New Lee Classic Powder Measure

[LiveLife]

Has anyone used the new Lee Classic Powder Measure? http://leeprecision.com/classic-powder-measure.html

It has machined cast iron body, brass drum with true micrometer and elastomer wiper that won't cut powder. It's around $75

 

[splattergun]

It's been discussed a bit here;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=772051&highlight=new+lee

Seems to be getting generally good reviews by those who have tried it, generally poor reviews by those who won't try it.

 

[RealGun]

Now they're getting serious...something better than a plastic toy that gets thrown in a box.

 

[lbs]

that plastic toy has been the preferred tool for throwing stick powders like varget.
I plan on getting this one too.

 

[horseman1]

Looks like a good measure and an improvement on their earlier version. If it throws stick powders with acceptable accuracy without cutting, I would be up for one to deploy for dedicated stick powder use. Would be great to read a review of one.

[edit] I see daboone did an excellent review in the linked thread

 

[mdi]

My "plastic toy" is just as accurate with most powders as my C-H 502, or the Lyman I used for a while. Some folks just can't get over "new" material uses. Remember the big todo when Chevy came out with a fiberglass bodied car? "Cheap, it'll never sell, it'll fall apart in 1,000 miles or if you go over 60 MPH"...

 

[daboone]

For stick/extruded powder of the H4895 type I've found the Lee Perfect PM every bit as good as this new Classic PM. Both do a decent job. But both fall off in performance with powders like IMR 4350. The new Classic PM was far superior to the PPM with ball and flake powders.

 

[LiveLife]

splattergun, thanks for the link!

daboone did a review of the new powder measure using Unique and it threw very consistent charges. 0.1 gr variance with Unique?! Dang! If I can get powder drops like that, I may consider using Unique again - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9853083#post9853083

Measure adjusted for 3.5g of Unique with approximately 2 second fill time. Individual weights as listed for each dispensing.
1- 3.5g
2- 3.6g
3- 3.6g
4- 3.6g
5- 3.6g
6- 3.5g
7- 3.6g
8- 3.6g
9- 3.6g
10-3.5g

Measure set for 10g of Unique. Individual weights as listed for each dispensing.
1- 10g
2- 10.1g
3- 10g
4- 10.1g
5- 10.1g
6- 10.1g
7- 10.1g
8- 10g
9- 10g
10- 10g

 

[OilyPablo]

How does this one compare to the RCBS?

 

[javelinablanco]

This looks cool, I'm currently using the Hornady powder measure with a rifle metering insert. It is not as accurate with pistol powder. Apparently there is a pistol metering insert. I accidentally bought the precision insert without knowing you needed a whole different rotor assembly [emoji25]. Wonder if this measure will work good with pistol throws

 

[KansasSasquatch]

This looks cool, I'm currently using the Hornady powder measure with a rifle metering insert. It is not as accurate with pistol powder. Apparently there is a pistol metering insert. I accidentally bought the precision insert without knowing you needed a whole different rotor assembly [emoji25]. Wonder if this measure will work good with pistol throws

If its the same as the plastic Lee PPM but made of metal, it'll do great with pistol sized charges. The plastic Lee just has a bad tendency to leak fine ball powders like H110/W296 and Ramshot True Blue.

 

[splattergun]

You're welcome BDS. Hope it was helpful

If its the same as the plastic Lee PPM but made of metal, it'll do great with pistol sized charges. The plastic Lee just has a bad tendency to leak fine ball powders like H110/W296 and Ramshot True Blue.

not just the same. It has a 'true micrometer' drop tube, so that's no the same as the PPM. It does have the elastomer wiper to prevent cutting stick powder, which is the same, but also has tighter tolerances to prevent leaking.
BTW, my PPM doesn't leak fine powder.

 

[RealGun]

My introduction to the original powder measure created an unfortunate impression, because I was using AA#7, which bound up the plastic rotor. Doing handgun ammo in that primitive fashion lasted only one batch though, after which I ordered a turret. Sorry, but that measure really does have all the attributes of a "toy". I am glad to see Lee move in the direction of more serious tools.

 

[mgmorden]

Looks nice, but I haven't tried it. I have the old "perfect powder measure" that I use when loading single-stage and it has always worked fine for the most part.

It is nice to see Lee coming out with some fairly stout products now though. Still, the stigma is a little hard to shake. While I have no problem with Lee products at the prices they traditionally sold for, when they start to get up to the same price as the other guys its hard for me to still look at the Lee.

 

[joem1945]

I had one which worked well enough I guess. I didn't like the mounting metal which would spring back and forth when operating with stick powders. Gave it to a friend just getting into reloading. Didn't take him long to up grade.

 

[higgite]

I had one which worked well enough I guess. I didn't like the mounting metal which would spring back and forth when operating with stick powders. Gave it to a friend just getting into reloading. Didn't take him long to up grade.

Are you talking about the old PPM or the new Classic PM?