Uniflow on a loadmaster

[Rabid Rabbit]

I've been kinda annoyed with the performance of my powder measure with micrometer adjustment. Every couple hundred rounds or so it creeps up .2 grains with unique (I'm trying for 5.4 gr in 45acp)and once in a very great while, it throws a light charge. But I'm not sure if the light charge is because of me or the equipment, but the creeping is a equipment problem. Has anybody successfully mounted a Uniflow on a loadmaster without resorting to homemade reengineering? If you have how does it perform?

Note to the Dillon peanut gallery: Don't start

 

[caz223]

Green and red won't make blue.

 

[WayneConrad]

Rabid, Check the micrometer and make sure it's screwed into the drum good 'n tight. Mine used to back out until I tightened it "real good."

It is also possible for the micrometer to change its setting slowly after it's well used and has plenty of that slick powder residue around the rubber rings that keep it from drifting. Mine does this occasionally, especially when I'm "enthusiastic" with the handle, but it's easy to spot as the markings won't be where I left them. Someday it'll drift often enough or far enough that I'll care to take it apart and clean it, but for now I just keep an eye on it to make sure it hasn't moved.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Been running a uniflow with micrometer adj. on a piggyback for years and it's thrown very consistently for me. I have the baffle installed, and all components are pretty snug.

 

[1911user]

I have a dillon adapter that let's me use a uniflow (or similar) powder measure on a dillon powder die in my dillon 550 press. The threaded adapter is about $10-$15 and a 450/at500 powder die is $10 plus the needed caliber specific expander/powder drop funnel (included with dillon cal. conv. kits, but available seperately for $8).

I'd look at what hornady uses with their progressive press. It might be cheaper or go straight to RCBS. I think they have an adapter to hold the powder measure and operate it automatically.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

RR,

I can't tell if you're trying to run an RCBS powder measure or if you're looking to switch to one, but here's my thoughts on buying one:

1. The RCBS is a good measure and can be had with a case activated "die" that works quite well. The case activated "die" is actually a licensed duplicate of the Hornady Case Activated Powder Dispenser. It's a good setup and should work well on your press.

2. The Hornady Lock N Load powder measure is quite similar to RCBS Uniflow measure, but has a powder storage area I like a bit better, having a soft plastic cap vs. a hard one (easier to remove). The baffle for the RCBS also fits the Hornady and has the same excellent Case Activated Powder Drop. They are also coming out with a case expanding/powder through version of the CAPD very soon, with the only hold up being a spring delivery. They may be shipping by now, I checked with them a while back. If I hadn't bought either one, I'd buy this one though for two reasons: A. It's a bit cheaper cost wise. B. The micrometers for the Hornady seem a bit nicer (a perception on my part, may not be fact). Of course, the Hornady is also red if you're a color coordinated type (grin).

If you're having trouble with your RCBS leaking, something is probably not tightened, such as the micrometer or not put back together right, such as the cylinder drum. In both cases, I'd take it apart, clean it iwth denatured alcohol, then reassemble.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

The powder measure is the Lee auto disk with the micrometer update. Thanks for the info I'll pull it apart first clean and check things out and go from there, maybe contact RCBS to make sure I get all the right parts.

 

[wrangler5]

Are you getting setting creep on the micrometer bar of a Lee disk measure? My micrometer bars are EXTREMELY stiff to set, and I've NEVER had one move on me unless I consciously apply a good bit of finger muscle to the adjusting knob. If you're actually seeing the knob move while in use, I'd suggest just getting a new micrometer bar and see if that stops things.

I do find that over the course of emptying a powder hopper, the powder does seem to settle a bit, and give me slightly heavier charges as things move along. Not sure what the cure for that would be, unless it's putting a powder baffle in the hopper to keep the effective weight of powder above the inlet hole constant.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The Hornady and the latest uniflow both offer pushbutton interchangeable metering iserts that can be changed without emptying the measure, and I believe both offer a drain insert that allows you to drain the measure without removing it from the press (or cycling it a few hundred times!).

Andy