Weighing charges

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MattE93

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I recently loaded my first ever batch of ammo. Being very green and very cautious, probably overly so, I weighed every single charge my powder measure threw to be certain I was loading safely. After 50 rounds, all of my charges where within precision of the scale (maybe .05 grains but probably less). After this exercise it seems rather redundant to weigh every charge. I think it was useful my first time to get a feel for variances and to understand what a right amount of powder looked like visually in the pan and the case.

My question is: does anybody who has been doing this a while actually weigh every charge for plinking ammo? Could I get away with weighing every 10th charge?
 
If you checked them all and they are all that close you are doing ok. Once I have my scale reading well I usually just check every 15 or so rounds to make sure they are still accurate.
 
MattE93 said:
I recently loaded my first ever batch of ammo. Being very green and very cautious, probably overly so, I weighed every single charge my powder measure threw to be certain I was loading safely. After 50 rounds, all of my charges where within precision of the scale (maybe .05 grains but probably less). After this exercise it seems rather redundant to weigh every charge. I think it was useful my first time to get a feel for variances and to understand what a right amount of powder looked like visually in the pan and the case.

My question is: does anybody who has been doing this a while actually weigh every charge for plinking ammo? Could I get away with weighing every 10th charge?
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This would depend on the type of powder you are using. Some powder has large grains (Trailboss for one example) and is fairly light so a proper charge fills a case rather well. This means it is almost impossible to overcharge or undercharge, although you can do so if you really try. Other powders like Titegroup are very fine and dense and do not fill a case - and should NEVER fill a case. In fact, they are very easy to overcharge, double charge and under charge. The proper amount of such powder can seem incredibly small in the bottom of a case. Bottom line, it is your call. If you are handloading on a single stage or non-progressive style press and doing each step in order, I would err on the side of caution and fill a loading block of 50 rounds then inspect visually using a flashlight to see that each case 'looks' right, especially with dense powder. Any that look over or under would get weighed. Additionally, I would also randomly check 5 or more to weigh what is actually in the case.

After you have done this for a while, and a comfortable with what you are doing and the rounds are working out ok, then you can start to reduce the inspection process. I still recommend being extremely careful with dense fine powders.
 
For plinking ammo I use the start charge. Set powder measure and throw charges. Visual check cases then seat bullets. Been loading this way since 1975.
 
MattE93 said:
I recently loaded my first ever batch of ammo. Being very green and very cautious, probably overly so, I weighed every single charge my powder measure threw to be certain I was loading safely. After 50 rounds, all of my charges where within precision of the scale (maybe .05 grains but probably less). After this exercise it seems rather redundant to weigh every charge. I think it was useful my first time to get a feel for variances and to understand what a right amount of powder looked like visually in the pan and the case.

My question is: does anybody who has been doing this a while actually weigh every charge for plinking ammo? Could I get away with weighing every 10th charge?
Click to expand...

Pistol I typically check every 5-10. Rifle since I'm usually loading only 20-40 at a time I measure each one.
 
Defintely not trying to be unsafe. Just wanted some insight as to what the more veteran reloaders do. Weighing each charge probably added an hour or so per 50 rounds trying to be extra safe. With them all weighing in very close this seemed redundant. Every 5 sounds good to me, that’s once per row on my reloading blocks.
 
If using a thrower and getting warm with the load ill weigh every 10-15 charges. If cast bullets ill weigh every 100th charge.

Making match ammo, ill weigh every charge. Ill throw a lighter then i want charge and then top it up while its sitting on the digi scale

If using a scoop illl weigh the first 3 to make sure im scraping it off the same each time
 
Checking every 10th or 20th rifle charge is good practice for plinking ammo. Pistol maybe every 50. The more you get to know and trust your powder dispensing equipment, the less you’ll need to check. Of course it all depends on the amount and type of powder.
 
This was the .38S&W ammunition you discussed in another thread?
If your powder measure is consistent, I would see no reason to weigh each and every load.
Visually inspect before seating, to make sure you didn't make any errors, like double charging a case.
Otherwise, just keep loading, occasionally confirming that the powder measure is still dumping the desired charge.
 
tiriaq said:
This was the .38S&W ammunition you discussed in another thread?
If your powder measure is consistent, I would see no reason to weigh each and every load.
Visually inspect before seating, to make sure you didn't make any errors, like double charging a case.
Otherwise, just keep loading, occasionally confirming that the powder measure is still dumping the desired charge.
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Yes it is. But also looking for more general info as I work up to .270 win. Good to know I can measure very 5-19 and visually inspect after to confirm
 
Now that you have a feel for your thrower, you know you don't have to check every round.

I check after the 10th round, to make sure it is still working, then load about 150 pistol rounds. When I start the next 150, I check again.

When you load for your 270, check after #10 and #20, and scan all the loaded cases in the loading block to make sure they all look the same.

What you want to look for is the case where the powder bridged and some did not fall out of the thrower, and then the next one dumped it all.

If you want 50 gr per case, it is not good enough to have one at 40 and the next at 60.
 
Cheers.


I already did admit to being over cautious my first time but didn’t want to blow myself up being new
 
Be sure to keep powder level in your thrower topped up to roughly the same level as you reload.

Also, use a baffle in your thrower. That helps with consistent charges.
 
I got a powder camera mounted on my press. I weight the first couple, and then I don't check again. But the camera is a quick check if there is powder. Then again I'm using a Lee auto disk.
 
stevebc said:
Be sure to keep powder level in your thrower topped up to roughly the same level as you reload.

Also, use a baffle in your thrower. That helps with consistent charges.
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+1 for the baffle, I find it is quite consistent even running from full powder to empty.

As for me checking: I use a Loadmaster with a case feeder (Google what the case feeder looks like for reference), whenever I have to rotate it to the next batch I'll check a powder charge. Using that method, it ends up being every 15-20 cases.

(Note that I have yet to start loading rifle, so far I'm pistol-only)
 
mactroneng said:
+1 for the baffle, I find it is quite consistent even running from full powder to empty.

As for me checking: I use a Loadmaster with a case feeder (Google what the case feeder looks like for reference), whenever I have to rotate it to the next batch I'll check a powder charge. Using that method, it ends up being every 15-20 cases.

(Note that I have yet to start loading rifle, so far I'm pistol-only)
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The baffle worked well for me in my loading
 
I usually load 50 to 100 handgun rounds at a time.

I used to use a powder thrower, but between set up, take down and cleaning I now find it easier to just use a scoop.

Use a scoop just under the desired charge and top up with a trickle charger while on the balance scale.
 
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