need a new powder

H

hawkrider

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S.E. Alberta
OK guys, Here is my question.
I am loading on a Dillon 650, using Tightgroup powder.
i am loading a light PPC style load in a 38 Special case with a full 148 gr cast wadcutter.

Today I had a chance to chrono the loads and I found that 3.0 gr of Tightgroup is running at an average of 840 fps. The bullet caster guy said the bullets like to run at about 720 fps, so my load is a little hotter than that.

My problem is that the powder measure does NOT like to throw less than the 3 grains that I am at. I have tried to throw less and started getting no powder in in 50% of the cases. I believe that the powder is bridging over the charge bar.

Tightgroup is a flake type powder if you are not familiar with it.

What alternate powder would you guys use that would be able to throw a < 3 gr charge weight or what ever the load would be to give the 720 fps.

I have heard that 231, Bullseye, and Accurate # 2 or 5 are also light charge weight powders that may give the required velocity that the bullet would like better.

I would hate to buy a wack of powder to try only to find I am having the same metering problems.

I am not unhappy with how the load shoots now, just trying to find that sweet spot the bullet likes.

Thanks
Kim

********
Update: I found a extra small charge bar from P&D ( Thanks Phil).
Had a chance to sit down and do some research.

Playing with the extra small bar I found that I could throw 2 grains Titegroup consistantly. As i am looking for some around the 2.5 to 2.7 range I am now confident that I can get the velocity I needed with out having to worry about a no powder load.

Thanks to all who had a suggestion.

Kim
 
Last edited:
2.5 to 2.8 grains of Bullseye has been the .38 Special 148 grain WC powder for eons. If your thrower doesn't like those weight, use a trickler.
 
Are you using the extra-small charge bar on your powder measure? This is the one Dillon recommends for charges of less than 3 grains of powder.
 
powder choices.

Thanks for the advise, I had not even thought of the extra small powder bar. I think the problem is the flakes are bridging over the cavity of the powder measure. I will look into the cavity shape on the extra small bar and see if it might resolve the problem. It may be that the extra small bar has a longer cavity but is thinner. Off I go to the Dillon site and see what I can find.

I had a similar problem when I was trying to use a Lee loaders( 1000?) as well.

Thanks Guys.

Kim
 
AA#2 is a fine ball powder that meters very accurately in my 550. I've never checked to see how small of a charge I could throw with the standard small powder bar though. I'm usually in the 3.5-4gr range.

My 586 just loves that powder and 158gr SWCs. Very accurate.
 
Not to be picky, but Titegroup is actually a flattened ball powder, and from my experience, meters more consistently than fine flake powder like Bullseye. So if you're having trouble getting consistent throws of Titegroup, I wager you'll have even more trouble using Bullseye. Definitely get the smaller charge bar.
 
joe-nwt said:
AA#2 is a fine ball powder that meters very accurately in my 550. I've never checked to see how small of a charge I could throw with the standard small powder bar though. I'm usually in the 3.5-4gr range.

My 586 just loves that powder and 158gr SWCs. Very accurate.
Click to expand...

good thing you didnt, I broke mine trying to figure it out
 
I have loaded thousands of .38 wadcutters with 3.2 gr. of 231 with my Dillion 650, never had a problem. Have also loaded .38 wadcutters with 2.8 grs. 231 with no issues.
 
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