Made my FIRST attempt at reloading for an auto today and had issues with my trickle charger ( lyman 1200 DPS 3) Well I did the normal 30 minute warm up and did all calibrations required. Well after doing the zeroing multiple times it seemed to be ok. Well seemed turned out to be scary to me.
I was loading for my G 20 with KKM standard length barrel with 135 noslers and using LOngshot 12 and 12.5 grains and underwood once fired brass and cci 300 primers. Well went to the range and brought my chrony pro and took my shots.. 12 gr gave me an average of 1656 fps. :o and the 12.5 gave me just about 1700 fps :o.
From what I have read I should be well under this. when I came back home I dropped another charge with my Lyman 1200 DPS 3 for 12.5 and then I checked it with my RCBS beam scale and it said 14 or very close to it. This is an older scale I have had for years and I am not sure if these things can have issues or not but I am not sure of it anymore.
Oh to clarify things the 12 grain load was made with the lyman 1200 DPS 3 powder thrower and the 12.5 gr load I just used my Beam scale. With these two loads I would of thought I would of been in the 1500 fps range or close to it. Now I don't trust either at all.
I really need recommendations on a good electric powder measurer. and also a good digital scale that is very accurate. I have lost faith in what I own and need recommendations.
I know my chrony is correct as I have shot Underwoods 135 gr and my load had MORE punch than the underwoods offering and my chrony did give the 1600 fps or close to it with underwoods ammo. Mine had more oomph for sure.
Ok history on myself. I have been reloading for 20+ years but rifle and revolver ammo never auto. this was my first shot at it. Never had I had any kind of issue with my reloading skills or equipment. And I am reloading on a Dillon xl650
Thanks for any assistance
Brian
Brian, I have pulled down the Underwood 135 Nosler's he loads and he was using IMR800X with 11.2 grains and this load developed 1700 in my S&W 1006, it blew the primer out as well. Now using LongShot has shown to run very close in performance grain for grain. If you are running 12.0 or 12.5, you're pushing those pretty good and I'd recommend hand weighed charges ONLY...At this level there isn't much room to have +2.0 grains variations.
Now about your scales, the electronics can drift and that can be made worst in the presence of electrical fields like transformers, fluorescent lights. Wind currents from fans or A/C ducts to an extent. There was a mod that someone did placing a RF Ferrite choke on the line to eliminate stray RF effects. You will see these on many computer and electronics.
Lyman shows this in their FAQ's
QuoteBelow are some helpful troubleshooting hints for getting the most out of your DPS 1200 Electronic Scale:
Be sure to use the adapter supplied with the scale.
110V Adapter – Model: A21535C; AC Adapter; Class 2 Transformer
Input: 120VAC; 60Hz; 7.5W
Output: 15VAC; 350mA
220V Adapter – Model: A21531GC; AC Adapter
Input: 230V; 50Hz
Output: 15V; 310mA; 4.65VA
Verify the voltage switch on the bottom of the unit is toward the correct voltage (110V for US)
Occasionally wipe the unit's exterior and over the scale platform with a used non static dryer sheet such as a Bounce or ClingFree to inhibit static electricity.
Fluorescent lights, portable and cellular phones and other electronic scales and appliances can cause erratic readings. This includes close proximity to furnaces and air conditioners.
Scale must be placed on a stable, level surface, free of vibrations.
Stray grains of powder under the platform will also cause the scale to "drift" and give erratic readings. Carefully lift the platform straight up and sweep away any loose powder.
Verify the scale is in grain mode (GN in window) and that it reads 0.0 when calibrated. If any other reading is present, press the UNIT button until it reads 0.0.
Be sure the dispensing tube is snug inside the unit.
Keep out of drafts.
Always allow the unit to stabilize for 24 hours if it has been in storage or out of service for a while.
Empty immediately after using any nitro-based powders such as Tite Group and L'il Gun as this type of powder can damage the plastic parts.
Be sure to use the restrictor plug with the DPS 3 or Upgrade Kit if the scale is overshooting.
The Lyman DPS Electronic Scale is to be used with smokeless gun powder only. The use of any other material will void all warranties.
With that said I trust my beam scale RCBS 5-10 which has been in use for 35+ years, I clean the "V" blocks with a small brush to keep it clean and free. I have a very cheap digital scale Frankford Arsenal that I use to find unknowns, it with give good readings but will drift with time, so I have to continuously re-zero it for proper readings.
If you are working that close to the edge, you have to absolutely trust your scales 100%! If you don't, you will need to back off and accept the results.
Best regards :D
Shadow thanks for the info. I am checking the weight of each load I put in the brass. But the Lyman was just using the scale that it came with not checked on the Beam RCBS scale. I might just go to Dillon's site and see what they have as I just don't trust my scales anymore.
Thanks for giving me your opinion. Its much appreciated
Brian
I am going to have to check out my Lyman scale again as its been so good for years and years of reloading and NEVER a problem. Most of what they LYman said I did check out anyways. I always blow under the scale for extra powder to build up there. BUt will double check before I totally write it off for good.
Brian
Can you zero the Lyman Scale with the RCBS scale pan on it? The reason I ask is you could weight the load on the lyman and transfer it to the RCBS or back and forth between the two scales to verify each for the same weight.
+1 for what Shadow said.
Quote from: The_Shadow on February 07 2014 09:45:42 PM MST
Can you zero the Lyman Scale with the RCBS scale pan on it? The reason I ask is you could weight the load on the lyman and transfer it to the RCBS or back and forth between the two scales to verify each for the same weight.
shadow that is a great idea. I am going to bring the Lyman indoors as i reload in The garage. Come to think of it the garage door was open as my wife was in the driveway doing stuff. Hmm. Will verify the scale in my house next week as I work weekends.
thanks for the help
Brian
147.8g
That's what my scale pan weighs. If I dump a charge and my RCBS Chargmaster doesn't show -147.8, I know its drifted some. That's the key is having an object with a known weight and check often.
Anyway, I love my Chargmaster. It works well for my style of reloading, which is using a single stage press.
Greg