As many regular forum handloaders know, I bought a Lee Classic Turret press set up last year, to play around with reloading. I pulled it back out this winter. I've decided a good way to use my set up is to load up 38 SPL and 44 SPL, since they are quite pricey in the retail stores. I just want plinking ammo, and I don't need to crank out tons. The whole process is working out well (i.e. consistently ) except for the powder handling.
I had some issues with the powder being sticky last year due to static cling, and someone recommended using graphite on the press parts etc, which has worked well on this go-round. I'm using Unique. I have a well-proven chrono, and I've been out in the recent 25-45 degree weather.
I tried a few different ways to load powder:
1. Lee Dipper: This really didn't work very well at all with the 44 SPL/ 240 gr, with velocities all over the place by a couple of hundred feet and two squibb loads getting stuck in the barrel. Really hard to get a consistent fill level.
2. Lee Pro Auto Disc: I like the concept here, which is ease of use and powder cleanliness. I chron'd 12 rounds in 38 SPL/158 gr, and my extreme spread was 108 fps, ranging from 751 fps to 643 fps for 5.0 grains. When I test weighed, the weights ran from 4.6 to 5.1, but mostly closer to 4.8 to 5.0.
3. RCBS 505: I loaded up five 38 SPL/158 gr rounds being very careful to measure each one to 5.0 gr with a powder trickler, this gave me an extreme spread of 52 fps, ranging from 790 fps to 738 fps. But it takes quite a bit of time, and I spill powder around too.
4. MTM Digital Scale: I also loaded up these five rounds very carefully, but this had an extreme spread of 137 fps, from 804 fps to 667 fps.
What should be my expectations for overall extreme spread of velocity with each method?
Am I missing a good, efficient method of powder handling?
PS As for safety, I'm shooting both SPL loads in Ruger MAG wheel guns, so I have a large safety margin in case I make an error.