4350 and metering issues


wtnhunt

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Anyone have any tips for imr 4350 in a lock n load measure?  Called hornady a while back and they suggested running graphite through it, did that and no change.  Throws half loads or partial some times and then will dump the part that did not go on the last load with the right amount and overcharge/overflow the next round.  Been hand measuring each load with this powder, ready to move to a more efficient method.  Should I look at a different measure or is this a consistent issue with stick powders in most measures?  

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Never was happy with the way any tumbler measure threw any stick powder.  Some of the finer sticks like IMR-3031 aren't TOO bad.  IMR-7828..............forget about it.   I load my centerfires for precision.

I have an age old Redding tumbler measure.  It's very good.  But not good enough.  What I have been doing for decades is setting the measure to throw about 1-2 grains light.  Then I put the pan of powder on my RCBS balance scale and using an RCBS trickler, I manually run the last little bit in PRECISELY.  Takes some extra time.  But the holes in your paper  at 100 or 200 or 600 yards will reflect the extra effort.

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Thanks Don.  

Got tired of the lnl measure causing me to spill powder with the 4350 and still having to measure every load.  Been pouring straight from a 1 lb can into the pan and usually get pretty close to 48-50 or so grains of powder eyeballing it then trickle to finish off. Loading 52 grains for .270 hunting loads.  Guess the way I been doing, while not at all efficient, may be the only way for the 270 and 243 so long as I continue with the 4350.  Will probably be quite a while since i have several cans of it.  

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Wtn do have a powder baffle in the measure? You see most powder measures were designed for ball powder,  4350 is extruded. I'm also having problems with my RCBS powder measure. Baffles keep the powder weight off your metering mechanism which will give you a more accurate measure with less chance of over or under charge. I still have not bought a baffle for mine just said heck with it and hand measure all my hand loads each and everyone has less variance with velocity and accuracy which make them more consistent. Baffles up here are about $15 so I would imagine somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 where you are and most places.that sell reloading equipment should have them or could get them from Hornady. Before you buy one get in contact with Hornady and ask them a few questions to see if that will maybe solve your problem. I hope this helps a little or a bunch.

 

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Thanks for that suggestion.  The measure came with a baffle, tried with and without and seems to make little difference with the 4350.  I may not have had it setup quite right, will definitely try it with it again though.  

When I called them Hornady gave the suggestion to run some graphite through the measure which I have done, the tech there had no other suggestions other than to use a different powder. Loading for .243 and .270 with the 4350. 

 

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