Belding and Mull Powder measure

[Hondo64d]

Chargemaster keypad quit working and have yet to send it back for repair, so picked up a Belding and Mull Powder measure off Ebay. Gotta say I'm impressed. Have used it with 7828, Varget, RL15 IMR-4895 and Tac. The WORST it has done is with 7828, which has about as big kernels as anything out there, and it easily held within .2gr, most of the time, less. With Ramshot Tac, charge to charge variation is less than .1gr. I don't have the micrometer charge tube yet, something I intend to remedy, but once you get it set, works it throws as consistently as my Chargemeaster and is much quicker.

Montana Valley Arms is now remanufacturing a version of the B&M, and from their pictures, it looks to be a little more refined. Might have to try one of those out too...

John

 

[chevi_guy]

Honda

I to have a Belding & Mull I got in 1968 still in the original box. At the time it was the choice of BR shooters before ones like the Harrels which I know use. But I still use the B&M for my hunting loads.
I would like to see one of the new ones.
Good luck with it.
Ben

 

[Joe Maisto]

I had one new from the 60's as well, with the magnum tube. I didn't like them because I was using 3031 and the likes, and it would "cut off" the kernals. The other thing is, you now had to carefully move it without spilling any to your funnel . It was ok for that era, but I traded it to "The Shooters Corner", ( Mr. Bob White) for a Harrels and never looked back.

 

[DanConzo]

I've used them since 1964, I put a fancy handle on them out of 1/4" aluminum w/ a black oval ball grip with a ball bearing on the rear pivot screw (also use a longer rear pivot screw), change the return spring to a lighter spring and make a brass baffle for mine and they are very consistent, smooth and easier to operate.

 

[expiper]

Dan and all...I have a B&M thrower main body (no charge tubes) that Iv had for 40 yrs,,,would sell resonably,,,Roger

 

[DanConzo]

You can get the charge tubes new from Belding & Mull and some parts too and they now make a baffle.

 

[Joe Maisto]

Dan;

If memory serves me correctly mine had a baffle . I believe it was shaped like a (shallow) inverted "V". That was the reason they claimed it's accurracy potential back then.

 

[DanConzo]

I don't remember that Joe, but they are making the measures and charge tubes again. The baffle they make now has two round holes instead of the usual "U" cutouts and it is an inverted "V" shape. I made mine w/ the "U" cutouts. The new ones only cost $7. I really couldn't tell you if the baffle helps in this measure but I figure it sure don't hurt. I'm also going to make a brass front wear plate w/ a closer fit to the sliding hopper probably 3/16 to 1/4" thick. The original Belding & Mull was about 70 miles from me and the new B&M is just a few miles further. I have a Lyman #55 w/ the original Homer Culver brass micrometer adjustment but I use the B&Ms 95% of the time. They now also make a real long charge tube (regular or Micrometer).

 

[Hondo64d]

Well, couldn't stand ogling over the pictures of the Montana Vintage Arms Powder measure any more, so just had to order one. Same principal as the Belding and Mull, but a more highly refined product. I don't expect it to be any more consistent than the Belding and Mull, but the fit and finish appears to be so good, I had to try one.

In case anyone is concerned that the MVA is for black powder only, I talked to them and they stated it works great for all powders, smokeless included.

http://www.montanavintagearms.com/reloading.html

John

 

[DanConzo]

The MVA is a nice measure-a lot prettier (annodized parts) but as you stated the same principle and probably no more accurate than the B&M, especially w/ a few modifications on the B&M. I'm a Pennsylvanian so I feel I must hang on to the B&M especially since I started w/ one but I know what you mean and you can't go wrong.

 

[STS]

I don't remember that Joe, but they are making the measures and charge tubes again. The baffle they make now has two round holes instead of the usual "U" cutouts and it is an inverted "V" shape. I made mine w/ the "U" cutouts. The new ones only cost $7. I really couldn't tell you if the baffle helps in this measure but I figure it sure don't hurt. I'm also going to make a brass front wear plate w/ a closer fit to the sliding hopper probably 3/16 to 1/4" thick. The original Belding & Mull was about 70 miles from me and the new B&M is just a few miles further. I have a Lyman #55 w/ the original Homer Culver brass micrometer adjustment but I use the B&Ms 95% of the time. They now also make a real long charge tube (regular or Micrometer).

Dan, I have tuned up a pair of B&M measures and have addressed the same issue that you have. The best solution, if you have access to some machine tools, is to mill the hopper square thus taking out any taper from wear. Then surface grind the front of the measure body where the plate attaches that you are talking about replacing. This makes for a really nice repair and uses the original steel plate with the B&M name stamp. When finished the measure is tighter than when new and you can't visually tell that anything has been done to it.

 

[DanConzo]

STS--That sounds like a great idea that will really improve the hopper travel. I guess I'm not the only one that loves these measures. Thanks STS. In the 60s and early 70s most everybody and their uncle in my area had B&Ms. Older B/R shooters in the 50s that shot at DuBois, Fort Roberdeau and Bradford, Pa used them almost to the man. Thanks again STS.

 

[clovis]

i have a new BELDING AND MULL POWDER MEASURE....WITH MICROMETER..60.00 SHIPPED.....ON BOX....WAS SOLD FOR 14.75...WAY BACK THEN.........OR TRADE FOR 22CAL 50 GR BALLISTIC TIPS

 

[Joe Maisto]

i have a new BELDING AND MULL POWDER MEASURE....WITH MICROMETER..60.00 SHIPPED.....ON BOX....WAS SOLD FOR 14.75...WAY BACK THEN.........OR TRADE FOR 22CAL 50 GR BALLISTIC TIPS

That's the same price I paid for mine......"way back then" !