Powder measure suggestions

Rodger Peterson · March 19, 2005, 11:00 AM

I am going to invest in a quality powder measure. I would appreciate an feedback from those of you using the Redding, RCBS, or Hornady brands. I've been eyeballing the Hornady unit, but really can't say why. I need to measure from 3.0 to 56. grains. I relize I may have to purchase inserts. I'm loading on a single stage press. Powders will be Unique, IMR4350, W231, W748, Blue Dot, W760, WSF. Thanks in advance.

Jim Watson · March 19, 2005, 11:09 AM

I use a RCBS Uniflo with small drum and micrometer spindle for most single stage loading. It does take two strokes to drop 50 grain rifle charges, though.
I have a Redding No 3 Master that is good on rifle loads but the insert with pistol plug was never very good. It did not fit well enough to keep granules from getting around the insert and binding up the rotation. So I put a metal hopper on it and use it for black.
The funny looking Bonanza does ok from about 8 grains up, I have not tried it with light target pistol loads.

Swamp Yankee · March 19, 2005, 01:36 PM

For the money it's tough to beat a Uniflo.
I've run all the listed powders with the exception of the IMR4350 through my Uniflo with the standard cylinder and have no complaints. It's very repetative.
I've used a Redding and it is indeed a very nice measure. It's also close to double the cost of the Uniflo however.
No experience with Hornady's offering.

Take Care

WESHOOT2 · March 19, 2005, 02:46 PM

I have the Hornady/Pacific measure set up for handgun-only charge weight ranges.

Can bind a bit on AA9 LOL.

(I have fifteen Dillon measures; they can, too.)

Dave R · March 19, 2005, 04:04 PM

I use a RCBS Uniflow with the small drum for pistol loads through .223. Its very accurate, even with big-flake powders like Unique.

For rifle loads, I use the large drum with the Uniflow. Also very accurate, even with stick powders like 4197 or IMR 4064.

I bought the Uniflow used. It came with the small drum. I called RCBS to order the big drum, and they sent it for free.

**Mike Irwin** · March 19, 2005, 04:52 PM

I've got a lot of loads through my Lee disk measure. It's always done fairly well by me.

I've also got my RCBS Uniflo, which is a great piece of equipment.

justnuts · March 19, 2005, 08:07 PM

I have a Hornady powder measure. It makes a fine door stop

klw · March 19, 2005, 08:22 PM

Harrell's are unquestionably the best (http://www.harrellsprec.com/). I've got two. I've also had the others you mentioned.

It depends a bit on the application but Lyman's is fine. The RCBS units are certainly ok. The rest, well, I didn't care for them that much.

Rodger Peterson · March 20, 2005, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the replies, looks like the Uniflo is getting the nod.

Ala Dan · March 20, 2005, 10:28 PM

Greeting's All-

I use a RCBS Uniflow, complete with a homemade baffle. I took
an old washer with 'bout a 5/16" hole (to control the powder flow)
and it works perfectly with all types of powders.

Best Wishes,

Oldphart · March 20, 2005, 10:40 PM

Rodger, I'm sitting here looking at the latest Sinclair catalog. They devote a page to Harrell measures. As I read all the information there, I see stuff about "CNC machined aluminum body" and "needle bearings" and price tags that run from $173 to $234. What I don't see is any comparative claim regarding accuracy. While they do say the Harrell is accurate and repeatable, they don't say how accurate.
I have to admit that I've only used one brand of powder measure, but I've never seen any reason to change either. After a 'break-in' period, it now throws loads consistently within 0.1 grain of whatever load of whatever powder I happen to be using. Since I'm retired, I have the time to check more loads than you might, so I check about every third load. For the past year or so, I have rarely found any appreciable variation from my desired load.
I use one of those plastic POS's by Lee. It came with my original Anniversary kit and the only thing I've done is get a second one for smaller loads. Either one will measure large or small loads but making the adjustment is a pain. I can get ten of them for the price of one Harrell...

Tim R · March 20, 2005, 10:54 PM

The RCBS Uniflow has served me well for the last twenty years. When I bought mine, they came with both the large rifle drum and the small pistol drum. I understand this is not the case any more but I also understand a call to RCBS will get you the other drum at no cost to you. Both are handy depending on what you are doing.

CaseyC · March 21, 2005, 03:33 AM

Rodger,

I have a Hornady, a RCBS, and a Harrrell's. All three measure ball powder well, the Harrell's the most accurate of the three. None of them measure extruded powders well, the Harrell's being slightly better of the three. With stick powders, I set the charge .5-1gr lower and trickle the remainder.

