Anybody else have trouble measuring Trail Boss?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anybody else have trouble measuring Trail Boss?

Posted: 1/24/2017 9:13:12 PM EDT

Ive been playing around with it for a little while now and it seems like it randomly throws light charges and sometimes no charge at all. Ive tried it in 2 different measures. A shitty plastic Lee and a nicer Redding. Both have had the same problem. I'd like to be able to keep my weight with a couple tenths of a grain. Today I was getting variations as much as .5 grain. It was enough that I visually noticed the difference and measured it to see what was going on. Any help is appreciated.

Posted: 1/24/2017 9:23:35 PM EDT

[#1]

The fine folks around here pointed me towards Trail Boss for some light loads... Thanks again!!!

I had the same issues with throwing powder and just switched over to using the rifle rotor in the PM. Couple of taps to break any of the powder bridging between a few throws and it seems to stay consistent. If you are using a powder baffle take it out.

Posted: 1/24/2017 10:23:16 PM EDT

[#2]

Use a dipper.

Practice a little to learn how to throw uniform charges, then load ammunition.

Posted: 1/24/2017 10:30:36 PM EDT

[#3]

I am using a Dillon PM and a RCBS... both through it to maybe +/-.2+gr. That really doesn't make much difference in accuracy in my 30-06 and 45LC loads. Window around and prove it to yourself.

+/-.5 seems a bit much though

Posted: 1/24/2017 10:38:09 PM EDT

[#4]

I weigh each charge, as it doesn't meter worth a hoot in my Lee measure.

Posted: 1/24/2017 11:02:45 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Ive been playing around with it for a little while now and it seems like it randomly throws light charges and sometimes no charge at all. Ive tried it in 2 different measures. A shitty plastic Lee and a nicer Redding. Both have had the same problem. I'd like to be able to keep my weight with a couple tenths of a grain. Today I was getting variations as much as .5 grain. It was enough that I visually noticed the difference and measured it to see what was going on. Any help is appreciated.

View Quote

My Redding will throw Trail Boss + or - .1 gr. All inside surface's have a coat of wax on them. Really slicks up a PM. (No it doesn't effect the powder).

You need to use good technique. I bet you didn't settle the powder?

After filling, tap side of measure and watch the powder settle. (Main reason you are having issues).

Once settled throw 5 charges, returning them to the PM. Throw charge, weigh, adjust as needed.

Before you throw the next charge, resettle the powder by throwing 3 charges, returning them to the PM. Repeat this until PM is throwing the correct charge.

Next thing is the handle movement. It has to be the same speed/force for every throw. Has to be consistent for good results.

Measure must be securely mounted, no shakes or wobbles.

That's all there is to it, ok 30 years of practice helps.

Practice and let us know how it goes.

Posted: 1/24/2017 11:21:23 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Use a dipper.

Practice a little to learn how to throw uniform charges, then load ammunition.

View Quote

I use plastic dipper sometimes when I play with the Lee Classic manual loader. Sometimes that's fun to use for 10 round or so.

Posted: 1/24/2017 11:23:39 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
My Redding will throw Trail Boss + or - .1 gr. All inside surface's have a coat of wax on them. Really slicks up a PM. (No it doesn't effect the powder).

You need to use good technique. I bet you didn't settle the powder?

After filling, tap side of measure and watch the powder settle. (Main reason you are having issues).

Once settled throw 5 charges, returning them to the PM. Throw charge, weigh, adjust as needed.

Before you throw the next charge, resettle the powder by throwing 3 charges, returning them to the PM. Repeat this until PM is throwing the correct charge.

Next thing is the handle movement. It has to be the same speed/force for every throw. Has to be consistent for good results.

Measure must be securely mounted, no shakes or wobbles.

That's all there is to it, ok 30 years of practice helps.

Practice and let us know how it goes.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
My Redding will throw Trail Boss + or - .1 gr. All inside surface's have a coat of wax on them. Really slicks up a PM. (No it doesn't effect the powder).

You need to use good technique. I bet you didn't settle the powder?

After filling, tap side of measure and watch the powder settle. (Main reason you are having issues).

Once settled throw 5 charges, returning them to the PM. Throw charge, weigh, adjust as needed.

Before you throw the next charge, resettle the powder by throwing 3 charges, returning them to the PM. Repeat this until PM is throwing the correct charge.

Next thing is the handle movement. It has to be the same speed/force for every throw. Has to be consistent for good results.

Measure must be securely mounted, no shakes or wobbles.

That's all there is to it, ok 30 years of practice helps.

Practice and let us know how it goes.

Not sure Im going to wax it, but I will try and settle the powder and maybe tap the measure like somebody mentioned above. Ive seen people put vibrators on powder measures for some reason. Would something like that help in this situation?

Quoted:
I am using a Dillon PM and a RCBS... both through it to maybe +/-.2+gr. That really doesn't make much difference in accuracy in my 30-06 and 45LC loads. Window around and prove it to yourself.

+/-.5 seems a bit much though

That's what I thought too. Like I said it was off enough that I was able to tell just by looking at it. Im not doing any precision stuff, but still want to limit variations to a reasonable extent.

Posted: 1/24/2017 11:37:43 PM EDT

[#8]

Vibrators are normally used by some with long extruded powder.

Settle powder, use good technique, and practice.

Posted: 1/25/2017 1:58:16 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Use a dipper.

Practice a little to learn how to throw uniform charges, then load ammunition.

View Quote

I was going to suggest this. I use a dipper for Trailboss exclusively.

Posted: 1/25/2017 9:15:06 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

I was going to suggest this. I use a dipper for Trailboss exclusively.

View Quote

Not hard to drop with a powder measure either.

You just have to use good technique.

Posted: 1/26/2017 11:31:41 PM EDT

[#11]

Worst powder ever made - meters like cow patties.

Only powder I ever had bridge in a powder measure.

Posted: 1/27/2017 9:40:11 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Worst powder ever made - meters like cow patties.

Only powder I ever had bridge in a powder measure.

View Quote

I like it. Ive use it for .38 special and now Im using it for light loads in 30-30, and 45-70.
eta Im no where near an expert on reloading though.

Posted: 1/27/2017 11:12:33 PM EDT

[#13]

What PM did it bridge in? Hasn't happened to me in a Hornady or Redding.

But the insides of my PM's have a coat of wax in them and they are very slick.

Posted: 2/16/2017 5:43:44 AM EDT

[#14]

On my Dillon 550 when loading Trailboss I have a aquarium pump ziptied to the powder hopper. Constant vibration

Posted: 2/16/2017 8:22:02 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Worst powder ever made - meters like cow patties.

Only powder I ever had bridge in a powder measure.

View Quote

Yep. I like to think of it as "IMR Cheerios". It's only attribute as far as I'm concerned is it allows one to become complacent as it eliminates the need to avoid double charges.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anybody else have trouble measuring Trail Boss?

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