I'm on a tight budget, but I need to buy a powder measure. I currently use the Lee scoops and scale. I have a single stage press. Probably the best for me would be a free standing unit independent of the press. I load .38, .357, 30-06 and I'll probably move into 9mm. I load about 50-100 at a time. From internet shopping I see a lot of possibilities, but they don't seem good for all that I do. Some are better for rifle, some better for pistol. I'm leaning toward the Lee Perfect Powder measure, which is cheap enough, but will it do what I need? I could get something more expensive, but what are some good suggestions? Which ones are adjustable enough to get precise loads w/o the 'this rotor is too big and this one's too small' thing. I know you guys can help me so thanks in advance.

I had a Lee perfect.
Was OK for rifle loads.
Measured acceptably, but very difficult to repeat settings.
Went to the pro Auto Disk that was much better.
The Lees will do until you can afford something better.
Finally went to a Redding and kicked myself for not getting one sooner.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

If I had to choose between a measure most suited to rifle or pistol I would take pistol. I don't load big numbers of rifle and can measure those with a scoop and a scale.

The Lee Perfect Powder measure works great. My only complaint is the placement of the handle can interfere with a pan.

I use one for much of my long runs of rifle rounds.

For handgun loading the Pro Auto Disk is the best thing since sliced bread! I leave them setup on my most commonly loaded calibers. I own a pile of them and couldn't be happier.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

rwsmith,

I sent you a pm.

Andy

The RCBS Uniflow has received great reviews.

I've been using a Uniflow with two rotors (small for pistol and large for rifle) for years with no complaints.

You can't make a better choice than the RCBS measure with the rifle and pistol size adjustable measure rotors. Yes it is expensive, compared to Lee, and this is a clear case of you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Five minutes of practice with the RCBS measure, and you will be throwing powder charges that are ± 0.1 grains or better accuracy. Ball powders measure very accurately, flake powder (Bullseye or Unique) slightly less, and IMR extruded should be weighed when using maximum charges. Starting to mid-range IMR powder charges are not a problem.

I bought my first RCBS measure in 1975 and loaded thousands of rounds until I got my first Dillon 450. About 5 years ago I walked into one of those "great deals" you can't say 'No to' and got the second RCBS measure. Now one has small rotor and other has a large rotor for loading small quantities of rifle ammo with my RockChucker press.

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S&WHF 366

I've been using an RCBS Uniflow for about 25 years. Yea, it's more solidly built and more user friendly, but I can't say it's any more accurate than the lower cost Lee.

If not for the handle position, I'd use the Lee more often than I do. When using ball type powders and going straight in the case it's great.

You don't have to spend a pile of money for a very good measure.

The $35.00 Pro Auto is simple and very user friendly, but I wouldn't recommend one for bottleneck cartridges.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I bought mine 30 years ago after struggling with a cheap C-H measure for ten years. Wish I'd done it sooner.

You can eventually buy the micrometer inserts. You can write down the setting and then it will take almost no time at all to reset the measure the next time you want to do another batch of the same load.

For a single measure that can handle small charges for pistol and large
charges for rifle without having two seperate rotor assemblies look at
the Lyman #55. It's three slide rotor gives it lots of range. Plenty of
used ones around also as its been made for many years.

Thanks again for the great info. When I can afford it I'll probably get the uni-flow, or start out with a lee and catch up on the rcbs later. Depends on how the money goes.

Keep an eye on E-bay. Back when I started reloading, my mentor gifted me an Ohaus powder measure. That measure and a RCBS 10-10 scale worked well for me for a couple of years. The problem was changing powders when I changed cartridges, and resetting the measure. I was loading mostly 45ACP and 357 Mag. Then added 41 Mag, 45 LC, 9mm, you get the idea. So I bought another measure at a gun show, a very nice Redding. now I had two powder measures and life was good. One was just for 45 ACP and 45 LC, the other was used for the rest. Made life a little easier.
Now I reload for 11 different cartridges, handguns, and long guns plus shot guns, that's a different story, and I use 3 different powder dispensers, 2 of the Ohaus for handguns and the Redding for just rifles. All 3 have micrometer adjustments, repeatable, and remain accurate through as many rounds as I can load. The best part...the most I spent on one was 22.00 for the second Ohaus on ebay. Keep an eye on them, you'll find one you like for the price you want.

I have a Lee Perfect Powder measure. I also have a RCBS Uniflow with both rotors that I got for nothing at a Pawn shop. I bought the nice stand for it. It will last another few lifetimes

The Lee PPM works very well for the price and you can't go wrong for the money.

A little trick, mount the included stand on a small piece of 2 x4 and then mount that to the bench. It raises it up a bit and much easier to pull the handle or put a case under the powder drop.

I tested it one day and recorded 100's of drops of different weights and powders and it is damn accurate. Neve had a problem with it leaking

If you get on be sure to run a full hopper worth of powder though it to coat the insides and prevent static cling

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Still Running Against the Wind

When you do decide to spend some $$$ on a new powder measure, give some thought to spending more $$$ and getting the micrometer adjustment style. This is a real time saver. If you record the setting for each load, then it is simple and fast to go back to that load in the future. My measure (Redding 3BR) is more-or-less calibrated in grains, so adding or subtracting a fraction of a grain is easy.