Powder Drop for Handgun Reloading

[dball01]

As an old bench rest shooter, I have a very accurate and repeatable powder drop that I've used for years for loading 222, 6mm PPC, and 30 HBR. I've recently started handloading for pistol, and find that it doesn't drop consistant loads. I've been wanting to drop 5 gr of Titegroup, but on one setting it might vary from 3 gr to 6 gr. Looks like I might have to get a different powder drop. Any suggestions?

[Scrapperz]

I use the Lyman 55 for loading 40 S&W, 9mm Luger, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 S&W Mag with success. I have realized it takes patience to get repeatability out of this powder drop, but it's possible. It works for me and it's easy to clean and kinda compact.

[Jim243]

Usually requires different drop tubes for smaller drops of powder.

[Sevens]

Holy COW!
How on earth does it vary by 100%?!

3 grains to 6 grains is not a small swing. Did you mean 0.3 grains?!

[Scrapperz]

What kind of powder drop are you using. Can you show us a picture of it?

[vladan]

I've been wanting to drop 5 gr of Titegroup, but on one setting it might vary from 3 gr to 6 gr

something is wrong ! Titegroup is not the easiest flowing powder but you should be able to drop it within +/- 0.2g

[dball01]

Scrapperz--I use the Culver conversion of the Lyman 55.

[mongoose33]

There are two different rotors in my measures, one for large amounts of powder (rifle) and one for small amounts (pistol).

Sounds like you need a new measure--or a new rotor for it.

[F. Guffey]

Dball1101, I do not know if you intended to type .3 to .6 grains but when it comes to powder measures I have 7 choices starting with Ohaus to Herters, included is the RCBS Little Dandy system, this is an expensive option, the measure with 26 rotors cost $300.00 + or - a few, for pistols the Little Dandy is my first choice, it is not adjustable, the rotors are fixed and if one is not reloading for everything, all the rotors are not necessary.

F. Guffey

[Scrapperz]

Scrapperz--I use the Culver conversion of the Lyman 55.

I'm not familiar with the rotor on your model but from what I can see after looking at it, after doing a search, it looks like it works on a "click" dial for a means of adjustment which may not be as fine of an adjustment.
Here's the link's I looked at:
http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum...opic=3737991.0

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53667

Here's a quote from the above link:MColeman>>It was an insert made by Homer Culver (I met him at the Super Shoot in 1990) that was adjustable in 'clicks' instead of the three slides that Lyman used. Can't say when he died but he was one of the 'names' in benchrest. He, of course, never remembered meeting me but he was a nice man from all I've heard.

[dball01]

Here is a picture of the Culver conversion after taking it out of the Lyman. I suppose the small cavity required for the relatively light pistol loads is what causes the variation in drop weight.

[Unclenick]

Yes. Dball01's image shows that slot is way too small to avoid grain bridging. You need a narrower diameter tube so the mouth can open more. That tube's only good in the rifle charge range to my eye. You could probably just but the Lyman parts to retrofit it for most pistols. Accuracy of a pistol is typically around four to ten times less precise than equal quality rifles, so benchrest charge accuracy is wasted on them.

[BigJimP]

I don't know what you're loading ..... but a lot of handgun loads using TiteGroup have mins and max at a 0.4 grain tolerance ...

You can't live with that much variation ....

My Dillon powder measure / drops TiteGroup consistently within 0.1 grain tolerance ....

[sourdough44]

I drop Titegroup with my RCBS 'little dandy' powder measure usually in the 5.1 grain area(as low as 4.2) with at times a .1 +/- variation. I usually measure & weigh until my base weight is what I want, occasional up or down tick. I use the custom adjustable rotor sold by a guy here on the forums. Otherwise you would have to buy the fixed rotors.

[moxie]

I've used my RCBS Uniflow for over 20 years with good results. The micrometer adjustment screw and the powder baffle seem to be good options and I might get them after another 20 years.