Last 2 reloading questions for awhile-I promise

[Eric M]

also H4831 does not flow very well due to the shape, if you ever load a spherical powder they flow much better.
Carl

That's what I figured after 3 hours and then a couple more hours of research. The only other powders I have right now is IMR 7828 which looks very similiar or the H4895 which is finer but the same shape. I really didn't want to start with the 4895 either since it's more for my 22-250 (although the Hodgdon site does have a load for it). So is that the shape of all Hodgdon powders or is it just what I'm seeing now. I'm loading for my 270 first so I was going to eventually pick up some H4350 and a few others. I guess I can do each round manually with this powder for now. I'm trying to take this slow anyway. Thanks for the response.

[Eric M]

When I use my powder dispenser I always give the handle a little "tap-tap" on each stroke.  I set it lower than the desired charge weight and trickle the remaining amount in.

Like Carl said, part of what you are experiencing is simply due to the powder.

I was trying to do it as you suggest. The handle was actually getting hung up partway through, like it was getting stuck in the powder. As inconsistent as it is right now I have it set to give me charges like you suggest. It's just not working with any consistency. Thanks

[Eric M]

also H4831 does not flow very well due to the shape, if you ever load a spherical powder they flow much better.
Carl


That's what I figured after 3 hours and then a couple more hours of research. The only other powders I have right now is IMR 7828 which looks very similiar or the H4895 which is finer but the same shape. I really didn't want to start with the 4895 either since it's more for my 22-250 (although the Hodgdon site does have a load for it). So is that the shape of all Hodgdon powders or is it just what I'm seeing now? I'm loading for my 270 first so I was going to eventually pick up some H4350 and a few others. I guess I can do each round manually with this powder for now. I'm trying to take this slow anyway. Thanks for the response.

[Eric M]

also H4831 does not flow very well due to the shape, if you ever load a spherical powder they flow much better.
Carl

What Carl said is true.  Also your powder measure is "bridging" on you and not dumping a full load as some powder is getting stuck in the drop tube.  One thing to watch for is when it dumps a full load AND also what is stuck in the drop tube.   When I used a measure with 4831 I would set it a bit light and then use a trickler to bring it up to the proper weight.  All charges would be measured on the scale.   Also, rap the measure a couple of times each throw to sort of break up the bridging if it is occurring

Ball powder and short cut stick measure so much better. Ball usually throws the same every throw.  Short cut stick minimizes bridging.

Thank you for the tips. And yes I did see what you are talking about with it dumping heavier loads. I think I will turn it down another turn or so and do as you suggest. Planned on taking it really slowly anyway. Thanks again

[Eric M]

So I'm all set up and messing with my dies. I actually loaded my first 10 130G Hornady SP with H4831 and a starting load of 56 grains ( per the website and the annual magazine). This brings me to my first question- I was thinking of trying out the H4831 SC thinking it would cycle through the powder measurer better maybe? Just out of curiosity does anyone know much about the difference between these two powders? Besides being "short cut" when looking at starting loads the Berger manual for instance gives me a start load of 53 grains with the SC, but I'm given a start load of 56 with the 4831. Just puzzled me a little.

So my second question (finally) is about my dies. I am using new brass for my first loads, but I wanted to practice using my sizing die. According to the flyer that comes with the RCBS dies, I have the steel version not carbide. When I put my old brass in the press it expends the primer no problem but seems to catch when withdrawing the case. It did this 4 times in a row so I stopped because I was worried about damaging the die somehow. Is this normal or did I set the die incorrectly?

Thanks. I appreciate all the responses and pm's from this thread.

[jaymark6655]

So my second question (finally) is about my dies. I am using new brass for my first loads, but I wanted to practice using my sizing die. According to the flyer that comes with the RCBS dies, I have the steel version not carbide. When I put my old brass in the press it expends the primer no problem but seems to catch when withdrawing the case. It did this 4 times in a row so I stopped because I was worried about damaging the die somehow. Is this normal or did I set the die incorrectly?

Are you putting any case lube on, they could be sticking a little or it could just be the mandrel inside the case being pulled back through the mouth of the case to size it.

[JLS]

The S C powder has a different burn rate, hence the different charges.

The catch you are feeling is the expander ball going through the neck.  Put a little case lube on the nylon brush and run that in the case neck prior to sizing.  It doesn't take much lube.

[Jason]

H4831sc and H4831 have the exact same burn rate according to the manufacture, the only difference in the two is the H4831sc is a shorter cut granule so that it meters better in your powder measure. I have used both have seen no difference in the two.
Don't mix up h4831/h4831sc with IMR4831 as these are two different powders with completely different burn rates.

Make sure you use case lube on all brass when using steel dies, and yes most all rifle dies are steel.

[hogslayer]

My press does the same thing when re-sizing bullets.  It is the neck sticking in the expander on the way out.  Just catches on the way out. 

[copasj]

I have H-4895 and H-4831sc at home.  If I remember correctly they are about the same size and shape. H-4831sc and H-4831 are supposed to be the same burn rate and interchangeable per the manufacturer.

If you want to throw charges instead of measure them on a scale, I would recommend you get a ball powder instead of extruded. 

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Bill W]

One way to stop that squeaking is replace the steel ball with a carbide expander ball.  Either that or lube the inside of the necks.

[Eric M]

Thanks for all the responses. Someday I'll do a youtube video of all these things I'm going through now. I tried to lube the case necks but I was worried about sticking too much in the casing so it makes sense that's what it was. Good information on the powders. It still seems odd to me though the burn rate is the same but starting loads would be different. I have more to read though.

[Eric M]

I have H-4895 and H-4831sc at home.  If I remember correctly they are about the same size and shape. H-4831sc and H-4831 are supposed to be the same burn rate and interchangeable per the manufacturer.

If you want to throw charges instead of measure them on a scale, I would recommend you get a ball powder instead of extruded. 

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I probably will go to ball powder at some point when I figure out what powders are ball. A friend recommended 4831 was a good powder for accuracy so I thought I'd try it. Thanks!

[Curly]

H4831 is considered the go-to powder to the 270 Win.  I wouldn't switch to ball powder just because of metering thru your powder thrower.  The short cut version will meter better.  You should try that. 

[theleo]

Thanks for all the responses. Someday I'll do a youtube video of all these things I'm going through now. I tried to lube the case necks but I was worried about sticking too much in the casing so it makes sense that's what it was. Good information on the powders. It still seems odd to me though the burn rate is the same but starting loads would be different. I have more to read though.

Run them through a case tumbler after you've resized them or just use some Hornady One shot lube sprayed up into the die every so often. My brass gets put into a bread bag, get's a few shot of case lube, shaken up, and then ran through the sizing die. The only cartridge that causes issues for me is 280ai.

The burn rates are the same but that's a relative idea. Small variations in powders from lot to lot changes companies data because it changes pressures in there equipment. It's the reason target shooters buy every thing in large quantities. The benefits of the SC powders is they meter and condense in the case better. A condensed load with H4831 will normally leave you with extra room if you do the same load with H4831SC.

Ball powders are usually described as "Spherical" powders by the manufacturers. Hodgdon actually separates them out for easy reference. They can pose other issues to obtaining accuracy but they're generally not insurmountable. What youre rifle likes is first and foremost. For hunting loads, having to use your powder trickler for a few rounds a year isn't that big of a deal.