QUICK MEASURE

[Rustystud]

Folks:

I ran accross a powder measure that is not a bar type or rotary type powder measure. The Quick Measure inventor Tim Johnson states it will throw stick powder,IE: 4350, +/- .01 grain every time with loads 45 grains or less and +/-.015 grains everytime with loads up to 90 grains. It has several other features that I was impressed with. I ordered the Progressive press set up, adjustment gauge and additional powder funnel. Mr. Johnson said with loads in the 25-30 grain range the measure would throw duplicate loads everytime. It uses a bead chain through the powder funnel and has no powder bridging problems found with loading stick powders in .20-.24 calibers. They are rather pricy, I ordered one and it should be here in about a week. If this powder measure does what it says and does not cut grains of powder, throws consistent loads, and does not bridge with small bottle necked cases it will be worth the price.Have any of you already bought one of these powder measures and how have you found their performance?
Rustystud

 

[ReedG]

Been eyeballing that little measure, Nat. Keep us posted on how it works, especially with Varget!

Just so you know, there have been some comments here on the measure. This is the link to a search:

Search Quick Measure

 

[rstreich]

Is this the one that you're talking about? If so, $150 doesn't seem at all expensive if it lives up to the claims. The only potential problem I see with it is using just the screw on the side to adjust the volume of powder--longer to set up, but super fast once it is. I'll be really curious to see what you think of it.

robert

 

[bcott]

I purchased the QUICK measure a couple of years ago. I purchased the entire kit, plus a couple of extra "tubes". I would recommend setting a tube for "whatever charge" and leaving it. Adjustment of the tube takes some time and, for me, it was just easier to set one tube for each charge weight. There is/was no method to return to a previous screw setting once you have disturbed the setting. It is very accurate for stick powders. More accurate than my Chargemaster. I have not used it in about 18 months. I have been using the Denver Instrument MX123 & trickler for the most part. If I were to start loading large amounts of cartridges I would start using it again. I used a little fingernail polish on the tube adjustment screw once the final measurement was set. There is not a lot of force to move the screw from whatever setting you use. The tube just goes up and down. One change that I did make is to take the half moon button, from an extra funnel that I had ordered, and siliconed it to the inside bottom of a powder scale pan. I think it is well worth the money. Carl L.

 

[BHarvey]

I've been looking at this measure for a couple of year now and think I'm going to buy one. Looks like it might be the answer to a time consuming problem.

 

[Rustystud]

I ordered a Quick Measure powder measure, progressive press setup, extra powder funnel,now I will have both the large and small), and the gauge for seting the powder measures. The total was $459.00. I load a lot of XC, MR, SR, and LR ammunition for others. I want to have loads as accurate as possible. The Dillon bar type powder measure is a piece of crap for anything other than pistol powders. Even with ball powders it spills powder about every 10 round from a delayed fall of the powder funnel. I have made several powder measure funnels from brass, alluminum, and 666 nylon trying to cut down on static charges that cause powder bridging. I bought a new Hornaday LNL powder measure and progress press case actuator. It is a rotary type powder measure. It is better than the Dillon but still not the absolute solution. I think a powder baffle would help the Hornaday LNL. Log powders still want to bridge in the powder funnel for .22 and .24 cal loading. I am looking forward to trying the Quick Measure.
Rustystud

 

[shcal]

I have a QuickMeasure and have been using it for several years. Since I am a varmint shooter and need to load many rounds it is very convenient, quick,thus the name)and accurate. I used to shoot a 22-250 AI and loaded it with h-4350 and had no problems with cut powder.

If you have the dial-indicator set up for repeatability it works well. One area of improvement I would suggest is a small nut on the adjustment screw for load sizing. this would insure that the screw does not inadvertently move during the loading process.

For load development I use the QuickMeasure with a balance beam scale and a trickler. Works very well.
shcal

 

[Rustystud]

Folks:

I receved my Quick Measure yesterday. I was very excited to open the box, it took UPS a week to get it from Washington State to North Carolina.

Visual inspection showed a very well made piece of reloading equipment. Having it in hand was much better than visualizing off the webb site and just talking to Tim Johnson.

I looked at all the pieces then read the directions and literature. I am both very mechanical and smarter than a few, therefore it did not take long to click with me. I felt after examination of the Quick measure I had a pretty good idea how to set it up and operate it.

As anal as most good benchrest shooters are this Quick Measure is a dream come true.

I will do some trial and error experimentation with it. After seeing it in person I have little doubt it want do exactly what Tim Johnson its inventer says it will do.

