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reloading powders

Sir Martin
Hi, i just read the lee second edition reloading manual, and one thing i am wondering is what is VMD, i was looking at some different powders, and i dont know what vmd is..

Thank You,
Martin Janczak
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Sir Martin
    for example, the "vmd" of accur 2230 is .06570, if this helps, is it density? also, does anybody know what an "auto-disk" is?

    THank you,
    Martin
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  • perry shooter
    Hello for years Lee has used Volume to measure their powder. Lee Dippers and auto disk then they had a table to match weight with Volume on each powder . IMHO this is asking for trouble I would invest in a powder scale. quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN"
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  • Tailgunner1954
    Originally posted by perry shooter

    IMHO this is asking for trouble I would invest in a powder scale.
    While your picking up the scale, think about picking up a real manual also (from either the maker of your bullets or the powder your using). The LEE "manual" (actualy it's nothing but the free data the powder makers put out, doctered to match the LEE powder measuring equipment) leaves a lot to be desired.

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • FrancF
    Martin-

    Best thing to do as the others have stated. Buy powder and bullet books. The more you have, the better cross refrance for powder and bullet starting points.

    Some start points will & can very wildly. IE what a start load in one book might be a near max load in another.

    a great example is sierra's last load book had a recall on the 300 rum load data resulting in over loads. Check, check, and dubble check.

    When reloading, you can never have to much info. [;)]






    sniper.gif
    NRA Life Endowment Member
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  • Sir Martin
    thanks, i think i'll invest in some more books

    Martin Janczak
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  • remington nut
    imr and seirra are my personal favorites[:D]
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  • heavyiron
    Hello Sir Martin,

    VMD stands for Volume Measuring Density. The number you gave 0.06570 is a unit conversion factor in cc/gr which is a density as you suspected. The powder charge in grains multiplied by the VMD will equal the volume of the powder charge in cubic centimeters (ccs). Therefore, the VMD is a type of way to convert from weight to volume.

    The auto-disk is Lee's volumetric powder measuring device. The Lee powder measure comes with a table to determine the correct volume cavity to use to get the correct powder charge.

    Having said all this you should not have to use the VMD, at least I wouldn't advise it. Get a Lee auto-disk and use the table supplied by Lee to find your powder charge! Lee has all the numbers worked out and tabulated. If you don't have one get one. The table will give the correct auto-disk cavity (volume) to measure the powder charge based on the powder type. If you don't understand this method, please find someone to help you. A mistake with these numbers can be loud.

    Actually, the volumetric method to meter powder is not a bad one and is used by every major reloading company to meter powder with a powder measure. The volumetric method is also used by more people than not. Pistol shooters seldom weigh each and every powder charge and rely almost exclusively on the volumetric measure. Weighing each charge would cancel the effectiveness of the progressive loader which is so popular with avid shooters.

    However, to be absolutely accurate for match competition or to check the "throw" (as it is sometimes called) of a powder measure, a scale should be used to double check the weight of the thrown the volumetric measure. A volumetric measure should be checked from time to time and a maximum charge should always be weighed!

    I have one set of scales and 3 or 4 different volumetric measures. I hardly ever weigh powder charges except to set up the volumetric measure and to double check the throw throw from time to time. I have checked my Dillon volumetric measure sporadically for years and it is always right on target. It will vary within about 0.2 of a grain which is acceptable accuracy. I have also used the Lee system for about twenty years and have never had a mishap.

    With volumetric powder measures caution is required just just the same as when weighing powder charges. Keep your wits about you and have fun reloading.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron[8D]


    bullitt_county_4199_small.jpg
    "If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix
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  • perry shooter
    Hello heavyiron is absolutely correct in that most shooters use a volumn measure. My point is That you need a scale to check this volumn as almost all books have gone to weight . Reloading can be fun you can get "tuned loads that your gun likes" and it can be safe,BUT if you make a mistake measureing ingredients on a cake it will taste funny if you make mistakes in measureing something like BULLSEYE powder You can injure or kill yourself.
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