I tried weighing charges with a Harrel, a RCBS BR model, a Hornady BR and a Lyman 55. I test threw individual loads, then groups of 5 throws weighed together, and then groups of ten throws. I repeated this with two of my more commonly used powders, 23.4 of Benchmark and 12.6 of Lil'Gun.
The Harrel's single biggest advantage is you can reset the volume exactly, every time by just counting the clicks. In fact there is an argument that volume is what you should load by and the weight changing due to humidity etc should be ignored.
The most accurate, in terms of lowest deviation was the Lyman 55, much to my surprise. Set up properly using the 1st and 2nd slide for setting close (2nd and first slide opened to gether to 3/4 open or less to get to just under desired weight, if you must open more than 75% go to the largest slide) and then the first slide (smallest slide is always used for fine adjust no matter whether using largest or second largest slide to get first/close weight setting) for fine tunning, it would throw the 5 and ten lot groups at exactly 5 and ten times the nominal weight. On individual loads its max deviation was 1/10, being half a tenth over or under, and the SD was less than half that as 80% of throws were spot on.
The Hornady BR was the next closest for overall accurracy but its SD was over double that of the Lyman. Next was the Harrel and then the RCBS. Between the three they were very close in accurracy, with the Harrel winning the nice to use and easy to reset categories.
One thing I clearly learned in this test, with all of the throwers, was that a consistent stroke and operation were key to consistent charges, as was ensuring the cavity was in the down position until the actual charge stroke was made. This kept the powder from settling in and packing into the cavity if I took longer to do something betwween charge strokes.
I sold all my other measures and now have a number of lyman, all set to specific charges and powders, with one spare for adjusting for the loads I don't shoot as much of, like my big game hunting rifles.
The Harrel Culvers are great and smooth powder throwers and the Culver adjustment is very handy but for pure accuracy I will stick to the Lyman. Also, I bought 6 used Lymans on EBay for less than the cost of one Harrel's.
I now no longer weigh any charges, except the occaisional check charge just because it makes me feel better. In the 4 years since I have gone to this system, I have never had a preset one move and I don't adjust them for the humidity effect that can change the nominal weight by volume by 1/10 either way on any given day.
The Harrel's single biggest advantage is you can reset the volume exactly, every time by just counting the clicks. In fact there is an argument that volume is what you should load by and the weight changing due to humidity etc should be ignored.
The most accurate, in terms of lowest deviation was the Lyman 55, much to my surprise. Set up properly using the 1st and 2nd slide for setting close (2nd and first slide opened to gether to 3/4 open or less to get to just under desired weight, if you must open more than 75% go to the largest slide) and then the first slide (smallest slide is always used for fine adjust no matter whether using largest or second largest slide to get first/close weight setting) for fine tunning, it would throw the 5 and ten lot groups at exactly 5 and ten times the nominal weight. On individual loads its max deviation was 1/10, being half a tenth over or under, and the SD was less than half that as 80% of throws were spot on.
The Hornady BR was the next closest for overall accurracy but its SD was over double that of the Lyman. Next was the Harrel and then the RCBS. Between the three they were very close in accurracy, with the Harrel winning the nice to use and easy to reset categories.
One thing I clearly learned in this test, with all of the throwers, was that a consistent stroke and operation were key to consistent charges, as was ensuring the cavity was in the down position until the actual charge stroke was made. This kept the powder from settling in and packing into the cavity if I took longer to do something betwween charge strokes.
I sold all my other measures and now have a number of lyman, all set to specific charges and powders, with one spare for adjusting for the loads I don't shoot as much of, like my big game hunting rifles.
The Harrel Culvers are great and smooth powder throwers and the Culver adjustment is very handy but for pure accuracy I will stick to the Lyman. Also, I bought 6 used Lymans on EBay for less than the cost of one Harrel's.
I now no longer weigh any charges, except the occaisional check charge just because it makes me feel better. In the 4 years since I have gone to this system, I have never had a preset one move and I don't adjust them for the humidity effect that can change the nominal weight by volume by 1/10 either way on any given day.
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