alanwk
Member
Looking for practical suggestions for a powder dispenser. Currently using the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Not too happy. I am getting bits of powder all over my bench. I an using HS6. Thanks
Powder measures
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Charlie98
Member
Never a fan of the Lee... I used it once, and sold it off on eBay.
I've got 2 versions of the Hornady powder drop... the older Pacific version, and the current LNL drop... they both work well with pistol type powders. That is not to say any quality drop won't work... my buddy used to use the RCBS drop (not the Little Dandy with it's proprietary bushings...) with good results, using W231, for example.
I've got 2 versions of the Hornady powder drop... the older Pacific version, and the current LNL drop... they both work well with pistol type powders. That is not to say any quality drop won't work... my buddy used to use the RCBS drop (not the Little Dandy with it's proprietary bushings...) with good results, using W231, for example.
BrotherMaynard
Member
My Lee PPM mainly gets used when I am loading with 700-X or 5744.
I have one from CH4D and am happy with it:
I also have an RCBS Uniflow II that I got used. It has performed well so far.
I have one from CH4D and am happy with it:
I also have an RCBS Uniflow II that I got used. It has performed well so far.
bummer7
Member
Might I suggest you consider both a manual and electric dispenser? Both types have their advantages and drawbacks. I have found there is no one dispenser that is perfect. Everything from an Ohaus Duo to a Lee have their pros and cons.
The Lee PPM is known for doing that with fine powders, until you break it in and get it adjusted right. Then the leaks go away.
There is a cone half and a drum half and the two have to mate up perfectly. They get that way by working it back and forth a bunch of times. The manual will say to dump a pound of powder thru it to break it in. The shortcut version is to do the same with graphite powder. The cone and drum will wear in together.
Then when using it, make sure you snug the mounting screw up to draw them together and the leaks will soon stop. The payoff is once it is set and working, they are dead nuts accurate with just about any powder there is.
There is a cone half and a drum half and the two have to mate up perfectly. They get that way by working it back and forth a bunch of times. The manual will say to dump a pound of powder thru it to break it in. The shortcut version is to do the same with graphite powder. The cone and drum will wear in together.
Then when using it, make sure you snug the mounting screw up to draw them together and the leaks will soon stop. The payoff is once it is set and working, they are dead nuts accurate with just about any powder there is.
PWC
Member
I don't know about any of the "new" measures as I have, and have only used a orange Lyman 55. Never had any leaks and once set it is consistent. Using stick powder like 4064 it does cut grains, but that is only a minor thing.
I use an old 83 yr old Pacific powder balance, not a SCALE. You put a known weight on the pan and adjust the beam for zero/balance. Replace the weight with powder until the beam "balances". Powder = known weight. Gravity never fails. Set the Lyman for that weight and get consistent throws.
Look on the net, they are out there and not prohibitively xpensive.
I use an old 83 yr old Pacific powder balance, not a SCALE. You put a known weight on the pan and adjust the beam for zero/balance. Replace the weight with powder until the beam "balances". Powder = known weight. Gravity never fails. Set the Lyman for that weight and get consistent throws.
Look on the net, they are out there and not prohibitively xpensive.
Then when you use it a jillian times you get a feather edge around the hole and you throw it away and start over. No biggie. The double disk one I just use what won't slip out the bottom.
westernrover
Member
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- May 4, 2018
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- 1,613
I remember the Deluxe PPM with the metal drum was ok, but I can't recall how it worked with fine powders.
I bought a Harrells pistol measure and it works very well, so I sold the three Lee measures I had.
The Harrells only has one peculiarity in that the drum adjustment is concentric with the drum rotation so when the handle is turned and stopped, inertia carries the adjustment knob around. It depends on detents to maintain the adjustment, but in practice it does not. It might need some kind of adjustment lock. Otherwise, I can recommend it.
Powders like H110 are troublesome. Besides being fine and prone to leaking through very small gaps, the individual powder grains are very light so they're susceptible to even slight electrostatic charges making them stick. H110 always sticks to the inside of my Harrells drum. It still dispenses charges with less than 1/10th grain variance, but I have to blow the inside out to remove all the stuck powder when I'm finished. There are no such issues with extruded VV pistol powders or bigger ball powders like Titegroup, Longshot, H335, etc.
I bought a Harrells pistol measure and it works very well, so I sold the three Lee measures I had.
The Harrells only has one peculiarity in that the drum adjustment is concentric with the drum rotation so when the handle is turned and stopped, inertia carries the adjustment knob around. It depends on detents to maintain the adjustment, but in practice it does not. It might need some kind of adjustment lock. Otherwise, I can recommend it.
Powders like H110 are troublesome. Besides being fine and prone to leaking through very small gaps, the individual powder grains are very light so they're susceptible to even slight electrostatic charges making them stick. H110 always sticks to the inside of my Harrells drum. It still dispenses charges with less than 1/10th grain variance, but I have to blow the inside out to remove all the stuck powder when I'm finished. There are no such issues with extruded VV pistol powders or bigger ball powders like Titegroup, Longshot, H335, etc.
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Palladan44
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2020
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- 1,904
I Either use the Dillon 550B thrower, or for precision rifle I hand trickle right into the scale pan.
