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Powder Measures

Reloading Bum

Reloading Bum

Hi,

I'm looking at getting a new powder measurer, I've been using my RCBS for 30+ years.


Does anyone have a preference? It's a subtle part of the equation sure but I saw a friend using a Harrel powder measure and they recommend it. I'm not sure I'm going to realize a huge difference but I think its worth asking if anyone thinks its worth the upgrade? They do "look" pretty cool if nothing else.

Thanks,

ReloadingBum
 
I’ve had good luck with a Redding BR-3 that I’ve used for decades. I also use the Redding 10x for pistol or small charges under 10 grains. I’ve been very happy with both of them. I tried a charge master lite about a year ago and like it too. I never have used the Harrells measures but I hear good things.

Sean
 
I have used a Hornady powder measure and Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Both seem to have trouble with extruded powders. I went ahead and purchased the Hornady Benchrest Powder Measure for reloading match ammo. The narrow range design (20-65 grains) is reputed to be more accurate. I am discovering that the charge weights are more accurate, but I still trickle up each charge and verify with a balance beam scale.
 
I will say this;

Having "several" RCBS, screwed into a carousel it's interesting that there's just enough difference between them that you'll notice it. Meaning,depending on the amount,one measure will throw more accurate than the next one. Shows up more on long extruded powders. Which,is a lot of what goes through my cast rifle rigs.

I "throw" a touch light,then trickle up.

Having done that for a lifetime,you sorta get the hang of it. That's where the little nuisances of one measure vs another shows up. When you go to a really nice measure like a Harrels,you get to this level of "touch".... much quicker. Tough to put into words. Just sayin,you won't regret buying "better" tooling. Some folks have higher/lower tolerance for all this.

Good luck with your shooting.
 
I bought a used B&M measure off the forum awhile back. I am in the process of doing accuracy testing with it but so far, it looks pretty promising.
 
Reloading Bum said:
Hi,

I'm looking at getting a new powder measurer, I've been using my RCBS for 30+ years.


Does anyone have a preference? It's a subtle part of the equation sure but I saw a friend using a Harrel powder measure and they recommend it. I'm not sure I'm going to realize a huge difference but I think its worth asking if anyone thinks its worth the upgrade? They do "look" pretty cool if nothing else.

Thanks,

ReloadingBum
Click to expand...
I have a Harrells Culver style measure. It is nicely made. I've had it for 5 or 6 years now. It works well with ball or spherical powders. It works ok with short extruded powders, but can be troublesome with long extruded powders. I have a Hornady measure as well. Ive had it for about 30 years. It works ok, but not very accurate throw to throw. Since I double weigh each powder charge, accuracy of the powder measure doesn't really matter.

PopCharlie
 
Hondo64d said:
Believe it or not, the most precise throws I’ve had with extruded powders are from the Lee Classic Cast powder measure. Looks like they’ve updated it and are now calling it the Deluxe Perfect Powder measure.

Lee Precision, Inc. - Stand Mounted Powder Measures

Classic Powder Measure Perfect Powder Measure Ideal for both handgun and rilfe ammunition from the .
leeprecision.com leeprecision.com

John
Click to expand...
As an inexpensive option for non-benchrest powder throwing, or throwing the initial charge in order to trickle to weight, I agree. It uses a "wiper" system to level charges and doesn't cut the grains on extruded powders like most measures do. It really isn't great for spherical powders, however, since it tends to leak a little around the drum crevices.
 
I have used a Redding BR-30 measure for years and it is very accurate. That said, long extruded powders will always present a problem. When I "must" use an extruded powder I will use my RCBS Chargemaster.

But if you're going to "throw" the entire charge (as opposed to throwing light and then trickling up to the desired weight), watch what the benchrest shooters are using and copy them. Why re-invent the wheel?
 
Reloading Bum said:
I'm looking at getting a new powder measurer, I've been using my RCBS for 30+ years.
Click to expand...
You are probably starting to wonder about maybe using that for another 30 years...

That Lee Perfect Powder Measure sounds ridiculous but don't discount it. The darn thing actually does better than all of my expensive ones. As cheap as they are, you could get one and could throw it away if you didn't like it, but you will be surprised when you find it throws as good and mostly better than the rest.

When the grinning equipment snobs start asking me questions about it while I am loading at the range, I usually just point at my target... they usually shrink and start asking legitimate questions at that point.
 
I concur about Redding. I also have a 3-BR and a BR-30. I used use RCBS Uniflows until they burnt up in a house fire years ago. I bought a BR-30 first because I wanted the micro meter style powder charge adjustment and in comparing the Redding to RCBS, the Redding is like a Swiss watch. I’ve tried other friends Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, and Lee, but my Reddings just feel so precise when operation in comparison. You’ll pay more for a Redding, but it will be money well spent. I’ve never tried a Harrel, but for what they cost, and seen a lot of BR shooters use them, their probably the gold standard.
 
Intheshop said:
I will say this;

Having "several" RCBS, screwed into a carousel it's interesting that there's just enough difference between them that you'll notice it. Meaning,depending on the amount,one measure will throw more accurate than the next one. Shows up more on long extruded powders. Which,is a lot of what goes through my cast rifle rigs.

I "throw" a touch light,then trickle up.

Having done that for a lifetime,you sorta get the hang of it. That's where the little nuisances of one measure vs another shows up. When you go to a really nice measure like a Harrels,you get to this level of "touch".... much quicker. Tough to put into words. Just sayin,you won't regret buying "better" tooling. Some folks have higher/lower tolerance for all this.

Good luck with your shooting.
Click to expand...
I’ve been going with that approach as well, keeping my powder a tiny bit light and then trickling it. I’ve found the RCBS Changemaster Light to work well so far but I admittedly have been using the RCBS Uniflow since day one in highschool too (a long time ago) because that’s what my dad ‘was’ using at the time. I do like the Harrell’s Classic Culver Measure that a friend uses and will likely be adding that to my reloading arsenal.

ReloadingBum
 
Intheshop said:
I "throw" a touch light,then trickle up.
Having done that for a lifetime,you sorta get the hang of it.
Click to expand...

Same here for rifle cartridges. With practice you can move along at a good rate. Loaded all my XTC ammunition this way for many years. I throw .3-.4 under and trickle up to the desired charge weight. Use a Harrell's that I have had for many years or one of my B&M's which are very repeatable with consistent technique which is key to any manual measure IMO.
 
I've used several and the Harrells is great BUT all of them bar none will not throw .1 grain consistently, what most of the guys are doing by throwing light and trick up is a paint in the ass and that sir is why I went with the V3 set up, I punch in the # I want and get within 2 hundredths so I load and go. Yes, it cost more to start with but what is your time worth even if you are retired there are other things you can do reloading.
 
A question for the guys that use the Harrel's

Does H4895 and Varget have small enough kernels to meter well ?
 
Shooter13 said:
I've used several and the Harrells is great BUT all of them bar none will not throw .1 grain consistently, what most of the guys are doing by throwing light and trick up is a paint in the ass and that sir is why I went with the V3 set up, I punch in the # I want and get within 2 hundredths so I load and go. Yes, it cost more to start with but what is your time worth even if you are retired there are other things you can do reloading.
Click to expand...
The V3 is certainly one of the better and much more expensive options, but I'd be reluctant to take it to the range for loading. I haven't tried it, but because it is so sensitive, would it even really work on a windy day?
 
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