler I got is a neat device, but if I'm not weighing every throw, it occured to me that I probably won't use it a lot. Right?

Continuing to try to be safer-than-sorry, Ed.

dsteinman · September 27, 2002, 11:31 PM

I check the first 10 throws

I usually throw 5 and don't bother weighing as from my experience it take a couple of throws for things to settle down. Then I throw and weigh 5.

Steve Smith · September 28, 2002, 12:26 AM

With my Dillon, I fill the powder hopper about 7/8ths full, and test five charges. If they're all on the dot, I load 'till my powder gets to 1/8 and check the last thrown charge. They're always dead on. Gotta love it.

Skullboy · September 29, 2002, 05:22 PM

I use the RCBS micrometer adjusters on my powder measures.They're great for making adjustments, and I've found that they are repeatable for settings.That being said, I set my powder measures to throw the charge a little light, then I top it up with my powder trickler.I ALWAYS weigh every powder charge.That way I know that the charge is accurate!It also helps accuracy to keep the powder measure at least 3/4 full.I've found that if you let the measure get down below 1/2 full, the charges you throw get lighter.HTH. Skullboy.

September 26, 2002, 09:00 PM	#1
Ed Dixon Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2000 Location: Ireland Posts: 308	Powder thrower micrometer? Anybody use one of these, like the screw-on one offered by RCBS? I was just wondering if they're that much of a timesaver and if they really can dial in previously-recorded settings reliably. I've been pretty impressed with the consistency of my RCBS thrower so far and was wondering if this would be a worthwhile upgrade item. __________________ I hate quotes. Tell me what you know. - Emerson

September 27, 2002, 01:13 PM	#3
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	I used one, and it worked fine, but since I tend to do a LOT of adjusting (I shoot benchrest), I broke down and bought a Harrell measure. The RCBS measure was repeatable, and I had no problems with it. Just wanted something that was faster to screw around with. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

September 27, 2002, 02:16 PM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	I second that - The only measure I have that I trust enough to not need to do that is my Harrell. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

September 27, 2002, 08:09 PM	#6
Ed Dixon Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2000 Location: Ireland Posts: 308	Been downright prissy about checking so far. I check the first 10 throws for consistency before loading any at all and then check every 10th after I start. I've seen some folks here say that their starting check is only three throws. Is that reasonable? Also, the trickler I got is a neat device, but if I'm not weighing every throw, it occured to me that I probably won't use it a lot. Right? Continuing to try to be safer-than-sorry, Ed. __________________ I hate quotes. Tell me what you know. - Emerson

September 28, 2002, 12:26 AM	#8
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	With my Dillon, I fill the powder hopper about 7/8ths full, and test five charges. If they're all on the dot, I load 'till my powder gets to 1/8 and check the last thrown charge. They're always dead on. Gotta love it. __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

September 26, 2002, 09:20 PM	#2
dsteinman Member Join Date: August 12, 2002 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 36	I use one and find it very handy when working up a load. Once I have the load performance I desire, I take a standard insert, adjust it to this charge, lock it down and label it..

September 27, 2002, 01:27 PM	#4
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Great for getting real close to a known load... But be sure to ALWAYS check the load with the scales. Sam

September 27, 2002, 11:31 PM	#7
dsteinman Member Join Date: August 12, 2002 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 36	I check the first 10 throws I usually throw 5 and don't bother weighing as from my experience it take a couple of throws for things to settle down. Then I throw and weigh 5.

September 29, 2002, 05:22 PM	#9
Skullboy Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2002 Location: Haney, B.C. Canada Posts: 104	I use the RCBS micrometer adjusters on my powder measures.They're great for making adjustments, and I've found that they are repeatable for settings.That being said, I set my powder measures to throw the charge a little light, then I top it up with my powder trickler.I ALWAYS weigh every powder charge.That way I know that the charge is accurate!It also helps accuracy to keep the powder measure at least 3/4 full.I've found that if you let the measure get down below 1/2 full, the charges you throw get lighter.HTH. Skullboy. __________________ DAMAGE INC. CUSTOM CAMO. If They Call It Tourist Season, Why Can't We Shoot Them?