Best powder measure (non electric)

[FNSafari]

Harrels premium

Neil Jones

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I purchased a Lee disk measure to use for handgun, terrible with flake powder.

 

[Twicepop]

Lyman 55, I've used mine for about 30 years, it's what the early Culver powder measures were made from.

 

[muleman69]

I'm kicking around getting a new powder measure. Not real sure what brand.

I'm Not interested in electric ones.

Mostly I've used varget and 4198. Now i find myself using flake powder and it's a mess in my old measurer.

I have had Reddings and RCBS Lee among others. Electric is my favorite if you have power. Very accurate and no crunch. Just me and my preference

 

[jackieschmidt]

Through the past 30 years I have had quite a few different measures, it seems through the 2000’s someone came out with a “new and improved” version Every other week.

The truth is, they all work by gravity. And they all have some type of chamber that gets filled on one stroke, passes by a sealing ramp and dumps the powder.

Some do have a smoother operation due to ball bearings in the rotating surfaces. But the fact remains the function is identical in all of them.

How one uses the measure is where the accuracy comes in to play. Consistency in operation is paramount. Figure out what method gives your desired resilts and concentrate on repeating that every time.

 

[RickB]

I use a Redding BR-3 if I’m dropping rifle loads and Redding 10x for pistol and rifle loads under 25 grains. I’ve tried a few perforce these two that worked but these have been the best for me. Harrell’s powder measures have a great reputation but I’ve never used one. The Reddings have been great.

I have both Reddings and a Harrell’s (among others). The Reddings are fine powder measures, but the Harrell is simply an entirely different level of tool. Yes, it’s not cheap, but you’ll be enjoying using it (and it is a joy to use) long after you’ve forgotten what you paid for it.

 

[RickB]

I'm kicking around getting a new powder measure. Not real sure what brand.

I'm Not interested in electric ones.

Mostly I've used varget and 4198. Now i find myself using flake powder and it's a mess in my old measurer.

4198 is a difficult powder to measure no matter what powder measure you use. Do not be surprised if you still have to trickle up to the desired charge.

 

[JDinFbg]

Keep your ear to the ground for a used Belding and Mull.

Well this will probably indicate my age, but I own two Belding & Mull powder measures I bought new back when they were still being produced. With ball and flake powders they will throw nearly dead accurate charges. I used to shoot HV Benchrest and loaded at the range between matches using the B&M measure. Unfortunately, B&M no longer makes these. However, there is a company called Montana Vintage Arms that makes a measure very similar in design to the old B&M. It is directed toward the black powder shooter, but I see no reason it would not work for smokeless powder. I bought an MVA micrometer drop tube to use with my old B&M measure (had to turn it down a few thousandths to fit in the B&M) since it provided better adjustment and would hold more powder than the old B&M drop tube.

 

[expiper]

anyone who reccomends anything other than a Harrels has never used a Harrells,,,..agreed that a xyzzy or abcd will throw very accurately ,,,it takes a set of scales and lots of trial and error (time) to set it for various charges or various types of powder,,,,with a Harrlells you record the set point that gives the correct charge of "super whammy" powder (I usually write it on the powder can),,and you just crank it to that set point and "you are there",,,no muss no fuss or wasted time fiddling to get it "right",,,,I have used a Culver measure since the 60's for competetion and hunting loads in everything from 222 to 375 mag,,,just dial it to the number that you have recorded previously as the correct charge and load away,,,,the Harrels is a modern day copy of the Culver with improvements,,,someone mentioned the one with "6 clicks to the number",,,it is the perfect one,,,every "click" is ~.1 grain,,,what more could you want,,,,Roger
PS,,,if you are loading small charges for pistol etc,,,Harrells makes a small capacity measure just for such ctgs.....

 

[cwebster]

anyone who reccomends anything other than a Harrels has never used a Harrells,,,..agreed that a xyzzy or abcd will throw very accurately ,,,it takes a set of scales and lots of trial and error (time) to set it for various charges or various types of powder,,,,with a Harrlells you record the set point that gives the correct charge of "super whammy" powder (I usually write it on the powder can),,and you just crank it to that set point and "you are there",,,no muss no fuss or wasted time fiddling to get it "right",,,,I have used a Culver measure since the 60's for competetion and hunting loads in everything from 222 to 375 mag,,,just dial it to the number that you have recorded previously as the correct charge and load away,,,,the Harrels is a modern day copy of the Culver with improvements,,,someone mentioned the one with "6 clicks to the number",,,it is the perfect one,,,every "click" is ~.1 grain,,,what more could you want,,,,Roger
PS,,,if you are loading small charges for pistol etc,,,Harrells makes a small capacity measure just for such ctgs.....

