RCBS Uniflow Powder Baffle for small weights ?
- Thread starter jski
- Start date
- Status
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,477
Never needed one
Jesse Heywood
Member
Both should help. How much depends on the powder. I have had good results using the large cylinder with a baffle. You can make your own baffles using aluminum cans. Cut with a knife or scissors.
Here are the instructions.
Uncle Nick’s Powder Baffle Templates
Here are the instructions.
Uncle Nick’s Powder Baffle Templates
JimKirk
Member
I have used the Uniflow without a baffle since 1969 ... Never had any problems other than metering 800x .... I also throw lots of 3.3 grain loads of titegroup with the large cylinder ....
The main issue with most any measure is that the handle stoke as to be the same each and every time to get satisfactory results ....
The main issue with most any measure is that the handle stoke as to be the same each and every time to get satisfactory results ....
tkroenlein
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2014
- Messages
- 69
I've never used the powder baffle, but I have zero problems throwing small charges, including the aforementioned 800X, by just using the small metering drum.
Toprudder
Member
I found the baffle to work better with some powders, like 700x.
If you keep the powder hopper at least over 1/2 full you really do not need a baffle.
As mentioned, some powders just meter better than others.
I have found the baffle does help the uniflow with about any powder or charge weight, it seems to give just a little bit more consistent if you don't flop the handle the same every time. Other then that I like others just don't have a problem throwing 700x, Unique, stick powder using the standard large drum and charge weights from 3 to 70 grains. I don't have a problem loading .380 on the Hornady AP press using the Hornady powder measure and 2.8 grains of Unique.
Or you could go the other way with a weight:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-Powde...650064?hash=item2137c61890:g:l-kAAOxyVaBSyEo2
I've hacked one out of a block of wood for a Lee PM that has a built in baffle (small exit hole)
Works great to reduce variation,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-Powde...650064?hash=item2137c61890:g:l-kAAOxyVaBSyEo2
I've hacked one out of a block of wood for a Lee PM that has a built in baffle (small exit hole)
Works great to reduce variation,
thomas15
Member
The use of a baffle is debatable but why would anyone not use a small metering rotor for small (let's say less than 5g) powder charges?
Anyone with experience with RCBS's "LITTLE DANDY™ PISTOL POWDER MEASURE" ?
Is this a better (than Uniflow) powder measure for pistol loads?
I'm looking for consistency between consecutive measures and something that doesn't require re-measuring after throwing 10 charges.
Is this a better (than Uniflow) powder measure for pistol loads?
I'm looking for consistency between consecutive measures and something that doesn't require re-measuring after throwing 10 charges.
JimKirk
Member
Because I found I didn't need the small rotor for the small charges I use ... that includes Titegroup down to 3.0 grains ....
thomas15
Member
I have my Dad's Uniflow from the same time era, 1967. On the box that it came in there are two check boxes, one for rifle the other for pistol. Our box is hand checked "Rifle" which is what my Dad purchased it for and that was it's use was until I got a hold of it. That Uniflow has, as would be expected, the large cavity metering drum.
When I started using it for pistol loads I found that some powders metered well, others not so well. It has been years since I ran the tests so I don't remember which powders and the +/- tolerance but I had some tolerances even with AA#2, more than what I thought was acceptable. Bullseye forget it. So I opened up my wallet and purchased the pistol drum for a newer Uniflow that I use for pistol and keep the older one set up for rifle.
If you look at and compare the cavity size it will be apparent to most handloaders why using a smaller diameter cavity would be of benefit to smaller charge loads. Of course I'm not the measure of all things handloading and I don't pretend to be. However, this is a forum where posters on a regular basis advise beginners not to use Titegroup because the gap between the "start with" and "not to exceed" load is very shallow and I have noticed that basically no one but me will step in and say that we should exercise all due caution with our loads and if we do that we can use Titegroup without worry. Part of that "due caution" is the use of the proper metering device.
