Powder measure (again)

[bobcat93]

Hi all,
Hey how many of use load rifle cartridges with a powder drop dispenser. Vs measuring each load and waiting for the machine to spit it out.
When i first started reloading i used the Lee dispenser that came in the anniversary kit even after it kept spilling powder out the side..i never replaced it..once i received my rcbs chargmaster i threw out that old lee dispenser.
It could load up 100rd in a zip of 45acp.
I used it on 300 rem ultra mag and it took two dumps per case. I was very green when i first started reloading and that was probably some of my best ammo to date. Haha.
Is it worth the investment for a
Harrells Precision..even the redding ones look really nice.
So whats your take
Do you guys all have one mounted on your bench and use it. Or is it collecting dust.
Thanks

 

[Krogen]

I use a Redding powder measure for many handgun cartridges and for Lever Action Silhouette loads. If it varies by +/- 0.1 gr, I don't much care. Bigger batches of handgun loads are done on a Dillon with its powder measure. Relatively accurate rifles get more obsessive treatment. I have an Autotrickler in transit, so my modus operandi is likely to change.

 

[kenhwind]

I've been using my RCBs Uniflow Powder Measure for years.
I have had several others including a Lyman No. 55.

Because I basically load to shoot some of our semi-obsolete cartridges, I am not that fussy. The Uniflow is pretty consistent with Ball Powder, but not all extruded powder.

I always cycle my powder measure to achieve a uniform powder flow and check every 5-10 loads for ball powder, extruded I drop and weigh, if it is close, fine, powder trickler, otherwise back into the hopper and drop again.

That is for long guns, handguns are loaded on a Dillon 550. The Dillon powder measure is accurate enough with most handgun powders. But here again I cycle through to get a nice even powder flow.

 

[joshb]

I use an RCBS thrower. I bought a Harrell’s, maybe 10 years ago, but I’ve never found a reason to use it. Turns out I like a lid on my thrower so I can dump an overcharge back in.

 

[M-61]

RCBS Chargemaster
Never a problem
Accuracy if fine for me
A few powder throws still mounted but not used since I got the Chargemaster quite a few year’s ago.

 

[DaveTooley]

I use several different powder measures. Once set it's not difficult to throw uniform charges. I'm not into this single kernel stuff.

 

[jimmymac]

I use an RCBS thrower. I bought a Harrell’s, maybe 10 years ago, but I’ve never found a reason to use it. Turns out I like a lid on my thrower so I can dump an overcharge back in.

You should try that Harrell’s Josh. Super easy to adjust and a small funnel on the top of that hole in the bottle solves your dump back problem.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

RCBS thrower, on a stand. I adjust/weigh either to throw to target weight, weigh charge(over is dumped back in, under trickle up). Or throw 1/10 under and trickle up. Method depends on powder and how it throws that day and number of rounds. I keep used dryer sheets in the hopper(empty, I don't leave powder it ever) and wipe down funnels, trickler. I have a Lee that sees mostly ball powder, can charge a lot of brass quickly and no issues keeping prairie dog accuracy. I adjust/weigh 10 throws for a target weigh average.

 

[Bob in WI]

I have a Harrells and a Lee.
In my experience they are equally accurate. Advantage Harrells for click values to dial to. Dont own a trickler. Many highlevel competitors in Hunter Benchrest throw straight from a Harrells.
My 2 pennies

 

[6MMsteve]

I use a RCBS works fine

 

[joshb]

You should try that Harrell’s Josh. Super easy to adjust and a small funnel on the top of that hole in the bottle solves your dump back problem.

Thanks for that, but…
Mine has the bottle without a hole in the bottom. I carried it back and forth during my migrations for the past 6 years. This time, I left it in Delaware, in an attempt to lighten the load. It looked like a nicely engineered measure. Maybe I’ll try it when I’m back east. I have a Bat SV gun with a brand new unfired 6ppc barrel chambered by Cigarcop sitting in storage. It would be fitting for that.

 

[jimmymac]

Thanks for that, but…
Mine has the bottle without a hole in the bottom. I carried it back and forth during my migrations for the past 6 years. This time, I left it in Delaware, in an attempt to lighten the load. It looked like a nicely engineered measure. Maybe I’ll try it when I’m back east. I have a Bat SV gun with a brand new unfired 6ppc barrel chambered by Cigarcop sitting in storage. It would be fitting for that.

With as much as I adjust the measure, I would be lost without a bottle having a hole in the bottom.

 

[K22]

I've been using an RCBS Uniflow powder measure for over 50 years. Simple. I like simple. Complicated equipment and processes give me hives and stomach acid.

Pistol: Using flattened ball powders like 231, they meter well, within + or - a 0.01 grain, which sufficient for my pistol applications. I check every 10th discharge on my balance, always within 0.01. The key is using the small drum. The most important aspect in pistol charging is to have a fail-safe system to assure you do not double charge a case. Therefore, I check every case fill before seating bullets. Also, I have the empty cases mouth down in the loading block and turn each on upright as I charge each case.

Rifle: Since I only use extruded powders, I discharge each load into the pan of my balance and trickle in each charge. I just like it mentally, of having a precise charge for rifle reloads. Whether this translate to improve shots on target, I can't say because this is the way I always done it with extruded powders and see no reason to change it.

Because I am a precision bolt action shooter, not a blaster, this system works for me since I do not expend large amounts of barrel burning shots in any range session. For me, each shot is a match in itself since I may not get a second shot when varmint / predator hunting. Every shot counts.

 

[358WCF]

Mostly doing small quantity, 50/pistol & 20/rifle. Started with a Uniflow. It came with large & small rotors. The large rotor didn't do pistol very well & was a PITA to change, so got a Redding for rifle stuff. Pistol thru the Uniflow gets checked every 10 rounds & powder level eyeballed in the loading block. Rifle from the Redding is dump a bit under & trickle. No hurry, no deadline. It's a hobby.