Runningman
Member
How about some of your reviews on Powder Measures for use on under 10 grain charges? What do you got, and how well does it work?
How about some reviews on Powder Measures for under 10 grain charges
- Thread starter Runningman
- Start date
- Status
Harrells Schuetzen/Pistol, Redding 10X, everything else.
Maj Dad
Member
I've used my Lyman 55 since the late 60's (bought it used 
) and it works very well, and very accurately. I also have a Dillon 550B and the pistol measure bar on it works well and accurately (as does the rifle/larger charge bar). If I were looking for any greater precision, I would throw a slight under-charge then dribble it up to desired weight on a scale. I have a Lee powder measure kit I use for that purpose. I am very cautious in throwing maximum loads of any round in a measure-er, especially large magnum charges in 357 & 44 mag. The same caveat applied to very small charges - be really vigilant for under/double charges. I am happier setting the measure to load 23.9 gr of 296 with a 240 jacketed rather than the recommended 24, just to allow for Murphy's Mechanical Malfeasance Measure, if you get my drift... 
) and it works very well, and very accurately. I also have a Dillon 550B and the pistol measure bar on it works well and accurately (as does the rifle/larger charge bar). If I were looking for any greater precision, I would throw a slight under-charge then dribble it up to desired weight on a scale. I have a Lee powder measure kit I use for that purpose. I am very cautious in throwing maximum loads of any round in a measure-er, especially large magnum charges in 357 & 44 mag. The same caveat applied to very small charges - be really vigilant for under/double charges. I am happier setting the measure to load 23.9 gr of 296 with a 240 jacketed rather than the recommended 24, just to allow for Murphy's Mechanical Malfeasance Measure, if you get my drift... Smokey Joe
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2003
- Messages
- 2,617
Small charges...
I began mechanized reloading (after using a Lee hammer-it-in kit for a number of years) with an RCBS Uniflow powder measure. That worked fine for rifle loads, but later on I began shooting target pistol and discovered that the Uniflow was very unhappy measuring 3.4 grains of Win 231. Anything smaller that that was impossible.
So I don't recommend a Uniflow for small charges at all.
Later at a gun show I came upon a Lyman No. 55 powder measure, which has 2 different screw-adjustable sliders to regulate the powder charge, a large slider and a very small one. Long story short: Bought the 55, took it home, tried it, it worked for the small charges, I've been using it for years, and am very happy with it. Easy to adjust, will take the tiniest charges--it just WORKS!!
I still use the Uniflow for loading rifle cases. And a big +1 for the Lyman No. 55 for small loads of powder.
I began mechanized reloading (after using a Lee hammer-it-in kit for a number of years) with an RCBS Uniflow powder measure. That worked fine for rifle loads, but later on I began shooting target pistol and discovered that the Uniflow was very unhappy measuring 3.4 grains of Win 231. Anything smaller that that was impossible.
So I don't recommend a Uniflow for small charges at all.
Later at a gun show I came upon a Lyman No. 55 powder measure, which has 2 different screw-adjustable sliders to regulate the powder charge, a large slider and a very small one. Long story short: Bought the 55, took it home, tried it, it worked for the small charges, I've been using it for years, and am very happy with it. Easy to adjust, will take the tiniest charges--it just WORKS!!
I still use the Uniflow for loading rifle cases. And a big +1 for the Lyman No. 55 for small loads of powder.
Historian
Member
I am using my Uniflow for measuring 4.5g of 231 for loading S&W .40 seems to work fine. Smokey, your post is the first I've seen about the lower limits of what a Uniflow will do. I may look into the Lyman for loading pistol rounds.
Historian
"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of a common enemy."
Samuel Adams
Historian
"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of a common enemy."
Samuel Adams
fourdollarbill
Member
The Redding 3 and the 3BR are the two very best for 10gr and under with the handgun insert. I can get accurate 5 gr and up with the universal insert too.
Quoheleth
Member
Lee auto disc with adjustable charge bar works great.
For that matter, the Auto Disc with the discs also works well, but you are limited to what the holes will throw. For micro-charges (ie 2.0gr Bullseye) you have to order the micro-disc.
Q
For that matter, the Auto Disc with the discs also works well, but you are limited to what the holes will throw. For micro-charges (ie 2.0gr Bullseye) you have to order the micro-disc.
Q
RCBS Uniflow
Only because it fits the piggy back loader I use.
I do 2 things that help set the measure to meter small amounts:
1. When I get close, I set the SCALE for 10 times the target charge.
Throw 10 charges into a BIG case and weight it.
An Example of this is looking for 3.9 grains and setting the scale at 39 grains.
Weighing the 10x charge, balance the scale and the resulting amount divided by 10 is the average amount thrown.
This helps when trying to set the powder measure for amounts less than 10 grains.
2. Once I have the powder measure set I measure the length of "stem" (adjustment screw) of the measure, using the depth feature on the back of my dial caliper.
This number is noted with the powder amount in my loading records.
The next time I want to throw that same amount I just reset the powder measure "stem" to this amount to within .001 inch and varify the weight with the scale.
