What is a decent low cost powder measure for reloading in volume?

[GT_80]

I have a lee perfect powder measure and it leaks a little powder when reloading with pistol powder, like silhouette or #2.

I read in their manual that is normal with small powder, but I hate wasting powder when it's like $40 a pound

Are there other decent priced measures that work better? I like it's function, just hate that it leaks powder, and to me it is not acceptable to leak powder.

Something in the $50 range anyone has experience with? I think the lee would work better with rifle powder that's bigger

 

[austintexas]

powder measure

I have an old (grey) Lyman Ideal Powder Measure # 55 around here , I'll sell it for $25 plus shipping if you are interested. I've been using a Lyman 55 (orange) since the 60s. Look it up and read about it. The cap is missing but the last time I checked Lyman was charging $1.00 for a new one.
SWCA 892

I'm sorry I just realize you are talking volume, something for a progressive machine. These can be used on something like a lee turret but I think you need an adapter for the 7/8 threads.

 

[GT_80]

I have an old (grey) Lyman Ideal Powder Measure # 55 around here , I'll sell it for $25 plus shipping if you are interested. I've been using a Lyman 55 (orange) since the 60s. Look it up and read about it. The cap is missing but the last time I checked Lyman was charging $1.00 for a new one.
SWCA 892

Let me look into it and I'll let you know

 

[Sevens]

Here is a little help in your venture to look in to it...

If I were in a situation where I was allowed to grab & keep only one single tool that I own (not including guns...), my Lyman 55 is that tool.

That he's offering one for $25 is a steal. AND... the 55 is now gone out of production, one of the finest tools ever made is now done and gone.

 

[jeeps]

The Lee powder dippers are fool proof and fast.

 

[Ruger 13]

Look for a Lyman 55 on eBay or in the classified sections in gun forums.

 

[series guy]

I use RCBS powder measures. I have one for each press. They meter Titegroup powder extremely well. I buy them used at gun shows or online. Usually pay $45 to $50 for one.

 

[DWalt]

I have used two Lyman 55 powder measures since I began reloading back in the 1960s. I have never felt the need for any other because the Lyman 55s are adjustable to throw any volume of any propellant for any cartridge, rifle or handgun. They can get stiff after considerable use, but are not difficult to disassemble and clean when that happens. I do have an RCBS measure which uses separate fixed volume spindles, but it is too restrictive and I do not use it. It might work well for someone who loads large volumes of a single cartridge always using identical charges of the same propellant, such as a target shooter who loads only .38 Special wadcutter, always using 3 grains of a propellant such as Bullseye. I do not do that.

 

[AJ]

The Lee powder dippers are fool proof and fast.

I like the Lee Powder Scoops. That is how I learned to load I have both the old style and the newer ones They work.

That said I have two Lyman No.55 measures and a couple of RCBS Measures that are set up for various powders and left that way for loading.

 

[DWalt]

Scoops have their place, but they are inconsistent and slow. I have a Lee set, but I use them only to throw an underweight charge on a powder scale, then bring it up to an exact weight with a powder trickier. That applies only for rifle loads. I use a Lyman digital scale for that purpose.

 

[glowe]

$12 for Lee Powder Measure Set and I love them. Add a electronic scale for $40 and you have everything you need for your $50. I assume you are loading smokeless and would recommend that you set up an electronic scale and weigh each scoop. Using a scoop, some will be right on but some will be way above or way low. Volumetric measures get more accurate if large volumes are measured. Measuring 2 to 5 grains is not what you want to use with any volumetric measure without a scale.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm also in the Lyman #55 camp. It can be mounted on a progressive press but I don't know if it can be activated when you pull the handle.

I hear good and bad about the Lee Auto-Drum but you might want to look into it.
It's on sale for $42.99 right now on Midway.

 

[mikld]

Scoops have their place, but they are inconsistent and slow. I have a Lee set, but I use them only to throw an underweight charge on a powder scale, then bring it up to an exact weight with a powder trickier. That applies only for rifle loads. I use a Lyman digital scale for that purpose.

I started reloading in '69 with a Lee Loader and used dippers and a scale for several years. Dippers can be accurate and fast if one practices and is consistent. Choose whichever method you want but do it as close to the same every dip. I have used the Lee method, run though twice method, shake method and when on a roll I have held charge variations to .1 grain of W231 and Bullseye.

 

[glowe]

I started reloading in '69 with a Lee Loader and used dippers and a scale for several years. Dippers can be accurate and fast if one practices and is consistent. Choose whichever method you want but do it as close to the same every dip. I have used the Lee method, run though twice method, shake method and when on a roll I have held charge variations to .1 grain of W231 and Bullseye.

I just got done loading 50 - 38 S&W rounds and will never trust just a dipper. After many years of use, I still weigh every scoop when loading small caliber handgun ammo. As hard as I try, I cannot get every load within .1 grain with every scoop. I was loading 3g of Unique and loading the 50 rounds resulted in a few with 3.3g and a few with 2.8g That is a 10% error, which I do not want in a 120 year-old 38 Safety revolver. If one is loading rifle rounds of 20g plus, a 3g error is just over 1% error which is just fine without scales.

My question is if one loads 50 rounds without weighing every load, how can you say there was only .1g error in all 50?

 

[GypsmJim]

I have a Lee Auto Disc equipped with the dial micrometer, not individual discs. Been using it for 20 years or so and I can't say I ever saw any leakage with powders with a particle size as small as Bullseye. It's consistency is extremely good.

In fact, I liked it so much that I bought a second one and have kept it new in the box just in case I ever broke the first one.

 

[Green Frog]

In your OP you mention "reloading in volume". This just about demands a progressive reloader. The brand you choose will in turn limit you to powder measure(s) made by or specifically for that press so it will function. This is OK if you get a Dillon for instance as their measure is almost idiot proof as I have proven over and over. The Star and other high end progressives have their own dedicated measures designed specifically to work as well as technically possible with them. As for Hornady, Lee or other mass produced, less expensive progressives I have little to no experience, but what I do have is pretty mixed.

If your idea of high volume involves a turret press, assuming you will load a whole bunch of the same load, a Little Dandy with a rotor calibrated to your chosen load will do the job without fuss… just fill 'er up and let 'er eat! If OTOH you don't like fixed rotors, the Lyman 55 or the RCBS Uniflow will be your huckleberry.

BTW, As you may have gathered, I collect powder measures and everything above comes from my personal experience and/or observations.

Froggie

 

[deputydon]

Another vote for Lyman 55. I have 4 set for different handgun loads. I weigh each individual rifle load. So far so good after 50 yrs.

-don

 

[deputydon]

I have 4 Lyman 55's set for different handgun loads For rifle loads I weigh each charge. So far so good.

-don

 

[mtgianni]

The single most expensive piece of reloading gear I have is a Lyman digital Powder Measuring System. (DPMS) If it died tomorrow it would be replaced by the current replacement inside of a week. The ability to set an electronic amount and push a button, ending in an accurate amount of any powder, ball stick or flake is well worth it for me.

 

[mikld]

My question is if one loads 50 rounds without weighing every load, how can you say there was only .1g error in all 50?

Simple. I often weigh every charge on my RCBS 5-10 or my Lyman D5. It doesn't take that much longer as both scales settle fairly quickly. I have always considered my reloading a "relaxing time" and have never been in a hurry nor do I ever count RPH (rounds per hour). I reload because I like to reload...