Powder measuring suggestions ....for the accuracy nuts..

[Scotsgun]

I'll freely admit that my reloading has always been a bit rough and ready.

I essentially use an RCBS powder dispenser. I'll adjust the measure until it throws three consecutive charges which my lee beam type scales say are roughly the same and then knock the rest of the loads out.

However i recently attended a guy's chat in which he's thrown my practices in doubt. Afterwards he got me to throw 10 loads using my typical routine and then measured them using his super accurate digital scales. I must admit that i was unconcerned by the spread until he showed mathmatically how this effected the bullet velocities. Perhaps not so important with my 308 but more so my fussy 25-06 and 22-250.

His final 2 comments were:

1. Why am i making life hard for myself by trying to shoot accurately out to 1200yds yet accepting sloppy reloads?

2. The easiest method of improving the consistency of my reloads is using a more accurate mechanical dispenser (digital being more expensive) and checking the throws more often.

Question: So, for those who have sleepless nights worrying about the 1/100th of a gr, can you recommend an accurate dispenser that won't bankrupt me?

[phaedra1106]

For a lot of my .308 I just use a Lee Perfect powder measure direct into the case, these loads my son uses as he's not into tiny groups just happy if he can see 20 holes for 20 shots!.

For my own loads I use the old fashioned plastic scoop and a nice heavy RCBS trickler into a set of RCBS 5-0-5 scales (much better than the Lee ones I also have) this gives a very consistent powder weight.

[dromia]

The Target Master Trickler!

If you already have a balance beam scale (not Lee) and a volume powder dispenser, then for £101 to your door you will have a set up that is more accurate and faster than your RCBS chargemaster and its cousins. Its designed and made in the UK and has stood the test of time.

Allan the designer/maker is also a member and contributor here.

Here's my take on it last September.

"I've had this unit now for a couple of weeks and have loaded up 500 rounds or so of ammunition with it so feel able to comment on it again. I had one in my pistol shooting days but it went the journey after the ban along with a lot of other stuff that I should have held onto.

I was very pleased to see that the unit was still being made and brought back memories of better days although I have to confess that the units existence had gone from my memory.

I don't propose to describe the unit in detail as Allan who designed and made the unit has an excellent You Tube video that you can access from his website.

http://www.targetmasteruk.com/

What has been particularly interesting in revisting this tool is how my handloading needs have changed (loading for rifle rather than pistol and consequenly having to load larger charges of powder) along with the tools such as the digtal wonders that we call powder dispensers,.

The Target Master does not claim to be an electronic powder dispenser it is clearly sold as a powder trickler and as such very accuratley trickles up to your chosen charge weight, it does not do quick volume dumps into your scale pan like the Pact Dispenser, Hornady Accumeasure or the RCBS Charge Master.

However if you own a beam balance scale and a powder dispenser, Lee scoops or such like, then with the Target Master then you can get the same result.

I have had a Pact powder dispenser system now for quiet a few years and it has given sterling service. It will dispense a charge of 40 gns of Vihtavuori N140 in around 20 seconds and by the time you've dumped the powder in to the case, put the pan back on the scale and set it away to charge you are getting one case loaded with powder every 30 seconds.

However when using the Target Master if you set your powder thrower to just under 40 grains say 39.5, dump that into the pan, put it on the scale and set the Target Master away you can easily do the same cycle in 25 seconds.

Now I know reloading isn't a race and speed is dangerous at the bench but I am giving you these times to illustrate what a cracking tool the Target Master is and how it gives nothing away to the more modern mousetraps even although that is not what is was designed for.

The best thing about it however is its accuracy, it has been spot on every time for me and I've never had to return a load to the hopper, accuracy is what the designer made it for and it delivers that consistently and flawlessly.

Set up is easy just follow the clear instructions provided and away you go.

One of the great things about the system for me is its simplicity of design and the mechanical nature of operation, I always prefer beam scales to electronic, you can see how they work and they are simple in operation. With digital you have to trust electric numbers on a screen and some clever inside invisble electronic gadgetry to actually weigh your load. At the end of the day the Target Master is simply a photo electric switch that turns off an electric powered trickler when your scales tell it to. Now that is simple enough for me to understand and I find that reassuring.

The Target Master is only £101 delivered, so if you have a powder dispenser and a suitable balance beam scale then you can have one of the most accurate trickling/powder dispensing systems available to hand loaders and one that works as least as well as, and in my opinion better than powder dispensing systems costing three times as much.

The Target Master's simple, accurate, and functional elegance by far outshines the showy, feature ridden, speed driven, digital dispensers.

I'm a convert, again.

Buy one, you won't be dissappointed.

British made and British designed, it must be one of the few manufacturing businesses left in the UK.

Buy one (or as I did buy two) and help us beat the recession. "

[tikkathreebarrels]

I use one o' dem RCBS beam scales normally but I've got some 6br to load so I'll start on the beam scales and throw them onto my digital 1/100th of a grain pan scale device.
Bulk loading 303 for etr is one thing, F Class vbulls ate another!

[Sim G]

can you recommend an accurate dispenser that won't bankrupt me?

The cheapest possible option is simply a set of Lee powder dippers, a good scale and a trickler......... oh and just bit of finese and patience. (I appreciate a bit difficult for you "Bird Sh1te" types!)

[spud]

ive been playing about with the targetmaster for a day or two now and im that impressed i am now about to buy one, i may even sell my beloved dps 3's
i do also use acculabs 123 for really precision weighing down to the last kernal

[rox]

Question: So, for those who have sleepless nights worrying about the 1/100th of a gr, can you recommend an accurate dispenser that won't bankrupt me?

I use the RCBS 5-0-5, an RCBS Chargemaster, and an A&D FX-120i milligram balance - a 'proper' milligram balance with a magnetic force restoration load cell, not your cheap strain-gauge stuff smile2.

..

[Scotsgun]

OK, so essentially i'm looking at investing in some digital scales or another beam set in order to use the target master.

Thanks for the advice folks.

[John MH]

Get a set of Scott Parker tuned beam scales, can't go wrong with them and a Targetmaster.

[spud]

Get a set of Scott Parker tuned beam scales, can't go wrong with them and a Targetmaster.