I am new to reloading and I have a Hornady Pro-Jector Progressive Press. I recently began reloading .45 ACP and I started by setting up some test loads ranging from 4.4 to 5.4 grs of W231 (using .2 gr increments) in once-shot Speer brass.

So two problems I noticed were that the amount of powder being thrown varied by a half to a whole gr or so even between just a few (5 or so) cartridges and the second problem was that every few cartridges would not be smoothly kicked off the shell plate.

As far as the second problem is concerned I assume something on the press needs adjusting, perhaps tightening up the shell plate or adjusting the timing? The first problem I am less certain of how to fix.

I bought the press used and it is not a Lock-N-Load, it's the earlier Hornady press and the micrometer on the powder measure certainly looks used, but, not necessarily abused.

Do you think replacing the micrometer will improve the consistency of powder measured and thrown?

Thanks for the advice.

Tim

I don't own a progressive so I can't speak from experience on your tools.

Make sure all is clean.

cycle the measure several/many times to see if as the powder settles does it get more consistant?

Keep the hopper full.

That is all I have to suggest.


Cheezywan

Most powders need a few cycles through the measure before they flow uniformly. W231 isn't bad but the flake powders need around a dozen dumps before they settle down. A smooth steady stroke helps, so try to move the press handle at the same speed every time with no jerkiness.

Static can be a problem at this time of year.

Bye
Jack

Does the measure have a powder baffle installed? That would be a metal plate lie an inverted "V" with large holes in it.

If not, buy one. They are almost indispensable (not to make a pun) when dispensing flake or rolled ball powders.

In my experience, a used measure should treated like a new one. Take it apart and clean it out. I once found insect cocoon parts in some used dies I was given. They could be in your powder measure, too.

Wipe the plastic parts of the measure with a clothes drier fabric softener sheet to relieve them of static cling. Dry off the drum and the inside of the micrometer with denatured alcohol to get rid of any oil. If there is a metal powder drop tube, it gets this treatment, too. Use a pink pencil eraser to remove rust. Get a little bottle of powdered graphite from your local hardware store and burnish it into the micrometer tip, the cylinder, drum and powder chamber inside the drum with clean, dry rags, and put it all back together. If you have enough graphite powder, run it through the measure like powder a few times. Open the micrometer adjustment wide and run a hopper full of powder through it once. Put the powder back, and return the micrometer to your original setting.

There is no excuse for even a poor measure refusing to throw 231 with more than about 0.5 grains of spread. I can do that with powder dippers blind-folded. 0.3 grains of spread or better should be your expectation. Do check that your press linkages to the measure open and close it completely, and are not out of adjustment. If, after all this, it still won't behave, call Hornady. They may know of a problem that can be fixed?

Per Rocky's suggestion, from one of my earlier posts, the file below is do-it-yourself baffle making instructions, including four pages of templates.

Now, in my defense you have to remember that I am a newbie. I figured out what the problem was, though it was not apparent until I took the powder measure apart. I thought the set screw on the micrometer stem merely held it in place in the powder measure, so I did not think to tighten it. I now realize that once you set the micrometer to throw the desired amount of powder you have to tighten the set screw so the micrometer does not drift while you are reloading.

This is a "minor" detail I either missed or was not covered in the few reloading manuals I picked up.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Tim