Wanting an accurate powder measure any thoughts?

[horsemen61]

Ok guys I have been reloading for just over 12 years and I’ve always used a Lee PPM but know that I’ve become more versed in the hobby I’d like to upgrade so what I’m looking for is a manual powder measure that is very accurate I am looking at the Redding BR 3 powder measure I am wanting to load accurate ammo for my new 6mm arc and as always for my .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor! So any ideas on a good one?

 

[Reloadron]

Been using RCBS powder throws for years and the past few years a RCBS Chargemaster. When all is said and done I throw a light charge and finish using a trickler on an old Lyman M5 scale. That being when I really want uniform accurate loads.

Ron

 

[Bfh_auto]

The Hornady measure is kind of rough with imr 3031, 4064 etc.
But it's usually within a tenth on 8208xbr, benchmark and arcomp.
It's perfect with ball powders.
With big stick powder I just use an appropriate Lee dipper and a balance beam.

 

[Skgreen]

My advice would be to forgo a manual powder measure and consider using a digital dispenser,,, especially w/extruded powders.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Redding and a Harrell's. Both are very accurate. Still I would set the throws light and then trickle up to your desired charge.

 

[Herman B]

The BR3 has been serving us well with both the pistol and rifle chambers. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

 

[edwardware]

I doubt that any measure is meaningfully more precise than your LeePPM. For certain, a cast iron measure will meter fine powders much more easily; I bought my RCBS Uniflow the week after my first keg of H110.

The three hints:
1) Use a baffle.
2) Consistent operation is incredibly important. If you slap the upper stop, your variation will be large. If you just kiss the upper stop, you'll reduce variation by 50%.
3) Get a micrometer stem, and always throw 10x onto the scale to set the micrometer before metering into cases.

 

[TEXASJD]

http://www.neiljones.com/html/powder_measure.html
This^

 

[Walkalong]

The 3BR is a great measure. So is the Niel Jones. Sold my Niel Jones because it was real pricey and didn't work better than the BR-30. I haven't kept up with prices. The Harrells is another great measure.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like my Redding 10-X for handgun ammunition. RCBS Uniflow, Hornady L-N-L, or any Redding powder measure will serve you well at reasonable prices.

I have a Harrell Culver Custom 90 that I mostly use for working up new loads but they are pricey. I do most of my loading on a progressive press these days and I have not made the effort to try and fit the Harrell to a progressive press.

The Lyman 55 powder measure has some followers. It's measuring system is reported to do well with stick powders. I have one but have not tried it yet mostly because I have not been shooting and loading rifle cartridges that I use stick powders in./

 

[nettlle]

With the Redding and Harrell's charging pistol I don't trickle up but rather throw the charge directly into the case. I do spot check with a beam measure now and then but have never had to make any adjustments to these two measures once they are set.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Redding measure are good choices. I personally use a Lyman #55 for the past 10 years.

 

[Slamfire]

Given that the pressure of the powder column varies by height, my charge weights change as the column drops.





Lyman and Redding play a trick by having the hopper half the length of my Pacific, and claim better consistency. But you have to add powder more often.

I don't think there is a better drop type powder measure, sure you can pay more, but unless you have a micro black hole to put under your powder measure, you are not going to change pressure = rho X gravity X height.

I would avoid micro black holes, they are clearly unsafe for the average consumer.

 

[lightman]

I have had several different powder measures over the years. Lyman, Herters, RCBS, Pacific, Harrells, C-H, Dillon and maybe a few that I'm forgetting about. None of them like throwing extruded powders. Before I got my Chargemaster I would throw a low charge and trickle up to the weight that I wanted. Strangely enough all of those powder measures were about equal in accuracy, once I used them a little and develop a technique or feel for them. The Harrell stands out because of the smoothness of operation and the method of adjustment. The adjustments are very repeatable, X number of clicks will be the same today as they were last week or next week. It also runs on bearings, thus the smoothness.

The bottom line is that they all work ok once you use one of them to develop a feel for it.

Right now I'm down to using the Dillon, RCBS Uniflo and the Harrells. If I'm loading flake or ball powder I get the measure adjusted and throw directly into the case. I'll spot check every 10th or 20th case with a scale. I also charge 50 cases at a time in a loading block and visually check them before seating the bullet. Unless I'm loading on the Dillon, that is.

 

[.38 Special]

I haven't come across a bad measure from any of the major manufacturers, with the exception of hand held "push button" measures that I never could get to work. By the same token, I haven't found any of the pricier measures from the big makers to be more accurate than their budget models, though some do have features that a fellow might want to pay for. For my money, if none of the standard measures are up to snuff, something like Harrell's is the next step. The one I had was a delight - but I sold it, along with the rest of my benchrest stuff when I got out of that game - and have since been depending upon my original old Lyman measures which still do the same good job they always have.

 

[FROGO207]

I have the exact pacific measure that Slamfire shows in that info sheet. I also have an ancient Ideal 55 that I use most of the time. If you fiddle with the adjustments on the Ideal and use the shaker hammer it works for 99% of my reloading needs. Works well with both stick and large flake propellants. For super accuracy I throw a low charge on my 10-10 and trickle up. A chargemaster or the like might be easier to use but my system is fast and accurate so no need to change IMO.

 

[JFrank]

I have a HARRELS thrower on my wish list but for now I use Lee dippers and a trickler.

 

[Offfhand]

The old-fashion Lyman 55 is as accurate as any big brand powder measure on the market and you can buy good condition used ones cheap at ebay. Usually there are several listed under $50. But if you want to reach higher and buy something to be proud to own, Harrell's measure are really nice and feature Culver type micrometer-click adjustments. The Neal Jones is somewhat better, but not that much better to justify the price difference between Jones and Harrell's. The measure that stands alone above all manual measure is the Bruno, but production is limited and you need to plan on investing a half dozen bills ($600.) if you can find one. So save your money and just buy the RCBS digital measure. Here's a Bruno, if you're interested in what they look like. (Not for sale) .

 

[BigAlShooter]

I really like my set up. I still use the cheap Lee PPM into my RCBS 10-10 scale with a RCBS powder trickler. I adjust the Lee to be slightly under weight, then rotate the RCBS trickler a few times until the scale swings to 0. Can load about 50 rounds in under an hour. Not the fastest, but I don't think I can get any more accurate in weight.

 

[GHinNH]

Lyman #55.

 

[HDMontana]

I use the Lyman 55 and trickle up for my precision rifle loads. RCBS chargemaster lite has recently been added to my bench. It works great for load work-ups. Lee auto drums on each caliber turret I have for the Lee turret press. Hornady on my LNL progressive. They all work as intended.

 

[sequins]

The redding measures work great. I love mine.

 

[tmd16556]

I use the old Pacific measure. I have a used one that I got for the ideal price (free) and didn’t realize it could be set to rifle or pistol settings. I just turn and check in the scale until I get it right consistently. It’s really nice with all powder, ok with stick powder, and nothing can make IMR 800X throw consistently. I’m pretty sure the 1 lb containers of it range from 0.95 to 1.05 lbs on a good day.

 

[Kaldor]

I see all these high dollar measures and shake my head.

I have tested the heck out of my polished and waxed Hornady drop vs my FX120i and with short stick extruded and ball powder I am generally about .05gr variance on a 10 throw test.
Example: I needed 27 grain of 8208. I dropped 5 charges twice. I got 135.4 on the first set and 135.6 on the second set. I think thats good enough.
Id rather put my money into a really good scale or an AutoTrickler.