Running, Screaming into the Boondocks....
Picked up a Lyman #55 Black Powder Measure. The drop tube on the powder measure is Ύ. When I dropped a charge it appeared, to me, to fill the case more than I expected.
I weighted the charge and it was correct. I dropped another charge and it filled the case to the same point.
The case is 2.1255 long. The charge is within 0.059 of the lip after inserting the 0.03 card wad.
I dropped a measure into the scale pan, being very careful not to lose any. The weight was what expected.
Then I trickled the powder down my home-made ½ drop tube. The charge was lower in the case.
The case is 2.1250 long. The case is within 0.153 of the lip after inserting the 0.03 card wad.
The charges will be compressed, with the compression die, to the same depth as in the previous two tests to keep the OAL the same.
CONSISTENCY is the key. My previous two tests used the home-made drop tube.
By compressing to the same depth as before, the amount of measured compression is going to be greater.
BUT the compression should be the same, just more of it was provided by using the ½ drop tube.
And Ive got more kinks than a twisty tie
. HELP.
Is my previous testing screwed?
Should I drop my charges into the scale pan and trickle them through my home-made drop tube?
Am I wondering about nothing and should just go ahead?