I would never in a million years presume to tell a handloader with 50 years of experience that they have been using an ill advised system for all that time. However, I would also not state on a public forum that it is ok to use a metering cavity that may be very well shallower than the thickness of the individual kernel of the potential powder being used. My point is that for $30.00 you get the proper tool for the job. True, out on the interstate I have fixed my car with a pair of pliers when I didn't have a 10 mm box wrench. But does that mean I should sell all of my 10mm wrenches and advise others to do the same?
Am I being overly cautious? Maybe. Is it worth spending $30.00 to have the proper tool for the job? I think so. Any one of us could forgo spending the almost $100.00 for a Uniflow and purchase a Lee measure for less than what RCBS sells the pistol drum. It really comes down to exactly what it is we expect out of this hobby and our personal tolerance for chance. Personally I think that the one place to spend money on especially for pistol shooters is on powder handling. But that's just me.
JimKirk
Member
I guess that I must be stupid .... because in your long round about way... that what you said ...
That is OK ... It won't bother me ... because I'll keep on using what I have as it does the job ...
Thanks for your opinion .....
That is OK ... It won't bother me ... because I'll keep on using what I have as it does the job ...
Thanks for your opinion .....
I thought the topic was POWDER BAFFLES? Not fast powders. I still do not think NEW reloaders should start with ANY FAST powders, TG or Bullseye, I just loaded some 45 ACP with light loads of BE and it is pretty hard to see in the case.
My OLDER UNIFLOW came with TWO Rotors (rifle and pistol) It did not come with any BAFFLES. I guess RCBS did not think it was needed.??
As to the LEE Auto Drum it is as accurate as the RCBS and actually better with Blue Dot. In fact (my results) the LEE PPM does better with FLAKE powders than the RCBS, it does not cut at all.
Is it as well made as the RCBS? No, but the new RCBS is not as well made as the older ones.
I do agree with you on powder measurement primary SCALES that are accurate and repeatable.
Now instead of Baffles how about the strap a Vibrator (aquarium Pump style)
On the side of the powder hopper. Always thought that was the most bizarre idea ever!
thomas15
Member
It is. Baffles and small/large cavity drums. Sorry you missed that part!
thomas15
Member
Thank you also Sir. And have a fantastic day!
I didn't miss it. He has the Small rotor Nothing about large vs small or how Dad reloaded 50 years ago
rfwobbly
Member
► It's NOT that yon CAN'T meter pistol volumes with the large rifle rotor. What the small cavity rotor does for the Uniflow is give a greater adjustment range for smaller charges. The problem is, the Uniflow for all it's greatness was developed when rifles and large caliber revolvers was all reloaders cared about. These days most people are loading for auto pistols and the loads are 1/2 to 1/3 what a 44 Mag takes. I've often wondered why RCBS didn't breathe new life into the Uniflow by introducing a very small rotor with a 1/4" bore. That would be the Wang-dang-doodle for small caliber loads like the popular 9mm.
► I notice RCBS already introduced a powder baffle for the Uniflow.
► I notice RCBS already introduced a powder baffle for the Uniflow.
At some charge weight with the large rotor you will have issues, and that will be a different weight, but basically the same volume, for different powders. Only way to tell where is to go that low and see. I have a Redding 10X and a Redding BR-30. The 10X can do smaller charge weights, but until the charge weights get too small, it's hard to tell any difference in how the two meter the same powder at handgun weights. I don't remember the charge weights. I ended up using the 10X for all pistol charges for simplicites sake more than anything else. At many handgun charge weights the BR-30 will work.
Jesse Heywood
Member
I use the large rotor because when I bought the Uniflow ('08 panic) the small rotor was not available. That status continued for a couple-three years. Since then I never had the spare dime when I ordered other items.
I use a baffle and micrometer which lets me change charges or powder with minimal adjustment, along with the case-activated linkage. The only problem charge that I haven't overcome is 4.0 gr 800-X for a 380. I do okay with heavier charges of 800-X. So there are limits to the large cylinder. But if it ain't broke don't fix it until it is.
I use a baffle and micrometer which lets me change charges or powder with minimal adjustment, along with the case-activated linkage. The only problem charge that I haven't overcome is 4.0 gr 800-X for a 380. I do okay with heavier charges of 800-X. So there are limits to the large cylinder. But if it ain't broke don't fix it until it is.
- Status
