I need a powder measurer!

[giggitygiggity]

Here is the deal: I have a Lee Auto Disk powder measurer. However, it does not do me any good when I reload .308, .30-06, and other loads that require more powder than the Auto Disk can dish out. If I get the double disk kit, will this allow me to reload up to the necessary powder charges?

If not, what do you recommend as far as automatic dispensers? What is the deal with the RCBS Uniflow and Hornady Lock 'n Load? I am considering automatic dispensers to be anything other than what I am doing now (manually weighing charges on my scale and then using a funnel to pour the charge into the brass and then repeating for every round). This is impractical when reloading mass amounts of rifle ammo.

Also, for clarification, if I get a Uniflow or Lock 'n Load, how do they work. Is it simply a matter of telling it what weight I want and then push a button or crank a lever and it produces that weight of poweder? Thanks.

 

[WNTFW]

I have an RCBS Uniflow that is an older model. It adjusts by moving a threaded adjuster. Then the lever is manually "thrown" or rotated 180 degrees. I use it for rifle match ammo and just throw the charges with some spot checking, No trickler is used. Charges have very little variance. I got it used and it had a nice stand come with it.

Tonight I threw 66 rounds for a match in the morning. My brass was ready to go so all I had to do was dump charges and seat bullets.

I use a trickler primarily when working up loads of varying charges.

I have never used the Lee auto disk. Perhaps you can throw 1/2 the charge twice and use a trickler to adjust the charge weight until you get a bigger fix. It may work without trickling. I just dont know how the auto disk adjust.

Some of the more expensive (benchrest) throwers seem to be easier to adjust and make for a nice mobile setup.

 

[loadedround]

Ditto on the RCBS powder measure. Mine is over 25 years old and still going strong and is still as accurate as it was new. I just give it a good cleaning once or twicw aryear. The Redding powder measures are outstanding, but unfortunately cost twice as much as the RCBS measures.

 

[Walkalong]

Also, for clarification, if I get a Uniflow or Lock 'n Load, how do they work. Is it simply a matter of telling it what weight I want and then push a button or crank a lever and it produces that weight of poweder? Thanks.

The typical drum type measure, which I recommend, has a rotating drum with an insert. Some inserts are numbered so you can dial back to a certain spot if you want. Some are not. Either way you must use a powder scale to check the weight of the powder thrown with the measure. "Throw" several charges to settle down the measure and then weigh 3 or 4 to see where you are at. Then adjust the insert until it is throwing the weight you need. Many use these charges as thrown, and many use a powder "trickler" to finish the charge get it perfect. I am in the former group. I just throw the charges and go.

I attached a couple of pics of my old Redding BR-30 measure. As you can see you just rotate the handle and a charge falls through to your case. The BR-30 is good for large pistol or small rifle. I used it for 6PPC.

RCBS, Redding, and Hornady all make good drum measures. I also attached a pic of the LNL powder measure set up. I think Hornady sells micrometer inserts for it.

 

[Quoheleth]

The Lee Perfect Powder Measure is like the RCBS Uniflow, except at a $25 price point. It has an adjustable plunger that you screw in or out to determine the charge. A chart included in the Measure gets you close - use a scale to fine-tune the exact plunger setting. I use mine to load a particular .357 Magnum round, b/c the Lee auto discs can't get me there.

If you get the LPPM, I also suggest getting some powdered graphite or mica and run that through first - it lubricates the plastic parts and helps it throw a bit easier and more accurately.

I like mine and plan to use it when I start reloading for rifles.

Q

 

[RidgwayCO]

To answer your question about the Lee Auto Disk, the double disk option will not throw enough powder for .308 or 30-06 with one pull of the handle. But it's fine for .223 and the smaller rifle cases.

I've also found the double disk option works well for some of those "in between" loads when one of the standard cavities is either too small or too big. To use the double disk option, however, your load needs to be a minimum of .60cc.

 

[giggitygiggity]

How good is the Lee Perfect Powder Measurer? I am hesitant because it is $25 compared to the other measures that are $65+. Are there more people that have experience and/or that can compare the Lee to the others? Thanks.

