I just ran across this on the Mec website when looking for parts..which is considerably different from Hodgon's bushing charts.

Longshot Powder conversion ..

Mecs web site...#15 Mec bushing =17.2 grains

Hodgon Web site...#15 Mec Bushing= 16.1 grains

According to digital scales...Mec 650 Progressive Loader drops 14.6 grains with #15 Mec bushing.

Is this common...???

Stan...

It is, they're just estimates, that are never accurate. Just use them as a guide to get close to what you want and then weigh a few drops to get the charge weight you're looking for.

That's good to know..I guess I'm releived?

I'm sure surprised there is that much variance in published numbers...

I'm little surprised about what my what my loader is dropping too. Makes me doubt my scales accuracy.

Thanks..Stan

You should have a test weight that you can use to check your scale. HMB

I would doubt the bushung before I would doubt the scale---for sure.

Chuck

MEC is always low because many people are using their single stage loaders. When you pull the handle multiple times per shell it causes more powder to settle in the bushing than on say a 9000 model. I always go up one bushing from what MEC recommends for my progressives and then weigh the drop.

Always let your scales be the true test.

You'll also find that the bar usually drops 1 1/16 oz shot in lieu of 1 1/8oz.

Scale everything. Don't assume a new bottle of powder will weigh the same as the old one either.

I bought a used digital scale at the Pate Swap meet this spring. It is a nearly new nice one with a receipt from Cabellas. I calibrated it numerous times while tuning my Mec. It just seems odd to me that it would be that far from either Hogdon or Mec's published data.

In fact I decided that maybe I needed a back up scale and have RCBS beam scale comming...much simplier and less likely to get out of whack. Should be here tomorrow then I can compare the two.

Stan...

The bushing charts are just a starting point. Every batch of powder will weigh different so get use to weighing everything as Setterman said. Do not ever just load by bushing chart numbers. Always load by your scale. When you are loading you should spot check loads to make sure nothing has changed. Remember your reloads do not just affect your safety but also those around you.

i've forgotten the exact details, but i ran across an industry note a few years back: manufactures are allowed something like a +/- 7% variance between batches. that means you could potentially have a 14% swing in weights, per unit volume, between two different batches of the same powder. 14% of mecs 17.2 grs = 2.4 grs. 17.2 - 2.4 = 14.8. that's pretty close to your 14.6 grs. plus i doubt that mec grinds their bushings to nasa standards either. put it all together and there you go. just sayin. good luck with it_

Yes the charts will weigh out less that they say for each powder as has been said it is a starting point I have herad this is for saftey reasons. I started with the bushing for the drop I wanted then waighed out ten drops and took the average it was less powder so I moved to larger bushings until I got to the drop I was looking for. I check my drop every 200-300 shells and check speed on a regular basis. I also reamed out the shot hole to get a closer drop. I have a Mec 650 progressive loader.

Powders and primers have changed over the years as the manufactures have changed raw materials or manfacturing processes and in some cases one company sold to another company who made changes to the powders and primers to suit their processes. This is why a thirty year old so called tried and true loading recipe may not be valid to the point of being dangerous, it's why it's important to stay current with updated manufacturers recipes. Nothings more scary than some guy ringing in here with an outdated recipe that's way past current information.

As other have said, every batch of powder must be weighed to stay safe. It's very rare one batch of powder to another weighs the same, that's one reason whay every container has a batch number. The differences between the reloader manufacturer and the powder manufacturers powder drops based on bushing size illustrates just how changes made by the powder manufacturer make a huge difference.

Surfer

Stan, You know you should weight or not use the first three drops of powder after you start out and have just filled the powder bottle on any progressive reloader!!! It can take 2-3 drops to start dropping the proper powder drops because of clogging when filling the bottles when they are dead empty. I always try to re-fill the powder bottle while it has around l/2-to l/3 the powder still in it, so I don't have to start re-weighting the next three drops again. Just a FYI for you. break em all Jeff

In my case..I loaded a few shells after the initial drop,weighing and tuning the machine...then spot checked 25 or so shells later...then a 100 or so later an then about 200 later. They were all pretty constant give or take (1) tenth or (2) tenths grns. The shot was light all the way ...but close in volume.

I must confess I didn't check the last ones when the bottles were about through/empty. Just found a convenient place and finished out.

Stan...

Powders may vary from lot to lot. I sujest a powder baffle on the Mec loaders. That keeps the weight distributed and keeps it from dropping heavier with a full bottle. Usually Mec bushings do drop a tad light.For instance my single stage loader drops almost a full grain light with Green Dot.The latest Chart says a 31 Bus. drops 19 grains of Green Dot, but I have to go to a 32 to get that. The "only" way to be sure is WEIGH some charges with the lot of powder you have on hand.

MEC told me that there can be as much as a 1.5 grain drop difference between their single stage and progressive machines. I load my practice loads on a 9000 and my ATA shells on a single stage Sizemaster. There is a 2 bushing difference between the two machines to get the same powder drop.

No kidding...That seems excessive to me...wonder what makes the big difference.???

The difference is that you pull the handle once to get a loaded shell between powder drops on the 9000. On the sizemaster you pull the handle 6 times between powder drops, this causes the powder to settle down in the bushing and increases the drop weight. HMB

I wasn't going to post that twice...

Thanks and duly noted the first time claybrdr...and seconded by HMB.

It still seems excessive to me. That much deviation makes reloading very unpredictable with that kind of variable....regardless of what amount of shaking is going on.

I have noticed quite a bit of variation with my progressive Mec 650 from my first drops to a couple of hundred shells later. (14.6 to 15.7 grns. to be precise this time around...28 gauge)...and I'm really attempting to be very smooth with my pulls....trying not to rattle the loader a lot.

I just received the red plastic baffels...which I am hoping will add to the stability of the drop. In the mean time I'm going to reduce the size of the bushing because I would rather be light on the powder than heavy....especially in the higher pressure subgauge reloads.

Best regards..Stan

Unless they've changed their stance, Mec says not to use baffles especially plastic, you might call and ask why.

Surfer

Ha ha..well that figures...

However there is a LOT of good press from loaders on this forum that swear by them...and several at our club too..

So who knows ???...I guess I'll give them a try and post my results when I have time to try them out.

Thanks..Stan

I have a Mec chart that lists;

#30 bushing at 17.8gr. Red Dot

It is actually dropping 16.3 - 16.5 gr.

I'm using 1 oz. shot in an STS hull

The first box that I loaded and shot------24 broken birds.

Works fine with a considerable reduction in recoil.

Chuck

P.S. Today is Tuesday. I was just loading again and checked my charges ---today the #30 bushing is dropping 16.9-17.2 grains of Red Dot.

Even with the progressive loader the bushing is emptied every pull of the handle. How does powder settle if it's not there???????

Ken