Shiloh Rifle Forums

What is the heaviest charge of Swiss 1 1/2 a Redding BR-30 can throw? It is listed as 10-to 50 grains...smokeless I am sure.

It appears the lack of response to this question answers it. Evidently the BR-30 powder measurer does not have the capacity to throw a charge heavy enough for the black powder cartridges we use.

I'm sorry I forgot to check what Redding I have but whatever it is, it will through in excess of 105 grs. I just don't remember the model number, and I am not at home where I can check it. It's a darn nice measure however.

FWIW, a RCBS uniflow with micrometric rifle powder drum will not even throw 70 grains, I just do 2 throws...

MartiniBelgian,

Your statement is correct for the smaller drum. However, the larger drum with micrometer will throw much heavier charges, more than adequate for .40-65, .45-70, .45-90, and .40-70ss.

I have two RCBS Uniflow measures, one with small drum, one with large. Anything with powder charge smaller than ~50 gr. or uses the small drum, anything larger and all my BPCR loading uses the larger.

Clarence

The same is true of the Redding. They also have two size micrometer drums. Both of my Reddings are preset for a specific charge and I don't want to change them to check what the maximum is. That's why I didn't respond and still can't.

Woody

My Redding will drop 105 grains. Maybe it's different then what you guys have ??

My Redding doesn't have a model number on the body but the measure says Match Grade #3 BR - it will throw at least 107.5 grs of 1.5f. this is the newer style of redding (green body). I have an old one too, like Kurt's, only different

Thanks for the replies guys. My reason for asking was that I have not been able to get the precision I want with my Redding #3-BR. My hope was that the BR30 would be more precise and beat the +/_ .25 grains I am now getting while having the capacity for loading 40-65 and 45-70 rounds. Looks like I need to start working on my powder throwing technique!

Personally, I will admit that the precision of all of my powder measures have NEVER approached IA (Internet Adequacy) levels.

But two or three things have helped.
1. I frequently top off my hopper rather then running it to near empty or even much below half empty. that middle third seems to be the best.

2. A baffle if you don't have one. My hopper is an aftermarket which includes a baffle in it.

3. Before I start I run at least 10-15 drops, or I tap the side of the hopper a while to settle it like it will do anyway as I use it.

4. I used to weigh my powder to +/- 0.01 grns (no typo there). It was a complete waste of time

5. In 2014, Jerry Vanwey won the BPCR scope class nationals using powder charges and bullets that were never weighed. Beat me and my +/-0.01 weighed bullets and powder by 1 point.

The only way I found to make a powder drop consistent is to put a small permanent magnet motor with a counter weight like a vibrating case cleaner. Just a simple small motor you can run off flashlight batteries and mount it on a shelf the drop is mounted on or even make a bracket to mount it right on the hopper, this works best, and lift the lever to fill the hopper and let the powder settle. Let the powder drop and lift the handle so the powder has a chance to settle in the drum while your adding the wad to the case and compress if you want. By this time the powder has settled and drop/repeat. You will find that it will be very accurate. Drops like the redding....mine anyway I don't know how the new once are build but mine has a round hole vertical unlike a Lyman horizontal that has a plate over the drum that can create a void where the powder won't fill under it if that plate is extended over the drum. Even a muffin fan with blades cut off and a wall power supply will do a fine job.