RCBS Powder measure

[gifbohane]

I bought my manual powder measure from RCBS

I bought the "small" insert for my RCBS manual powder measure to measure and to load pistol rounds.

Then I started loading rifle and still am using the smaller "barrel." It will dispense more than enough powder (25 grains.)

It occurred to me that I should buy the larger barrel insert that was designed for the larger rifle throws of powder.

Thoughts?

 

[troy fairweather]

not if u don't need it and as long as its consistent and accurate. u may need the other one day. if u got the extra cash it good to have. changing your powder may make u need the bigger one to

 

[Skgreen]

IMHO, the larger one will be of no real advantage over the smaller one if it already throws the charge you need.
I like the RCBS small insert as I can load both 223 and pistol with it.. My small Hornady insert is too small for my 223 loads.

 

[gifbohane]

Guys Thanks for the good advice...

 

[JimKirk]

I have been using the RCBS Uniflow since 1969 with the large cavity ... I can throw 3.3 grains of TiteGroup all day long ....

If the small cavity throws large enough charges for the cartridges you load .... stick with it ... but you will not be able to throw the large charges needed for the bigger cartridges ...

 

[Charliefrank]

I have both, but have never used the large one.

 

[pert near]

I have both, but have never used the large one.

That goes for me too - can't remember when I last used the large cylinder.

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought my manual powder measure from RCBS

I bought the "small" insert for my RCBS manual powder measure to measure and to load pistol rounds.

Then I started loading rifle and still am using the smaller "barrel." It will dispense more than enough powder (25 grains.)

It occurred to me that I should buy the larger barrel insert that was designed for the larger rifle throws of powder.

Thoughts?

With my Uniflow, I use the small cavity drum for 223 Rem and 204 Ruger.

When the charge gets larger than that, I switch to the large cavity. I use the large cavity for 308 Win and 30-06.

 

[chas442]

When I bought my RCBS Press kit that included the powder measure. It stated that I should contact RCBS customer service and ask for a "large" barrel for the powder measure. I did and they sent me one free of charge. I only use it for 30-06 and 338LM.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

All this depends on your loading needs. I got both large and small. The larger rotor is used for bigger rifles. If you can get away with using the small rotor only have at it. That use makes good sense. I find that the large rotor is mainly in use here. However, I can get down as low as 16grs.of 2400 loading lead bullets into 308. The large also works for 300 Weatherby Magnum and the like. The Uniflow is an excellent piece of reloading equipment. All this reloading equipment came second hand...the way I like it.

 

[cougar1717]

There is no need to buy the large drum for the Uniflow if you're only dropping powder within the limits of the small drum. The issue is with the inverse - when you try to drop low charge weights with flake/disc powder and the large drum, then the drops are not as consistent. When the large drum is adjusted for low charge weight drops, the cavity on the large drum is really shallow. Ball powder users will not see this issue.

 

[rfwobbly]

The smallest bore that will deliver the correct amount of powder will give you the greatest sensitivity in adjustment, which is a good thing. That is to say, 1/8 turn with the small bore might equal 0.4gr, while 1/8 turn with the large bore might deliver 3.1gr. So it will be much easier to dial in the small bore.

 

[Rule3]

In summary, the LARGE one is only needed if you Need a large one

I have the older version that came with both cylinders, I do not load any monster size magnum rifle. only 556 and 308 the small rotor works just fine.

 

[edwardware]

I use the small rotor, with micrometer, for everything. I use 2 throws for 375 H&H; doesn't harm a thing.

Definitely buy the micrometer before the large rotor.

 

[Average Joe]

My small rotor will throw up to 45 grains of W748, I use it for reloading .308 cases... Never had the need for the large rotor.....

 

[8ring]

This is good to know. I've switched to the large drum in my Uniflow when loading 5.56 and .223. The charges were consistent when using ball powder (WW-748) and small cylindrical powder (VV-133 and VV-135). I'll try using the small drum with this caliber going forward.

