Shotshell Reloading Problem

TheKlawMan · December 29, 2011, 10:43 PM

My problem is a variant of one I asked about months ago; inconsistent powder drops with a MEC Sizemaster. I am using a MEC charge bar and Promo powder.What is going on is I was getting powder drops that were fairly consistently running between 17.6 and 18.1 grains when I noticed that the powder bottle was getting load and I decided to add more powder. This is from the same 8 pound cask of Promo. Immediately my powder drops dropped to between 17.0 and 17.5 grains.

I am wondering if it is possible that the powder that had been in the bottle for the last couple of weeks, during which we had a few rainy days, could have absorbed enough moisture form the air to cause the same amount by volume to weight an average of half a grain more per drop?

My scales aren't great but I believe they are fairly accurate. When checking drops I have been very careful to make sure that all of the poweder is dumped from the hull into the pan of the scale.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what may be going on?

Harddog321 · December 30, 2011, 12:05 AM

I have found over the years that the amount of powder in the bottle does effect the powder drop somewhat due to weight differential at the orifice. Try giving the bottle a few light taps to make sure the bar is filling consistently. Try that and weigh a few and see if that works for you!

TheKlawMan · December 30, 2011, 12:15 AM

Sounds like that is worth a try Harddog. FWIW, my Sizemaster is set up with the red plastic powder baffle. Thanks.

oneounceload · December 30, 2011, 02:16 PM

First - do not leave your bottles full of powder - and that is even more important when you reload outside of a climate-controlled environment.

As mentioned, keep your powder hopper consistently full - I refill when it gets to the half-way mark, and I use the red PC powder baffle - that has helped keep drops consistent.

Before filling next time, take a dryer sheet and wipe down the inside as best as you can - that will help prevent that "static cling" just like in the dryer

Eazmo · December 30, 2011, 02:32 PM

1oz is right on the money.

get a powder baffle , there cheap
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788...baffle-for-mec

i run my powder no less than 1/4 full and no than 3/4 full
I get very consistent charges

labguru · December 30, 2011, 02:37 PM

A baffle will help a great deal. It did with mine

BigJimP · December 30, 2011, 03:27 PM

+ 1 on what they all said....

jrothWA · December 30, 2011, 05:52 PM

with graphite powder. This will make this slide easier!

Use the baffle and keep more than 1/4 full.

oneounceload · December 30, 2011, 07:05 PM

And make sure you slam the bar back and forth as you go so the powder and shot settle better

Couzin · December 30, 2011, 08:23 PM

I'm cheap - I just keep a plastic flyswatter on the bench a give the bottle a tap occasionally...

olddrum1 · December 31, 2011, 03:39 AM

Before anyone else mentions baffles "my Sizemaster is set up with the red plastic powder baffle." Post 3. Klawman, heres the number for Mec. (800) 797-4632 Its there tech support and they would be more than happy to help. I have used this number several times. Please, if you call, share with everyone the advice that they suggest. Also Cuzin, what part of the country is it that you have problems with plastic flys?

TheKlawMan · December 31, 2011, 04:02 AM

Olddrum, Calling MEC may be a good idea. I went to that red plastic baffle about 6 months ago because the potmettle one it came with (I bought it used) didn't seem to do the trick.

jrothWA · December 31, 2011, 11:08 AM

to a earth ground, being in CA you might have a static electricity problem???

What general location id CA?

TheKlawMan · December 31, 2011, 12:11 PM

I am in Orange County. As for static, we have also had a few days of what we call Santa Ana winds that can cause static.

December 29, 2011, 10:43 PM	#1
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Shotshell Reloading Problem My problem is a variant of one I asked about months ago; inconsistent powder drops with a MEC Sizemaster. I am using a MEC charge bar and Promo powder.What is going on is I was getting powder drops that were fairly consistently running between 17.6 and 18.1 grains when I noticed that the powder bottle was getting load and I decided to add more powder. This is from the same 8 pound cask of Promo. Immediately my powder drops dropped to between 17.0 and 17.5 grains. I am wondering if it is possible that the powder that had been in the bottle for the last couple of weeks, during which we had a few rainy days, could have absorbed enough moisture form the air to cause the same amount by volume to weight an average of half a grain more per drop? My scales aren't great but I believe they are fairly accurate. When checking drops I have been very careful to make sure that all of the poweder is dumped from the hull into the pan of the scale. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what may be going on?

December 30, 2011, 02:32 PM	#5
Eazmo Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 164	1oz is right on the money. get a powder baffle , there cheap http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788...baffle-for-mec i run my powder no less than 1/4 full and no than 3/4 full I get very consistent charges __________________ I'm just an average man I drive a average van My dog ain't got no pedigree!

December 30, 2011, 05:52 PM	#8
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Also dust the charge bar chanel... with graphite powder. This will make this slide easier! Use the baffle and keep more than 1/4 full.

December 31, 2011, 03:39 AM	#11
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Before anyone else mentions baffles "my Sizemaster is set up with the red plastic powder baffle." Post 3. Klawman, heres the number for Mec. (800) 797-4632 Its there tech support and they would be more than happy to help. I have used this number several times. Please, if you call, share with everyone the advice that they suggest. Also Cuzin, what part of the country is it that you have problems with plastic flys? Last edited by olddrum1; December 31, 2011 at 03:44 AM.

December 31, 2011, 11:08 AM	#13
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Also try a grounding wire from the metal cap of charge bar to a earth ground, being in CA you might have a static electricity problem??? What general location id CA?

December 30, 2011, 12:05 AM	#2
Harddog321 Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Posts: 5	I have found over the years that the amount of powder in the bottle does effect the powder drop somewhat due to weight differential at the orifice. Try giving the bottle a few light taps to make sure the bar is filling consistently. Try that and weigh a few and see if that works for you!

December 30, 2011, 12:15 AM	#3
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Sounds like that is worth a try Harddog. FWIW, my Sizemaster is set up with the red plastic powder baffle. Thanks.

December 30, 2011, 02:16 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	First - do not leave your bottles full of powder - and that is even more important when you reload outside of a climate-controlled environment. As mentioned, keep your powder hopper consistently full - I refill when it gets to the half-way mark, and I use the red PC powder baffle - that has helped keep drops consistent. Before filling next time, take a dryer sheet and wipe down the inside as best as you can - that will help prevent that "static cling" just like in the dryer

December 30, 2011, 02:37 PM	#6
labguru Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2007 Posts: 12	A baffle will help a great deal. It did with mine

December 30, 2011, 03:27 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	+ 1 on what they all said....

December 30, 2011, 07:05 PM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	And make sure you slam the bar back and forth as you go so the powder and shot settle better

December 30, 2011, 08:23 PM	#10
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	I'm cheap - I just keep a plastic flyswatter on the bench a give the bottle a tap occasionally...

December 31, 2011, 04:02 AM	#12
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Olddrum, Calling MEC may be a good idea. I went to that red plastic baffle about 6 months ago because the potmettle one it came with (I bought it used) didn't seem to do the trick.

December 31, 2011, 12:11 PM	#14
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	I am in Orange County. As for static, we have also had a few days of what we call Santa Ana winds that can cause static.

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