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Make a case for weight or volume of powder charge...

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Land_Owner:
I have always weighed every long gun powder charge, except, as below, those that are thrown by the progressive press (.223's).  Handgun charges are typically progressive thrown and while the setup is weighed to achieve the charge desired, each and every round is not/cannot be weighed, so some reliance on volume is realized as I doubt the progressive is delivering the exact 0.05 grain charge each and every time. 

I state this as I know each powder charge thrown for a weighed long gun round is rarely exact.  If every charge thrown was exact after setup, the need for a powder trickler would be unnecessary.

I have read very few discussions on volumetric charge dispensing.  Some powder manufacturers make ladles for that purpose.  Mostly, powder mfg's publish charge weights.  So I stick to charge weight for long guns and to charge volume for handguns and .223's (as ascertained by first weighing the setup charge) as an accurate substitute in those progressive applications when each charge weight cannot be ascertained.

LaOtto222:
I weigh all my loads, but I do not have a progressive press either. I do have a Chargemaster 1500 that I now use. I do not feel it makes a whole lot of difference if you measure by volume or if you measure by weight for accuracy. I used to throw a light charge, then trickle in the final weight. However, I do feel that the powder type you use for volume measuring is important to get consistant results. A ball powder is ideal for volume measuring. I have not switched over to a progressive, because I feel I do not have as much control over the reloading process. I had all single shot, bolt guns and revolvers, with the exception of rim fire semi-autos, so I did not feel the need for anything but a single stage press. I have recently acquired a Ruger ranch rifle and an auto pistol for self protection. I can see how a progressive would make feeding them convenient. I am detail orientated with my reloading and I just can not get over the feeling of not being in control with a progressive. Bench rest shooters, do it both ways. Some measure by volume right at the shooting bench and some do measure by weight at the reloading bench ahead of the shoot. They both get good results. Again, I do not think it makes a bit of difference how you measure your powder, but it does need to be consistant.

Good Luck and Good Shooting
 

Graybeard:
I've been reloading at least 45 years perhaps longer. In that time I have no idea how many hundreds of thousands of rounds I've loaded for handguns, rifles and shotguns.

In that time I'd hazard a guess I've weighted fewer than a thousand and used volumertic for the rest. That should give you a clue as to my thoughts on the matter. Those I have weighted are primarily for rifle loads with the powder granules that look like small logs. These days I seldom bother with such powders anymore as I just don't like to weight them.

I do now have a Hornady dispenser/scale so in the future might again use more of the logs as the Hornady unit takes the hassle out of weighting charges.

necchi:
Depends on the powder don't it?
Stick powders don't cut or drop real well from a volumetric measure.

yooper77:
I weight all my rifle and handgun loads which are very consistent for all my needs.

yooper77

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