I will set it up tonight or this weekend and put it through a few test. If it works as well as it looks I will buy a couple more to be set up on other progressive presses that I load log powders with.

Rustystud

 

[Hipshot]

After reading the earlier posts I spoke with Tim and ordered a Quick Measure with the progressive press kit. I agree with RustyStud; the web site, and even in discussion with Tim, does not due justice to the engineering and manufacturing that went into the product. You really have to see it up close to see how the pieces fit together to make it work. This thing is a piece of work; a good one.

I spent some time with it last night setting it up on my Dillon and adjusting it to throw Varget into my 6BR cases. What a hoot. No 'crash, bang, rattle' as the powder flows.

I must have about 20 of those Dillon powder measure bars for the different powders and loads I throw. That got pretty spendy. With the Quick Measure it will be a matter of changing charge tubes,as they are called) at $8 which is a lot less expensive.

I also purchased the setting gage and I'm glad I did. While it uses a standard,?) dial indicator, the machined block and spring plug that measures the length that the screw extends from the charge tube is more difficult to try and work around with another method,unless you are a machinist).

This evening I'm loading for a match tomorrow and will not use a scale for any charges. I want to see how this device works in the real world. It sure was consistent when I was working with it last night.

 

[Rustystud]

Reed, Hipshot, others:

This is a duplicate post from the Powder measures post, but I felt it was applicable. I owe Tim no loyalty other than thanks for making something that works.

Powder measures:

I have a Lyman 55 that is 40+ years old and measured several hundred thousand loads. I also have the following other measures RCBS, Redding BR30, Jones, Harrell, Lee Disc, and 5 Dillon progressive press Measures an a brand new Hornaday LNL and a brand new Quick Measure.

I have a RCBS, OHAS, Redding, mechanical Scale.

I have and RCBS Charge Master, and a Dillon Electronic Scale.

I am a FFL 06 licensed ammunition manufacture. I would say I have loaded my share of ammunition.

My pistol target shooting clients are PPC, Bullseye,,.38 waddcutters) IPSIC, IDPA,,9mm, 38Super, .38Special, .357Mag., 40W&W, and .45ACP) pistol shooters.

My rifle target shooters are Cross the Course, Match Rifle, and Service Rifle Shooters,.223Rem., 6BR, .243Win., .308Win, Long Range, F-Class,,6BR, 6BRX, 6Dasher, .243Win., .260Rem., 6.5 X .284, 308Win. .300WSM. .300Win Mag.) and Palma,.308)

My hunting clients are Large Game, Dangerous Game, and Varmint hunters.,loads from .505 Gibb down to .17Rem.)

My goals are to provide the best quality ammunition one can for the money.

As known pistol and ball powders can be consitently thrown with about any type of measure due to their small volumn and shape.

As also known extruded and log powders give the best consistency in centerfire rifles. They also are the most difficult to dispense with consistency of less than +/-.1 grain.

I find relative humidity and temperature the major factor in accurate reloading to loads less than +/-.1 grain.

I have a machine shop and have made modifications for most of the above listed measures. Some I have made improvements for and other I could not help.

Two nights ago I received the Quick Measure I ordered. I set it up to throw 25.5 grains of Varget. I then threw 100 dispensings measuring each. All were with in .05 yes, a half a tenth of a grain. I will experiment with IMR 4350 and H4831 next. But the inventer says it will throw within .1 with these powders up to about 45 grains and .15 up to 95 grains.

In comercial loading I have always provided +/-.15 loads and this is exceptable out to about 600 yards. With variences greater than .1 the ES will grow past 10FPS. With loads of .1 or less I have been able to get .5 groups at 100 yards with almost all of my test guns.

I am real excited about this Quick Measure and I will put it through a series of test. Using a Fowler bullet feeder, a MA Systems collator, and 31 tubes of primers I can load 3000+ rounds per hour of .223 or .308. I am going load for an hour and pull ever 100th round and see what the charge accuracy is.

I'll let you know what I find out.

Later
Rustystud
a/k/a Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr.
Custom Guns and Ammunition

 

[ReedG]

Well, Nat, these preliminary reports sound great. I'll tell you, I have the order already to go to Harrell's for a BR measure and am hesitating because I like what I'm hearing about the QM. I think the Harrell's is as good as it gets for chamber-type measures and they have taken the Lyman/Culver concept as far as it can go. The technology of this QM, though, seems to be a much better concept. I'm a little fuzzy on exactly how it would be used in a BR environment to deposit powder directly into the case while the QM is mounted to it's base. The hand-held method they describe on their website seems very clumsy to me.