I had the same issue with the Lee measure. I went with the RCBS Competition Powder Measure, but I believe any good quality steel measure like the Lyman or Hornady will work well too.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I have owned a Lyman 55, a RCBS Uniflo, a Redding BR 30, and presently own a Harrell's Schuetzen and a Harrell's BR Premium. The Harrell's work best for me.
I use a Redding 10-X, an RCBS Uniflow, and a Midway Indispensable (discontinued in the 1990s).
All three are drum style measures.
I use the Redding for handgun cartridges as it has the smallest cavity. The Uniflow for small rifle cartridges. Its cavity is larger than the Redding. The Midway has the largest cavity and I use it for larger rifle cartridges.
RCBS used to offer a small cavity drum for handgun cartridges and a large cavity drum for rifles. I do not know if they still offer those options.
Ditto for the Hornady L-N-L powder measure although they offered interchangeable measuring stems that fit the same drum.
I find measures are easier to get consistent throws if you are not operating at the extremes of the settings.
I also have an L-N-L measure and works fine. I just like the other three better.
The Lyman 55 has a good following but I have not figured a way to adapt one to my progressive presses. I load mostly handgun ammunition on the progressives these days. I’ve not done much rifle reloading of late which I do mostly on a single stage press. Hence my Lyman is still in the box.
Finally, I have a Culver Custom 90 that I use for load development. Very consistent, easy to make adjustment, and very expensive.
All three are drum style measures.
I use the Redding for handgun cartridges as it has the smallest cavity. The Uniflow for small rifle cartridges. Its cavity is larger than the Redding. The Midway has the largest cavity and I use it for larger rifle cartridges.
RCBS used to offer a small cavity drum for handgun cartridges and a large cavity drum for rifles. I do not know if they still offer those options.
Ditto for the Hornady L-N-L powder measure although they offered interchangeable measuring stems that fit the same drum.
I find measures are easier to get consistent throws if you are not operating at the extremes of the settings.
I also have an L-N-L measure and works fine. I just like the other three better.
The Lyman 55 has a good following but I have not figured a way to adapt one to my progressive presses. I load mostly handgun ammunition on the progressives these days. I’ve not done much rifle reloading of late which I do mostly on a single stage press. Hence my Lyman is still in the box.
Finally, I have a Culver Custom 90 that I use for load development. Very consistent, easy to make adjustment, and very expensive.
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^^^^ THIS ^^^^
( ~ mega dittos ~ )
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Yes, they still do.
kmw1954
Member
You all just crack me up.
I have a Lee Auto Drum that I have been using since they were first released. I spill more than it leaks. I just loaded 100 rounds of 223 with Accurate 2460. That stuff is so fine it jambs up my Hornady Powder Trickler. So just like my old red based Pro1000 IT must be defective.
I have a Lee Auto Drum that I have been using since they were first released. I spill more than it leaks. I just loaded 100 rounds of 223 with Accurate 2460. That stuff is so fine it jambs up my Hornady Powder Trickler. So just like my old red based Pro1000 IT must be defective.
Bazoo
Member
I use a Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I tuned mine so it don't leak as much. I found that there is a bit of a small shelf inside the body that can hold a few kernels of powder, and if you bump the measure when the handle is down, it can dislodge. I tuned that too, but it was a major source of loose kernels on my bench.
Other than that annoyance, I've found the Lee PPM to be accurate and reliable. I've loaded thousands of rounds with mine.
Other than that annoyance, I've found the Lee PPM to be accurate and reliable. I've loaded thousands of rounds with mine.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I am not a Lee hater by any means. I have quite a bit of their stuff. I have several sets of dies, trimmers, 2 presses (one single stage and one turret), two 20lb bottom pour lead pots, multiple bullet molds, and probably some other stuff I can't remember right now.
But I despise their powder measures. They feel like they're made by Fisher Price.
I love my Uniflow. I'm sure the Redding, Hornady, and Lyman are fine as well.
If money isn't a consideration, get a Harrells.
But I despise their powder measures. They feel like they're made by Fisher Price.
I love my Uniflow. I'm sure the Redding, Hornady, and Lyman are fine as well.
If money isn't a consideration, get a Harrells.
ReloaderNoob
Member
I own and have extensively tested the following: Lee PPM, Deluxe PPM, Auto Disk. Auto Drum; Lyman 55 and recent Brice Smith; RCBS (manual and case activated) Uniflow 1,2, and 3, Quick Change, Redding Master #3, Hornady LNL (manual and case activated), and the newest FA manual model. The best value out there, IMHO, is the Lyman Brice Smith - accurate, precision, repeatable, and costs around $50-60. I use about 20 different pistol powders and 4 rifle powders and if picking just one measure, it would be the Lyman.
jimbo4
Member
I use the lee perfect for stick Imr 3031/4064/4350 .The uni flows for the rest of rifle powder.The Lyman brass smith for pistol unique is dead accurate in it.Or if I am going faster with pistol I use lee disk or drum. So far good luck with them all.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Im happy with my RCBS uniflow,Lyman 55 and their orange one. I no longer use Lee's. I had to many issues with them.
