I Have To Increase My Cartridge Production

[paledun]

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It seems like every step I make into the Dark Side, the more time I must allow to produce sufficient cartridges for match requirements.  I have finally achieved pan lubing success for my rifle bullets but need to advance from powder measurement by hand to an actual powder measure.  My actual powder measures are all Lyman 55's set to specific smokeless loads and to specific APP loads.  I have no doubt any of my 55's will do quite well for 2F and 3F but they are not intended for BP use as they all use a threaded plastic tube for a powder chamber.  I believe I have seen replacement chambers in brass or other metal but can not find any after-market source.  I notice Lyman make a 55 with a metal powder chamber and drop tube along with 55 internals just like mine but does not sell parts.  Anyone know of an after-market source for replacing the plastic tube?  Or, is it possible to safely sleeve the inside of the plastic tube with a metal material that may be as simple as aluminum foil?  I have even considered using an cardboard sleeve as a temporary fix but need to do something to increase production.  Thanks for the advice.  Paledun

[Dick Dastardly]

Methinks you are working far too hard.  I use LEE Perfect powder measures and am completely happy with them for my Schuetzen black powder.  The LEE measures are all plastic.  So are the dippers in the LEE dipper set.  My Schuetzen and Swiss black powder comes in plastic bottles.

The many thousands of black powder cartridges have taught me to use care with any HEAT sources near my black powder.  This especially includes smoking.

Load 'em up and make smoke.

DD-MDA

[Coffinmaker]

DD is quite correct.  You ARE working too hard.  Several studies have been done, attempting to light BP with an electric spark.  To date, no one has achieved ignition.  In all my years of reloading, I have never generated a spark with a plastic powder measure.  I have had "static cling" with some powders but cured that by wiping the interior of the barrel with a bounce dryer sheet.
I've been loading BP and Subs in cartridges for years and recently ventured into all brass shotgun.  If your into long range BP cartridge rife, you may find a drop tube helpful.  For pistol caliber cartridges, not so much.
Specificly, I load BP and Subs with my Dillon 650s and have had zero problems.  I use the same presses for smokeless and BP.  Because of the differences in volume of powder and granulation, I do switch to the "large" charge bar for the smoky stuff.  Big lube bullets and powder are all you need.

Coffinmaker

[Shotgun Franklin]

If you do have concerns, get a piece of copper tube/pipe and have a machine shop trim the end so it fits in the unit. You can put a dab of good glue at three points on the outside edge and you'll be good to go.

[paledun]

Thanks, guys for your responses.  I have a 55 ready and willing to start measuring 45 Colt pistol/rifle cartridges for the next match.  And, not with much too much effort.  Paledun

[August]

The 55 is a relatively complicated mechanism.  The metering bars have to be cleaned regularly when using it with black powder.

[fourfingersofdeath]

I find the best measure for Black Powder is a rectangular bowl I have with an elastic band around it. I sink a Lee scoop into the powder and let it pour over the edges of the measure. I then wipe the excess off carefully on the elastic band. Easy peasy.

[Slowhand Bob]

I tried most methods at one time or another, including mounting the Hornady BP measure to a LNL AP.  It actually will work automatically with the standard powder measure linkage.  In the end I went my standard setup and have had no problems loading bp or subs, just stay away from the pistol meters, to small to feed well.  After each loading session I break down the lower assembly, powder meter, rotor and I then use the compressor to blow everything out good.