Powder measures?

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GHinNH

GHinNH

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I'm certain the subject has been covered, but I could not find anything that did not quickly digress off topic.

I have been putting up with a cheaply made throw for some time, and have felt the need for something better for a while. Naturally most any search is just a redirect to the same four, green, red, orange or blue.

Just a good accurate, stable, solidly built measure that is not know to not have "issues". I have those with the one I have already, and hesitate to throw good money after bad trying a "better" one from the same company. I don't know, maybe something metal instead of plastic ya think?

So, which one, why, and any other relevant words would be welcome?
 
I used a Lee PPM for a few years, then bought my first 8# of H110. I bought a used RCBS Uniflow within a week, and haven't looked back.

I suggest a Uniflow, with the pistol cylinder, and micrometer stem. In the unlikely event you load anything the pistol cylinder won't throw, throw twice; my only example is .375H&H. The micro stem is, next to micro seating stems, the biggest time-saver on my bench.
 
I have a RCBS Uniflow that has a rifle drum in it and two Hornady Measures. One is on a LNL and the other is on the bench. Both have rifle and pistol drums and both are extremely accurate. Majority of what I load is handgun so the powders I use work really well in them. Stick powders like any other drum measures not so good. But Unique does measure within .1 to .2 grains in the Hornady ones.
Not sure what you are loading but having both rifle and pistol rotors whether RCBS or Hornady with the ones I have is a must if loading for rifle and pistol.
I’m sure you are going to get a ton of opinions on what you should spend your money on.
 
M-14 said:
Naturally most any search is just a redirect to the same four, green, red, orange or blue.
Click to expand...
Don't forget black, C-H and Frankford Arsenal Platinum.

C-H 502 - https://www.ch4d.com/products/equipment/powder-tools/502

FA Platinum - https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Mountable-Universal-Reloading/dp/B00HVZEA94

I bought the C-H 502 after powder measure comparison showed good consistency and standard thread allows me to mount it on Dillon or Lee presses - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11398909

I conducted 10 drop test in this thread using some more difficult to meter powders like Unique and got following powder charge variances - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/c-h-502-micrometer-powder-measure-10-drops.834894/
Of course, with $1 mod, I also use Lee Pro Auto Disk with infinite adjustability and can meter Sport Pistol down to around .05 gr variance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/working-diy-micro-auto-disk.741988/

And yes, I have scales that verified Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights down to .04-.06 grains.
 
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If I bought one today it would be -
1) a C-H or
2) a Harrell's
As they say here buy once, cry once. Currently have an RCBS and it works fine.
 
I said 30 yrs ago that when my Lyman 55 wears out, I'll look for a new one. Not happening any time soon!
 
Uniflow here also. An old one. Bought a small drum for it and the damn thing is so accurate and repeatable that I'm about to quit checking it against my beam and electronic scales.

What color is your's. Purple?
 
Two Lyman 55s, one Lee drum type, three Lee disc types, and four RCBS. With flake powders the Lyman. With cylindrical grains, RCBS plus a trickler. I'm seriously thinking of selling most of them and getting an electric dispenser. The Lee auto discs work great with flake and ball on the progressive.
 
Even with limited use so far I like the RCBS Uniflow as well. RCBS is having a rebate right now which might make your decision a little easier.
 
Look at the RCBS Uniflow 3. Just ordered direct from RCBS at 107, was at my door in 3 days and will be getting a 50.00 rebate! Cant beat it for 57 bucks, free shipping too. Has a single drum/metering insert that they claim is good for .5 gr-95 gr. Has quick change tube to dump the reservoir without detaching from press or stand. Rebates are good thru the end of the month. Filed the rebate online w a few photos and was approved online, now to see how long it takes to get the card.
 
M-14 said:
Naturally most any search is just a redirect to the same four, green, red, orange or blue.
Click to expand...

Well, red, obviously. Unless you mean Lee.:)

Buying red can get you a Forster measure, if two hundred dollars means that it’s cup-in-a-drum can dump powder better than another red cup-in-a-drum with a handle on it.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading...ers/lock-n-load-powder-measure-prod37213.aspx

This one works great. Pistols to rifles.
I can’t imagine why a blue one wouldn’t work the same, or green. I got this one because it was the least expensive of the “real metal” ones.;)

Krylon will cover any unsightly apparatus that clashes with your color palette.:D
 
I use the Lee Autodisks with micrometer on my Lee Turret Press for pistol, but for rifle, I use the RCBS Uniflow. Contemplating the Hornady case activated addition for the RCBS, but at 75 bucks, it is a bit pricey. The RCBS is great once you get it dialed in. The only issue I have with the Lee is some minor powder leakage with small kernel powders like 296. I sample every 10 throws and the RCBS is usually (95%) dead on or .1 grain off. The Lee is usually dead on (90%) with the most I have seen it be off at .3 grains - but in all fairness, that was with the powder hopper almost empty because I was at the end of a run. Normally if it is off, it is .2 grains or less off.
 
I have a Redding 10-X, RCBS Uniflow, Hornady L-N-L, and a Midway Indispensable (discontinued) drum style powder measures. All perform well.

But, I like having a micrometer adjuster on my powder measures. The micrometer adjust does not make the powder measure throw powder charges more accurately, but if you record the setting for a particular charge, you can quickly return to that setting the next time you want that powder charge.

The micrometer adjuster makes dialing in a particular powder charge easier as you have repeatable marks to adjust to.
 
cfullgraf said:
I have a Redding 10-X, RCBS Uniflow, Hornady L-N-L, and a Midway Indispensable (discontinued) drum style powder measures. All perform well.

But, I like having a micrometer adjuster on my powder measures. The micrometer adjust does not make the powder measure throw powder charges more accurately, but if you record the setting for a particular charge, you can quickly return to that setting the next time you want that powder charge.

The micrometer adjuster makes dialing in a particular powder charge easier as you have repeatable marks to adjust to.
Click to expand...
mine doesn't even have threading on it you kind of got a float it in and out I want you get it set it dumps repeat after repeat
 
So it seems to me so far, in no particular order....

Lyman No.55
RCBS Uniflow ( I WILL have to check that out for rebates!)
and Frankfort Arsenal Platinum

I do like the Lyman No.55, and the idea of not having to change drums to go between rifle or pistol, but....

I never use extruded, I like to stick to ball if at all possible, and yes, pass on Lee this time thanks, the one I do have binds terribly with fine grain and leaks all over coating my hands.
 
Guess I’m the odd man out but I use an RCBS Little Dandy. Since I primarily reload straight walled pistol calibers it works well for my application. For anything else I go to the Lee Powder Measure.
 
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