What can you tell me about these 2 powder measures?

[Matt-J2]

I'm interested in the Lee Perfect Powder Measure, and the RCBS Little Dandy.

Both are inexpensive, which is appealing as I'm on a narrow budget. Not so narrow that I want poor equipment, but still. I can deal with slow, so long as it's accurate.

I've heard with the Lee, it really only works with certain types of powders? Also that it might be needing a bit of dry lube. It is easily adjustable, though, and cheaper IIRC.

With the RCBS, I know less. I know it requires various cylinders that aren't adjustable, but beyond that, I don't really know how it works(or how well). I tried a search, but it disregards the word 'little', and only picks up on the word 'dandy', which leaves too much stuff not on topic to sift through. I do know it's for pistols, which is fine. Main loadings will be .357 and .380acp. I think I'm more interested in this one at first glance, the ability for it to not get out of adjustment is appealing.


I've also considered a set of scoops and a trickler, but that's not part of this thread, unless you reaaaaally want it to be.

Thanks all for your time.

 

[lee n. field]

I know it requires various cylinders that aren't adjustable, but beyond that, I don't really know how it works(or how well).

For what it does, the RCBS works pretty well. Accurate & consistent. Everything but adjustable. I'm fortunate that two of their cylinders hit my preferred load for .38 and .45 exactly. If you're looking at Lee's scoop set, you may as well get the Little Dandy (though you'll pay considerably more).

 

[fireflyfather]

I have the PPM. Works fine for me. Once you get it adjusted, just weigh several charges, to test (have to do this with ANY measure), then every so often just to be sure (again, you should do this with ANY measure). The dry lube isn't necessary once it is broken in. Just run one tube full of powder through it, and it's almost the same result. Will it last 50 years? Probably not. Then again, you could probably buy 3 for the price of another company's product. Unless you are doing commercial volume, I would go PPM. Very fine powders can leak through it (I use red dot/promo exclusively), and larger flakes/cylinder powders can get cut from time to time. That's not a problem for me.

Mine is accurate enough for my needs, once adjusted. The key is consistency (I give two quick taps on the top of the powder tube at the top and bottom of the lever stroke, but I don't know that you need to. It just works for me).

 

[BeJaRa]

I have a PPM and it can be a pain to get dialed in sometimes, I think that is more of my problem. After I shaved off the bottom stop for the PPM and it now throws extruded powder like 3031 pretty darn consistently. I rarely have to trickle on my target loads with 3031. it is spot on with unique, 2400, w231 and w748 which is pretty much all the powders I use. It did leak a bit with fine ball powder until I tightened the adjustment screw a small amount. the other measures are heavier duty, but I doubt they would be any better at what I do than the PPM.

 

[Walkalong]

By the time you buy a bunch of inserts for the RCBS you could buy any measure you want. I had a similar Hornady pistol measure, so I know.

An adjustable measure is the way to go.

 

[uk roe hunter]

ppm is a great piece of kit. i use one all the time

 

[Matt-J2]

Well then, I think now the Lee PPM is the way for me to go. Thanks all.

 

[marchboom]

A powder measure is something you use to save time. And you hope that it works correctly EVERY TIME. All it takes is one time for it to not work right and it could cost you big time. I know money can be tight BUT, I would save up for a RCBS, Hornady or Redding measure. Don't go to a few movies, plan your trips to save gas, don't drink as much beer , work a few hours of overtime, do a few things that will allow you to buy a quality measure. Believe me, you will appreciate a quality measure every time you use it, from adjusting it to using it. A good measure is definitely worth the money. And it will last you a life time.

 

[Uncle Chan]

Not to rain on a parade, but my PPM is a POS. I've tried several different powder types through it and get no consistency. It leaks powder something fierce. I'm saving up for....oh, pretty much ANYTHING else. I'm leaning towards a Uniflow. Although I use primarily Lee, I wouldn't recommend any type of Lee powder measure to my worst enemy.

 

[jcwit]

I have a Hornady lock & load and a Lyman 55 and a Lee PPM. I use the Lee most of the time, I think I get more consistant throws with it and don't have the gritty feel. I had a little problem with powder leaking and snugged up the adjustment screw and that was the end of the problem. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[ForneyRider]

I like the Lee PPM and Auto Disk.

It works good with W231, Power Pistol, Reloder powders, and Varget.
Haven't had any luck at all with the IMR powders.

I got the RCBS catalog the other day. Didn't like the Lil'Dandy. I like adjustable. Uniflow looks good, but not sure it is worth the premium over the Lee PPM.