Powder Measure's: Revisted

Ala Dan · November 20, 2002, 06:56 PM

Greeting's Folk's,

Not looking to get into the high tech world of "digital
gadget's", I'm looking for some info on standard type
powder measure's.

Currently, I'm using the
R.C.B.S. "Uniflow"; but having little success throwing
accurate charges of Unique.

I use a lot of Unique in
various caliber's, and would like to find a measure
that will throw accurate amount's for handgun size
case's.

Way back when, I use to own a Pacific Deluxe
Powder Measure that would throw accurate charges
on a continous basis; but money got tight and I had
to depart with my reloading set-up. Nowday's, I can't
find the "perfect powder measure" . Or better yet,
what do you guy's and/or gal's recommend? Any help
would be appreciated.

Respectfully,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

Poodleshooter · November 20, 2002, 08:11 PM

The perfect powder measure is all in your technique,IMHO. Use a powder baffle, and throw your charges consistently without tapping or disturbing the way the powder settles, and even a Lee Perfect measure is as good as any other.

swifter... · November 20, 2002, 11:28 PM

Dan,
There's nothing wrong with your Uniflo. Stop by the hardware store and get a fender washer that will barely fit the hopper, with about a 5/8 or so hole in it. That'll work fine as a baffle, slide it down to where the casting narrows below the plastic hopper. It should sit level right there.
You can get some fine lapping compound: no coarser than 400, closer to 1000 is better, take the thrower apart and handlap the drum and casting for a good fit. Don't overdo it. Clean it all out with lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol afterward. It should smooth out rge operation a lot. Then run a pound of powder thru --sfter its dry!!! -- to deposit some graphite on the works. Pay attention to your technique, and work on consistency. I used to shoot lots of Unique in .42 ACP, .41 Mag, & .45 LC, thrown with my Uniflo.

Tom

Ala Dan · November 20, 2002, 11:36 PM

Poodleshooter: Thanks for the advice, as I have tried
to use the correct technique for over 30 year's. I guess
the older one get's, the shaker he and/or she becomes?

Swifter: Many thanks for the suggestion.

I will look
into obtaining the correct washer tommorrow. I had
always heard good thing's about the R.C.B.S. "Uniflow",
as most people report having good result's.

Respectfully,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

Bogie · November 21, 2002, 02:19 PM

Unique just sucks for use in a powder measure. You may try one of the little Lee measures that can be fitted with the adjustable charge bar. I think that a Belding & Mull measure may also work better than a drum type...

PALongbow · November 22, 2002, 10:21 AM

I use the RCBS powder measure to throw the powder but I also weigh every load just to make sure each load is precise..the reason we reload ammunition is to be more uniform and precise over factory loads.

Ron

Bogie · November 22, 2002, 03:36 PM

I rarely weigh loads.

I shoot benchrest, and use a Harrell measure, which has very repeatable click adjustments.

When I used my RCBS Uniflow I had to weigh the charges to double-check the micrometer, but it would throw charges just as consistently (after being set) as my Harrell or my Lee.

alan · November 23, 2002, 01:57 AM

The "perfect" powder measure hasn't been made yet, and likely never will be made. Once had a Lyman 55, which I really didn't care for.

I used a Belding anfd Mull measure for years, with stick powder (IMR) for rifles, it worked well. Flake powder, Hercules, now Alliant didn't present any real problems for handgun cartridges, though in the last analysis, with just about any powder measure, ball powders, except for the very fine types, work best, in my experience. With the b &m measure, I found that filling the hoper, then sticking a funnel into hopper and filling that too helped a lot.

Currently I use a Dillon 550. The measures they provide seem to work fine, though as above mentioned, they too work best with ball powder, though very fine ball powders, like Accurate 5 can present a problem sometimes.

November 20, 2002, 06:56 PM	#1
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 14, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,117	Powder Measure's: Your Choice? Greeting's Folk's, Not looking to get into the high tech world of "digital gadget's", I'm looking for some info on standard type powder measure's. Currently, I'm using the R.C.B.S. "Uniflow"; but having little success throwing accurate charges of Unique. I use a lot of Unique in various caliber's, and would like to find a measure that will throw accurate amount's for handgun size case's. Way back when, I use to own a Pacific Deluxe Powder Measure that would throw accurate charges on a continous basis; but money got tight and I had to depart with my reloading set-up. Nowday's, I can't find the "perfect powder measure" . Or better yet, what do you guy's and/or gal's recommend? Any help would be appreciated. Respectfully, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member Last edited by Ala Dan; November 20, 2002 at 10:36 PM.

November 20, 2002, 11:28 PM	#3
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	Dan, There's nothing wrong with your Uniflo. Stop by the hardware store and get a fender washer that will barely fit the hopper, with about a 5/8 or so hole in it. That'll work fine as a baffle, slide it down to where the casting narrows below the plastic hopper. It should sit level right there. You can get some fine lapping compound: no coarser than 400, closer to 1000 is better, take the thrower apart and handlap the drum and casting for a good fit. Don't overdo it. Clean it all out with lighter fluid or rubbing alcohol afterward. It should smooth out rge operation a lot. Then run a pound of powder thru --sfter its dry!!! -- to deposit some graphite on the works. Pay attention to your technique, and work on consistency. I used to shoot lots of Unique in .42 ACP, .41 Mag, & .45 LC, thrown with my Uniflo. Tom __________________ There are damn few situations so screwed up that adding government to them will not make 'em worse... The best homeland security is an armed & informed citizenery! Molon Labe!

November 21, 2002, 02:19 PM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,828	Unique just sucks for use in a powder measure. You may try one of the little Lee measures that can be fitted with the adjustable charge bar. I think that a Belding & Mull measure may also work better than a drum type... __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

November 22, 2002, 03:36 PM	#7
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,828	I rarely weigh loads. I shoot benchrest, and use a Harrell measure, which has very repeatable click adjustments. When I used my RCBS Uniflow I had to weigh the charges to double-check the micrometer, but it would throw charges just as consistently (after being set) as my Harrell or my Lee. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

November 20, 2002, 08:11 PM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,536	The perfect powder measure is all in your technique,IMHO. Use a powder baffle, and throw your charges consistently without tapping or disturbing the way the powder settles, and even a Lee Perfect measure is as good as any other.

November 20, 2002, 11:36 PM	#4
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 14, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,117	Poodleshooter: Thanks for the advice, as I have tried to use the correct technique for over 30 year's. I guess the older one get's, the shaker he and/or she becomes? Swifter: Many thanks for the suggestion. I will look into obtaining the correct washer tommorrow. I had always heard good thing's about the R.C.B.S. "Uniflow", as most people report having good result's. Respectfully, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

November 22, 2002, 10:21 AM	#6
PALongbow Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 93	I use the RCBS powder measure to throw the powder but I also weigh every load just to make sure each load is precise..the reason we reload ammunition is to be more uniform and precise over factory loads. Ron

November 23, 2002, 01:57 AM	#8
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,656	The "perfect" powder measure hasn't been made yet, and likely never will be made. Once had a Lyman 55, which I really didn't care for. I used a Belding anfd Mull measure for years, with stick powder (IMR) for rifles, it worked well. Flake powder, Hercules, now Alliant didn't present any real problems for handgun cartridges, though in the last analysis, with just about any powder measure, ball powders, except for the very fine types, work best, in my experience. With the b &m measure, I found that filling the hoper, then sticking a funnel into hopper and filling that too helped a lot. Currently I use a Dillon 550. The measures they provide seem to work fine, though as above mentioned, they too work best with ball powder, though very fine ball powders, like Accurate 5 can present a problem sometimes.