April 25, 2011, 06:38 PM | #1 |
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? for pistol reloaders
I've only been reloading pistol for a few weeks now, and I can't seem to get my Hornady powder measure to throw a consistant charge- even with small disc powder like the Alliant power pistol that I've been using for 9mm. How much variance in charges should I allow? The lowest charge listed for the round I'm working up is 4.8 Grains, and I understand it's dangerous to charge lower than that, so I've been setting my powder measure to throw at about 5.1, and it never gets below 4.8 that way. Any thoughts on this?
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April 25, 2011, 06:44 PM | #2 |
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do you have the large drum or the smaller pistol drum. the smaller one works the best for pistol loads. When using the large one I was always adjusting my powder throw but after buying the smaller drum I have to adjust a lot less once I get it set. or it could be static electricity that is causing the large variance. I've never had that problem but you can call Hornady and ask them.
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April 25, 2011, 06:48 PM | #3 |
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I have both of the bushings- large and small. I've been using the small one for pistol loads. It is really dry here, so static electricity could be the culprit. The thing is- what do you do about static electricity?
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April 25, 2011, 06:52 PM | #4 |
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Wash your measure with warm soapy water, heavy on the dish soap. Let dry, dont rinse.
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Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 |
April 25, 2011, 06:53 PM | #5 |
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Have you ran a pound or so of powder through it to help get it lube so to speak?
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April 25, 2011, 06:58 PM | #6 |
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static is likely the culprit ...and I use anti static dryer sheets ....and wipe the powder measure down inside and out until no particles of powder stick to the wall of the powder cannister .....and I put some dryer sheets into my powder storage cannister.
No more than 0.1 grain is acceptable on handgun loads.../ although you might have a little more leeway depeding on the powder you're using .../ but not much. Any decent powder measure ought to get you down to the 0.1 grain without a big problem. |
April 25, 2011, 06:59 PM | #7 |
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Do you have a large and small rotor or just the pistons? You need a pistol set rotor and piston.
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April 25, 2011, 07:51 PM | #8 | |||
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April 25, 2011, 08:29 PM | #9 |
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I would use the dryer sheets and then when it's not sticking run a pound of powder through it to help get it lubed up. Although I have not used a Hornady powder measure, I had to do this with all 3 of none to get them to work worth anything. I almost bout the hornaday powder measure, but got a sweet deal on a lyman 55 so thats my main powder measure and I use the RCBS to rifle and the lee as a back up.
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April 25, 2011, 09:49 PM | #10 |
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Oh yea that reminds me, did you clean the packing lube from all the parts before you put this thing together? If you did and you used a non dry lube some powder might be sticking in the rotor parts too. I am betting on the static as the problem. If you call Hornady they will help you with this problem, I have used them before with other issues (Dies) and they are always glade to help. The Power Pistol is one of the powders you should not have any trouble metering through this powder throw.
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April 25, 2011, 09:58 PM | #11 | ||
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I thought power pistol should meter pretty well! It's such small discs! |
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April 25, 2011, 10:37 PM | #12 |
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I believe the dry lube is to keep the powder measure from rusting. They will want you to buy their aerosol lube and it is good but a can does not go far. I've been using a little eezox on mine and it does well, and I have also used a little Royal Purple spray gun lube. (Both are synthetic) The Hoopes dry lube dries to a powder, I would not recommend it. The distillates will keep the metal tacky and the powder will clump up. (Not your problem yet)
If Hornady comes up with a new solution to the dryer sheets for the static let us know I'm sure others are having this problem to some degree or another. |
April 26, 2011, 07:18 AM | #13 | |
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April 26, 2011, 07:46 AM | #14 |
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If you have a LNL Classic single stage press or you bought the measure as a single item it only came with a large rotor and a rifle piston. You need a pistol rotor and piston. If you have a new LNL AP press it should have come with both a large and small rotor and piston. For pistols you need to use the rotor with the small hole and a small piston. I think you are trying to use a large hole rotor and that is no good under 10 grains.
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April 26, 2011, 08:13 AM | #15 |
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Technique could be some of the problem with inconsistency.
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April 26, 2011, 08:18 AM | #16 |
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Yea, the graphite is what helps the powder go into the case and if you would take the rotor out of your measurer you can see if it has a small hole or a large hole. Or you could look down into the measurer where the powder goes, either way be sure to remove any powder first.
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April 26, 2011, 11:47 AM | #17 | ||
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April 26, 2011, 12:30 PM | #18 |
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the down stroke is when the powder is dumped into the measures cavity,rap the handle on the down stroke to settle the powder ,once twice or however many times you like ,doing it the exact same everytime with the same force is the key.
Sometimes,especially with "stick" powders,I double pump the handle and end up throwing an off charge ,it works best,for me anyway, if I move the handle only once on the upstroke. |
April 26, 2011, 12:41 PM | #19 | |
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April 26, 2011, 12:49 PM | #20 | |||
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April 26, 2011, 01:50 PM | #21 |
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Shedder;
You may want to check out Graf and Sons too. Their freight is sometimes less than the others but you may want to do a little comparative shopping. $30 is a competitive price. Some times I buy from Midway too, I've got good service from both. |
April 26, 2011, 02:50 PM | #22 |
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It was a few bucks more on Graf- I check them and Sinclair as well. Midway seems to have just about everything you could want, so I often order multiple items to save on shipping.
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April 26, 2011, 04:00 PM | #23 |
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And you say you're new to reloading.
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April 26, 2011, 05:10 PM | #24 |
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Well, I am. Just not new to shopping online
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April 27, 2011, 02:58 PM | #25 |
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This happens a lot with shotgun reloading, the static will affect the powder up to a whole grain if it gets bad enough, we all ground our presses, just get an alligator clip some electrical wire and tie it into the grounding prong on a wall plug it hasn't failed us yet
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