My Redding BR3 does exactly the same and I keep a log for the settings for each powder and weights. No problem at all and I do check charges with a balance scale.

 

[SSL]

I purchased a Lee disk measure to use for handgun, terrible with flake powder.

Try the Lee micrometer bar with that disk measure and toss those disks away. The bar can be adjusted to the actual charge you want to throw. The disks are almost always either high or low (usually low) and very imprecise. I have the bars on my Loadmaster heads (.....45 ACP, .45 Colt and .44 Magnum) as well as my Pro (.38 Special). Makes a lot of difference.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I've been using an RCBS for about 50 years now.

RCBS Uniflo Powder Measure. Me? Maybe 40 years with no issues. Double tap at the top and same at the bottom. More consistent that way.
Cut a few kernels of Varget with it too. Not my preferred powder but it works, even if it "does" stink when burned.

4198? Never have had any issues.

 

[Joe Maisto]

Through the past 30 years I have had quite a few different measures, it seems through the 2000’s someone came out with a “new and improved” version Every other week.

The truth is, they all work by gravity. And they all have some type of chamber that gets filled on one stroke, passes by a sealing ramp and dumps the powder.

Some do have a smoother operation due to ball bearings in the rotating surfaces. But the fact remains the function is identical in all of them.

How one uses the measure is where the accuracy comes in to play. Consistency in operation is paramount. Figure out what method gives your desired resilts and concentrate on repeating that every time.

That said Jackie...you might have entered what your GO TO measure is for dropping your 4198 for score ?

 

[Joe Maisto]

I have two ancient ones. The one on my bench consistently drops within +/- 0.05 gr with flake and ball powder, -0.0 to +0.15 with stick. Technique is important with it, and if I don't insert my measure properly, I can be off by 0.2gr in a rifle load.
For load workups, I'll measure, pour in a pan to verify, and funnel into the case. Have found the "off" charge will be one or two in a box of 50.

If all of you gentlemen would attend or be INVOLVED in SR GROUP shooting, whereby the size of your 5 or 10 shot GROUP is measured ( in 10ths of .001) you would soon be using what is the norm for consistency in this particular endeavor .. FWIW...loading is done at the range...usually.... after each match.

 

[Thud]

I need more popcorn

 

[skeeljc]

Harrells

 

[Richard308]

Well this will probably indicate my age, but I own two Belding & Mull powder measures I bought new back when they were still being produced. With ball and flake powders they will throw nearly dead accurate charges. I used to shoot HV Benchrest and loaded at the range between matches using the B&M measure. Unfortunately, B&M no longer makes these. However, there is a company called Montana Vintage Arms that makes a measure very similar in design to the old B&M. It is directed toward the black powder shooter, but I see no reason it would not work for smokeless powder. I bought an MVA micrometer drop tube to use with my old B&M measure (had to turn it down a few thousandths to fit in the B&M) since it provided better adjustment and would hold more powder than the old B&M drop tube.

Belding & Mull Philipsburg, Pa.

 

[rickhirsch]

i have redding ,rcbs, harrell's use them all . i use the rcbs most of the time . 4198 doesn't thow very even
know matter what thower you use .i did a small test when a got first harrell about twenty years ago .
it olny came out a little better than redding or the rcbs . lyman works good too . take your pick they all
need to be trickled .

 

[1bamashooter]

Neil Jones

 

[R.Morehouse]

I collect nice older equipment and use it. I have the Belding & Mull, Neil Jones, Harrells ( modified from Joe Maisto ) & R.F.D. Each one has it's method of use that makes it the most repeatable. I use them all with great success. I throw low and trickle up. Use one of the hand tricklers if you don't want a plug-in. I DO like seeing how close I can get with them and many times get it " dead nuts " weather I am using the Parker tuned balance or the FX.........Best Of Luck........

ps: for loading the 6ppc/br sized cases at the range I generally know my load " window " and preload 1 dram vials at home with powder. It saves time at the range and the powder is loaded in the vials in the same atmospheric condition, I hear this makes a difference....

Regards
Rick