Recommend a Powder Measure

[coloradokevin]

What is your favorite powder measuring device?

Okay guys, I'm sure there are a number of opinions floating around on this topic, but I'd like to see what you guys would recommend! I've been loading rifle and pistol ammo for over a year, and have always handled my rifle ammo by using powder scoops and trickling the charge to the weight I'm seeking. This works okay for calibers that I barely shoot, but it is driving me crazy on the calibers that I shoot a lot of (.223, 8mm Mauser, etc)!

As such, I was hopnig you guys could recommend a good powder measure that would handle this task. Please note that I already use the Lee Pro Auto Disk measure on my press for pistol loading, but I'm looking for something that can be used seperately on the bench for the ammunition that I load single stage.

It seems that just about every reloading equipment manufacturer makes their own powder handling system, but I'm looking to find something that is very accurate, and would at least handle charge weights through the range of your standard hunting calibers (30-06, 8mm, .300 WM, etc).

I know that Lee makes their own version at a reasonable price, but I doubt it is the best on the market. Although I'm quite happy with my Lee loading equipment, for the price of a powder measure I might be willing to pay a bit of a premium to find the best product!


THANKS!

 

[rcmodel]

I have three old Lyman #55's, and an ancient Herters dedicated to 26.3 grains of WW748 for the .223. It hasn't been changed since 1970!

IMO: The Lymans are so good, I never found a reason to try anything else.

rc

 

[RandyP]

duplicate post, don't know how to delete it - lol

 

[RandyP]

Midway USA, Cabelas, etc all have any number of makes, makes and prices? Plus very good websites with pics and descriptions. It looks to me like the price range for dispensers starts at $20 and ends at about $350?

Personally I found no issues with the inexpensive Lee Perfect Powder Measure when I did my reloading on their Anniv single stage press. I use their Pro disk on my Classic turret and it too works like a champ.

regardless of make I believe they all work on the same principle of some form of an adjustable volume cavity with a powder hopper on top. I don't know what your definition of best is? Mine is whatever works well for the best price, so Lee wins - lol - I could spend several times the cost of Lee products and arrive at the same result, an accurate powder charge?

NOT a slam on the very fine products by all the other manufacturers either. IMHO nobody out there stays in business making crapola.

 

[jcwit]

I have a Lyman 55, Hornady Bench Rest grade, and a Lee Perfect Powder Measure.

My go to measure for accuracy is the Lee .

 

[Racinbob]

I second with RandyP. I used the Lee Perfect with very good success then I picked up a Pro Auto Disk. Dead on at least with W231 and Bullseye. That's just with the 9mm and .38's I load. I don't know about the bigger loads.

 

[bonza]

Over the years I've used a Bonanza BR (Benchrest) Measure, a Belding & Mull, & the Lyman #55. All were good, though the B&M was a little slower to use with its seperate powder chamber. I reload mainly for .38Spl. with WW231 powder, .223 Rem, & .303 British with WW748, & I currently have two #55 measures. I occasionally use some flake (Bullseye, Unique, Green Dot) & extruded (IMR) powders, but prefer the measuring ease of the ball powders whenever possible.

 

[Chawbaccer]

I used to have a Belding and Mull, very accurate, they turn up on Ebay from time to time. Now I am using a Uniflo, I am pleased with it.

 

[Walkalong]

I like the Redding measures. I think you get a lot for the money with them. To get a better measure you have to go semi-custom. Niel Jones, Harells, etc.

Harrells dominates Benchrest with a few Neil Jones and Redding measures, as well as the old Lyman 55's with a Culver insert.

 

[lgbloader]

I use Dillons and Uniflows for pistol and ball powders. For Extruded, I call on the RCBS Chargemaster combo.

LGB

 

[Clarence]

I have a Lyman 55 with a Culver insert, but that's an old school measure.

As Walkalong pointed out, the Jones or Harrell's are the best of the best.

 

[luis7]

I use two PM and i can use a lot of its, but like this both:
Ohaus Duo 7200: It have all you need to reload pistol an rilfe anmunition, have two drums and both are very very accurate wiht all powder, a little for pistol and large for rifle. It´s discontinued since later´s 80 but you can buy used one in ebay. All built in strong steel, almost indestructible. Platic hopper isn´t good but don´t give any problem if not broke it.
RCBS Uniflow Duo Measure: It manufacture by Ohaus too and discontinued since late´s 80 too. If yo want to buy one you can go to ebay too.
Very good Built in good aluminium and very very accurate with one micrometer measure for pistol and rifle.
Both PM work well and accurate with all powder including disc form.
Yo can see this photo with mi PM collections:
Greetings from ESPAÑA.