Note: Many are not aware that the Uniflow Measure comes with EITHER the small or large cavity cylinder, but not both.
Trying to meter small amounts with the large cavity cylinder is much less precise.
Tilos
Only because it fits the piggy back loader I use.
I do 2 things that help set the measure to meter small amounts:
1. When I get close, I set the SCALE for 10 times the target charge.
Throw 10 charges into a BIG case and weight it.
An Example of this is looking for 3.9 grains and setting the scale at 39 grains.
Weighing the 10x charge, balance the scale and the resulting amount divided by 10 is the average amount thrown.
This helps when trying to set the powder measure for amounts less than 10 grains.
2. Once I have the powder measure set I measure the length of "stem" (adjustment screw) of the measure, using the depth feature on the back of my dial caliper.
This number is noted with the powder amount in my loading records.
The next time I want to throw that same amount I just reset the powder measure "stem" to this amount to within .001 inch and varify the weight with the scale.
Note: Many are not aware that the Uniflow Measure comes with EITHER the small or large cavity cylinder, but not both.
Trying to meter small amounts with the large cavity cylinder is much less precise.
Tilos
Last edited:
oneounceload
member
The RCBS Uniflow works very well for me also.
JimKirk
Member
I have the micrometer adjusting stem on my RCBS Uniflow with the large cavity. I have no problems with charges below 10 grains.
When I set up for a charge, I weigh enough samples until I am satisfied with the adjustment(before putting any in a case). I then weigh every fifth load for the next 20 rounds, then I change to once every 20 rounds until I finish that batch, check the last charge too.
That method has worked for forty something years, I don't forsee a change coming anytime soon.
Jimmy K
When I set up for a charge, I weigh enough samples until I am satisfied with the adjustment(before putting any in a case). I then weigh every fifth load for the next 20 rounds, then I change to once every 20 rounds until I finish that batch, check the last charge too.
That method has worked for forty something years, I don't forsee a change coming anytime soon.
Jimmy K
Sidewinder72
Member
I also use the uniflow with small cylinder and micrometer adjustment. Love it. It is very accurate as long as you do the same routine.
DickM
Member
I got my Redding 10X so I could reliably throw 1.8 gr charges of W231 for my .32 S&W wadcutters back in my single-stage press days. It did the job beautifully, but I've since switched to the Hornady measure on my LnL, and it seems to do a very good job as well.
I have 2 old Ohaus powder measures with micro adjustments, very accurate, Old Bell and Null, Herters with cam and dial adjustmers, Lyman with the slide and screw adjustments, Dillon with all of the bars, RCBS Uniflow with both the large and small roters and I have a couple of Redding powder measures. When I load pistol and want accurage charges I use the RCBS Little Dandy, the system is an investment (NOW) with the powder measure going for from $35.00 to $41.00 dollars each and the rotors going for $12.00 each, there are 28 of them.
F. Guffey
F. Guffey
JimKirk
Member
Fguffey
Someone was making an adjustable rotor for the Little dandy, I not sure if I saw it on here or somewhere else. That would have been a good idea, if it worked.
Jimmy K
Someone was making an adjustable rotor for the Little dandy, I not sure if I saw it on here or somewhere else. That would have been a good idea, if it worked.
Jimmy K
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
for most of my pistol loads I use the Lee powder-thru-expander die and measures made from empty cases of various chamberings with a wire handle soldered on. if the measure is too much them I have a punch I make tight-fitting 'spacers' I press in to lower the volume to correct amount.
most rifle loading I use the Lee dispenser but it doesn't like fine ball powder at all. spherical and 'cord' it does fine.
most rifle loading I use the Lee dispenser but it doesn't like fine ball powder at all. spherical and 'cord' it does fine.
Hondo 60
Member
I load .38 spl & 9mm using titegroup
usually around 4-4.5 grains
I use an RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure with Small Cylinder
They come with either the small or standard cylinder. You want to make sure you get the small cylinder.
usually around 4-4.5 grains
I use an RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure with Small Cylinder
They come with either the small or standard cylinder. You want to make sure you get the small cylinder.
Smokey Joe
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2003
- Messages
- 2,617
2 cylinders...
Hmmm. Didn't know there were 2 different cylinders available for the Uniflow. Having bought my Lyman #55, it's a moot point for me, but nice to know. It stands to reason that RCBS wouldn't allow a goodly part of the powder-measuring-market to just slip away from them.
Hmmm. Didn't know there were 2 different cylinders available for the Uniflow. Having bought my Lyman #55, it's a moot point for me, but nice to know. It stands to reason that RCBS wouldn't allow a goodly part of the powder-measuring-market to just slip away from them.
fecmech
Member
Redding Model 3 with small chamber.
Last edited:
R.W.Dale
Member
LIke the others allude to my uniflow with the large rifle micrometer stem gets a little flaky below 3.0 grs on a propellant like ww231 or a setting of less than "20". I think I have the small drum too somewhere but to date I've not had to resort to using it
But right now I'm 1/2 way through the process of loading 1000 rds of 9mm using 4.5grs of ww231 and so far charging has been flawless from full hopper to the last 3 charges before empty
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
