calebj06 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 My pistol loading is still giving me fits. All my equiptmen is lyman. Tmag press with Lyman digital scale and powder measurer. Cleaned the powder measurer and set it per the instructions using only the top bar for small loads. I'm still getting inconsistent throws. It just won't settle down. I'm trying to hit 4.2 gr of w231. It normally throws between 4.1-4.4. Ok, I can live with that. Every now and then I get 4.6 and sometimes 3.9 that after sitting for a minute creaps up to 4.0. Then it will just go crazy and throw 3.4-3.5. I can obviously see the low powder charge and catch it but it's annoying. Then it throws 2.8!!! WHAT?? I throw 5 and measure them all and there were all sub 3.0. So I tap on the measurer good and throw 15-20 just to clear it out, and sure enough I'm back to 4.4, 4.1, 4.2. So I'm about ready to try a different powder. Any suggestions on what to try to fix this issue? Any suggestions on a powder that might meter better? Loads are for a g19 for competition use using 124gr coated cast bullets. ThanksCaleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortyOverUnder Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 This is a very odd situation, to me, W231/HP38 has always been one of the best powders as far as consistency on my press. We only differ in press makes. I run a Dillon. I use w231 for 9 and 45. Steadily my best dropping powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Might be not moving the loading lever consistently - or going too fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prerunnertrd Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Have you checked the powder hopper and lever to make sure there's no issues? Im using a hornady LNL to reload and consisted at 3.2. I actually reloaded 3 days in a row for the past 3 days and tested the first few throws before reloading and still remained at 3.2 grains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js1130146 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Perhaps static? How new is the powder measure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebj06 Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 No issues that I can see. Its 5 years old so not new. Even went over over it with a dryer sheet to kill any static. Hadnt thought about speed speed or consistency of throws but I didn't notice me doing anything different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Desk Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Powder could be caking in the hopper. Try a fresh container of powder, preferably one that has not been opened. I have found that 231, Bullseye and a couple of others can drag moisture out of the air and develop a caking habit. A couple of taps on the powder hopper followed by a gentle stir of the powder with a wooden dowel can help if you are stuck with a single container of powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebj06 Posted April 12, 2017 Author Share Posted April 12, 2017 Ugh. Just ran another 100 or so. Just when I think I figured it out So it's being all over the place so I decide to slow down and be very methodical with my throws. I even add in a little tap of the handle on my upstroke to settle any powder. BAM. I start getting consistent readings of 4.7. Ok, that's to high so back it down. Got it to 4.4. Ok just a bit more, NOPE 3.8. Ok back up. 4.3. I can live with that. Then it settles in decent. I visually check each one and am weighing about every 5th or so or ones that look light. 20-30 rounds later I get a 3.0....hmmmm. Ok another 20 and I get a 3.5. Now it all goes silly. Consistent 2.8-3.3. I stop. Drop about 20 loads into my weight pan and hope it will steady back down. Sure enough, right back on at 4.3. I just don't trust it right now at all. I'm gonna completely take it apart again and clean it all. Gonna call Lyman and get any tips, and also gonna go shopping for some powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 Is your hopper at least half full? Too little powder can cause inconsistent throws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregJ Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 W231 is easily one of the most consistently dropping powders out there. I have used it for years in my LNL, and it always drops consistently. Do you have a baffle in your powder hopper? Maybe it is bridging, but I have never known W231 to bridge. I'm not familar with the Lyman stuff, but something has to be loose or wrong causing the inconsistent throws. Hopefully Lyman can get it fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaggerJoe Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 I agree with Greg. I use HP38 and it meters very well. I'm currently loading 4.8 grs. in my Dillon 550 and I check the powder after every 100 rounds and it is right on 4.8. I wouldn't blame the powder in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 I'd load up ten rounds at 4.2 and 10 rounds at your 3.0 or so (the lighter loads) and take them to the range... See if they print in two different locations on the target? Or, are they one group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ck867 Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Has always been a very consistent powder for me in a Hornady LNL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7mmb Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 If your powder dispenser can't meter a ball powder consistently it's not a powder issue, It's a dispenser issue. Don't go shopping for a different powder, get a different dispenser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Electronic or balance powder measure? I recently had a similar experience with Alliant E3. The problem proved to be the scale I was using, not the powder bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebj06 Posted April 17, 2017 Author Share Posted April 17, 2017 21 hours ago, TommyK said: Electronic or balance powder measure? I recently had a similar experience with Alliant E3. The problem proved to be the scale I was using, not the powder bar. Digital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybayonet Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Check location of your digital scale and be sure it is not getting interferance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Fire a 24 shot group - if they group well, and run at PF - you don't have a powder problem - Might be the scale, or something else, but if the bullets make PF consistently and are accurate enough, there is NO PROBLEM with the ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now