Powder question
 

I'm almost all set up and ready to try and reload some shells. What's the least amount of powder that should be poured into the tube? Also today is a cool rainy day, does it make a difference and for how long can the powder stay in the tube? I'm using IMR SR-7625 if it makes a difference.

angel i would only pour a small amount of powder to load only a few shells to make sure its dropping the rite amount of powder..i would weigh the powder for each shell that loader drops into a hull a few times to make sure its being consistant.. after that you can pour all you want to in it...the weather will not effect the powder in the loader as long as the room temperature stays fairly normal.. it aint gonna take you long to get the hang of this reloading... let us know how you come out... charlie

Thank you Charlie. I have the scale ready so I'll be sure to weight at least 5 podwer and 5 shot charges to check on the bushings and make sure I'm getting what I'm supposed to get.

The least amount of powder theoretically that needs to be poured into the powder tube is just enough to fill the powder bushing, but why would you want to do that? I would recommend you put in at least enough powder to be visible in the tube. You'll find the P-W tubes are easy to drain and bushings can be changed with the tubes filled with powder and shot.

It's good practice to weigh out your powder charges with each lot of powder, you will find that they will vary a little. I have found that my P-W powder bushings in general, drop a couple of tenths less than the chart says they'll drop. I wouldn't be overly concerned with how long the powder sits in the tube--unless you're talking months or even years.

Thanks for the advice Greg!!

If you leave powder in the tube after a loading session, it's a good idea to label the tube for what's in it. I do that with my MEC bottles since it's sort of risky to try and ID it later by comparing the grain/flake appearance to a known powder.

Ah,, good idea!!

That's what my PW 375 and my bench looked like in 1964, the day I set it up. From that time forward, it didn't look quite like that. What is the serial number of the new 375? Mine is #1414.

#42782..In like new condition. I can't wait to brake it in.

Some like to keep the tube at least 1/2 full. They believe the weight of the powder on the powder in the bushing effects by a small amount how much will be thrown. On my Mec I keep a 1/2 bottle - not sure if it makes a difference or not.