G'day folks,
One of my powder dispensers doesn't have a baffle. I can't find any info on how to adjust them, or even if they are adjustable. On other powder dispensers with baffles, I've tried different heights and can't see a measurable improvement or change in the weight of the powder dispensed. Are they really required?
aj
The idea behind the baffles is to have a uniform weight of powder above the opening on the charge bar. I was taught to use a funnel for the baffle. When I reloaded commercially for a gun shop we didn't bother.
I have never noticed the baffle to make much of a difference.
2cl
In designs like the uniflo and the Dillion measures a baffle can help to equalize the charges. But all baffles are not equal, Culver style measures don't have the kind of baffle that you would recognize if you were used to the Dillon's or the Uniflo's. Instead of a reverse cone style, their baffle is a bushing that controls the flow of powder into the micrometer adjusted powder chamber.
You can make almost any powder measure more efficient and consistent. Baffling is one of the things that helps.
For short range ammo, my variance is +-.04 grains per charge. For long range it is <.02 grains per charge. I get this level of accuracy by weighing the charges.
For highpower out to 600 yards anything less than +- .1 gr is usually just fine. More consistency is just a confidence builder. In the end you judge your ammo, not by your reloading process, not by ed and sd, but by the groups it produces.
Just make one.
Thanks for your inputs. One point remains unanswered: If you do use a baffle. where inside the pipe that holds the powder do you place it; halfway?; at the very bottom?;...; there are literally infinite probabilities.
aj
bottom
So, you're supposed to drop the baffle into the empty powder measure hopper, then fill the hopper with powder?
Just want to make sure I'm understanding this. I've never used one before but I'm going to start.
The baffle goes at the bottom, so the powder that drops down around it has uniform weight above, theoretically resulting in more uniform dispensing. In my experience, it might help with extruded powders but not so much with ball powder, which meters well anyway. Give it a try, though. It's all part of reloading fun.
kenjo
Thanks for the info. O0
I'm probably making this a lot harder than it 's supposed to be. But I'm now a proud baffle owner and began using it as per jmdavis suggestion. So far I can't say that I've noticed any noticeable results, but my parameters are a lot rougher than his. Thanks for all your inputs!!
aj
I use powder baffles from Uniquetek on all my Dillon powder measures. I load on a Dillon 650, and there are several (non warranty voiding) modifications that can be done to the Dillon powder measures and presses to aid in better flow.
Being that this is an Appleseed Forum, I can see that many load for 30-06 and 5.56 and also .308. What I have found, and only on my Dillon, is that taking the powder measure tips for accuracy, that can be found on Uniquetek's website have helped me immensely in achieving uniform loads.
I have done the "polishing" the powder measure tip, I have bought the micrometer powder bar kits for all my measures, and have also ensured that I have wiped clean with rubbing alcohol pads. Another tip for both static, and uniform flow is to wash the clear plastic part of the hopper with hot water and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Then let it air dry in the sun, do not rinse it clean. Seems to help some.
Also, the extruded powders, "stick" powders are notoriusly tough to get meter, I am speaking of IMR 4064, IMR 4895 and H4895 and also Varget. The above mods to my measures have gotten me =/- 2 tenths of a grain accuracy on my reloads.
Other "ball" powders, meter extremely well....if you can find them in stock.
Just my .02 cents.
R/
Chris