Questions about the Uniflow measure

[snowman]

I'm thinking seriously of buying one, and I know that a number of you have one. I have some questions, as follows:

1)Has anyone had any trouble with theirs? What went wrong, and how was RCBS customer service at taking care of it?

2)the obvious one: Does it throw consistent charges, and how sensitive is it to variations in the movement of the lever?

3)Is the baffle worth the extra money(does it actually make the charges more consistent)? Does it cause problems when pouring unused powder back in its container?

4)Is the micrometer worth the extra money(how does it help)?

5)important: What are the dimensions of the optional mounting bracket(esp. width at base between screws, height, and horizontal distance between the screw slots and the center of the hole in which the measure is fastened)?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Andy

[valkyriekl]

I have a Uniflow, mounted to my bench with the stand, and upgraded with the micrometer.

When I first got it, it was nice to be able to adjust it and throw variable charges--my Little Dandy powder measure had Bailey Boat's "Little Dandy Adjustable Rotor", but it was nice to be able to make adjustments externally. However, the lock ring and measure plug were just annoying to adjust, lock, and then measure, and then repeat if I needed to make any more adjustments.

I upgraded to the small micrometer, and it's been quite nice ever since--you get two numbers you can record when making adjustments: "coarse" numbers from 0.0 through 10.0 (I think) in increments of 0.5 (so two ticks to go from 0 to 1.0) and "fine" numbers from 0 to 49.

So for example, I have my micrometer set up to throw 3.6gr of AA#2 at 0.5 (coarse) and 47 (fine), and 4.3gr AA#2 at 1.0 (coarse) and 19 (fine). I've got numbers for different throws of different powders all recorded, so it's fairly simple for me to go back to a previous measurement when changing loads/calibers.

I have had an issue with the micrometer barrel coming loose once, requiring me to take out the knob and tighten it, which sorta threw off my recorded measurements, but I was able to get it back to where it was. Of course I do have to make some minute adjustments when switching loads to account for minor variations such as different batches of powder, relative humidity, or whatever, but I'd have to do that anyways.

The micrometer stays put at its adjustment thanks to a rubber O-ring that friction-locks it in place. I was skeptical of it initially and measured after every 50 throws, but it stays put and I've stopped worrying so much about it.

Aside from the micrometer, the Uniflow has been pretty rock-solid. So long as I follow a consistent process, it will make consistent charges. Cycling the lever too quickly may result in the rotor not filling up or emptying out all the way, as the powder is under the effects of gravity, which is true of pretty much any powder measure. I like to keep the powder in the "drop" position for a second or two to allow the powder to drop out completely, then cycle it up to the "fill" position and leave it there while I'm moving to the next shell in the batch, which guarantees that it'll fill completely while I'm aligning the shell with the nozzle.

As to the stand, I don't have it handy but I think the base is something like 3" x 4", with the holes spaced 2.75" apart left-to-right. It's something like 8 or 10 inches high, and the mount-point for the powder measure is actually forward of the base--the stand will not stand up on its own, since the center of gravity is not over the center of the base.

I have two such stands, one for my Little Dandy (it's a dedicated powder measure for 3.1gr of W231, which is my favorite .38 Special 148gr Hollow Base Wadcutter load), and one for my Uniflow (which basically handles all my other loads).

Are they worth getting? I like them a lot. With the Uniflow and its micrometer and stand, I can basically cover every load that I care to make and have confidence in their consistency and accuracy--I compete in Conventional Pistol/Bullseye matches, and I load my own match ammo with it.

[Bruce51]

The only problem I have ever had with mine is the plastic hopper getting sticky from powder contact. If you leave the powder in too long it eats the plastic. I called RCBS and they sent me a new one for free even though it was not their fault. This occurred from 25 years of use.


Now I just insert a tube of copy paper into the hopper and the powder does not touch the sides.