 

[Steve C]

I've had very good luck with the Hornady measures. You will need to get the pistol insert if you want to load below 10gr charges. It comes with the rifle insert.

 

[moooose102]

the lee "perfect" powder measure is very accurate, but with ball powders, it leaks like crazy. i have used a rcbs uniflow for a time, and that works very well with any powder, but it is not quite as acccurate as the lee. i guess it depends on what is the most important.

 

[tjj]

I've used the Lyman 55 for years. It's very consistent once you develop a feel for it and keep your throw rhythm uniform. Lately I've been using the Harrell BR measure because I do some loading at the range where powder check weighing is kinda tough outdoors. I made a spreadsheet converting grain weight to clicks for various powders and so I don't use a scale at the range anymore. Nice precise product. Here's a link.

http://www.harrellsprec.com/

 

[dagger dog]

I reload rifle for accuracy and have to weigh every charge because the calibers I reload will hold more of my favorite powder than is safe, so I'm a dippin' trickler.

Blasting ammo I set up the Uniflow if I'm using ball powder and if using extruded I use the Lee cheapo.

Hearing of the benchrest shooters using the case of the PPC cartridges as a dipper,( some just fill the 6mm PPC with H 322 and seat the bullet) leads me to beleive tha volumetric measure has its pluses.

 

[coloradokevin]

Thanks for all of the responses so far!

I guess maybe I should at the RCBS Chargemaster Combo to the list, as it might be a viable way to eliminate a step! My problem with the scale/trickler setup is that I spend a lot of time on each charge (dispense or dip, set on scale, wait for scale to settle, trickle, wait, trickle, wait, trickle, success).

If I could find a way to eliminate the trickle-scale step, I think I'd really do myself a favor at the bench. To me that says that I need to either find an extremely consistent and repeatable powder measuring device, or perhaps pick up something like the Chargemaster Combo.

 

[MCMXI]

I guess maybe I should at the RCBS Chargemaster Combo to the list, as it might be a viable way to eliminate a step! My problem with the scale/trickler setup is that I spend a lot of time on each charge (dispense or dip, set on scale, wait for scale to settle, trickle, wait, trickle, wait, trickle, success).

If I could find a way to eliminate the trickle-scale step, I think I'd really do myself a favor at the bench. To me that says that I need to either find an extremely consistent and repeatable powder measuring device, or perhaps pick up something like the Chargemaster Combo.

This is exactly the same situation I was in a couple of years ago. I was using a Redding powder trickler and an RCBS digital scale (Powder Pro) and frankly, I wasn't enjoying reloading at that time because it took so long to measure out the powder. I load for a wide range of calibers (pistol and rifle) so I made one of the best reloading-related decisions of my life ... I ordered the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo and I haven't looked back since. I'm now using a Redding 10X powder dispenser for .45 Colt and all of my pistol loads which works very well (very accurate and fast with approx. 25gr maximum charge) and will be using it for .223 once I have the best loads figured out but the CM is here to stay. When it finally decides to stop working I'll buy another for sure but I'm expecting at least three years of service and hopefully many more than that. My RCBS Powder Pro digital scale still works fine after 12 or more years.

 

[Walkalong]

Hearing of the benchrest shooters using the case of the PPC cartridges as a dipper,( some just fill the 6mm PPC with H 322 and seat the bullet) leads me to beleive tha volumetric measure has its pluses.

Don't know where you heard that. Folks often don't know exactly what weight they are shooting though. They just go up or down a couple of clicks and shoot sometimes without ever weighing it. I have heard folks jokingly say "I just put as much in the case as I can and shot em". They were usually talking about N133 though. They all use measures and are careful to use the same technique with every drop. The exact weight is not as important as the consistency. Nobody I have ever seen just dips a case full.

 

[Otto]

Hornady is fine measurer and it won't break the bank to buy one.
If later, you go with a progressive press (ie. Dillon or Hornady) you'll still be able to use the Hornady measure by adding a Case Activated Powder Drop (CAPD).

I have a Lyman 55 but I feel the Hornady is superior.

 

[pmeisel]

Just bought a Lee Perfect based on the positive recommendations here and in other forums. It replaces a Lyman 55 that was damaged during a house move and supplements a Little Dandy.

Report coming in a few days.

 

[jcwit]

One note on the Lee PPM, let it work in, or seat in, won't take long.