Accuracy of progressive press powder measures


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marchboom
January 29, 2009, 12:32 PM
My Redding BR-30 powder measure can hold thrown loads to 1/10 of a grain. Same for my older Saeco measure. Surprisingly, my Dillon 550 measure can also hold a tenth of a grain variance. All are with ball powders.

Just wondering how accurate and consistent the other powder measures from RCBS, Hornady and Lee progressive presses are. Has anyone here done any testing on these measures?

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kostner
January 29, 2009, 12:54 PM
I have three Lee and two Dillon and all are about the same as you are getting..have notice a little change between dry/damp weather. I leave my hoppers full and they live in my garage. Never load to max. so a 1/10 more or less is not a worry.

ReloaderFred
January 29, 2009, 01:26 PM
A lot depends on technique. If your technique is to operate the measure the same each time, your chances of getting consistant throws is much higher.

With that said, I've got 3 Redding's, 2 Hornady's, 1 Dillon and a Belding & Mull. All will give consistant throws if I do my part, especially with ball powders. It's when you get into long stick powders, or large flake powders, that large variations occur.

I've never been able to get consistant throws with IMR 800X powder out of any of my measures. It meters like corn flakes and I've tapped, cussed, whispered, held my mouth straight, crooked, cocked my head, and nothing has helped. When I use it, I have to measure each and every load.

Hope this helps.

Fred

SteveW-II
January 29, 2009, 04:10 PM
But throwing charges to .1 of a grain with ball powder shouldn't be a stretch for any modern powder measure. Of greater interest (well, to me at least) is the performance with extruded..

Walkalong
January 29, 2009, 04:50 PM
I have a Redding 10X that is mounted to my Projector right now. It meters great if, like Fred said, you are consistent in your handle pulling. It is the same as using a measure to dump powder in cases in a load block. Consistency is the key. It can do better than .1 grain easily with ball powders, and .1 with many flake powders. 700X, American Select, etc don't do as well as the smaller flake powders, but still shoot great.

My BR30 does just as well on the Projector. I can load .223 with some powders using the 10X. Others require the 30BR.

evan price
January 29, 2009, 09:13 PM
My Lee autodisks measure +0.00 and -0.10 grains max variance. I trust them!

lgbloader
January 29, 2009, 09:47 PM
I have 3 Dillons and 3 Uniflow's. I think they all work fine. I have used a Harrell PM and to be honest, I am glad i tried it before I bought it. Sure, it is nice but my Uniflows were almost as accurate and didn't lose by much at all. Maybe it was me but that's what I found anyways.

Just my $0.02 worth

LGB

parisite
January 29, 2009, 11:17 PM
I cut the baffle out on top of the dispensing hole of the Lee Auto Disc hopper with a hot knife. Powders now fall directly in the discs.
Works much more consistently now with light charges of Clays and Am. Select.

robctwo
January 30, 2009, 09:52 AM
Hornady LnL AP, old style holds .1 grain easily on pistol with the pistol insert, same with rifle with ball powder. Not quite as close with stick powders.

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