RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

[JEBar]

Question: the Lee auto drum powder measure at station 2 on the turret throws a powder charge of 6.4 gn to 6.8 gn. Tough to dial it in to the 6.5 in manual.

The 8 rounds I shot the other day were loaded with a variance of 6.4 to 6.6. Max is never exceed 7.8.

Will I notice a difference from 6.5 to 7.0? Would it be noticeable to an off hand shooter or are we talking chrono stuff?

much depends on the powder .... with some, the tables indicate small differences in powder from minimum to maximum loads .... some others have a much larger range .... the smaller the range the larger the probability that a difference can be felt ....

[RanchRoper]

Universal range is 6.5 start to never exceed 7.8.

[RanchRoper]

Just curious how much variance you allow before you say no good and do it over.

[JEBar]

you know what they say about opinions .. .. I've loaded Universal and I can't tell any difference in the recoil with a difference of one or two tenths

[RanchRoper]

I think I would agree. As long as I am with a tenth or two, I am punching holes in paper...stay away from any souped up loads and carry on.

[BigAl52]

RR Im sure you have a scale. Best way to do it is by pass the powder thrower load 8 rounds with each grain weight. Weight those on the scale then go shoot them. See which ones shot the best then set youre thrower to that weight. Ive seen group size change with 2 tenths. But most generally I jump in 1/2 grain increments. Try some at 6.5,7 and 7.5 see which ones you like.

[RanchRoper]

...throwing 6.5 and 6.6 pretty consistent now....all good

[RanchRoper]

Sounds good BigAl.

[JEBar]

...throwing 6.5 and 6.6 pretty consistent now....all good

it you are happy with their performance, you have a load to fall back on .... nothing wrong with trying a few more different charges to see if you can find one that is better .... if not, you can easily fall back to your proven base load

[RanchRoper]

True. I seem to have it dialed now at a consistent 6.6 gn. That's what I shot the other day.
I have a few at 6.8 in this batch of 50...will see if I notice when shooting.

[BigAl52]

Use the same action every time on the power thrower and you should be good with the same weight.

[RanchRoper]

Ya it is a little tricky. So far it seems a straight up and down pull on the press is best. If I go slow or linger at all the powder throw is off.

[Rifletom]

RR, you probably wouldn't notice much difference shooting your rifle at 6.5gr-7.0gr Universal. Long and heavier.
You would in a handgun tho. Still well within the powder range. But, like Ojai' mentioned, I'd be frustrated at .2-.4 or so variances in charges. Just too old school. This all gets dialed in the more you do it.

[RanchRoper]

I may try some 200 gr bullets too...cheaper and still punch a hole in a target.

[Rifletom]

I may try some 200 gr bullets too...cheaper and still punch a hole in a target.

Funny you should mention that. A friend, who used to shoot CAS, gave me some 200gr LRNFP bullets for my .45 Colt.
Looks like 7.5gr Unique ought to be about right. In my Hornady book, I'd say 7.7gr Universal should be fine for you.
How about that? I'll be loading some of those today.

[RanchRoper]

My supplier is stock out on 250 gr right now so might try them. I still have about 750 x 250 gr left but I am amazed how fast stuff goes when I sit down to do a 100+ rounds.

[RanchRoper]

Tonight...a quick steady stroke is producing consistent powder drops every time. Just have to get a rhythm going I guess.

Another 50 rounds done. Inventory looking better now.

[RanchRoper]

Just ordered 1500 x 200 gr LRNFP bullets and a couple thousand Winchester primers....on a mission to reload all of my brass, then shoot all summer!

[Cofisher]

A worthy goal

[Rifletom]

Just ordered 1500 x 200 gr LRNFP bullets and a couple thousand Winchester primers....on a mission to reload all of my brass, then shoot all summer!

Ha! I like your style RR. This is what we have been saying. You're hooked! I didn't get around to loading those 200's yesterday, finished a bit of interior painting. Fri appears to be my time. Then, next Wed, out to the desert to shoot. Bliss.