RE: powder charge compacted or not?
I agree with them. To tap or not to tap.. that is the question. As long as you do it the same way each and every time, you should be about equal. I personally do not tap. I fill the measure and then cut the charge with a pull across funnel on the measure.
Also when you set your projectile get in the habit of trying to do it in one smooth motion or as near as that. Also the witness mark will help in how you compress your charges. It will help you do it all the same...