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Posted: 7/24/2014 5:33:05 PM EDT
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Hi all. I'm loading 9mm with Titegroup and I'm having inconsistent throws with my RCBS Uniflow powder measure. I'm trying to throw 3.4gr and I'm getting anywhere from 3.2 to 3.6 grains... sometimes I get 3.7gr! Grrr. Does anyone else have this problem with this powder? I really don't want to have to use my Chargemaster for pistol loads...
I don't think static is an issue and my powder baffle doesn't seem to help either way. I have my hopper almost full (I've tried half full too with no better results). Any suggestions? |
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Before measuring charges, It's very important to settle the powder in the hopper. Start by tapping side of hopper with 2 fingers, you should see powder settle. Next step is to throw 5-10 charges in your pan, then return powder to hopper. Powder is now settled. Next thing to work on is powder charging technique, how to operate the powder measure handle. Use the same speed, same force for every charge. Consistency is the key. Practice a smooth up and down motion with the powder measure handle. You will know you are there when you can throw charges + or - .1 gr, which is plenty accurate for pistol loads. Good luck
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Practice your PM handle movement, keep it the same every throw. This won't be a skill you learn overnight, but keep at it and your throws will improve. I hope you are not weighing your throws on a cheap (under $100) digital scale. They drift and can cause you much anguish when weighing powder.
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I'm using my RCBS chargemaster combo scale to test the charge weight. So it's not a cheap scale. Also I've found the scale to be very accurate.
I didn't know there were different drum sizes. My uniflow is an older model handed down to me by my brother. I'll have to look into that or call rcbs to see what they say. Thanks for the tips guys! |
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I can sympathize with your issue. Manually I do not seem to operate a powder measure very well. However I can tell you that Titegroup is always within .1 on my Hornady LNL since the machine makes every movement consistent.
I agree that using a baffle and settling your powder is critical to getting consistent throws. |
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Quoted: I'm using my RCBS chargemaster combo scale to test the charge weight. So it's not a cheap scale. Also I've found the scale to be very accurate. I didn't know there were different drum sizes. My uniflow is an older model handed down to me by my brother. I'll have to look into that or call rcbs to see what they say. Thanks for the tips guys! Good. Just trying to cover all bases. Cheap digital scales have been the problem in the past. I would second the call RCBS advice, they have great CS. 1-800-553-5000. |
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I have an old uniflow as well. It's kicking my arse trying to throw 2.8 of Unique for my .380.
It pours 231 just fine, but who has that anymore ? I weigh every throw and only use the drops +\- .1 which can take a while. My Dillon 550b would drop unique very dependable. If I am using the wrong screw in the uniflow?!? |
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Quoted:
I have an old uniflow as well. It's kicking my arse trying to throw 2.8 of Unique for my .380. It pours 231 just fine, but who has that anymore ? I weigh every throw and only use the drops +\- .1 which can take a while. My Dillon 550b would drop unique very dependable. If I am using the wrong screw in the uniflow?!? I made a notation in my log to always weigh each charge of Unique. Neither my SDB or Harrell Schuentzen pistol measure will drop a reliable charge of Unique. |
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Quoted:
I'm using my RCBS chargemaster combo scale to test the charge weight. So it's not a cheap scale. Also I've found the scale to be very accurate. I didn't know there were different drum sizes. My uniflow is an older model handed down to me by my brother. I'll have to look into that or call rcbs to see what they say. Thanks for the tips guys! Changing the drum size makes a world of difference. |
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You are wasting your time trying to throw small charges with the standard drum, it isn't designed for that. You need the small drum, its available separately: http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917289/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-cylinder-assembly-small If you don't have a powder baffle, you might as well go ahead and get one now, it helps! http://www.midwayusa.com/product/493217/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-powder-baffle |
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Quoted:
You are wasting your time trying to throw small charges with the standard drum, it isn't designed for that. You need the small drum, its available separately: http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917289/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-cylinder-assembly-small If you don't have a powder baffle, you might as well go ahead and get one now, it helps! http://www.midwayusa.com/product/493217/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-powder-baffle Oh wow! When you guys were saying drum I thought you mean the green plastic hopper. I'll have to get one of these to see if that helps. On another note, I used the uniflow today to load some .223 with H335 and it was super accurate and consistent. |
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Yes it will throw ball powder all day long dead on the money.
