+/- Gr 9mm loads

308Loader · December 26, 2015, 06:51 PM

My new lee auto drum got here today. Got it all set up on my 4 hole press. Dialed in the drop I wanted and dropped 20 charges and weighed them.

Goal was 6.1gr hs6 got
6.1
6.1
6.1
5.8
6.1
5.9
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.2
5.9
6.0
5.9
6.1
6.1
6.2
6.1
6.1
6.1
min 5.8 max 6.2 = .4gr difference. Only 1 at 5.8 and 1 at 6.2 two at 5.9. This is well inside the charge weight min/max listed in Hornady book. Do you all think this is acceptable range to stop weighing all charges and go with it, or do I need to try and tweek it some. Or should more data be collected?

One other note on this powder measure is the disconnector button. I don't need to push it every time to drop powder. I have not disabled it. If I run the turret without the indexing rod it needs to be pressed every time but if I let it rotate through the stations, not pressing the button, it drops every time. I did the initial run of 20 without indexing and pressing the button. The next 50 I did running the turret and weighing the charge before seating a bullet. Similar results as the 20 as far as consistency, just dumped the odd ones back in the hopper and kept the balls on ones.

As always I look forward to your input

. Hope every one had a great x-mas.

KW Gary M · December 26, 2015, 07:34 PM

If you are loading target/plinking rounds I wouldn't worry about it at all. With that little of a difference you're probably fine even with protection ammo. All your charges are within the acceptable range. I'm sure if you opened and weighed the powder in a box of any factory ammo every round wouldn't be 100% exact to the grain.

Nick_C_S · December 26, 2015, 08:12 PM

Those are plenty good drops.

I calculate a Standard Deviation of 0.10706; and an average of 6.05789.

I sing a lot of praises of my 31 year-old Uniflow. But it would be hard pressed to do much better.

Bosn Ski · December 26, 2015, 09:41 PM

I have the drum too and disconnected the 'button'. I have found that if I over tighten the drum too much, the weights are all over the place. I back off on the torque on the knob a skosh... and I see more consistent drops.

December 26, 2015, 06:51 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	+/- Gr 9mm loads My new lee auto drum got here today. Got it all set up on my 4 hole press. Dialed in the drop I wanted and dropped 20 charges and weighed them. Goal was 6.1gr hs6 got 6.1 6.1 6.1 5.8 6.1 5.9 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.2 5.9 6.0 5.9 6.1 6.1 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 min 5.8 max 6.2 = .4gr difference. Only 1 at 5.8 and 1 at 6.2 two at 5.9. This is well inside the charge weight min/max listed in Hornady book. Do you all think this is acceptable range to stop weighing all charges and go with it, or do I need to try and tweek it some. Or should more data be collected? One other note on this powder measure is the disconnector button. I don't need to push it every time to drop powder. I have not disabled it. If I run the turret without the indexing rod it needs to be pressed every time but if I let it rotate through the stations, not pressing the button, it drops every time. I did the initial run of 20 without indexing and pressing the button. The next 50 I did running the turret and weighing the charge before seating a bullet. Similar results as the 20 as far as consistency, just dumped the odd ones back in the hopper and kept the balls on ones. As always I look forward to your input. Hope every one had a great x-mas. Last edited by 308Loader; December 26, 2015 at 08:05 PM.

December 26, 2015, 07:34 PM	#2
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2009 Location: Key West Posts: 162	If you are loading target/plinking rounds I wouldn't worry about it at all. With that little of a difference you're probably fine even with protection ammo. All your charges are within the acceptable range. I'm sure if you opened and weighed the powder in a box of any factory ammo every round wouldn't be 100% exact to the grain. __________________ *To say that guns kill people is to say that automobiles drive drunk and matches commit arson....*

December 26, 2015, 08:12 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	Those are plenty good drops. I calculate a Standard Deviation of 0.10706; and an average of 6.05789. I sing a lot of praises of my 31 year-old Uniflow. But it would be hard pressed to do much better. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

December 26, 2015, 09:41 PM	#4
Bosn Ski Member Join Date: December 16, 2014 Location: Hampton Roads area Virginia Posts: 16	I have the drum too and disconnected the 'button'. I have found that if I over tighten the drum too much, the weights are all over the place. I back off on the torque on the knob a skosh... and I see more consistent drops.