An example how powder packs in a powder measure during reloading

Neither of my measues has a baffle but I learned a long time ago to make sure the powder is settled in the measure before trying to set a charge weight . With powders like Unique it takes a lot of tapping a cycling the measure to settle it in but it does settle in to where it's useable and safe . In use I normally don't let the powder level fall below half and with light fluffy powder it takes a lot of cycles to bring the added powder where it's being measured .

I think the lesson to me learned here is be consistant and watch for details . Great thread guys !

Jack

Boolit Mold Join DateNov 2012LocationOhioPosts14

I just bought a baffel for my rcbs drop. Great thread.

Down South, just how big is that hopper, and how does it compare to a Lee Auto-Disk hopper on a progressive press like my Pro-1000? Having never seen this phenomenon, is it a concern for smaller hoppers?
Thanks.

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I've noticed that it takes about ten throws to settle the charge on my Dillon, but once it settles it seems good to go!?, firm, positive, CONSISTENT operation is the key to equal thrown powder charges, and the Dillon's have the baffle built right into the hopper tube.

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Boolit Master Join DateFeb 2011Posts463

I just throw several charges after refilling the hopper.

Then i weight the next few to make sure they are where i want them to be.

Down South, just how big is that hopper, and how does it compare to a Lee Auto-Disk hopper on a progressive press like my Pro-1000? Having never seen this phenomenon, is it a concern for smaller hoppers?
Thanks.I have both but only one Lee Auto-Disk. The measure in my picture is a Dillon that is standard for several Dillon machines (I believe). Can't be sure since I only have two Dillon model RL 550-B's.
To answer your question, the Dillon is about twice as tall but about the same diameter, maybe just a tad larger in diameter than the Lee. I'm going by guesstimation since I'm too lazy to go outside and actually measure both brands of powder measures.

To address a few other replies:
As many have already said, a baffle helps with this problem and all of my Dillon measures have the baffle. I have 6 of them.
I pre-pack the measure by making 10 or more powder dumps and returning the powder back to the measure after every throw. I shake, bump, wiggle and simulate going through a full reloading stage several times before I ever start checking powder weight. Then I check weight about every 10 rounds until I'm satisfied with getting consistent charge weights.
Packing like what happens in the picture takes place during several hundred rounds going through the machine. I loaded 600 rounds in this session but that included topping off as well.
As I stated earlier, I started off with a full measure full. I had loaded and used about two thirds of the powder in the measure when I topped it off.
The top 2/3 of powder that I topped off with was tapped a few times.

One point that I want to make is even though the measure has a baffle in it, packing appears to affect the powder below the baffle. Some may argue about this and some powders will react differently.

I started out loading 6.8-6.9 gr in this session and stayed in that powder weight window well into the loading session. Towards the end when the measure was down to the 1/3 mark, I was seeing a consistent 6.9-7.0 gr, when checking charge weight. I know all powder measures vary +- .1 gr or more depending on powder type. WSF meters very well and most weight tests came out perfect.
I realize that .1 gr is not much and most of the time is not to be worried about unless you are at the top of a load. This could be more severe depending on the powder type.

Correct me if I am wrong, I've been wrong before. It seems to me even though the measure has a baffle in it, packing does affect the powder below the baffle to some degree.

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Sam

First look at that pic, I said; That can't be the same powder.

I had just finished loading 100 9mm with WW-231. The dillon measure,(650), was down to 2/3 empty. I just went and poured it nearly full. I could clearly see a definite line where the powder had been added. I think it's simply that the ball powder disks align along the wall of the tube as the vibration happens as the press is cycled.

As for the powder compacting toward the bottom, the dillon baffle is SUPPOSED to stop that. The powder has to flow around that baffle to get at the metering bar.

My experience has been the oposite from what has been said here. My charges go lighter as the powder supply drops in the measure. Less weight, less powder in the charge bar.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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