So I have been about 2 yrs into reloading now working with a basic set up which has allowed me careful watch over each step of the process.

I have been using the basic inexpensive Lee power drop from a stand not a press mount unit. There are many powders it does a very good job at and few it struggles with. I am considering purchasing a new powder dispenser, likely the RCBS Uniflow model for pistol caliber reloads. I do use many powders, Unique, Trail Boss, 700x, BE86, WSF, WST, 2400, HP38, HS6,
Bullseye, Universal.

Am I picking the best choice for a replacement? I don't need a competition unit, I am a recreational shooter but want to make sure in the $100-130 range I am making a good choice...........any input would be welcomed, and thank you
Karl

Disclaimer: 25 years of reloading does NOT make me an expert.

A lot of powder measures struggle with flake powders.
I use a Lee Auto Disc and I like it, for the most part.
I've used RCBS before, and like them.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

FWIW, I'd like to recommend the Lee Auto Drum. Very accurate, easy to set up, easy to adjust, easy to use, and only around $35-$40.

For mid range loads with flake powder, I use the Lee scoops.
For minimum, near-maximum, and maximum loads, I weigh each charge.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

I have always had a Uni-Flow since I started and love it. Never had an issue with inaccuracy. If I had to get another one, it would probably be the RCBS again.

I have been using a Redding Match powder measure since they came out. Very simple to change loads. The best thing about them is once You have the load dialed in with the micrometer adjuster, just write it down. The next time You use that load dial it in and You are in business. There are several on E-XXX right now and don't be afraid of a used one.

I've been quite happy with the Auto-Disk Pro. Is every charge of every powder completely trouble-free? No, but the disks have worked fine with everything I've tried.

Some of the powders on your list are difficult to work with at different charge weights. 700-X, for instance, is very prone to bridging.

I have two Lyman 55's a 1980's model and a 2015 model that are excellent measures,very consistent and well made in the USA.

Not sure the Lyman 55 is still made, but I have two of them. The newer one is slightly different from the older one. I bought my first 55 around 1967, have never used any other. I have an RCBS, but have yet to ever use it. I don't like the fixed volume rotor cavities. I couldn't even begin to estimate how much powder has passed through my 55s in the last 50 years.

I've used a Lyman 55 for years. Just bought a Harrell's pistol measure. Cant believe how accurate it is . And with micro adjustments it's very repeatable.

I just ordered one of these from Midway and it should be at my front door tomorrow.
Redding Competition 10X-Pistol Small Rifle Powder Measure

Hornady works for me on the LNL press. I've been using a RCBS bench with large rotor but will be getting the Hornady bench measure as a friend has one that works very well with all the powders that I will be using.

Many thanks to those that have replied. Will have to give some consideration to a few of the old standbys now that I see the Lyman 55's in long use.
Might end up with a few and sort out the best that works for me.
Karl

I have both a RCBS Uniflow and a RCBS Lil dandy powder measure and they both work well. Since I use a single stage press I actually like the Lil dandy measure better for pistols since I can put a bunch of cases in blocks that hold 50 cases and hold the measure and fill each case instead of using the Uniflow on a stand and filling each case and putting it in the block. I also like to visually inspect each case after it is full this way.

Spring for the RCBS with the micrometer adjustment, and you won't regret it. The Hornady is just as nice, but you have to buy both the standard adjuster and then upgrade to the micrometer, so go with the RCBS.

I'm another long time Lyman 55 user. I first started using my Dad's 1960's vintage then after I moved out of the house I bought my own in the late 70's. I can't comment on other powder measures as I've never used them. I will say that I bought the large powder reservoir and the powder baffle for my older Lyman a few years ago and they were worth the money for the upgrade. Powder throws stay very consistent even with very low quantities of powder left in the reservoir and the large capacity is a blessing when loading larger quantities of ammo.

On the Dillon I use their great powder measurers.

For non-progressive rifle I use a Redding BR-30. I have a H-335 load for my 22 BR, that consistently shoots 1 hole groups using the BR-30. The Army Marksmanship Unit uses this powder drop. The unit buys the equipment and won't accept "Gifts" from manufacturers. That was all the recommendation I needed!

For everything else I use a Lyman 55, the version I have is the aluminum reservoired on. All models come with the "Hammer" on the front, this vibrates the last few flakes of Unique out when loading tiny loads, like 32 ACP. My is also very consistent with 65 to 70 grain loads of FFg Black Powder.

Rifle cases loaded with Trail Boss use very little by weight, but NEED to fill the case to just below the bullet. Any model of the 55 is great for this. I have a Trail Boss load that shot a 20 shot 3/8" group in my tang sighted 38-55 High Wall, you guessed it; loaded with a Lyman 55!

My original Dillon powder drop is a push bar/ manually operated measurer. With ball powders, like WW748, it made extremely consistent loads in 223. It is about 100 rounds an hour slower than the case mouth activated version, and is a pain to use on non-progressive loading!

Over the years I have had RCBS Uniflo and Hornady's equivalent (they are both "Better" powder drops. But to be the "Best" would mean different things to different people and for different applications! But for the "Best All Around" powder drop, I'd say it is the Lyman 55 series!