I use the small drum for everything it will handle which typically is up to .308 Win. Do this with the large drum. Put just a small amount of "flake" powder in the hopper and observe it looking down into it. When it gets to the level where you can see the adjusting plug you will see why it has such a hard time. The powder charge (like 3.0gr) just barley covers the surface of the plug making it very difficult to "cut" an accurate amount. The small drum is the answer for small charges. I still had some trouble with it throwing 'Clays'. That was before I put in the baffle and I haven't tried that load since. I may try just to see if the baffle helps. |
I actually modified the rifle rotor in my Uniflow to throw small to medium charges more consistently. The rotor bore is now 7/16" diameter. Why not just buy the pistol rotor? I'm cheap;). The Uniflow is super consistent now. It will throw H335 or Titegroup within .1 grain.
Untitled by zweitakt250, on Flickr 
Untitled by zweitakt250, on Flickr Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
NICE Quoted:
I actually modified the rifle rotor in my Uniflow to throw small to medium charges more consistently. The rotor bore is now 7/16" diameter. Why not just buy the pistol rotor? I'm cheap;). The Uniflow is super consistent now. It will throw H335 or Titegroup within .1 grain. [email=https://www.flickr.com/photos/41385771@N03/11936035834/]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/11936035834_dcb02c0abe_z.jpg[/email] Untitled by zweitakt250, on Flickr [email=https://www.flickr.com/photos/41385771@N03/11935590555/]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/11935590555_bf24675fa5_z.jpg[/email] Untitled by zweitakt250, on Flickr Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I weighted the first 10 charges, 8 were exact and 2 were 1.0 gr that were trickled up. Yes loading 25 ACP with 50 gr FMJ's. When I went to the max load of 1.2 grs, weighed these too. 9 were exact, with 1 that weighed 1.1 gr and was trickled up. Loaded the other 25 with Bullseye. After PM was adjusted to throw charges I wanted, charges weighed exact. What I normally get with Bullseye. |
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Quoted: Just like they use a vibrator to settle concrete. Air pump from wallyworld -$10 http://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpgttp://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpg" /> |
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Quoted:
Up in FAQ's you will find the instructions for posting pics. Quoted:
Quoted:
Just like they use a vibrator to settle concrete. Air pump from wallyworld -$10 http://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpgttp://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpg" /> Problem with tinypic. Success with imgur ;) |
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Quoted: Problem with tinypic. Success with imgur ;) Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just like they use a vibrator to settle concrete. Air pump from wallyworld -$10 http://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpgttp://i61.tinypic.com/2latycl.jpg" /> Problem with tinypic. Success with imgur ;) |
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Quoted:
Before measuring charges, It's very important to settle the powder in the hopper. Start by tapping side of hopper with 2 fingers, you should see powder settle. Next step is to throw 5-10 charges in your pan, then return powder to hopper. Powder is now settled. Next thing to work on is powder charging technique, how to operate the powder measure handle. Use the same speed, same force for every charge. Consistency is the key. Practice a smooth up and down motion with the powder measure handle. You will know you are there when you can throw charges + or - .1 gr, which is plenty accurate for pistol loads. Good luck Thanks for this info. I never knew to tap the side of the measure tube. |
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Quoted: Thanks for this info. I never knew to tap the side of the measure tube. Quoted: Quoted: Before measuring charges, It's very important to settle the powder in the hopper. Start by tapping side of hopper with 2 fingers, you should see powder settle. Next step is to throw 5-10 charges in your pan, then return powder to hopper. Powder is now settled. Next thing to work on is powder charging technique, how to operate the powder measure handle. Use the same speed, same force for every charge. Consistency is the key. Practice a smooth up and down motion with the powder measure handle. You will know you are there when you can throw charges + or - .1 gr, which is plenty accurate for pistol loads. Good luck Thanks for this info. I never knew to tap the side of the measure tube. Throw 3 or 4 charges and return them to the hopper.
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Also after making any adjustment to how much powder is dropped, resettle the powder. Throw 3 or 4 charges and return them to the hopper. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Before measuring charges, It's very important to settle the powder in the hopper. Start by tapping side of hopper with 2 fingers, you should see powder settle. Next step is to throw 5-10 charges in your pan, then return powder to hopper. Powder is now settled. Next thing to work on is powder charging technique, how to operate the powder measure handle. Use the same speed, same force for every charge. Consistency is the key. Practice a smooth up and down motion with the powder measure handle. You will know you are there when you can throw charges + or - .1 gr, which is plenty accurate for pistol loads. Good luck Thanks for this info. I never knew to tap the side of the measure tube. Throw 3 or 4 charges and return them to the hopper. That, I do. 
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