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  #1  
Old 11-12-2009, 10:16 PM
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Default What powder measure do you like?

Greetings, all:

The title pretty much says it all--what powder measure do you like?

I'm currently using a Lee (im)Perfect in conjunction with a single-stage press and want to upgrade.

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:28 PM
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The best "standard" powder measure for the money is the Redding micrometer of the proper model for YOU (there are several different models).

I have a collection of powder measures including a Harrell (very nice, but very pricy) and the Redding is the champ for the money. I would NEVER buy an ordinary powder measure without micrometer adjustment. You can record the "measurement" and return to the setting (always check with a scale, of course). A micrometer makes it MUCH easier to use.

FWIW
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:39 PM
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I agree with Dale53 on the Redding. I also use my old Lyman 55 for smaller charges. It is not as user friendly as the micrometer measures, but I does a good job. FWIW - when I set my measures, I set the scale to the weight of three or four charges of the measure and weigh the total of all charges. I feel that it gives me a more accurate setting than weighing a single charge.
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:42 PM
dennis40x dennis40x is offline
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Belding&Mull
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:44 PM
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I've used most of them over the past 35 years, and have settled with the Redding 10x for pistol loads and the 30BR for rifles. They are a cut above everything else.

The Harrells aren't any more accurate/consistent than the Reddings, but they do have the click-adjustable metering, which makes it a bit easier to go back and forth from one setting to the other.
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Old 11-12-2009, 10:57 PM
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I have used what you are using for years and haven't felt the need to upgrade.
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Old 11-12-2009, 11:16 PM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is online now
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Depends on what kind of powder you're measuring. B&M is VERY good, but certainly needs to be mounted on an immovable bench. Harrell's is extremely well-made. These are good for most powders. For long sticks, like 4350 and such, the Lee, cheap though it is, is probably the best there is (short of the "automated" dispensing system called the Prometheus). The Belding and Mull is probably almost as good, as I recall (it has been a few decades since I used one). For Bullseye, of course, there are or were measures with non-adjustable rotors that are made specifically for this powder.

I use a Harrell's for my pistol cartridges (non-Bullseye), a Lee for .308, and Prometheus for my precision reloading of rifle cartridges. Perhaps I should use the Prometheus for .308, but I haven't felt a need yet, and I have no complaints against the Lee (at least for sticks).
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Old 11-12-2009, 11:26 PM
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Does it give you consistent drops? What are you reloading with it?
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Old 11-12-2009, 11:57 PM
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I used only a Belding & Mull for many years. It's slow but accurate. Now I try to load most pistol loads on an RCBS Little Dandy, if I can find a rotor near to the powder charge I want.
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Old 11-13-2009, 12:10 AM
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RCBS Uniflow and Little Dandy. Sincerely. brucev.
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Old 11-13-2009, 01:33 AM
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I have an RCBS little dandy I like it for 38 special and .357. Seems to work well.

Troy
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Old 11-13-2009, 09:13 AM
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I like the lee auto disks measurer, with the spring attached it only drops when theres a case and always resets its self. Its easy to change from pistols to rifles, there is a micro adjust available, it has a quick change attachment so you dont have to spin it on and off dodging dies, its cheap (I have a few) and I have had very good luck consistent drops. I have switched from my RCBS to using the Lee 98% of the time.

I had the lee perfect powder measurer - I had nothing but problems with it - I think I threw it away.
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Old 11-13-2009, 09:45 AM
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.........a 50 year old Belding and Mull drop tube. It was my first, and will probably be my last.
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Old 11-13-2009, 10:13 AM
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Default For Accuracy ...

The Redding is easily the most accurate I have found for general use. Mine is reliable +/- .1 gr.

Also very well built and durable.

FWIW

Chuck
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  #15  
Old 11-13-2009, 10:43 AM
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I have tried most of the powder measures made by the major manufacturers and have had a Harrell's. I have settled on Redding 10X and 30BR, I use an RCBS Little Dandy for most of my handgun reloading. I have a complete set of rotors, although an adjustable rotor would be a plus for those time a load you want to try falls between rotor numbers. I have made a couple of my own powder measures which are a knock off of the Hornady Pistol Powder Measure. I can adjust the bushings for custom loads by simply boring to the size that throws the powder charge I want.
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Old 11-13-2009, 10:48 AM
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My old Pacific measure is extremely accurate and reliable. It has the micrometer adjustments and it has been in constant use for 30 years. It had never failed me one time, and it is as accurate today as it was when new. On top of that, it throws powders that others here seem to have trouble with like Unique etc, with great consistancy. I like that!
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  #17  
Old 11-13-2009, 11:56 AM
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I've got a Lyman55 and a Redding (not sure exactly which model) the're both good.
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Old 11-13-2009, 12:02 PM
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I have a couple of RCBS Uniflow's and just got a Little Dandy. I think I'm going to like the Little Dandy alot once I get used to it. I've got a Lee Perfect in a drawer somewhere- it worked fine but I just never did get a good feel for it.
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Old 11-13-2009, 01:21 PM
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I have two versions of the Hornady measure- a new LNL and an old one both of which have the micrometers on them and I really like them.

I do have an old Pacific pistol measure that uses the bushings and really like that for small pistol loads.

And finally, I have a Hornady black powder measure...for all things that boil smoke.

I do have a CH Tool measure that uses bushings too, but it sees very little use.
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Old 11-13-2009, 01:45 PM
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I have a Redding 10-X on my bench for everything that does not go through the L-N-L on which I use a Hornady w/pistol chamber.
If I needed to measure large charges of rifle powder I would go back to my Lyman 55.
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  #21  
Old 11-15-2009, 11:03 AM
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Default Little Dandy for me

I have been reloading .44 and .38 for many years using RCBS little dandy powder measures. Never had a problem and the range of rotors available is incredible. In addition, the little dandy's are about the most inexpensive powder measures on the market. Test runs to check consistentancy have shown the rotors to throw very close charges. I load for pistol practice and do not require "ultra close" tolerances on charge weight.
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Old 11-15-2009, 11:55 AM
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Lyman 55s, Belding & Mull for short runs of 20 or so rounds and Dillon press mounted measures for most loads. All three work extremely well.
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Old 11-15-2009, 01:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Cash View Post
Lyman 55s, Belding & Mull for short runs of 20 or so rounds and Dillon press mounted measures for most loads. All three work extremely well.
Dan kind of stole my thunder here. I guess that's what meant by "a day late and a dollar short!"

I have no experience with the Belding & Mull but I was going to say that my Lyman #55 is a great measure for single stage applications. I even put it on top of my Lee Classic Cast Turret when I am dealing with difficult powders like Unique. With the "two slides" it is easy to adjust so that bridging doesn't occur.

You would have to see one to understand but they have a built in "tapping" instrument that settles the powder. You can get into a nice rhythm and throw some real consistent charges.
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  #24  
Old 11-15-2009, 08:16 PM
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I use an older Lyman/Ideal #55 for very small to larger handgun loads.

I have two RCBS Uniflows, one of which is mounted on a Piggyback II, for medium to larger handguns and some rifle loads.

For serious work I use an RCBS electonic dispenser matched to an electronic scale.

Forgot to mention, I also have a Lee PPM mounted on the bench that hasn't been used in years. And I had a Lee Auto Disk that was thrown in the trash along with the Pro 1000 it was mounted on.

Last edited by Jellybean; 11-16-2009 at 04:01 PM.
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