[Afy]

Over say a DPS 3?

I do not have one currently, other than the Lyman DPS 3, should I get one? If so which one?

[loadedround]

There are several manufacturers of digital powder measure/scales and they are expensive toys. They do work and if you weigh a lot of charges for rifle loads and don't want to dispense by volume only. they are the way to go. If weigh 20 or less cases at a time, they are a waste of good money. JMHO! :)

[Afy]

I have the DPS 3... was thinking of a conventional measure.

[snuffy]

I have the DPS 3... was thinking of a conventional measure.

Why would you want to take a step backwards? Since I got my pact/RCBS dispenser combo, I have never used my Hornady measure,,,except on the dillon tool head with a CAPD,(for .223).

They CAN be faster than a digital dispenser, but I would only use them for ammo I wasn't concerned about extreme accuracy.

[mkl]

I can't think of a single advantage for rifle cartridges.

For handgun cartridges, you could probably get a speed advantage by charging one loading tray (50 or 60 cases) at a time.

You hold the tray in one hand and index it row by row under the powder measure as you operate the measure throw lever with the other hand.

The advantage is that you do not have to handle each case individually as you are charging.

Should you go this way with a RCBS Uniflow or similar, you want the small cylinder, not the large one.

[rcmodel]

The disadvantage is it is very easy to double-charge a handgun case when throwing charges in the loading block.

The safe way is to turn them all upside down in the tray, then pick each one up and charge it, and put it in a different tray.

rc

[proplinker]

Measures are so much faster. but you will still need a scale to get the measure set. Redding makes a good measure. and from throw to throw they are very reliable. I do not think you could see any difference downrange from measured loads or wieghed loads. If you load at the range the scale can be effected by the wind. I'm sure there will be some that only wiegh loads. good luck

[modwerdna]

If you work a system on your loading block, row by row, and then eye the heights all at once , a powder measure works great and is a very fast tool..
Double charging is a mistake of poor operator concentration period.
I use my RCBS uniflo on single stage reloading and on my auto 4x4. Both Operations I am very carefull to observe every powder height in the case. I weigh every 10th shell to be sure it is still running true.

If you are using bulky powders it will cut the kernels a little hard. I gave up using imr powders (extruded tubular kernel) and switched to ball for that reason. I find Ball powders are more accurate anyway, Tapping, (moving the handle when you charge briskly till it taps the body on the down stroke) will help prevent bridging. Some measures have an additional tapper as well.

I do not use it on my match 30-06 stuff, they are all weighed out, but we are only talking 20 or 40 cases at a time

[David Wile]

Hey folks,

I don't have an electronic scale; I still use dispensers and manual scale. About thirty years ago, I worked at the Quantico Marine Corps Base, and their competitive rifle teams had grunt Marines loading their match ammo in a special reloading room. At that time, I was most impressed with the electronic powder dispenser/scales they were using to weigh each charge. I really liked the idea, but somehow I have never gotten around to spending the money for one.

I have spent the money to buy progressive machines in metalic as well as shot shells, but not for an electronic dispenser and scale. On the metallic progressive, I use the Hornady machine, and I always use ball or flake powders that measure pretty accurately with the dispenser. When loading single stage, I usually use an RCBS dispenser to throw an "under" charge in the pan and then bring it up to weight with an electronic powder trickler.

I think the idea of the electronic dispenser and scale is a great idea.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[ar10]

The disadvantage is it is very easy to double-charge a handgun case when throwing charges in the loading block.

The safe way is to turn them all upside down in the tray, then pick each one up and charge it, and put it in a different tray.

I built my own loading blocks. 10x10=100 cases, and I like my "system". As I hand prime I put the cases in bottom up on one side of the powder measure and the empty on the other side. As I charge the cases, (one at a time), I put them in the empty block. Now they're ready for seating.

As far as the scale; I use two, and old Ohaus and a Lyman electronic. The electronic scale pretty much sits idle except when I'm setting up my initial loads. After I'm satisfied with the initial load it use the beam scale on every tenth case. I love that beam scale. :D

[lgbloader]

Hey Afy, Bon Jour...
I think every bench should have a powder measure. for pistol, it's the way to go. 1 pull of the lever and the case is charged. You can charge a block of brass in about 2 or 3 minutes. My chargemaster combo is slower by comparison.

I have the RCBS Chargemaster combo and also use Dillon PM on my 3 Blue presses, plus I also have some Uniflow's from RCBS. I have also had a Hornady that I thought was really cool when a had a Red press a couple of years back.

Can't beat a RCBS Uniflow for charging cases if your looking for a plain old Powder throw, plus the price is right at $75. This is security blanket though. I have heard the the perfect measure by LEE is good enough but I don't have experience with it. I have a couple of weeks working with the LEE Pro and it worked okay as well, but I would get the optional adjustable powder bar.

LGB

[deadhawg]

I always use a powder measure. I use a scale to set the powder measure before starting, then recheck every 10-15 rounds. For pistols and some rifle rounds, I load a full tray of 50-60 rounds, then set the tray on the bench and eyeball and compare every case for uniform powder levels. If there is any doubt at all I dump the powder from the case in question in the scale pan and recheck. If it's off by more than .1 or .2 gr or so, I dump them all and start over. That's pretty rare though, most of the time the powder measure maintains good accuracy and repeatability.

When loading for max accuracy in rifle rounds, I set the powder measure a grain or two lower than the charge I want, dump that charge into the scale pan, then use a powder trickler to bring the load up to exactly what I want. Some might consider that overkill, but I figure it can't hurt, and I have the time, so why not?