[kevinh]

About 3 weeks ago I bought a used Hornady Pro-Jector press. I've been using it I single stage mode to learn each step. As I progress to the powder drop station and have dialed in my load, when the cam is brought downward after my case has been in the powder drop I am spilling powder all over the shell plate. Quite a mess. About every 4-5 cases I REALLY spill a lot. Probably half the load. Am I doing something wrong? Is this an expected issue? I am being as slow and careful as I can.

Thanks in advance for any help,

kevinh

 

[JohnTheCalifornian]

First off, I dont own a Hornady Press. But I'll take a swing at what may be wrong.

The powder measure may be the culprit. Look for anything thats lose with the charge bar. It may just be opening and closing on its own, allowing for more or less powder to be dropped.

I really don't know what else could be the problem. You state that it doesn't do this every time, and that makes me think it has something to do with your powder dispenser.

To be safe though, because it sounds like there is no guarantee that the loads in your other cases are right. You should pull all the bullets and not load any more until you get this powder problem solved.

 

[76Highboy]

Two things come to mind.

First off, is the powder metering insert cycling all the way to the top of the stroke? The metering insert should be within a 1/16" from the top of the red slot. So make sure that is always correct. That will help with throwing consistent powder charges.

Second, this should fix your problem. Did you recieve a selection of powder through expanders? Here is a link to Hornady's extended powder through expanders. This is not what you need but it will get you in the right direction. I will try to explain in detail what is happening.

When the case is entering the powder through it enters in and makes contact but the I.D. diateter of the powder through is larger then the O.D. of the case. Therefore some powder gets funneled into the case, but some lands on the outer edge of the case but is held against the powder through. When the brass begins it's desend the powder falls too.

You need to select a powder through that is close to the same diameter of the brass you are using. Here is a pic of my powder throughs. Remember too that you can have a piece of brass that is too large for the powder through which will result in a mess as well.

If you did not get them with your reloading press I would ask the previous owner or call Hornady customer service. They can help you. Here's a pic of my powder through's.


Hope this helped.

Jim

 

[kevinh]

Jim and John, thanks for the input. It meters each charge fine and primarily maybe 8-10 pellets fall on to the shell plate. Except the every 4-5 cases when it spills half the load. I am making sure to get the full up and down stroke on the metering insert. I do have several powder through expanders and thought I had the correct one. I'll try others when I get home in the morning.

Can I borrow one of yours? Specifically, chocolate one in the background?

BTW, you said "red slut" in your post...hehehehe

 

[gdmoody]

OOooWwee - fudge!

 

[76Highboy]

Jim and John, thanks for the input. It meters each charge fine and primarily maybe 8-10 pellets fall on to the shell plate. Except the every 4-5 cases when it spills half the load. I am making sure to get the full up and down stroke on the metering insert. I do have several powder through expanders and thought I had the correct one. I'll try others when I get home in the morning.

Can I borrow one of yours? Specifically, chocolate one in the background?

BTW, you said "red slut" in your post...hehehehe

Ya, that fudge is pretty much history. I have a sweet tooth in the evenings.

 

[kevinh]

76Highboy, thanks for the tip. I changed the powder through expander this morning and things are working great. Perfect advice...

kevinh