good powder measure needed

S

stagpanther

New member
The time has come to replace my Lee powder measure--while it has performed adequately for the past ten years it simply can't function with any consistency and I need a new one. I inherently do not trust digital ones--so I want to stay with manual measures.

Problem is--small sphere powders or big stick ones can gum up the works--so what is most important to me is the "repeat ability" of a measure and no gumming up of gaskets etc with different types of powders.

Does such a thing exist--what says the collective?

thanks in advance.
 
I've been using a RCBS Uniflow with both large and small rotors for about 35 years or more. Works well for both my pistol and rifle charges. I have the powder baffle in there and that seems to help keep consistency when loading, especially small powder charges; (as does a consistent motion when dropping the powder)
 
The RCBS Uniflow powder measure is a popular and excellent choice but for better adjustment control get the micrometer adjustment control to go along with it. The cylinder drum and adjustment control are available as small or large, the small drum being rated at around 50 grains of powder and the small drum would require the smaller 500 diameter micrometer adjustment screw. With the micrometer adjustment, the Uniflow is quite similar to the RCBS Competition measure, the only difference it seems is that the Competition model has a finer micrometer adjustment screw for more precise adjustments per incremental turn of the screw.
 
I guess what I'm really asking is--what in your experience is the most consistently precise measure--and at the same time has the least problem with all powder types (sphere, flake stick etc). thanks : )
 
Well I haven't used my Competition and Uniflow models with that many powders. 4227 that measures like water; Trail Boss soft and fluffy that measures the same; 4895 and 4064 that gives some "crunching"; and 3031 that is about the same. I won't try to say that they throw within a tenth of a grain every time but close enough. Have not used them with the larger granules of 4350 or 4831 powders nor have I used them with handgun powders, restricting those to Dillon powder systems.
 
Unfortunately, I find different measures best for different things. Spherical powders don't pack nearly as much with vibration as stick powders do, so small amounts of jarring and that kind of thing don't seem to phase them much. For the fine grains you want a well-machined unit with close tolerance parts. If your spherical charges all fall within 10-50 grains, the Redding BR-30 may be a good choice. However, for the price there are a lot of other high quality measure designs you can consider, too.

For stick powder, hands down, the best one I have for consistency is the JDS QuickMeasure. Even coarse sticks like 4064 are never off by the guaranteed 0.2 grains out of my copy. Usually it holds them to 0.1 grains. It's downsides are that its metering tube system is more bother to set up and adjust than a measure with a micrometer metering chamber measure is and that the adapter funnel for pistol charges has problems with fine spherical powders, like Power Pistol, slipping between the sides of the metering tube and its metering chamber plug ball, creating friction. It does have an adapter for progressive loading, though.

You may also want to look at Lee's new cast iron measure with brass metering drum. I haven't tried one, but see no reason it shouldn't do as well with sticks as the PPM did, but be a tighter fit and maybe handle finer powders better. You can call and ask them about it.
 
I've heard people say they like the Hornady measure. I just have no experience with them. Since they are a drum measure without a Lee type wiper, I don't expect them to be any better with stick powders than other drum measures do, but no worse, either. That is to say, you have to develop your technique with them for best results.
 
That Lee one looks exactly like the one I have now--except made with metal instead of plastic--I wonder if it is sealed better--the one I have is warped and spews powder out the side of the crank gasket. Even when I clean and straighten it out--eventually powder works it's way into the gaskets and it literally grinds to a halt.
 
I have both RCBS Charge Master1500 +/- .10 of a grain, for more accurate loads but slower, GemPro 250 accurate to .02 of a grain at half the price of the 1500. I have them set up side by side 1500 to through & 250 to fine tune.
 
I have both RCBS Charge Master1500 +/- .10 of a grain, for more accurate loads but slower, GemPro 250 accurate to .02 of a grain at half the price of the 1500. I have them set up side by side 1500 to through & 250 to fine tune.
Click to expand...
I sorta do the same--drop the initial load then onto a balance beam scale to fine tune--but I've found digital scales can get a bit flaky when the battery gets low--but maybe your's is better.
 
I use both the Lyman 55 and the Uniflow's. THey are plenty acurate for me to throw charge weights which result in sub MOA groups with rifle and darned close for handgun calibers. The wrench in the latter is usually me rather than the loads though.

Like mentioned they have their good and bad points and if you USE them you find the secretes out with little issue.
 
I don't expect anything to be perfect (wouldn't that be nice :D). Seems like the Lyman 55 and Uniflow are quite popular. I noticed on some reviews that the 55 is often used by users for decades--that says something in terms of reliability to me. I'm still wondering about the Harrell measure offered by sinclair--looks like a nice unit.
 
My experience is similar to Unclenick's. I have several measures and find that each is marginally effective with some powders but absolutely shines with others. But between my Lee PPM (not used much at all), Redding BR-3, RCBS Uniflow, and Lyman 55 I can accurately drop charges of any powder I'm using now. At least drop charges accurate enough for me.
 
Best Powder Measure

I've found the Redding Match Grade BR-3 to be the one I always turned to for my best benchrest loads. See E-Bay item 252377124985. Includes the Universal (large) and Pistol micrometer adjustable, metering chambers. The Universal chamber throws charges from approximately 10 to 100 grains and the pistol chamber from 0 to 10 grains. Also included are a bench stand and a shelf bracket.
Bill
 
So here's what I decided to do. I really like the descriptions of the redding and RCBS competition grade measures--but at their price levels I feel like I'm going to have to see them in the flesh to make a decision which way to go. In the meantime, I've ordered the Lyman 55 figuring I can get by with it until I decide which advanced competition grade measure to get. Thanks for your help everyone! : )
 
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