best powder measure for handgun?

[cocopuff]

I have been reloading and shooting for close to 50 years...Never ever used a powder
measure..Always weighted ever charge..So now i'm getting more into hand guns.
After weighing 100 charges yesterday,i got to thinking about a powder measure
that would possibly throw accurate charges..I know type of powder will no doubt
make a big difference...I use a lot of unique and 2400 if that makes a different..
So,any ideas or suggestions..john

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I like the Redding BR measurer - Seems to work well & has a baffle in it & I also use a funnel on it (Top) so that the level stays consistent.
I load & shoot 38 Spcl.,m 357, 44 Mag. & 500 S&W.

My .02 cents.

- Ron -

 

[longtrapshootn]

I tried a the Hornady PM and didn't like it as well, the tolerances were really bad and I had similar results as you did. I bought a Redding BR30 and now I'm within a tenth per pull using H335.

A lot of it has to do with the powder your using, you didn't mention that.

 

[cocopuff]

got the Lee powder measure..using unique it works..
Even if its plastic,it works so far..Accurate to a tenth
either way..

 

[senderoll]

Harrels......

 

[jd9770]

I use a Lyman 55 (older orange one) powder measure for pistol. It’s easy to adjust and stays true. I use mostly use unique and bullseye and it has worked very well with those powders for me.

 

[Bill K]

Get yourself a Dillion set up and enjoy your handgun shooting all the more. Everything on it makes loading hundreds of rounds so easy.

 

[DirtySteve]

Ditto on the Dillon.. Square Deal or better yet, the 550....

 

[Ken]

I think technique may also have something to do with consistancy. I use a Harrells and tap tap on the up throw and tap once on the down throw. For handgun, I use a Dillon 550.

 

[2tuf4u]

Redding 10-x

 

[hoz53]

I have been reloading and shooting for close to 50 years...Never ever used a powder
measure..Always weighted ever charge..So now i'm getting more into hand guns.
After weighing 100 charges yesterday,i got to thinking about a powder measure
that would possibly throw accurate charges..I know type of powder will no doubt
make a big difference...I use a lot of unique and 2400 if that makes a different..
So,any ideas or suggestions..john

id go with the redding if all you want is a powder measure. I have noticed the reddings dont sell used to well and you may be able to get a great deal on a used one. I so say go with a dillon if you want a progressive press.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

I use a Lyman 55 (older orange one) powder measure for pistol. It’s easy to adjust and stays true. I use mostly use unique and bullseye and it has worked very well with those powders for me.

+1 It's hard to beat the classics.

 

[Larryh128]

got the Lee powder measure..using unique it works..
Even if its plastic,it works so far..Accurate to a tenth
either way..

I've run a LEE forever, excellent measure, I've bought and sold a few more expensive units and always went back to the Lee. Throws very consistent charges.

 

[cocopuff]

gotta say I reallylike my lee powder measure..as long as I work
the lever the same way,its pretty accurate..

 

[JSH]

As mentioned consistency is as much as any of it.
Buddy of mine used to by the Lee’s by the dozen. Get it set and never changed it.
He had several set up for a rig he used H322. Any problems with the measure he sawed them up in the bandsaw and got a new one out.

 

[atblis]

You need to come up with a number that actually matters in terms of what is acceptable for your purpose. ±0.1 of a grain, ±0.2 of a grain?? Honestly for the vast majority of handgun stuff, ±0.1 gr doesn't matter one bit at the ranges handguns are shot (same for rifles in my experience). Probably the same for ±0.2 gr. Now, ±0.3 gr IMO is getting problematic. At some point, too big a variance is a safety issue. Then again, if ±0.3 is enough to blow up your gun, you might what to reconsider what it is you're doing (pick a different powder). You shouldn't be that close to the raggedy edge or using something that sensitive.

TLDR: You're probably worrying about precision that doesn't matter provided it isn't a safety issue.

 

[Kings X]

Hard to beat the RCBS Little Dandy for pistol. Brass in loading block and just walk the line a twist the knob.
I have drilled and tapped some to add a screw in the chamber. That way I can fine tune my dropped charge.

 

[jackson1]

When handloading for my handguns, it has always been a bulk operation. Over 45 plus years I have been satisfied with my RCBS uniflow and dual flow powder measures. They both are repeatable when using flake and ball powders. The majority of my pistol loads are with cast bullets. Never found a need to weigh or trickle each load. That said, when comes to handguns, I am purely a plinker. Usually shot with rifle barrels are cooling.

 

[nmibex]

I use a RCBS small uniflow powder measure with the small mic adjustment screw and case activated linkage kit mounted to my Dillon 550B. I've only loaded for my 380 Auto so far and it seems to work pretty well and throws consistent charges.

 

[cem]

Unique and 2400 imply charges large enough that most anything aimed at the pistol market will do the job. I use a Harrell's but Redding does just fine. RCBS and Hornady with micrometer pistol drums are reported competitive - certainly used a great deal on the respective maker's progressive machines.

For small charges in the .32 S&W Long down to .25 ACP range I still believe in measuring then weighing every charge. Nothing I've had access to gives me confidence for strictly metered charges. When I tried strictly metered for the .32 S&W Long hollow base wadcutter to save time (loads are on the edge to reliably work the semi-auto target guns) I relented and bought a .327 Magnum to shoot up the reloads.

I'll often use a L'il Dandy. I bought the whole range of metering chambers expecting that I would never ever use many of them. Not knowing which ones so I'm as ready as I can be.

I mostly use flake, often Red Dot, and weigh. There likely are ball powders that would meter better - 296/H110 meters well and gives good load density in the magnum revolver cases and up - but the charge size gets to be so small in the .32 and down that I worry. Ken Oehler's famous handload that's subsonic powder forward and supersonic powder back is a lesson to us all.