Chris

 

[GW Staar]

Quick Change Uniflows?
So am I the only one who has tried the Quick Change version of the Uniflow? With that there is only one cylinder and 3 inserts, small cavity, large cavity, and extra large cavity. Extra large is I think for 50 cal. and the uniflow they sell with the ultra sized hopper.

A year before I gave in and bought a Pro Chucker 7, I bought the conversion parts to convert a Uniflow to a Quick Change. I actually like it. Even more now that RCBS sells the powder dies separately! That allows my tool heads to be set up once, except for the tiny adjustments due to another powder batch, temperature, or humidity. Such adjustments are but trivial short annoyances.

What I do is buy a $10 to $15 stem for each of my common favorite loads....set it once. It starts with the Q.C. cylinder, then stems as you need, and a powder dump if you want.
https://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=RCBS+Quick+Change&userItemsPerPage=48

 

[BWS]

There is the notion that; by utilizing the smallest diameter cylinder,in a typical fill/dump hopper style measure..... kernal cutting is minimized. If you get a chance,look at a Lyman 55. There's a series of adj slides(for lack of technical term) that you can adj the cavity. It may help understand the idea. You can have a large capacity, yet shallow opening...vs...large capacity,deep cavity. Good luck with your project.

 

[Rule3]

Never understood buying the "micrometer" it is just a fancy version of the old screw with lines. Mine has graduated lines, You have to tweak it anyway?

 

[Ironicaintit]

I use the small rotor for everything up to 223 and 7.62x39. I use the large rotor for 308 and up.

 

[daboone]

Never understood buying the "micrometer" it is just a fancy version of the old screw with lines. Mine has graduated lines, You have to tweak it anyway?

Same thing applies to Trimmers like the Wilson or Redding. Especially if you have case length gauges.

 

[cfullgraf]

Never understood buying the "micrometer" it is just a fancy version of the old screw with lines. Mine has graduated lines, You have to tweak it anyway?

A micrometer head will not make your powder measure more accurate, but it will sure make the repeatability of the measure easier and faster as long as you record the settings. Dial it in to the exact same setting as one used before.

If the charge is off, I do an interpolation calculation to determine how big an adjustment I need to make. I usually can get the measure dialed in to my desired setting in one or two adjustments.

With trimmers or seating dies, you can change settings easier and quicker to a known change value.

Are micrometer heads a necessity--no. Do they make your reloading life easier--yes. Are there ways to use standard measuring tools (calipers, etc) and get the same results and effects as micrometer heads--yes

 

[GW Staar]

A micrometer head will not make your powder measure more accurate, but it will sure make the repeatability of the measure easier and faster as long as you record the settings. Dial it in to the exact same setting as one used before.

If the charge is off, I do an interpolation calculation to determine how big an adjustment I need to make. I usually can get the measure dialed in to my desired setting in one or two adjustments.

With trimmers or seating dies, you can change settings easier and quicker to a known change value.

Are micrometer heads a necessity--no. Do they make your reloading life easier--yes. Are there ways to use standard measuring tools (calipers, etc) and get the same results and effects as micrometer heads--yes

Explained well. a Mic's numerical setting is easy to write down for the record, versus "half a turn past 1 or quarter turn past 2", but it's really no easier to find a new setting.
What I like about the Quick Change, is that you don't have to write down a setting. You keep settings on the stems. You have a separate stem for each powder charge you use.

I store each tool head including powder die in its own clear plastic box.....along with the powder measure stems I use for each caliber/bullet I use. The powder die is only adjusted once and left on each tool head. Of course stems have to be re-adjusted slightly, at various times, but that's so with any system.....you sure don't need a mic for that minor adjusting.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

To me, changing the drum or rotor is a pain with the Uniflow. My solution was to get another second hand Uniflow for the other, which ever it is, rotor. I have two older current model Lyman 55's. The powder reservoir gets knocked off easily. Both are good measures. Never had any problems with the Uniflow that made extra bells and whistles necessary. The Uniflow has been used satisfactory since the late 1970's

 

[BWS]

Yup,get a cpl powder measures.See if pic works,was taken because of a missing lid replacement.