Quality Powder Measure?

Str8 Shooter

Str8 Shooter

New member
I'm in the market for a reasonably priced, accurate powder measure. I currently have a Lee powder measure, but it doesn't seem to be holding it's accuracy when throwing charges. Any suggestions?
 
I use the Redding 3BR with the zero backlash micrometer. Works great and throws ball powder amazingly constistant. Once it is set, using my digital scale, I check the first 10 dumps and all are the EXACTLY the same. I then load 50 rounds up and check it again. Still exactly the same reading on the digital scale.

The only problem I run into with inconsistancy is when I reload IMR or other stick powder. Stick powder had a tendancy to start crunching or smashing the powder. But, I had this problem with other powder dumps too.
 
My opinion is there is no accurate powder measure out there. Ditto what Pbchucker says. I have purchased the most expensive to the cheapest. I settled on Redding 3BR.
 
I've got a Redding too, got it at an auction with a Uniflow and a stand all for $50. I added the baffle and it stays really consistant. My Lyman was consistant, once you got it set. Setting the Redding is a breeze with the micrometer. Haven't tried the uniflow yet.

peace.
unloaded
 
I have a Lyman 55. That thing drives me crazy. For me, its hard to set and sometimes, even with ball powder, it will drop light loads and is really inconsistant. Bought a Lyman 1200 and it seems to work really good for me. JMO
 
Both my RCBS uniflows have never given me a problem in the 35 yrs Ive been tossing charges. Throws consistantly. I always refill at the 1/3 to 1/4 full point.
I check every 50 drops & have yet to re-set.
 
I bought the RCBS chargemaster combo from Natchezz for 289.00 when I started. That thing is great. It is fast and accurate. A little pricey but you only have to buy it once.
 
Quote:
I'm in the market for a reasonably priced, accurate powder measure. I currently have a Lee powder measure, but it doesn't seem to be holding it's accuracy when throwing charges. Any suggestions?


Sometimes I have the same problem with mine depends on what powder I am throwing. It works fine for me as I usually throw a bit low then trickle it in. Still doing them one at a time.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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I use the same old Bonanza I have used for...I don't know how long. Once set it's as dependable as the sun, as long as YOU do your part. You have to be consistent with a measure. Get a rythm going.
 
I bought the Lee Breech Lock set. The Lee powder measure that came with it was not very consistent. So I replaced it with an RCBS Uniflow. The ball powder is dead on 50 out of 50 times, but the extruded stuff isn't as consistent but still much better then the Lee for me.
 
I have two of the RCBS Uniflows with the micrometer attachment and both are very accurate. I also have the ChargeMaster Combo and rarely use it. With the ball powder it works fine but I've had problems with it giving a little extra dump with the stick powder every once in a while. I've measured loads that had over 2/10's grain overcharge with it. Not a big deal with large volume cases but possibly a VERY big deal with small cases like anything based on a 221 Fireball. With stick powders I just set up the Uniflow to throw a 1/10 or so under and than weigh each load and trickle up to finished weight. Not the fastest, but I trust it completely!
 
I've got about 8 or 9 powder measures and keep two set up at each loading station. I like the Lyman 55 for charging cartridges with a medium capacity (223/222)and have two set up at that reloader. For larger capacity cartridges ( 22/250 / 300 Sav.) I have a Redding and Pacific both with micrometer adjustments at that area of my bench. And down at the end of the bench where I load the Hornets, Bees and handgun cartridges I have a Midway pistol measure again with a micro adjustment. I've got a big old C&H micro adjustable Measure that must hold over a pound of powder that I use on the 35 Whelen and when I'm loading realy large capacity shell. I've got another no-name measure that is small enough to fit in my pistol case and it's set up for target loads in my 41 mag, I've had it about 15 yrs and set it up to throw 10gr of 800X and have never had to re-adjust it.

I find that all of these are pretty much equal in accuracy, some are easier to empty with out haveing to remove them from their stands or holders. I really like Micrometer adjustable over sliding sleaves and have phased out all the sliding sleave adjustable measures that I had.

AWS
 
Most powder measures that are made well can be set to throw charges equally well. Once set, each one will throw similar charges. As mentioned, the difficulties arise with long stick grained powders, like 4831, and others like it. No measure made can throw charges of these powders to .1 grain accuracy. I have a Harrell's Culver measure that is very well made and I must trickle up to get best results with the stick grain powders. Even the Lyman 55 can be set, although it takes some fiddling to get it set right, to throw stick powder charges equally as bad as the Harrell's Culver. I have three Lymam 55's in addition to the Harrell's. Conversely, they all do an excellent job with ball powder.

When it comes to stick powders, I always throw light and trickle up. Speed for me is secondary to accuracy, so I spend the time to get accurate charges.

FWIW,

Martyn
 
Quote:

When it comes to stick powders, I always throw light and trickle up. Speed for me is secondary to accuracy, so I spend the time to get accurate charges.

FWIW,

Martyn



+1

Started out using the RCBS Uniflow and doing just that when using H4831 and the like...

Have since took the plunge for the Chargemaster Combo and use the AUTO throw feature. I set the AUTO a couple 1/10ths short of my desired charge and hit the TRICKLE button to finish off each load. Admittedly, this is only necessary with some stick powders. The short stick and ball powders throw very consistently from the Chargemaster and really speed up the reloading process...
 
As stated the RCBS Chargemaster is the only measure that I have used that will throw consistent "stick" powders. After nearly 50 years of reloading I have used a lot of different powder measures and the Chargemaster is the best that I have used. I have since got rid of my Chargemaster because I needed something more portable. After the Chargemaster the Harrels are probably the best. One measure not mentioned that I really like and I think is better than the Uniflow or BR3 is Hornady's Lok-n-Load benchrest measure with the quick release mount. The Hornady is very smooth and has a nice click micrometer for adjustment.
 
I bought one of the RCBS Chargemaster's for my oldest son for a birthday present and he loves it. I've never had the opportunity to use it as he lived 200 miles from me. Also, everything I read by guys owning the newer model Chargemaster rave about it, including Walt Berger of Berger bullets. That's good testimony as he uses his at benchrest matches.
I'm just stuck in doing the powder management the old fashion way; thro lite, trickle up.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
right now I have the cheap, Lee powder measure... it's not too bad, but tends to creep up a couple of tenths as I use it. I check the loads often so it's not a big deal. For my coyote loads I trickle each one. I'm loading high volume for prairie dogs so I'm looking to speed up the process a bit. Still gunning for quality, just need to increase the production.
 
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