As far as being consistant throwing charges it is all about technique.
First tap the unit to settle the powder. I do this by tapping the lever against the bottom many times. Then to throw a charge I raise and tap the lever twice. Bring the lever down and tap twice. When you develop a consistant method your charges should be plus or minus .01.

It does not throw real consistant charges of Unique. Bullseye, 231 and other small flake and ball powders the work best.

Bruce

[geddylee10002000]

I bought a RCBS Uniflow Duo Flow decades ago. It has the micrometer adjustment and will do anything from .1 gr to what ever. I think they discontinued it. Has a small and a large metering chamber that is very easy to change over. Very accurate. I also have a old Lyman 55 that is really good. The RCBS has a sliding baffle opening system that works great. The Lyman has the clapper system. As long as you are consistant the outcome is consistent.

[Jellybean]

1) I've never had a problem with my Uniflow. With other RCBS products that I have had to deal with customer service over before, they were great and really stand do stand behind their products.

2) It is quite consistent and as others have stated technique is important. You want to develope a repeatable routine and stay with it.

3) I use a baffle with both of mine and feel they are worth the money. It keeps the pressure consistant in the resevoir no matter how much or how little powder you have in it. They don't hamper dumping the powder out and are easily removed.

4) I don't have a micrometer stem on either one. One is used for a Piggyback II set-up and really doesn't need it as it doesn't get changed very much. The other one is used mostly for single stage loading and could probably use one, but I have plenty of time to play around with them.

5) My stand is an outdated model and is no longer available.

[H Richard]

I've been using a Uniflow for over 25 years. It came with two rotors, large and small. I've never had the need to use the large, and I load for up to 30-06 on it. It is rock solid. I have thought about the micrometer stem a few times, but never bought it. I make a note of the # position on the adj. stem related to the load, and it gives me a starting point that is very close, and I can get where I want in minutes. I made my own stand out of a couple scraps of 2X4, and mounted it to my bench. I can throw absolutely the same load continuously, although if the baffle was available when I had bought mine I would have bought it. I have a baffle in my Dillon and it does help with consistency. I have never had a problem with a RCBS product except for a trimmer. They shipped me a new part immediately when I called about the problem. Great service.

[Jeff423]

I've used one for a couple of years now and its been great. When I bought it it came with the large rotor. I called RCBS to buy a pistol rotor and they just sent me one!
I read a thread once that said they were superior to Harrell's. That seems kind of a stretch, but they are very good

Jeff

[EMT Edu]

I have a Uniflow with the small measure, I also have the micro adjustment. The powder is easily adjusted and quickly repeatable as mentioned above. The throw is very consistent. I made my own bracket from a 1/2" pipe nipple and floor flange.



the 7/8 14 threads on the Uniflow are the same as the 1/2 pipe.

[sunday bill]

Bought my Uniflow in the summer of either '78 or '79. Never a glitch. I also tap twice at the top and twice at the bottom, as mentioned above.

I use a baffle and do not have the micro adjustment. I dump powder back in the container through a big funnel that probably cost a quarter. No sweat with the baffle. I just fish it out of the funnel and return it to the Uniflow. I feel the baffle makes for only marginally more accurate loads, but for the cost, what the hay?

For the last 10 years or so, I've only used mine when loading calibers on my Rockchucker for which I don't have a Dillon tool head set up. It's at least as accurate as my Dillon measures, IMHO.

Someone above mentioned Unique. Mine varies a tad with Unique, too, and probably would with oatmeal. Other than that, my old Uniflow gets a 9.99 on a scale of 1-10.

[cp1969]

When I single stage reload, I take the Uniflow out of the stand and place it on top of the primed cases in the loading block, one at a time. Works great, you never have any powder quantity problems that way because after you do the last one, you give them all a visual inspection. Never, EVER had a problem when charging cases that way.

I always thought the Uniflow was one of the less expensive powder measure and that a Redding or Forster(sp?) was probably a better measure. But,the Uniflow was always good enough for me.