 

[something vague]

I think that you might just as well save the money and get a RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, or Redding instead of the Lee PPM. I have the Lee and ended up upgrading to the Redding. With certain fine ball powders the Lee gets messed up. The powder will get in between the plastic drum and get bound up. It also leaks some of this ball powder out around the edges. It can be pretty accurate but is not even worth the $25. Get an all metal drum powder measure, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Which Redding do you recommend? I have read reviews about the RCBS uniflow having trouble with stick powders. How does the Redding do in this regard? Are the Redding measurers worth the extra money compared to the RCBS? Also, do I need to buy a stand or will all these measurers fit in the threads of the Lee Turret Press turrets? Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

The Redding and RCBS measures are threaded the same as dies, and will fit in the Lee turret.

 

[jcwit]

The Lee will throw accurate charges time after time after time with most powders, even tho it only coste $25.00.

Lee should double his retail on his products then maybe people would think Lee Products are worth what they are made to do.

If plastic is always associated with being cheap, we should look at all the plastic around us. Check out your $200 prescription glasses with the plastic lenses.

 

[ForneyRider]

Lee Perfect Powder works really well. I used that before I got an RCBS Chargemaster.

The extruded powders like Varget, Reloder, and IMR will get cut in any drum powder dropper.

I am looking at a Redding 3BR or Culver measure when I find too much money in my pocket.

A powder trickler and a digital scale is pretty quick. The Chargemaster didn't do too well when I needed 5.3gr W231 for 45 ACP loads, so I put W231 in my trickler and just used the scale on the Chargemaster. I was too lazy to break out the Perfect Powder measure.

 

[Fractal X]

I've used both the Lee and the Hornady LnL powder measures.

For $25 you get more than your moneys worth with the Lee powder measure but it's also not as solid, convenient, or as accurate as the Hornady. That said, I use my Lee for load development or other situations where I'm going to finish measuring the charge with a trickler as it typically throws +/- 1 grain if I have a 50+% full hopper and I'm trying to throw a charge that's more than 15 grains. If either or those conditions are not met I have found that the accuracy and repeatability drops off quickly.

The Hornady on the other hand, costs 2.5 times as much as the Lee (about $65) but I believe it is worth it. In my experience, the Hornady measure will throw +/- .1 grain until I'm almost out of powder as long as you use the right measuring insert (pistol rotor for .5-10gr, standard insert for 10-75gr). The convenience factor of the Hornady come largely from the case activated add-on that you can buy separately (about $50) which allows you to just run the shell up the press ram and have the measured powder dumped into the case with just the ram movement - this is a big thing for me as it serves most of its time on my progressive press, perhaps it's not as big of a deal for you.

To recap: they both work but I find it faster and easier to get consistent results with the Hornady. However, if you're able and willing to put more time and effort into consistency you very well my be able to get away with only spending $25 instead of $65.

 

[Sport45]

You should also peruse eBay for used Lyman 55 measures.

 

[luis7]

Hi.
You need a Ohaus 7200 powder measure (discontinued), you can buy it in ebay reloading items.
It is valid for pistol and rifle, is made with iron and brass and is very solid and accurate.
Also you can buy a Green. Its a RCBS Uniflow duo measure made by Ohaus too (discontinued too but work as good as Ohaus).
Greetings from Spain.

 

[Winston_Smith]

I have been shopping for a powder measure myself. My research has pointed me here.

http://www.harrellsprec.com/

Haven't decided which one because I want to use it for pistol and rifle powder dispensing. The pistol measure throws 0-25 gr, which is great for pistol and small rifle, larger rifle would require two throws. Maybe the pistol and classic is the best combo...

 

[MADDOG]

I have 2 Lyman 55's. They work great IMHO.

 

[rhinoh]

Two Lee Perfect Powder Measures here, thinking of getting a few more, they are cheap enough to have multiple ones stocked with my common powders...

 

[Joemyxplyx]

Hornady Micrometer Insert

Walkalong asked:

I also attached a pic of the LNL powder measure set up. I think Hornady sells micrometer inserts for it.

Yes they do. You can get them here and here