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Old December 15, 2007, 11:09 PM   #1
Mr.RevolverGuy
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Clays Frustration

Today I wanted to try a new load for 38 special. I wanted to try 3.4 grains with 140grain remington HP. I can't get this load to throw consistently at all in my powder measures. I have tried it in my RCBS uniflow with micrometer and you can feel the the grinding not a smooth action at all. I have tried it in my lee pro auto disk with my classic turret and it was really bad there. It would throw 1.1grains once then next it would throw 3.5grains, it was all over the place. I am also using the charge bar with the lee.

I have used
trailboss
bluedot
hs-6
h110
bullseye
w231
With both these powder measures with no problems at all. Looks like I might have to go back to my bullseye load for 38spl I just wanted something a little cleaner.

Looks like I may be stuck with a pound of clays that I can't use.

Any recommendations
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Old December 16, 2007, 09:51 AM   #2
Waldog
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Are you using a powder baffle? That should improve your consistency.
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Old December 16, 2007, 10:21 AM   #3
rwilson452
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I suspect if ou can't get it to work for you, you could find someone that does shotgun to take it off your hands. it's quite popular with shotgun reloaders.
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Old December 16, 2007, 12:08 PM   #4
dogfood
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I have struggled with both of my Lee disk powder measures when trying large flake powder. I couldn't get consistent drops with Red Dot, Green Dot, Clays or 700X. It didn't seem to matter whether I used the individual disks or adjustable charge bar. I suspect it has to do with the small diameter drop area through the hopper and the small area under the baffle.

Anyway, I simply went to different powders - Winchester Superlite (discontinued), AA#5 and IMR 7625.

dogfood
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Old December 16, 2007, 01:53 PM   #5
joneb
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It sounds like the powder is bridging the meter hole, but I'm surprised it doesn't happen with Trail Boss Try giving the powder measure a couple of taps or knocks before each throw.
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Old December 16, 2007, 02:53 PM   #6
Mr.RevolverGuy
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jibjab

That is why I am frustrated I thought it would work because trailboss measures beautifully. There is no baffle, can I buy one from lee for this powder measure or one for my RCBS? I must say I do not understand why the baffle would make so much of a difference.
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Old December 16, 2007, 04:46 PM   #7
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I think the baffle will help, it takes the varying pressure off the powder at the meter hole.
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Old December 17, 2007, 11:37 AM   #8
dogfood
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MRG:

I don't have any experience with the RCBS Uniflow, but I suspect jibjab may be correct that a baffle may help you there.

However, since you noted that it doesn't have a baffle, I'm assuming your Lee set-up has the round hopper with a built-in shut off valve (that you open/close with a quarter twist). True? If so, I don't think a baffle will help you on this one. The intermediate portion, between the hopper shut-off and charge bar (or disk) is already designed to provide its own "baffling effect". The issue here is probably the really small drop hole out of the hopper. Like jibjab said, the powder is probably bridging ... either dropping out of the hopper or dropping into the charge bar. Either way, adding another baffle will not likely change things.

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Old October 11, 2008, 07:48 PM   #9
10 Spot Terminator
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You can definitely get a baffle for the RCBS Uniflow but am not sure about the Lee powder measures. The other guys are right in that it does help to throw a more consistant and smoother charge especially when using some of the extruded stick type powders. I bought my baffle for the very same reason as was having similar problems . Hope this helps . 10 SPOT
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Old October 11, 2008, 09:08 PM   #10
D. Manley
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Clays measures just fine in my Dillons and when I used my LCT I had no problems with it other than the limitations of the disks. I personally find that the Lee Disk are more consistent than their micrometer bar for the majority of powders. I'm a bit surprised that you are having problems with the RCBS PM.
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Old October 11, 2008, 09:34 PM   #11
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I cut the baffle completely out of my Lee auto disc square hopper so the powder could drop directly into the disc.

I have very good consistency with Clays and even the larger flaked IMR 800X now.
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Old October 12, 2008, 05:43 AM   #12
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FWIW I get good consistency with Clays on my "expensive" ($20.00) Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Normally, I throw 2.8gr with it in .38 Spl Cowboy loads. It also seems to throw HP-38 accurately as well as TB. But mostly I throw Clays.
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