mec charge bars?

sjones · 04-13-2003, 07:42 AM

I normaly use a adjustable charge bar,but mine broke so I thought I would use the ones that came with my sizemaster untill I get another one. I was loading 1 1/8 oz,#7 1/2 magnum shot and it should weigh 492.2 grains,well the mec bar weighed out to 475.2 It took 20 pellets to equal the adjustable one. is it safe to shoot like that ans how will it affect your shooting results?I have a 1 3/16 bar that will weigh out to 475.0 to 500.0 which is a lot closer. Is that one safe to use as it is a little heavier at times,Over 15 tries I got mostly 490 to 505 grains.Can you ever go over the stated weight? My lymansmanual says you have a 5% leeway,but is that on the heavy side also? thanks. sj

Deleted User · 04-13-2003, 08:36 AM

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sjones · 04-13-2003, 08:51 AM

DG,I am using rem sts hulls,remtgt12 wads,win209 primers,17 grains red dot powder for 1 oz for 1182 fps,or 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 shot waa12,remsts,fed209,fps of 1270fps. thanks. sj

Deleted User · 04-13-2003, 10:23 AM

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Vapodog · 05-10-2003, 06:13 PM

Hornady makes different bushings for #9 shot as campared to #7 1/2...to them it makes a difference. I don' t think MEC does that.

This is a finess point in my opinion.....do you get good crimps? If not you can manually add the 20 pellets and see if it helps the crimp. If it makes a difference have the bushing opened up.

I' ve yet to find it' s of concern. I assume you' re loading target loads?.....If so I' d not be concerned about 20 grains over the correct drop.....target loads usually of much lower pressure say about 8,000 PSI.

If you' re loading loads up past 11,000 PSI, I' d want the charge to not exceed the recommended load in the manual you' re using. That' s probably why MEC bushings seem to always be a tad light.

firsttimeelkhunter · 05-11-2003, 09:13 PM

I' m not sure, but I think the test weight on MEC is with #4 shot. The difference could come from that. I shoot a 1-1/8 oz load of 7.5 with 17.6gr of Clays. It' s much cleaner burning and less fowling is seen both on the gun and in the barrel. Next time out, take a lightly solvent soaked cloth an wipe the last 4 inches of your barrel. You will likely have quite a bit of residue on the rag from the Red Dot. I HIGHLY recomend the Hodgden line of powders. and no, I don' t work for them, this is unsolicited.