What powder measure do you use for light pistol loads?

superd222

superd222

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Hi guys,

I've been having difficulty accurately metering powder in the 2.5-3.2gr range with my (rifle) powder measure(s) - mostly with 700-X. Things bind-up with these light loads but start to improve at around 8gr.

What do you use for throwing low-weight pistol charges of flake powder?

I'm loading 38 Spl for PPC using 700-X, WST, and 231. 231 and WST are fine- it's really the 700-X (flake) that's the bugger!

Thanks for your suggestions - SD
 
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In order to get consistent results with 700X you have to use a lee perfect powder measure. I had the best results with this powder measure. It is slow going because I was using a turret press and checking every load. After I was confident it was working well it gets a little faster. But I still visually check every throw. 700X has very poor metering qualities, except for 5 grains + in a lee auto disk. I use it for 45acp in a lee pro 1000, but it won’t meter consistently in my Dillon XL650. I have loaded 9mm with 700X watching every case on a lee turret press and topping off the low ones.
So I switched to W231 for everything, 9MM, 38s, 45acp, it meters beautifully. Wst doesn’t meter to bad either on the lee auto disk powder measure, and the Dillon, but I find it a bit hot.
I have 12 lbs of 700X to use up!

9mm was more accurate with 700X checking each one.
38s are more accurate with W231
45 are more accurate with W231
 
For 'throwing' a large number of charges quickly for handgun reloads I kept my old Lyman #55. For everything else, especially the long grain powders for rifle, I've upgraded to an RCBS ChagreMaster Combo.
 
I use my autodisks on my Lee, always check with a scale, because they will always be less than what the Lee manual says they will be.
 
Flake powers are going to be tricker to measure than ball powders, but in terms of Dillon equipment (from Brian Enos' website brianenos.com):

Dillon manufactures four sizes of Powder Bars for all machines.

Extra Small - for dispensing less than 3.0 grains of powder
Small - for dispensing 3 to 20 grains of powder (most pistol charges)
Large - for dispensing 20 to approximately 50 grains of powder (most rifle)
Magnum - for dispensing over 50 grains of powder

Both the Small (pistol) and Large (rifle) Powder Bars are included with every Dillon machine or Powder Measure.

The Extra Small (typically 32 Auto/S&W, or very light "Cowboy" loads in 38 Special - below 3 grains of powder) and Magnum Bar (required for 50+ grains) are non-standard and must be ordered separately.

In addition, they also manufacture a Belted Magnum Powder Measure, which is required for charges over approximately 85 grains.
Click to expand...

Course, there's the cost of the press on top of that :-/
 
I use the Lee autodisc with the micro disc insert.It works pretty well and meters consistently with tightgroup.

When you go down to very light loads,bulky powders like 700X dont work very well.I tried using 700X in a light 38 spl target load once and got large variations in velocity.Best to use fine,ball powders for light loads
 
Thanks for the info - I'll try a Lee Perfect Powder Measure - they're cheap, ....just hope they're not too cheap.

On second thought, might try a Pistol Powder Chamber for my 3BR to do it right the first time. Will check availability.

Where's the best source for Redding stuff in Canada? Or, just call Sinclair?

Thanks again - SD
 
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