Little Dandy Tricks and Tips

[GunAdmirer]

I bought a RCBS Little Dandy pistol powder measure because it is very simple, extremely fast and fits my loads perfectly. I can really crank out the rounds with it.

Any advice?

What tips and tricks have you discovered in using yours?

Anyone make custom rotors for pet loads that don't fit the standard rotors?

Anything to watch out for?

For example:
I tap mine every 5 rounds and slightly turn the knob back and forth each time to settle the powder - seems improve consistency and prevent light measures.

 

[Murphster]

I really like mine. I use it for all my handgun loads and some of my 45-70 loads. You're right - I don't think anything's faster. Consistency in how you use it would be my suggestion. I find that if I "click" the knob twice, then throw the load, the weight stays very consistent. Drives my wife crazy with the continuous click-click noise, but it makes for good ammo.

Another trick is that if you need a load that is between rotors, instead of getting a custom one, I've taken the smaller rotor (the one that throws just slightly too little powder) and used a drill bit to deepen it a bit. That involves drilling a very little, throwing some powder and weighing the charge, then drilling a bit more if needed. You can customize a rotor that way.

Also, just to state the obvious, if there's no rotor for the charge you want to throw, always check to see if there's a smaller rotor that throws a charge half the weight of the one you want. Two dumps and you're there.

 

[Slip Shooter]

I agree with Murphster. I've used the little Dandy in exactly the same way for many years. I have two of them and have acquired all but one rotor. I do 95% of my handgun loading with the Little Dandy. It's great tool.

One of my tricks for changing rotors while using the same powder is not to dump the powder from the Little Dandy, but simply secure the top cap, turn it on it's head and change rotors. When done, flip it over and continue. This comes in handy while working up loads or creating a chart indicating exactly which powder charge is thrown by which rotor. I've worked up a chart for about 20 powders. You'll find the chart that comes with the powder measure is not always accurate. All rotors are not created equal and should be verified. I also use a powder scale to verify thrown charges each time I use a rotor for safety. Just remember that moisture content and a new lot of powder may change a thrown charge by a tenth or two. It's not much of an issue with me, as I generally stay away from Max loads. It can make you scratch your head tho, wondering why the charge has changed. This is one phenomenon fixed rotors display that is not noticed in adjustable powder measures, so be aware and don't let it confuse you.

One word of advice, be sure and use the large drop tube if you ever experiment with Trail Boss powder. It's very bulky and will short charge a case if the small drop tube is used. I now keep the large tube in place at all times.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Have you all found one powder to meter better than others with the Little Dandy?

I got to do some reloading today. The Bullseye measures were all over the place. I'm not sure if it was my technique or the moody electronic powder scale. It seems my powder measure is more consistent than the powder scale. :banghead:

 

[Murphster]

I use Unique in mine more than anything else and it does take some technique to get consistent results. One thing I found is that mine does better if I keep the tube pretty much full. I also periodically clean the rotor cavity with a cotton swab and acetone. The other thing is that I throw at least 10 times (back into the powder canister) before throwing for real. Ah, science. - just threw 10 loads of Unique with the #10 rotor and weighed each charge as an experiment. Got 5.0, 5.1, 4.9, 4.9, 4.9, 4.9, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, and 4.9. Not perfect but close enough for me and I suspect the action of pausing between charges to weigh each charge and write down each result probably caused my technique to be less consistent than it normally would be if I was filling 50 or 100 cases in a tray(s).

I imagine that the ball powders would meter better, but I haven't checked.
Hope this helps.

 

[JoeHatley]

I've used mine for over 20 years to load all my handgun ammo. Most all is done with Bullseye.

The key to getting consitant charges for me is to operate the knob the same each time. I've installed the large RCBS alloy handle on most of my rotors. It gives you a little more to hang on to. When I rotate back to refill the cavity, I pause and "jiggle" the rotor horizontally in and out 3 times. Seems to help the cavity fill consistanly.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Chubbo]

Little Dandy for black powder?

Hi, All:
I have a Little Dandy, that I have had for several years, and have never used. I am getting ready to load black powder cartridges, .38 Long Colt & .45 Colt. Can the Little Dandy be used to throw black powder charges?
Chubbo

 

[JoeHatley]

Can the Little Dandy be used to throw black powder charges?

No. You need to get a measure made from brass and/or aluminum.

Joe

 

[GunAdmirer]

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming.

I wish someone would come up with a way to make custom rotors for pet loads. Most of mine fit existing rotors, though.

Is there a way to fill part of the rotor cavity with solder, glue or fingernail polish to make it load a little lighter? Anyone ever tried this? I'm afraid to take a drill or dremel to a rotor and removing too much material.

 

[kart racer]

I thought trying some jb weld,it'll fix anything.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I've developed a problem the last few times I used my Little Dandy. After using it awhile it becomes harder (sticky) to operate the rotor. If feels like some flakes (Bullseye) or something has gotten in the mechanism. However, when I disassemble it I don't find any problems. After I reassemble it it works fine for awhile and then become sticky again. It doesn't appear to affect the accuracy of the powder throw.

Any thoughts?

 

[Murphster]

With Unique, there is the feeling that I'm cutting powder flakes when I throw a charge. It makes the knob harder to turn. It doesn't occur initially. Occurs probably 75% of the time after the first 10 or so charges have been thrown. Don't know if that's what you're feeling. If it is, I believe that's normal. If you still feel the resistance after you've poured the powder out, then it's something else.

 

[RON in PA]

I've used one for years. Just be consistant in your use as others have posted and you will get very small varience from load to load. Flake pistol powders like Bullseye and Unique are harder to use, I've gone to winchester 231 because of its ease of metering.

 

[pilroler]

Good morning al
My pistol measure is a Bair (Their stuff was blue WAY before Dillon) and replacement parts are non-exsistent. To change loads for 45acp,the only caliber I load, I drip epoxy mix into a well cleaned cavity. After it sets up I use an appropriately sized drill bit, turned by hand to remove small quantities at a time until I get to the load I want. Very slow but works well other-wise and time is not a concern for me.Of course I look very carefully before each reloading session to make sure the epoxy is still in place, but have not had a problem yet. With that said, anyone with Bair rotors to sell or trade, please contact me

pilroler

 

[redneck2]

Question. Why wouldn't you just spend $50 on a Hornady/RCBS with the micrometer insert and save the trouble?? Actually, you see lots of them on e-bay for less than $40. I have one. It's all metal (except the powder bin), infinitely adjustable, and works great.

I found mine in the bargain bin at the local gun shop. I paid $35 for a kit that had the measure and a balance beam scale. Sold the scale for $25.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I wanted the Little Dandy. It is fast and accurate if the rotors fit your loads. Mine has just developed a little quirk. I'm sure that RCBS and I will work it out. One less tool to adjust. I'll get an adjustable model eventually, but my loads fit the rotors and I can setup and load cases fast.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I loaded about 64 cases two nights ago and didn't have any more problems with the "sticky" rotor. I thoroughly cleaned it last time I used it. Maybe that is what it needed.

BTW, the RCBS tech said to send in the rotor or measure and they would fix or replace it right away. Their customer service is top notch. Anytime I have needed replacement or extra parts, they have sent them right away at no cost. Their warranty makes it hard for me to want to buy from anyone else.

 

[Unisaw]

After almost 25 years of use of my Little Dandy, I accidentally bumped the plastic cylinder and cracked it. RCBS replaced it at no cost.