Hornady manual lock and load Powder Measure

I

Island_Craig

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Does anyone else have one that throws powder consistently? All I see is glowing reviews and I want to throw mine across the room. I'll dial in a weight, and 2-3 loads later it varies +/- 2-3grns.

Only tried with 4064 so far ...
 
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I can't say I have had the same experience... I used to check mine constantly against the beam scale but now I just check the Cal weights and go. I found that holding the mode button twice starts the trickle at -0.4 gn and I get fewer overcharges. Mine gets a steady diet of varget and h4895.

You may have a defective unit.

Edit- sorry! I thought you were talking the electronic one! my bad.
 
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Island_Craig said:
Sorry I should mentioned it's the manual one that comes with the lock and load kit
Click to expand...

I have the progressive and the single stage Hornady Presses. I have never had an issue with the powder throwers unless I am using a bulky powder like Trail Boss etc. Have you fully de-greased and cleaned the inside of it?? If it has had a substantial amount of use, it might be time to clean it as this will affect the amount of powder thrown. I find it is also important to make sure the powder is settled in the hopper. Are you checking the amount of powder thrown with the included GS-1500 that comes with the press? The issue might not be with the powder measure itself, but by the scale to which your are checking it. This scale can be affected by even a slight breeze of a fan or vent in the room. I would cross check this issue with other means if possible. If this does not work, I would completely take the measure apart and wipe it all down and check for manufacturing defects. If a defect is the case, call Hornady. They are excellent in the customer support department and will remedy this issue for you.

Good luck!!
 
I'm using my Lyman scale I had from before. It's generally been steady... but it's worth checking. I gave it a once over again before the last time loading with the one shot can. I'll keep working on it and see how it goes with the next round.

Is the Hornady scale a better bet?
 
I have no experience with the Lyman scale so I cannot comment on its accuracy. I would use a calibration weight to make sure that the scale (regardless of brand) is actually telling you the truth!! Another thing I would recommend is making sure that you use the powder measure like a big light switch (if you are not doing this already ;)). Put the case under the measure and do a swift up until you hear the clank...then down when you are sure the full amount of powder has been thrown. You do not want to cut off the flow prematurely, especially if it is a large volume case. I learned this the hard way with 460 magnum. Let the powder flow brother, take your time.
 
I just came across this on Google. "Has anyone else had problems with IMR 4064 metering like sh%# thru a powder dispenser?"

This seems to be a notorious issue. Please type in "imr 4064 powder measure" in Google. This might be your issue as well.
 
I have the Hornady Lock And Load Manual powder measure mounted on a stand on my reloading bench.
I am pleased with it's accuracy. I set it up so when it drops a load I just trickle another .1 or .2 grains
into the pan. I have used Varget Benchmark and IMR 4895 in it with good results.

When stroking the handle it is very important to move the handle at the same speed each time and
let it hit both ends of it's travel with the same amount of force as the impact packs the powder.
It takes a bit of practice to get it right but it is a good tool.

Terry
 
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mikeydagunz said:
Here you go. Exact same issue as you. ht tp://www.reloadersnest.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23468
Click to expand...

That's pretty funny. Looks like my options are:
Polish the inside, buy a lee cheapie for 4064, or find a different powder.

I'm weighing every charge anyway so getting too dramatic about it isn't necessary. I was hoping for answers tho. I'll try the above.

Thanks
 
I have 2 of these powder measures and have no issues with either.
Do you have both the pistol and rifle cylinders with the proper inserts?
This is the baffle.
 
Mine didn't come with a baffle. Not sure if the original owner lost or forgot to ship it but I didn't know any better and was having problems with consistent loads. Not only that but the powder coat inside the hopper may have been breaking down because it would cause powder to get stuck/hung up on it. I ended up buffing off the powder coat on the inside of the hopper, polished it almost to a mirror and then paste wax treated it and the hopper tube then ordered a baffle from Hornady.
 
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