Powder Throws Not Consident-Help

[Kenm]

I am new to reloading and am having a problem in my powder weight being consident. I am using a RCBS Uniflow Powder Measurer with TiteGroup. I am loading 124 gr 9mm. I set up for 3.9 gr and check the first 10 and they are all exact. I load the next 10 and they are still at 3.9. Load an additional 10 and I am at 4.1. Load and additional 10 am up to 4.4.

I thought something was loosening up as I went along so I have checked to make sure everything is tight and that does not appear to be the problem. I then thought maybe the powder was compacting as I used it and this was causing the amount of powder to increase. I tapped the chamber to make the powder compact and this did not change anything.

At this point I am not sure what to do next.

[cntrolsguy]

Have you checked to make sure it's not the scale?

[Kenm]

Yes I have...sorry forgot to mention that.

[brando]

I've noticed in the past that my Uniflow would throw off a bit as the reservoir got towards 1/3 full, but that was with rifle loads. I can't imagine 30-60gr making much of a difference in your case.

[24Sailor]

Does your Uniflow have a powder baffle? It helps and is a pretty cheap accessory. It keeps a uniform weight above the drum regardless of reservoir content. BUT YOU STILL NEED TO CHECK AND RECHECK as you go. I bought one for mine and it has improved throw consistency quite well

[bohoki]

are you going down then up

or up then down

with my lee it seems to work better going down then up

leaving its default mode full of powder so it can settle while i am seating the bullet

[Whiterabbit]

Funny you mention that. I tried the exact same thing, (I also have the uniflow like the OP) and had better luck going down then up, which does the opposite as the lee. Leaves the default as empty so it DOESN'T compact and raise the weight.

After that, for me it was consistency. Keep the same timing with the down-up motion, never tap the walls (or only rarely, with the chamber facing towards the dropping action, not the loading action) and my consistency is much better.

I should also mention I've never filled my hoper more than 1/3rd of the way, usually far far less. I've never reloaded more than 5000 grains in one shot, and refilled my hopper three times, so never more than 2000 grains in my hopper.

dunno if that has anything to do with it either.

[five.five-six]

2 things,

make sure you are doing the same speed motions every time,

did you clean all the packing oil off your uniflow before you started using it :doh:

[Kenm]

I thought I was supposed to clean it per the instructions but when I was talking with RCBS Customer Service they told me not to clean.

[damndave]

I thought I was supposed to clean it per the instructions but when I was talking with RCBS Customer Service they told me not to clean.

I would always clean it.

[five.five-six]

I thought I was supposed to clean it per the instructions but when I was talking with RCBS Customer Service they told me not to clean.

that's yer problem right there..... I personaly have never made that mistake

[anyracoon]

Small or large cylinder?

[Kenm]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post for help. Contacted RCBS again about cleaning and they told me not to use the die cleaner but to use alcohol and it worked perfectly. The next day went to into hospital to get 8-2" screws and 6 rods in my back. They promise me a year of pure hell for recovery. Hope they are wrong.

[sequoia_nomad]

They promise me a year of pure hell for recovery. Hope they are wrong.

Who, Rcbs? They usually know their stuff.

[Butthead]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post for help. Contacted RCBS again about cleaning and they told me not to use the die cleaner but to use alcohol and it worked perfectly. The next day went to into hospital to get 8-2" screws and 6 rods in my back. They promise me a year of pure hell for recovery. Hope they are wrong.

Good luck with the back. I have 4 screws and 3 plates(plus fusion). Recovery was about 3 months to get to 80%. Another 6 to get to 100%. Hang in there, pain free days ahead. Pain was not all that bad. First 2-3 weeks maybe but after that youll be pretty happy your backs not REALLY hurting any longer.