Ivan

I went from that Lee measure to the RCBS Competition Powder Measure and can tell you with certainty that this model is well worth the extra cost compared the the base Uniflow. That micrometer setting adjuster allows me to keep a record of the micrometer setting for a particular load combination that worked well so any time I want to set up to load that bullet/caliber/powder/charge weight it's a simple matter of setting the micrometer and pouring the powder in the measure. Then I'll check 2 or 3 thrown charges to confirm the charge weight and I'm good to go. BTW, due to variations in density between lots of powder the setting will need adjusting sometimes but that is typically a matter of one to 3 notches.

One thing I will note that the Competition Measure isn't a cure all for a poor metering powder such as Unique. I've taken the time to do a Capability Study of the metering qualities of every powder in my possession so I know what powders meter well enough for "throw and go" and what powders require tweaking every charge thrown. In my case the powders that I have to hand weigh are 4064, Varget, Unique, and Longshot. All feature a Standard Deviation of 0.15 or higher, which means that 1 in 300 charges can exceed a 1/2 grain variation from the target charge. As for the rest of the powders I have in my possession, all have a SD of 0.032 grains or less, so maximum potential deviation is 1/10 grain. BTW, IMO Hodgdon H110 is the finest metering powder on the planet with a SD of 0.014. Close second are any of the Accurate Handgun powders (2, 5, 7, & 9).

An internal cone in the hopper helps prevent bridging, which is the bane of flake powders like Unique. Don't be too gentle with a manual powder feeder. I knock the handle a couple of times at each end of the stroke. It seems to improve uniformity.

Make sure you use a measure size appropriate for the powder volume. A wide, shallow chamber will not be as consistent as one which is as deep or deeper than wide

Some powders feed better in a sliding block, others in a rotary block. The Lyman seems to combine the best features of both. A micrometer adjusting screw is helpful in resetting the measure to previous values and making fine adjustments. It doesn't really improve consistency, which depends on the powder and measure.

Avoid working close to the maximum load with a volumetric measure. Weigh each load or use an automatic dribbler.

Another vote for the RCBS uniflow. I have both large and small drums. With ball powder it will throw very consistent weights. After it settles in with WST it won't vary beyond +-/.1 grain when weighing 3 or 4 loads at a time. Other powders work just as well. The small drum will also open to 26 grains plus for my 223 loads.

ditto BC38
Lee presses and drums might require a little love and petting, but we need to pay attention and not be in a hurry anyway.

I've always found Unique to be quite free-flowing.

700-X seems to have curled edges that practically interlock. I sort of like the powder, but for that. I haven't worked with Hodgdon Clays (yet), but it has the same reputation.

I have an RCBS uniflow and for me it works great. I only load pistol and UNIQUE powder is difficult to load in a good number of measures but the uniflow drops Unique very consistently round after round.

After years of using different powder measures, I've become convinced that your technique matters more than which brand you're using. FWIW, I use a Redding, but I digress.

How I do it:
1) Have a baffle installed 1/3 up from the bottom of the tube.
2) Always fill the hopper 3/4 or more.
3) Using a screwdriver held at the tip, I tap the tube 20 times on each side (L&R)
3) Throw 20 charges back into the can.
4) Adjust and weigh.

Been doing this for years and have < .1 grain variance.
With the Redding micrometer, I can accurately and quickly return to previous loads.

My $0.03 worth, YMMV.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

RCBS Uniflow powder measure since 1975, Dillon since 1982.

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S&WHF 366

Thank you all for the detailed information. Unique, 700x, Universal seem to give most deviation and frustration for me. It is Unique I would like to use more often of these powders.

Scooter: your research is quite impressive and your attention to detail astounds Thanks for sharing and backing up with your method of approach and proofing.

I used to do a tap-tap-tap on the side of the Lee then I resorted to bypassing and just letting the measure do the best it could. Ended up with a few powders that were each weighed because of too much unpredictable variance. For the price of the Lee $25 it is impressive IMO, to spend $150-$200 I want to be darn sure of a good gain both in better charge consistency on the 'easy' powders with tighter tolerance as well as hopefully being able to use the more difficult powders without enough deviation that would get me in trouble. I don't load much that is close to max but there are a few.

Again to everyone that has tossed in their years and years of experience I say thanks! It is greatly appreciated and very interesting some of the 'old' tried and true powder drops that are in use and still suggested.
Karl

[QUOTE=TAROMAN;139328488]After years of using different powder measures, I've become convinced that your technique matters more than which brand you're using.

100% with you on that one.Been reloading for 40 years and discovered that aprox 1 year ago.Exept if you've been reloading for more than 40 years and discovered that only yesterday(which I doubt)it means that you catch things a lot quicker than me Taroman!
Qc

Another vote for the RCBS Competition Measure. If you mount it on RCBS' stand, you can load 50 cases by just moving the loading block from case to case under the measure.

That said, I think the Dillon measures might be better because when I went from loading my handgun ammo on my Rock Chucker Supreme and the RCBS powder measure o a Dillon 650 and their measures, my 25-yard groups from a bench shrunk a little.

Ed

I'll throw in another vote for Lyman 55. Mine does all I ever need out of a measure and has never messed up but all load is pistol with Bullseye, W231, and occasionally Unique. I weigh for .223.

The Lee auto drum will serve you well and only cost about $40.00