[Harrison]

I have been using a uniflow since 1975. Yes the baffle is worth the small extra price, it keeps the pressure on the powder column consistent. Install it at the bottom of your powder container. Yes, the micrometer adjustment allows finer and quicker powder setting. The Uniflow is a simple, rugged measure. 90% percent of throwing accurate charges is technique. That and using a powder that measures well. Some long stick powders are almost impossible to measure within +/ - .2gr.

[snowman]

Thanks a bunch, friends. I've been using the Lee measures, and they do OK, I guess; but I thought that I might do better with the RCBS unit.

I note in the catalog that a small cylinder is extra money. Is it supposed to be more accurate with smaller charges or something? Also, the micrometer screw is offered in two different sizes. What difference does it make to have one or the other?

Thanks again for your input.
Andy

[cp1969]

Mine doesn't have the micrometer head and I've had no trouble throwing charges for .38 Special. It might not work for something smaller, though. I have more trouble with the measure on my Dillon throwing really small charges.

[valkyriekl]

Originally Posted by snowman

Thanks a bunch, friends. I've been using the Lee measures, and they do OK, I guess; but I thought that I might do better with the RCBS unit.

I note in the catalog that a small cylinder is extra money. Is it supposed to be more accurate with smaller charges or something? Also, the micrometer screw is offered in two different sizes. What difference does it make to have one or the other?

Thanks again for your input.
Andy

I believe that is the idea behind the small vs. large cylinders: large cylinders work for rifle charges and larger magnum charges, and the small cylinder is for lighter rifle and pistol loads. The micrometer screw size corresponds to the small and large cylinders.

I have both large and small cylinders (both came with my Uniflow when I bought it on eBay--I didn't even know there were two different sizes until then). I load for pistol cartridges only, so I only use the small cylinder, and I have only the small micrometer. If I was going to load for the larger rifle or magnum pistol cartridges, I might consider using the large cylinder, and if that were the case, I'd definitely get the large micrometer screw.

[Cary]

The subject of using baffles has been mentioned several times here. I have a document with templates for making your own. There are templates for many different sizes as well as instructions. No charge as I am passing on what someone else passed to me. If you would like it PM me with your email address.
Cary

[Tam 3]

My Uniflow gets used for .44 Mag and .45-70 using H-110 and H4895 respectively. Used to be .30-06 and .308. Baffle was a paper match book until I could find an expired credit card. No issues since 1984.

Regards,

Tam 3

[snowman]

Thanks again for the additional replies. I'm still a bit in the dark re: the benefit of spending the extra money for the small cylinder, even though all my present loads are less than its 50 gr. maximum. The catalog indicates that the large cylinder will throw all the same weight charges as the small cylinder, and costs less. That being the case, why would a person want the small cylinder?

Pardon me if I'm sounding anal here; to me it seems to be a legitimate question. Also my employment situation demands that I save where I can.

Thank you.
Andy

[flash60601]

The deal with the small cylinder vs the large one goes like this:

Think of the diameter of the cavity the powder is measured in. Then consider the depth. (Width times depth equals volume)

Powder is metered out by volume, (a fairly straightforward way to obtain nearly consistent WEIGHT). The diameter of the cavity is the "cut-off area" when the rotor is turned, and when that area is small, the possibility of error in the volume of your powder charge is much less than if the diameter were greater in relation to the depth.

In the case of large diameter/small depth, powder would compress more, granules of longer "stick" powders would be cut considerably more, and variations in thrown charges would be larger and more unpredictable.

The "micrometer" numbers make resetting far less of an experiment, and (IF you recorded your numbers last time you reloaded that particular powder and charge) bring you closer to your desired charge without a great deal of trial and error.

Flash

[ChuckS1]

Had mine for 25 years, more or less, with the micrometer and still working great. The only thing I really don't like is the static buildup, but a used dryer sheet takes care of that.