Casey

March 19, 2005, 11:00 AM	#1
Rodger Peterson Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 93	Powder measure suggestions I am going to invest in a quality powder measure. I would appreciate an feedback from those of you using the Redding, RCBS, or Hornady brands. I've been eyeballing the Hornady unit, but really can't say why. I need to measure from 3.0 to 56. grains. I relize I may have to purchase inserts. I'm loading on a single stage press. Powders will be Unique, IMR4350, W231, W748, Blue Dot, W760, WSF. Thanks in advance.

March 19, 2005, 02:46 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	buy a good one I have the Hornady/Pacific measure set up for handgun-only charge weight ranges. Can bind a bit on AA9 LOL. (I have fifteen Dillon measures; they can, too.) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 19, 2005, 04:04 PM	#5
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I use a RCBS Uniflow with the small drum for pistol loads through .223. Its very accurate, even with big-flake powders like Unique. For rifle loads, I use the large drum with the Uniflow. Also very accurate, even with stick powders like 4197 or IMR 4064. I bought the Uniflow used. It came with the small drum. I called RCBS to order the big drum, and they sent it for free. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

March 19, 2005, 04:52 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I've got a lot of loads through my Lee disk measure. It's always done fairly well by me. I've also got my RCBS Uniflo, which is a great piece of equipment. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 19, 2005, 08:07 PM	#7
justnuts Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 5	I have a Hornady powder measure. It makes a fine door stop __________________ Member NRA Member Washington Arms Collectors

March 19, 2005, 11:09 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	I use a RCBS Uniflo with small drum and micrometer spindle for most single stage loading. It does take two strokes to drop 50 grain rifle charges, though. I have a Redding No 3 Master that is good on rifle loads but the insert with pistol plug was never very good. It did not fit well enough to keep granules from getting around the insert and binding up the rotation. So I put a metal hopper on it and use it for black. The funny looking Bonanza does ok from about 8 grains up, I have not tried it with light target pistol loads.

March 19, 2005, 01:36 PM	#3
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,019	For the money it's tough to beat a Uniflo. I've run all the listed powders with the exception of the IMR4350 through my Uniflo with the standard cylinder and have no complaints. It's very repetative. I've used a Redding and it is indeed a very nice measure. It's also close to double the cost of the Uniflo however. No experience with Hornady's offering. Take Care

March 19, 2005, 08:22 PM	#8
klw Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2005 Posts: 118	If money is no object Harrell's are unquestionably the best (http://www.harrellsprec.com/). I've got two. I've also had the others you mentioned. It depends a bit on the application but Lyman's is fine. The RCBS units are certainly ok. The rest, well, I didn't care for them that much.

March 20, 2005, 09:57 PM	#9
Rodger Peterson Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 93	Thanks for the replies, looks like the Uniflo is getting the nod.

March 20, 2005, 10:28 PM	#10
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	Greeting's All- I use a RCBS Uniflow, complete with a homemade baffle. I took an old washer with 'bout a 5/16" hole (to control the powder flow) and it works perfectly with all types of powders. Best Wishes,

March 20, 2005, 10:40 PM	#11
Oldphart Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Posts: 375	Powder measure suggestions Rodger, I'm sitting here looking at the latest Sinclair catalog. They devote a page to Harrell measures. As I read all the information there, I see stuff about "CNC machined aluminum body" and "needle bearings" and price tags that run from $173 to $234. What I don't see is any comparative claim regarding accuracy. While they do say the Harrell is accurate and repeatable, they don't say how accurate. I have to admit that I've only used one brand of powder measure, but I've never seen any reason to change either. After a 'break-in' period, it now throws loads consistently within 0.1 grain of whatever load of whatever powder I happen to be using. Since I'm retired, I have the time to check more loads than you might, so I check about every third load. For the past year or so, I have rarely found any appreciable variation from my desired load. I use one of those plastic POS's by Lee. It came with my original Anniversary kit and the only thing I've done is get a second one for smaller loads. Either one will measure large or small loads but making the adjustment is a pain. I can get ten of them for the price of one Harrell...

March 20, 2005, 10:54 PM	#12
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	The RCBS Uniflow has served me well for the last twenty years. When I bought mine, they came with both the large rifle drum and the small pistol drum. I understand this is not the case any more but I also understand a call to RCBS will get you the other drum at no cost to you. Both are handy depending on what you are doing. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

March 21, 2005, 03:33 AM	#13
CaseyC Member Join Date: November 29, 2004 Posts: 19	Rodger, I have a Hornady, a RCBS, and a Harrrell's. All three measure ball powder well, the Harrell's the most accurate of the three. None of them measure extruded powders well, the Harrell's being slightly better of the three. With stick powders, I set the charge .5-1gr lower and trickle the remainder. Casey

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