My needs at this time are for something to accurately throw Varget and H4198 and the QM seems to fill that bill. Keep us informed on your thoughts and results as you go.

 

[shcal]

ReedG: I've been using the QM for about three years and I use it both on a fixed mount basis and hand held for rapid case filling. The hand held method takes a little getting use to but it can be quite rapid and just as accurate. The QM is held in one hand while the funnel is in the other controlling which case to be filled. You definitely need the 4" drop tube I find, and if there is a longer one available I think that would be worth while.
shcal

 

[Rustystud]

Reed:

I'll make you a deal on my slightly used Harrell's measure. It is the BR 60 model. I think I paid $195.00 for it new. This Quick Measure is going to replace all the measures I use to load log powders with.

Rustystud
A/k/a Nathaniel G.Lambeth, Sr.

 

[BoydAllen]

How does it do on 133?

 

[chuckw2]

RustyStud,
Please throw 10 charges of H-4350...


Chuck

 

[Rustystud]

Chuck:

I did not have any H4350 so I tried IMR 4350. I was not as pleased with the results as I have been with the smaller and finer grained powders. With the measure set at 45 grains it threw +/- 1.5 grains I ran a 17/64ths reamer through the Measures tube. I also shortened the bead chain that is used to break the powder bridges. I found the same rate of inconsistencies with H-4831. It threw H4831SC much better +/- .1 tent grain. Fourty-five grains of Varget threw with less than .05 tents varience. Reloader 15 was about the same as H4831SC. I found the measure is timing sensative. You must give it about 5 seconds to fill and about 5 seconds to dump. I don't think this is the answer to my problems with a progressive press. I need the measure to measure and dump at least once per second.

Rustystud

 

[Rustystud]

I loaded 100 .308s with 45. grains of IMR4350. It took 10 minutes to get the measure throwing 45. grains exactly. There has been a learning curve with this measure. You have to give it a 5 second delay when the charge tube is filling and a 3 second delay when it discharges. I move the loader handle up and down a couple of times causing the bead chain to work up and down in the in the powder column. These loads will be shot out to 1000 yards and I want the powder to be within .1 or less. I weighed each dispensing. The measure always threw with in .2 but mostly within .1. The measure is quite senseitive to repeating the same procedure every time. Out of 100 rounds I had to trickle about 10-15 about .2. I think this measure would be better on a turrent loader than on a progressive.
Rustystud

 

[Hipshot]

As an update to my previous post.

I set up the new QM on my dillon 550 and adjusted it to throw 27gr of Varget. The adjusting screw on the charge tube makes for very fine adjustments. Once I figured it out, and attached the bridge breaker, the measure just kept throwing 27 grain charges all night as I loaded for a match that we held this past Sunday. I'm convinced that this is the one to have for a progressive press. After the setup, I did not weigh any charges during my loading session.

I put 27 out of 30 shots inside our 3 15/16" 10 ring at 300 meters with two of the out shots due to my misread of wind and one I called. Out of the 30 shots, 15 were inside 2 15/16" X ring. On a windy Minnesota day.

A very clever design Tim's developed.

 

[Rustystud]

I decided to make some modifications to my Quick Load Measure. First, I opened up the grove that the o-ring holds he powder measure tube in. This did not affect anything that involved the structural integrity or engineering of the measure. I have discussed this with Tim Johnson and he said I could make a second groove 180 degrees to the first and use a second O-ring.

Second, I shortened the Bridge Breaker for my application need.

Third, I found the medium capacity powder funnel had a .228 hole out the bottom and the black drop tube hole was 11/64ths, it had a few rough places in it from andonzation. I took a 11/64 bore reamer and cleaned out the black powder tube.

I feel the height and angle could be increased in the powder funnel to make it work a little more effecient and the clear plastic power funnel reservoir could stand to be 1 inch taller in my application.,that would not work with a shorter powder measure tube)

Over all Tim Johnson has come up with a pretty good measure.
I certainly am not complaining. My changes would be what I call tweeking a good thing making it better. I will have to load several thousand rounds before my final conclusion is in. I would say with Varget, ball powders and the short extruded/log powders this measure is right on. I would say it is more accurate with 4350 and 4831 than a bar or rotary type measure.

Any time someone uses something new they start out with a little lack of confidence and this usually is resolved as the learning curve gets straightened out.

Rustystud

 

[StephenPerry]

Nathaniel
Great job on this Thread. I read it all so far. Nothing to add, you have brought out the best in the Posters. Tim has developed a dispencer that makes the little guy a Master of of his own powder needs. Any pics of the Quick Measure. Congratulations.
Stephen Perry