Help with working a power load

[txdeerhunter]

I am very new to reloading.

I am using HS-6 to load my 9MM. It says to use 6.7 grains. I have the lee power scale. So it says to multiply by .0648 which equals .43416 grams. On the scale is as increments on 10 grams and .1 grams. Am I missing a conversion? Thanks for any help.

[MoJo]

If you are using the same Lee scale that I have it is calibrated in grains.

[txdeerhunter]

Yes, I am useing the Lee power scale. I am loading 115 grain FMJ. Thank you for the help. Can you also show how you got the grains

[Mike1951]

I am curious about what made you think you were working in grams.

Unless using a pharmaceutical scale, your scale should already be in grains, requiring no conversion.

[txdeerhunter]

I am useing grains and not grams. I got confused.

On the scale there is only 10 grain or .1 grain on the scale. I am needing 6.7 grains. With a lee scale or the Power Measure. What is the best way to get a accurate load?

[Mike1951]

Adjust the measure to where it throws a charge close to the desired weight.

I usually throw, weigh, and average ten throws and see where I'm at.

Adjust scale, and repeat as needed until your measure is very close.

If the charge is anywhere close to maximum, adjust for the low side of your desired charge so that a misdrop won't exceed the desired charge.

You will find that it is very important to do everything the same, every time, so that your motions and speed using the measure are consistent.

Averaging ten throws will reveal if your throws are not consistent.

[txdeerhunter]

With 6.7 grains there is still a lot of room left in the shell. I just dont what the shell to blow up on me.

[Mike1951]

I don't think you have to worry about low powder pressure spikes in a 9mm. The risk is usually in larger cases with reduced charges.

What is more likely to happen and a greater risk is that when the powder doesn't fill the case sufficiently, it is possible to throw a double charge and not notice it.

If you don't have one, get a tray to hold the cases that you're processing.

After dumping the charge into each, carefully observe the powder levels in the cases. A double charge will be visible.

This may be the greatest risk a novice faces.

Also, stay away from maximum charges. All you want to do is approximate factory performance.

NEVER rely on one source for your data. I used to recommend that everyone own 3-4 reloading manuals. This isn't necessary now because the data is available online. Multiple sources because you will occasionally see conflicting data, sometimes even exceeding recommended max charges from another source.

[age_ranger]

Speaking from experience............





Definitely invest in a good, reliable measure and scale. While my kaboom is the result of either a double charge or a bad case, I was 99.999999% sure I did not have a double charge but as you can see, accidents DO happen. When working a load, start at 10% below recommended powder charge and work it up in velocity to reach the desired results. Mike is spot on........invest in some reloading manuals and do some good reading up on it.

[O6nop]

I am useing grains and not grams. I got confused.

On the scale there is only 10 grain or .1 grain on the scale. I am needing 6.7 grains. With a lee scale or the Power Measure. What is the best way to get a accurate load?

The scale has three levels of the measurement
the steel ball sets the 10x,
the sliding bar to the right of the balance point, has a small window above the 'N' in 'GRAINS' that reveals the 1x,
there is a longer window with slots above the numbers '9 8 7 6...' for the .1x.
This .1x window shows white lines visible one at a time. As you slide it to the left or right, the lines appear above different numbers while the number in the grain window changes as well.

For 6.7 grains the steel ball is on '0' (zero), the grains window will show 6, then slide it slightly toward the 7 and stop when the white line appears in the 7 slot in the .1x window. Very confusing, I know but make sure you read the pamphlet that comes with the scale.

Also, make sure you 'zero' the scale.

Good Luck!

[Fosforos]

The 1/10th grains window on the top can be very hard to read. Made sure you are looking at it at eye level. You will see 3 white lines, and the middle one is the one that counts. This gets a little complicated with .9 and .0 readings. With those, "the middle one" still counts, but the right and left lines might be at the other end.