Powder measures?

[Dalerj]

I have been using a RCBS powder measure for years and it works just fine for rifle loads. I am now loading 9x19 & 9x17 and have noticed that on the light loads ( 3-4 grains of red dot) it isn't doing the job. Every once in a while it throws a light charge. A friend recommended a lee measure for pistols.
Is that a good idea or do you have any thoughts? Thanks, Dalerj

 

[jcwit]

Frankly I really like the Lee PPM, some will say its cheap plastic but hey so's the bumpers on your car. The Lee I have is VERY ACCURATE. Might depend on what type of powder you're using also.

I also like and use for reloading pistol rounds the Lee Pro Auto Disk, don't mess with the Auto Disk look at the Pro Auto Disk. These are also very accurate.

 

[rcmodel]

RCBS makes a small drum assy for your measure that might cure your small charge problem.
https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Ma...creenlabel=index&productId=2970&route=C07J030

Why don't you call them at:
1-800-533-5000
and discuss it with them.

rc

 

[mkl]

I have used the RCBS Uniflow for at least 25 years in handgun reloading.

With the SMALL cylinder installed, it is an extremely accurate measure for handgun loads.

Get the small cylinder, and you will not be disappointed.

 

[PO2Hammer]

For handgun loads you can't beat the Redding 10X. Built for handguns and small rifle calibers only. Micrometer settings, worth the extra money.

 

[cbm1948]

The small cylinder for the RCBS will do the trick, but take a serious look at just buying a whole new Uniflow with a small cylinder. Changing out the cylinder when going form rifle to pistol is a pain. Life is short enjoy reloading and shooting more not fussing with your equipment.

Clint

 

[1SOW]

The Lee Auto Powder Disk system is very accurate and consistent. It was designed for ball powders.
Drawback: With 9mm, hole #40 gives 4.3 grs of Win 231.
the next hole #43 gives 4.6 grs

 

[luis7]

Hello guys.
REd dot and Uniflow is a bad combination because work bad and isn´t accurate with red dot powder tipe, with ball powder work better.
Lee powder measure is good to measure all powder and cheap, but if you can buy (because are discontinued both) a Ohaus 7200 duo PM or a Uniflow Duo PM, both Ohaus manufacture (not RCBS) and they are accuratte with all powder tipes with low chargues since 1 grain.
Greetings.

 

[Steve C]

Just a 4th or 5th concurrence with using the correct drum and tube for pistol charges under 10 grains.

I have 2 Hornady measures, one on my LNLAP, and one for use with single stage loading. The measure mechanics and operation of the Hornady and the RCBS Uniflow are similar. With the small charge tube installed in my Hornady it will throw flake powders like Unique and Red Dot in light charges with not enough variation to be detected by my 5-0-5 Ohaus scale (i.e. < 0.1gr) Use the rifle or large rotor and repeatable accuracy with loads under 10 grains disappear. The only exception is the bulky Trail Boss but it is extremity bulky and small charge weights take up the volume of much heavier charges of other powders.

 

[Walkalong]

Just a 4th or 5th concurrence with using the correct drum and tube for pistol charges under 10 grains.

Yep, and if you don't want to change inserts back and forth, get a whole nother RCBS measure set up for pistol, or a Redding 10X for pistol.

 

[lgbloader]

and if you don't want to change inserts back and forth, get a whole nother RCBS measure set up for pistol

that's what I did.

LGB

 

[something vague]

If you plan on using ball powders at all, stay away from the Lee Perfect Powder measure. That is currently what I am operating on and am not real happy with it. Although for the money, it really isn't bad. With ball powders I find that the powder is able to leak through the drum part of the measure and actually binds up the handle rotation a bit. I find ball powder all over my bench under the measure, drives me crazy. It doesn't prevent it from throwing an accurate charge every time though, just don't care for the feel of the handle with these powders. Especially with W296 where charges get to be pretty large. With Universal or Unique I have no problems.

I'm actually in the market for a new Powder Measure because of this neusance. Is the RCBS Uniflow powder measure a good product for the price? I load mostly handgun cartidges but will be getting into more and more of small rifle rounds shortly such as the 22-250 and maybe 7mm-08. Would the RCBS with the small cylinder be the way to go? And in the future, would it be possible to change the cylinder on this model to the standard size for larger cartidges?

 

[mkl]

Is the RCBS Uniflow powder measure a good product for the price?

Like I said above, it is an excellent measure for handgun loads. I cannot speak to using the large cylinder with rifle charges, since I weigh all my charges. I actually got the "combo" set 25 years ago, and have yet to install the large cylinder in my measure.

My measure will hold easily to 1/10 grain accuracy using the small cylinder, a powder baffle, and using the "double tap" technique of dispensing. It will do this with all powder types, including extruded (IMR-4227) in which case it will actually cut the grains to the exact charge.

I have never had a "leakage" problem even when using very fine ball powders.

YMMV, but I really do like my old RCBS measure.