Powder Metering: RCBS Uniflow & Others with Flake Powders

[roo_ster]

OK, I'm about to take the plunge & start rollin' my own. I have the equipment & bought...a BUNCH of reloading manuals. What's more, I've read them. I don't relish losing any fingers.

To develop the specific loads from published materials, I'll weigh every charge. But, I want to transition to a powder measure after I find the best recipie for my firearms, for some production speed. ( I currently own an RCBS Uniflow)

*Questions*
1. Which types of powder meter the best/worst/acceptably? (flake vs extruded vs ball)
2. Is one of the commonly available powder measures better for flake powders? (Since it seems like most the powders I am interested in for my applications are flake)

*Near-term Goals*
1. Plinker/target loads using swaged lead bullets at 700-800fps
2. Heavy loads for magnums

After tearing through a lot of the data, it looks like Bullseye & Unique are suitable for a large range of low-pressure, low-velocity plinking loads and that 2400 is a go-to powder for heavy .357mag & .44mag.

*Plinker loads: .357mag, .44mag, .45ACP*
Swaged lead bullets, Lee Liq Alox lube, Bullseye or Unique, 700-800fps
Also, a hardball equivalent with 230gr lead in .45ACP

*Heavy Loads: .357mag, .44mag*
Hard cast lead bullets from some supplier, 2400, as fast as is safe & as bullet can handle w/o leading

.357mag: 158gr SWC
.44mag 240gr SWC
.45ACP 230gr LRN (Later a 260gr HBRN .455 Webley-equivalent)

 

[Steve in PA]

I've been using my Uniflow since I bought the RCBS kit more than 10 years ago. Sure the extruded powders are "harder" to use than flake or ball, but I don't have a problem with the Uniflow.

These are the powders I use/have used;

Unique - used for my .45
IMR-4895 - used for .30/06 in my M1 Garand
IMR-4064, IMR-4350 - was used in .30/06 loads (hunting)
H414 - used in my hunting .30/06
H110 - used for my .44mag
HS6 - used in my 9mm
H335 - used in my .223
AA #2 - used in my .380

I have no need, want or desire to get a different powder measure.

Ball powder, meters better than flake, which meters better than extruded.

 

[stans]

Ball powder, meters better than flake, which meters better than extruded.

And that is pretty much true of all powder measures. RCBS does sell a small diameter drum for the Uniflow and it is supposed to be much better at metering small charges of flake powder.

 

[roo_ster]

Thank you. There is no substitute for experience.

That's exactly what I was looking to know.

I think I might invest in that small diam drum for the Uniflow, as the plinker/target loads are pretty small.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Truly rigid mounting may be better than factory.

Truly rigid mounting may be better than factory stands.

There is some evidence that a truly rigid mounting is more consistent than the factory stands which amount to a flex arm secured more or less rigidly at one end and vibrating at the other.

I find consistent regular use and practice produces more consistent results too. Getting back into reloading after a layoff the powder drop is less consistent.

On the other hand for many purposes I find metered loads at least as satisfactory as weighed.

 

[Black Snowman]

I have my Uniflow mounted in my Lee Challenger press ever since I upgraded to the Lee Classic Cast. Sturdy mount helps the consistancy. For flake and extruded powders a baffle is helpful as well.

I've had good results with the following powders:
Hodgdon H-110, BL-C(2), Tite-Group, Universal, Varget
Alliant 2400
IMR - various, all extruded.

Extruded powders can sometimes "cut" but still throw consistantly. I think the solid mounting really helps with these situations.

I hear horror stories about IMR 800-X but the HUGE flakes of the old AA #7 before it went to a ball powder work fine so I might give it a try.

A word of advice: If you are using a large flake or extruded powder, make sure you use the large opening drop funnel to prevent bridging, unless you don't have a choice (IE loading a .223 with Varget).

For large extruded powders I've actually found the Lee Perfect Powder Measure to be the smoothest operating and very consistant. However, with H-110 and other fine ball powders it leaks badly.

 

[ezypikns]

I Had Problems With My Uniflow....

until today. I was using Unique. I took the advice of some forum contributors and bought a baffle for my Uniflow (available at Sportsman's Warehouse in Lewisville, Tx.) and started using Bullseye. I loaded 100 rds of .45 ACP in about a third of the time. The Uniflow is an outstanding measure.

 

[roo_ster]

Thanks a bunch for all the replys.

I am going to order tomorrow (payday):
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure Cylander Assy, Small
RCBS Uniflow Powder Baffle
Lee Perfect Powder Measure

I have read good reports about the Lee measure & extruded. Besides, it costs less than most spare parts/add-ons for the Uniflow.

I already have the RCBS powder measure stand & have THAT mounted to a 12" long 2x6, which will be mounted to my several-hunderd-pound metal desk.

 

[cracked butt]

If you already have a solidly mounted single stage press, the Uniflow will screw right into it- voila, solidly mounted powder measure.

 

[lvl1trauma]

A lot of people will tell you the flake powders like Bullseye and unique don't meter well. That's a bunch of bung. The do fine. In order to get repeatability with these powders and others, don't base your charge off of single throws. Get your measure set pretty close to where you want to be. Then throw 10 charges. Take the average. Example- if you want 5 grains of a powder, set your scale on 50 grains and throw 10 charges into the pan and weigh them. Adjust the measure high or low as needed. Do this until you throw 2 or 3 cycles of 10 charges without having to adjust the measure. This will also give you repeatability on any favorite load you have.
Also, since you have a new measure, you will need to slick it up. That will come from the graphite coating (or whatever you call it) on the powder. Screw the adjustment all the way out. Run at least a half a lb. of powder thru the measure. That will get everything coated with graphite so the powder flows better thru the measure when you start to load with it. I think that is covered in the instructions with your measure.

Lvl1trauma

 

[thauser777]

RCBS Uniflow issues

I use a Uniflow that came with the RCBS kit when I first started loading for pistol. I had a lot of problems with throwing consistant loads. Flake powder would not throw smoothly and would even "catch" or "snag" on the flakes. The problem was that I was using the large cylinder that came with the unit. The large is for 10 to 100 grains according to RCBS. The small is for .5 to 10 grains. After purchasing the small cylinder, using a baffle and making sure there was no static charge my problems went away.