Question for Benchrest shooter/loaders

Big Caliber · September 3, 2009, 09:52 PM

I've been weighing my rifle charges now for around 10 years and now I'm thinking about loading by volume. I would like to know which powder dispensers you prefer for this method and which particular powders flow better through them. I own the RCBS Uniflow but the stick powders I've been using seem to go "crunch" when I throw the handle. Or is that really nothing to worry about?

Creeper · September 4, 2009, 01:37 PM

Hi BC,

Benchrest competitors don't necessarily load by volume... but rather by creating a charge/adjustment graph for a given powder.
For example, based on the graph you create, X adjustment on your measure equals X propellant charge delivered to your case.

The trick is to find a powder that fills the case and produces the greatest uniformity... uniformity on target that is.
Don't try and reinvent the wheel... look up the various powder makers information and select a powder that shows indications of high accuracy as well as charge uniformity and the ability to fill a case.

The best "accuracy" powder isn't always going to provide the highest velocity, but usually, the most consistent, repeatable velocity.

Yes, even small stick powders go "crunch" every now and then. The magic is in your ability to repeat your throw method over and over again.

Here's an article I wrote a few years back that might help you out. Pour yourself a cup of coffee... it's a long one.

Cheers,
C

**Unclenick** · September 4, 2009, 04:45 PM

Another factor is ignition. Spherical propellants usually dispense most accurately by volume, but they don't always give the best results on the target because they are more difficult to light initially. Hatcher gave an example of a fine grain powder and a coarser stick he considered for use in National Match ammunition one year. The arsenal loading equipment could meter the fine powder to about half the weight extreme spread of the coarse one (IIRC; this was something like 0.6 grain extreme spread for the fine powder, verses over a grain of extreme spread for the coarse, so not small), but the coarse ammunition loads were consistently more accurate. He believed the superior ignition that occurs with easier flame travel between the stick grains was responsible.

That said, the Quick Measure, which I got on Rocky Raab's recommendation, is by far the best stick powder measure I've ever tried. It's design prevents it from cutting grains at all. It's never off by more that 0.2 grains, and often does 0.1 grain precision if I get all my consistency ducks in a row. It's more of a pain to set up than a normal measure, but once it is set up you can buy duplicate tubes that allow you to leave several close loads set up, and change between them quickly by swapping tubes.

For spherical propellants, you can't go wrong with Harrell's or Neil Jones's or any other high-end measures. Even without spending that much, Reddings BR-30 is quite good. I've had sphericals throw as tightly as 0.05 grains with that tool. I'm just lucky I got mine when they still cost less than $100.

I do use double baffles in all my measures. You can download a .PDF file of powder baffle templates from my file repository, here.

LHB1 · September 4, 2009, 05:08 PM

I tried bench rest loading techniques for a couple of years with a Sako Vixen action custom barreled to .222 with Douglas Premium barrel. Five shot groups at 100 yds were usually around .333" when I did my part well. All loads were thrown with Redding BR-30 or Neil Jones Custom Powder Measure. Don't remember all the powders used but H-335 (spherical) was a frequent component of good loads.

**Unclenick** · September 4, 2009, 05:25 PM

I used to get groups you could cover with a dime all the time from a Remington 600 in .222 using a cheap Weaver 3x9 and doing no case prep. I was just using a Lee Zero Error loader and a scoop to throw IMR4198. As Forest Gump might have said, rifles and loads are like a box of chocolates. . .

Big Caliber · September 6, 2009, 08:21 PM

Hey...good readings. Thanks for the tips. BC

amamnn · September 6, 2009, 09:38 PM

Not all BR techniques and practices are transferable to factory rifle shooting or even, in some cases, desirable. That being said, you can find a lot of info on this subject in the archives at www.benchrest.com and also at www.6mmbr.com.

September 3, 2009, 09:52 PM	#1
Big Caliber Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2006 Location: S. CA Posts: 421	Question for Benchrest shooter/loaders I've been weighing my rifle charges now for around 10 years and now I'm thinking about loading by volume. I would like to know which powder dispensers you prefer for this method and which particular powders flow better through them. I own the RCBS Uniflow but the stick powders I've been using seem to go "crunch" when I throw the handle. Or is that really nothing to worry about?

September 4, 2009, 04:45 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	Another factor is ignition. Spherical propellants usually dispense most accurately by volume, but they don't always give the best results on the target because they are more difficult to light initially. Hatcher gave an example of a fine grain powder and a coarser stick he considered for use in National Match ammunition one year. The arsenal loading equipment could meter the fine powder to about half the weight extreme spread of the coarse one (IIRC; this was something like 0.6 grain extreme spread for the fine powder, verses over a grain of extreme spread for the coarse, so not small), but the coarse ammunition loads were consistently more accurate. He believed the superior ignition that occurs with easier flame travel between the stick grains was responsible. That said, the Quick Measure, which I got on Rocky Raab's recommendation, is by far the best stick powder measure I've ever tried. It's design prevents it from cutting grains at all. It's never off by more that 0.2 grains, and often does 0.1 grain precision if I get all my consistency ducks in a row. It's more of a pain to set up than a normal measure, but once it is set up you can buy duplicate tubes that allow you to leave several close loads set up, and change between them quickly by swapping tubes. For spherical propellants, you can't go wrong with Harrell's or Neil Jones's or any other high-end measures. Even without spending that much, Reddings BR-30 is quite good. I've had sphericals throw as tightly as 0.05 grains with that tool. I'm just lucky I got mine when they still cost less than $100. I do use double baffles in all my measures. You can download a .PDF file of powder baffle templates from my file repository, here. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 4, 2009, 05:25 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	I used to get groups you could cover with a dime all the time from a Remington 600 in .222 using a cheap Weaver 3x9 and doing no case prep. I was just using a Lee Zero Error loader and a scoop to throw IMR4198. As Forest Gump might have said, rifles and loads are like a box of chocolates. . . __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 4, 2009, 01:37 PM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Hi BC, Benchrest competitors don't necessarily load by volume... but rather by creating a charge/adjustment graph for a given powder. For example, based on the graph you create, X adjustment on your measure equals X propellant charge delivered to your case. The trick is to find a powder that fills the case and produces the greatest uniformity... uniformity on target that is. Don't try and reinvent the wheel... look up the various powder makers information and select a powder that shows indications of high accuracy as well as charge uniformity and the ability to fill a case. The best "accuracy" powder isn't always going to provide the highest velocity, but usually, the most consistent, repeatable velocity. Yes, even small stick powders go "crunch" every now and then. The magic is in your ability to repeat your throw method over and over again. Here's an article I wrote a few years back that might help you out. Pour yourself a cup of coffee... it's a long one. Cheers, C

September 4, 2009, 05:08 PM	#4
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	I tried bench rest loading techniques for a couple of years with a Sako Vixen action custom barreled to .222 with Douglas Premium barrel. Five shot groups at 100 yds were usually around .333" when I did my part well. All loads were thrown with Redding BR-30 or Neil Jones Custom Powder Measure. Don't remember all the powders used but H-335 (spherical) was a frequent component of good loads.

September 6, 2009, 08:21 PM	#6
Big Caliber Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2006 Location: S. CA Posts: 421	Hey...good readings. Thanks for the tips. BC

September 6, 2009, 09:38 PM	#7
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Not all BR techniques and practices are transferable to factory rifle shooting or even, in some cases, desirable. That being said, you can find a lot of info on this subject in the archives at www.benchrest.com and also at www.6mmbr.com.