RCBS Powder measure problems

[grumpyold]

Lots of misconceptions about powder measures.
Firstly, they were designed to load the correct charge of powder in the case, not to under load and trickle in the remainder. This idea of trickle in the charge only came about with the advent of the CGN. Until then we millions of reloaders used accurate powder measures and charged our cases. A standby powder measure was the Lyman Ideal #55. With the micrometer adjustment they were dead on accurate, in relation to the powder used. That is, ball powder would measure to less than a tenth of a grain, which is all the accuracy required for 100 yard bench rest shooting. I make this bold statement based on the fact that Warren Page used this same Lyman measure to help him win the US National Match Benchrest trophy nine times, and he states in his book, The Accurate Rifle, that he never weighed the charges for 100 yard bench rest competition shooting! He also states that he used the Lyman 55 measure.
With coarse powder, like 4350, it won't measure quite so dead on close, but close enough that the average shooter, using off the shelf rifle and shooting equipment, will never be able to prove that direct measuring of 4350 powder will be any less accurate than trickle fill up.
So many younger shooters on CGN make far too much of every little nuance they have ever heard of on shooting and over do most every thing.
Why not just enjoy yourself shooting?

Agree. Would add mount it solid, mine is on a stand with a 1"thick steel plate base shaped in a 7"x7" maple leaf. Wipe the measure out with a drier sheet, fill it full, and whack the handle when filling and dumping, then set up for charge, works for me. I'll scale ever ten or so throws, waste of time, because I never feel like pulling the trickle out. Adding three or four kernels of powder is mindless waste of time for the average shooter.

 

[saskminer]

Just to clarify, I'm getting an average error of 2 to 3 grains high every few measures. That's not too great because it's putting me into max load territory. I've been using the scale pan to catch the powder which makes a heck of a mess if I'm not up tight against the spout (technique issue for sure). Another member suggested that I may be getting static buildup on the discharge side which makes sense to have the powder build up then release all at once giving me a high weight. Any suggestions on removing static on the discharge side? I've run almost a pound through the dispenser including pre-seasoning almost half a pound through it when I got it.
I'm not going for super precision powder measure but I need to trust the load when so I don't get into max territory when dumping directly into the cartridges.

 

[Tomochan]

A powder throw will - as H4831 alluded to - throw an accurate load for most shooting applications. For greater precision more fine tools are needed. For some, a Chargemaster 1500 for example will suffice whereas for others a more accurate scale is desirable. When using the better equipment one finds oneself wanting to cut a grain of Varget ( which weighs 0.02 gr on average ) in half !!. Just like with many aspects of reloading you decide how picayune you wish to be and at what point you feel you are going to unnecessary extremes.

 

[Rod]

Just to clarify, I'm getting an average error of 2 to 3 grains high every few measures. That's not too great because it's putting me into max load territory. I've been using the scale pan to catch the powder which makes a heck of a mess if I'm not up tight against the spout (technique issue for sure). Another member suggested that I may be getting static buildup on the discharge side which makes sense to have the powder build up then release all at once giving me a high weight. Any suggestions on removing static on the discharge side? I've run almost a pound through the dispenser including pre-seasoning almost half a pound through it when I got it.
I'm not going for super precision powder measure but I need to trust the load when so I don't get into max territory when dumping directly into the cartridges.

When using my RCBS powder measure, with extruded powder such as 4831, 4350, I set the measure to deliver slightly under. . eg. If I'm loading 30-06 with a 180 bullet over 57 gr. of IMR 4831 I'll set the measure to deliver close to 56.5 gr. . I have my RCBS 5-10 scale set at 57 gr. and use the scale pan to catch the powder and on the scale it goes. . I have bowl of powder with a dipper handy that I tap with my finger and watch the scale center. . Piece of cake with just a couple of taps and I'm right on the money. . Dead center.

With extruded rifle powder I'm not comfortable with the accuracy of a measure to be exact. . Exact is what I want so this is what works for me.

 

[stampede]

Just to clarify, I'm getting an average error of 2 to 3 grains high every few measures. That's not too great because it's putting me into max load territory. I've been using the scale pan to catch the powder which makes a heck of a mess if I'm not up tight against the spout (technique issue for sure). Another member suggested that I may be getting static buildup on the discharge side which makes sense to have the powder build up then release all at once giving me a high weight. Any suggestions on removing static on the discharge side? I've run almost a pound through the dispenser including pre-seasoning almost half a pound through it when I got it.
I'm not going for super precision powder measure but I need to trust the load when so I don't get into max territory when dumping directly into the cartridges.

Discharge from powder measure directly into cartridge. If you want to weight it pour it from the cartridge into the scales pan while it is on the scale. If it is off, dump it back into the powder measure hopper.

Don't discharge directly into the scales pan. This might be the root of your problem right there.