Genuine noob question

[TimG_SC]

I just started loading for the first time right after Christmas (XL650) and I started with a pound of titegroup. My powder measure is now about 1/4 full and this is the last of the tg. I ordered 4lbs of N320 and I would like to know the best and most effecient method of changing from one type of powder to another while using up as much as possible of the tg. Maybe after you're done laughing at my noob ignorance you guys can help. You have been a great resource so far and i am really enjoying reloading.

Thanks in advance

[Sarge]

I have run powder pretty low in the hopper and it still metered accurately. When you get worried you can start weighing each load or my personal opinion is to just pour it back in the tg jug in case you get back to using it someday.

Or you can just throw it away. Powder is, afterall, the cheapest component when you get that low in the hopper you are probably only talking a buck or two worth of powder if that much.

[Skydiver]

To add on to what Kevin said about metering with low powder in the hopper:

I was so fascinated by the addition of a micrometer to my powder bar and a baffle to the hopper; and the concept of consistency of metering, I was trying out experiments with the hopper full, the hopper near empty, and the hopper practically empty. I was amazed that for the practically empty trials, I was still getting consistent drops except for the last one which was when the hopper was completely empty. I tried this with TiteGroup, Silhouette, Universal, and Competition. It was very reassuring to learn this. On the other hand, if ever I got that low, I would be weighing each charge just to make sure.

Edited January 25, 2012 by Skydiver

[Hi-Power Jack]

My powder measure is now about 1/4 full and I ordered 4lbs of N320 and I would like to know the best method of changing from one type of powder to another while using up as much as possible of the tg.

Tim, I reload on a Square Deal, so it might be different

for your 650, but when I switched over from one powder to

another, I tried to use up "all the first powder" and

thought everything went well,

until I got to the range.

Not sure how it happened, but I had three squib loads in

my last batch of 9mm ammo.

So, as has been said, check your last loads for their actual

weight, and keep a close look at the powder levels in your

650.

Might be best to throw away an ounce or so rather than take

a chance of a squib.

Good luck,

Jack

[CocoBolo]

I have run till the powder gets even with the bottom of the glass where it meets the metal of the powder measure with no issues. But since you are switching to N320 I'd dump the TG, nast dirty, hot burning violent powder back in the jug, and start using the N320 right away, IMHO.

[DRider8]

You are going to love the N320, I use it in 9m,40cal and 45, there are loads in the Sierra manual that are nice. You can also find a lot of info here at forum.

[TimG_SC]

To add on to what Kevin said about metering with low powder in the hopper:

I was so fascinated by the addition of a micrometer to my powder bar and a baffle to the hopper; and the concept of consistency of metering, I was trying out experiments with the hopper full, the hopper near empty, and the hopper practically empty. I was amazed that for the practically empty trials, I was still getting consistent drops except for the last one which was when the hopper was completely empty. I tried this with TiteGroup, Silhouette, Universal, and Competition. It was very reassuring to learn this. On the other hand, if ever I got that low, I would be weighing each charge just to make sure.

Would I benefit from a powder bar micrometer? If so where do I get one and how much?

[Skydiver]

To add on to what Kevin said about metering with low powder in the hopper:

I was so fascinated by the addition of a micrometer to my powder bar and a baffle to the hopper; and the concept of consistency of metering, I was trying out experiments with the hopper full, the hopper near empty, and the hopper practically empty. I was amazed that for the practically empty trials, I was still getting consistent drops except for the last one which was when the hopper was completely empty. I tried this with TiteGroup, Silhouette, Universal, and Competition. It was very reassuring to learn this. On the other hand, if ever I got that low, I would be weighing each charge just to make sure.

Would I benefit from a powder bar micrometer? If so where do I get one and how much?

The powder bar micrometer is only useful if you change loads often. (It may also help some people with OCD and control issues.) Me personally, I was just geeking out over the math and statistics side of things. You can get one easily at UniqueTek: http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231 , but there are others out there I've stumbled on in the Internet.

[blueeyedme]

Would I benefit from a powder bar micrometer? If so where do I get one and how much?

I added the Uniquetek micrometer to my powder bars over the holidays. I can honestly say it is the best non-dillon upgrade to my press. I don't change loads a lot, but I love being able to precisely "dial in" my load. Since I measure the total of 4 loads at a time, I can easily tweak the dial to hit my load on the nuts. This thing beats the hell out of the dillon bolt or anything that is simply attached to the bolt. I am certainly not OCD, but I am precise - particularly when loading...and I think that is a good thing.

Edited January 26, 2012 by blueeyedme

[kevin c]

To add on to what Kevin said about metering with low powder in the hopper:

I was so fascinated by the addition of a micrometer to my powder bar and a baffle to the hopper; and the concept of consistency of metering, I was trying out experiments with the hopper full, the hopper near empty, and the hopper practically empty. I was amazed that for the practically empty trials, I was still getting consistent drops except for the last one which was when the hopper was completely empty. I tried this with TiteGroup, Silhouette, Universal, and Competition. It was very reassuring to learn this. On the other hand, if ever I got that low, I would be weighing each charge just to make sure.

I also tested this, and can say that N320 is also "good to the last drop".