Question on Old vs New RCBS Powder Measures

[Mauser69]

The question is specifically for anyone who remembers and has experience with the old RCBS Du-O-Measure (originally made by Ohaus I believe). I have a 40 year old Du-O-Measure that I have always loved; the great features include the built-in adjustable baffle, the micrometer adjustment, and the machined drum with both large and small measuring chambers that can be selected by simply reversing the drum and popping in the micrometer in the other hole. Unfortunately the plastic hopper has gotten brittle with age and parts are no longer available.

RCBS has offered to trade me a new Uniflow powder measure if I send them my old Du-O-Flow. Seems like a nice offer, but I am concerned that I will be losing a lot - looking at the Uniflow online it seems to only come with one-size measuring cylinder (either large or small) and no micrometer adjustment.

So for anyone who has used BOTH the old Du-O-Measure and the current Uniflow, what is your opinion? Am I better off trying to manufacture a new hopper for my old Du-O, or should I just grab the new Uniflow and be grateful that RCBS is standing behind a 40 year old product?

Thanx for your answers...

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Never had a Du-o, but knowing about the comparison to the Uniflow I would not do the trade. Here is a thread about making a new hopper.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...ent-Hopper-for-Ohaus-Duo-Matic-Powder-Measure

 

[moxie]

A guy on the AR-15 forum developed a fix using a Lee hopper and some JB weld. See:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/414900_RCBS_Du_O_Measure_hopper_replacement.html

 

[Rule3]

Mine is not the Duo Measure but the older Combo with both large and small rotors. It only has graduated screws, no Mic.

I never bought the mic as it really doesn't do anything the graduated screw doesn't. It is just reference lines.

I used a newer Uniflow and can say that the plastic and metal are thinner or lesser quality than the older ones, They still wotk very well.

Heck ask RCBS to include both large and small rotors and a micrometer in the deal, If it is lifetime no BS then you should get equivalent of what you have now,

They are pretty darn nice about replacement, can't hurt to ask

When I bought my RCBS Progressive I called them about APS strips and thought they were a bit stingy with them, (not in those words, I had called about something else)They sent me a box full of them!

Green is as good or better than Blue

 

[cfullgraf]

Unfortunately the plastic hopper has gotten brittle with age and parts are no longer available.

It is quite possible that a standard size plastic tubing was used to make the hopper, but maybe not. It would be worth taking some measurements and searching a little.

Another option, look at what Sinclair International does for making adapters for various powder measures for using plastic powder bottles.

While Sinclair's parts themselves may not work, the concept may give you some ideas. Making an adapter to use a bottle or a reservoir for another powder measure might be easier than making the entire piece.

While I have not used a Du-O-Measure, it seems that older reloading equipment is more finely crafted than the current crop of stuff.

Just some food for thought.

 

[GW Staar]

If I were in your position, I'd say sure if you replace it with the new Quick Change Uniflow.

With the new measure there is only one cylinder that fits both sized measuring screws.

The measuring screws are snap-locked in position, and are designed to be set once........IOW's you buy a $10 large measuring screw or a $15 small measuring screw for each powder charge you want to set.........then to change calibers you just snap the appropriate screw in the cylinder. Super quick.......faster than the older expensive mic screws that obviously won't work with the new snap-in feature.

Icing on the cake is the much larger powder hopper......finally.

The new Pro Chucker progressives, come with these new Quick Change Uniflows, but, the 5-station press comes with the regular Quick Change pictured below but with the normal (small ) sized hopper.:

The Pro Chucker 7, seven station press comes with the larger 1 lb hoppered Quick Change. (pictured above) The huge high capacity version, that holds 2 pounds of powder is also available (pictured below). Both of these models are listed at Midway USA.

 

[Mauser69]

RCBS's Response

Just an update for anybody interested in how RCBS responded to me.

The suggestion to try for an exchange with a Quick Change powder measure was an excellent one - that model is MUCH closer to the functionality of the old Du-O-Measure than the disappointing Uniflow. Unfortunately, RCBS is adamant that the ONLY item they will provide in exchange for my old powder measure is the standard Uniflow with the large cylinder. This does not make me happy, and I absolutely do NOT want what I consider a terribly inferior product. I'll keep patching and babying my old Du-O-Measure until I am forced to buy a replacement (if ever), and then it won't be an RCBS.

Now let me be clear - I am not trying to badmouth RCBS here - I was initially very impressed that they offered the replacement for a 40 year old product. Although I would have preferred to just be able to buy replacement parts, I can understand why they might not be available. The problem that RCBS caused was in offering a very inferior item in exchange, and then not being willing to even work with me on getting the more appropriate item that sells for only $13 more! That is just stupid. That tells me that the only reason they were offering the exchange at all is to simply dump old stocks of a lousy product more than trying to help out a long-term customer. They might have THOUGHT they could buy good will with such an offer, but instead it just ended up making me mad.

 

[luis7]

Hi at all.
I´m Luis from España.
I have two uniflow duo measure now and had a modern uniflow in the past.
Never, never you must change tho old for the new. Old is better than new in all.
If you have a cracked hopper, glue it, use lee hooper or buy a used hopper.
Greeting.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Did you ask about paying the difference between the Uniflow and the quick change Uniflow? It might be worth a shot. In my experience there's more than one person answering their phones. Maybe you'd get lucky if you call back and get someone else on the line.

 

[X-Ring]

I don’t share your opinion that the standard Uniflow is a lousy product, it is a capable powder measure that will drop accurate charges.

 

[Trek]

I agree that the Uniflow is an excellent product. It may not have all the features of your old powder measure, such as a built in baffle, but you can always add the RCBS metal baffle to the Uniflow. However, I would not trade your old powder measure for it. I would do like others have said, and adapt one of the available powder hoppers to it, and continue using it.