Metering Varget

[tires2burn]

I have a 550 and am loading some 223 with varget. Are there any methods to get the powder to meter correctly? I know its a difficult powder to meter but its all I have.

[Dirty Rod]

Stick and flake powders are not going to meter as well as ball powders. Some folks polish the inside of the powder measure but that didn't make any difference on mine. Even with a very smooth and consistent stroke I still got the occasional .3-.4 variance when my ball powders were consistently +/- .1.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Dirty Rod

[tires2burn]

That's the same + & - I'm getting.

[chopps]

This helps get it to within one thousands,

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1231

edit: This helps "me" get it to within one thousands or very close.

Edited September 23, 2014 by chopps

[blind bat]

This helps get it to within one thousands

I think Uniquetek would dispute that endorsement.

Do powders like Varget meter better through a standard drum style powder measure or the Dillon slide style?

[RDA]

This helps get it to within one thousands

I think Uniquetek would dispute that endorsement.

I'd agree, the micrometer definitely adds precision and repeatability to adjusting the slide bar, but it doesn't help with metering consistency.

I thought that people reported polishing the funnel and drop helps with metering extruded powders? I haven't done it but thought about trying to see if it made a difference.

[Buruli]

At the end of each stroke give a little double tap on the handle. This seems to help for me with Varget.

[Tom Freeman]

A little polishing here and there on the Dillon measure helps a bunch.

I have a Harrell (Benchrest measure) Culver type measure and it struggles with all large kernel stick powders as well.

[chopps]

This helps get it to within one thousands

I think Uniquetek would dispute that endorsement.

Do powders like Varget meter better through a standard drum style powder measure or the Dillon slide style?

Well before i started use it i was 2 maybe 3 tenths off and since i have been using it i am about 1 maybe 2 tenths off now so thats what i see.

Now maybe it was something else before i started using it but its alot closer now.

[JonF]

For some bizarre reason, the El Cheapo Lee Perfect Powder Measure can throw big stick powder with a degree of accuracy that other measures many times its price cannot. The only problem is adapting it to your press. Thread adapters do exist that let you physically mount it to a progressive, but there is no actuation so you are pulling the measure's handle manually when your press is paused at the upstroke. It must be something to do with loose tolerances and big powder measuring chambers and drop chutes because the only downside is that it does not work well with fine ball powder--it will leak powder from the gaps in the mechanism.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/540522/lee-perfect-powder-measure

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1370

[ToddKS]

The inconsistency in the metering of extruded powders is caused by the random way in which the grains of powder fall into the recepticle area of the powder measure (whether bar or drum). Consistent stroke will help but only so far.

The best solution is to find the right place on your accuracy node so that the effect on your POI from the variance is minimized. Eliminating the variance entirely would involve weighing every charge which is not why you bought a progressive press.

[tires2burn]

TODDKS

The other powders I use for pistol work fine but Varget is a PITA.

[MAC702]

For some bizarre reason, the El Cheapo Lee Perfect Powder Measure can throw big stick powder with a degree of accuracy that other measures many times its price cannot. ...

I've found the same. I'm mostly using the Dillon for pistol loading anyway, and flake or ball powders.

Most of my rifle stuff is loaded on the single-stage and I've had much better results from the Lee Perfect Powder Measure with the extruded powders, anyway.

[tires2burn]

When I first got my 550 I used the lee powder drop and it worked great for pistol. That was before I started loading 223. Since then I sold my lee equipment and have all Dillon.

[ToddKS]

TODDKS

The other powders I use for pistol work fine but Varget is a PITA.

That is why I run H335 for most of my .223 loads. H335 meters great. I use Varget for one load .223 load in particular but I weigh every charge. Most of my Varget is used in .308 and I weigh every charge and trickle up.

If you think Varget is bad, try IMR 4064. IMR 4064 is the worst I have dealt with in this regard.

[tires2burn]

I just loaded up 50 rounds and hand weighed them all. I don't like the idea that the weight is all over the scale so hand weighing is where its at for me.

[kampr]

From an earlier discussion on the "Metering Varget" topic;

The "Holy Grail" for me has been the addition of the RCBS Uniflow with the case activated linkage kit. It throws very consistent charges and the long drop tube has virtually eliminated the bridging.

[RiggerJJ]

From an earlier discussion on the "Metering Varget" topic;

The "Holy Grail" for me has been the addition of the RCBS Uniflow with the case activated linkage kit. It throws very consistent charges and the long drop tube has virtually eliminated the bridging.

PM1.jpg PM2 (347x800).jpg

Dale, where you get that crazy idea?

[kampr]

Dale, where you get that crazy idea?

I think I found it a couple years ago,…when the ‘search feature’ worked.

This “chick” named Denise said she thought about it while sitting on a cactus and told her ol’man about it,…or something like that……

<(oldfart syndrome)

Btw, I thought you would have jumped in here way earlier!

[RiggerJJ]

Dale, where you get that crazy idea?

I think I found it a couple years ago,…when the ‘search feature’ worked.

This “chick” named Denise said she thought about it while sitting on a cactus and told her ol’man about it,…or something like that……

<(oldfart syndrome)

Btw, I thought you would have jumped in here way earlier!

:roflol: