Good Powder Measure for throwing Unique

[sbrmike]

I am in the market for a powder measure for throwing consistent light charges of Unique.

I had a RCBS Uniflow with small cylinder and added the baffle and it worked pretty good.

I had heard that the Lee Perfect Powder measure although being less expensive and visibly not as rugged as an RCBS Uniflow was actually better throwing Unique as well as coarse powders such as IMR 4350. What are your thoughts. The main reason I ask is I know what new and used Uniflows go for but know where a brand new Lee Perect Powder Measure is for a great price locally.

I will be using the Powder Measure for 38 / 357 loads using Unique and also 223 Rem loads using H-335 which meters very well across the board.

 

[Fishinfool]

I too have used the RCBS Uniflow with good results with all but the largest stick powders.

For handgun rounds not being loaded on a progressive, I really like the RCBS "Little Dandy" system. The rotors are available in a variety of sizes along with a chart that shows what each cylinder throws with most popular powders. I have found mine to be very consistent with a variety of powders, including Unique. I have never experienced "powder bridging" with them.

I put 25 cases at a time in a loading block, then charge each in line. It's quick, and when you are done, you can look down into each case in the block, and visually check powder level. Makes it easy to spot an empty, or double charged case. These work great once you have established a "go to" load. Just use the chart to pick the proper rotor.

Larry

 

[rockquarry]

I had two old RCBS measures that I sold years ago. Both worked very well and would throw consistent charges with most powders, but I didn't like the the non-micrometer adjustment that made it difficult to find the same setting twice.

I use four Reddings, the newest of which is over thirty years old. The pistol measure will usually throw Unique with decent consistency, but occasionally (maybe one out of twenty-five or thirty rounds will be light, noticeably light, and easily seen, so I have to glance at every powder-filled case. Same thing with other flake powders like Herco.

I've tried using baffles vs. no baffles; my results have been inconclusive. Use what works best for you. Most powder measures work similarly, so I doubt you'll see a great difference between measures as far as consistency with Unique. With or without a baffle, keeping the hopper full or nearly full seems to work best. Regardless of the powder it's a good idea to settle powder in the reservoir by throwing fifteen or twenty charges before loading.

 

[bobbyd]

Little Dandy Rotors

I too have used the RCBS Uniflow with good results with all but the largest stick powders.

For handgun rounds not being loaded on a progressive, I really like the RCBS "Little Dandy" system. The rotors are available in a variety of sizes along with a chart that shows what each cylinder throws with most popular powders. I have found mine to be very consistent with a variety of powders, including Unique.

I put 25 cases at a time in a loading block, then charge each in line. It's quick, and when you are done, you can look down into each case in the block, and visually check powder level. Makes it easy to spot an empty, or double charged case.

Larry

I am also in love with my two Little Dandys because they require no set up and are great for small lot, rapid change reloading. The only problem sometimes encountered is that the actual amount measured from a given rotor varies from the amount listed on their chart.
To obtain a more precise charge, I adjust the rotor by adding a few drops of fingernail polish and “calibrate” to precisely the load stated.
They are great with Unique as the ratio of diameter vs. depth is well suited Unique’s texture.

 

[Luke Duke]

I've found while throwing with Unique its more of the technique. I use a RCBS powder measure and use two hard taps before dumping powder. Im always with in 2 tenths of a grain. You just have to be consistent with the taps. I love Unique and use alot of it

 

[sbrmike]

Totally forgot about the Lil Dandy's. That may be a choice. I agree it is best with an RCBS Uniflow to keep the hopper fairly full and throw a few charges to get it settled in.

As far as loading revolver loads on a single stage, I follow the golden rule of never charging an upright case. I put my primed, ready to load cases mouth down in the loading block.

 

[GypsmJim]

I used to use a Herters measure. Then I bought a Lee PPM and wouldn't trade it for anything. It works perfect with BE, Unique, IMR 4227 AND w-231.

I upgraded to the micrometer adjustable setup and calibrated it with each of my powders. I am simply amazed at how my data is reproducible year after year.

 

[Troystat]

I have an RCBS Little Dandy that seems to work ok with unique.

 

[jimmyj]

RCBS Charge Master 1500 is what I use with Unique. I check each 20th charge with a Redding Powder Scale.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I know that Lee is one of the best with sticks like 4350.

Unique I don't know about. It has been nearly fifty years since I used it, and I just don't remember. I probably used a Belding and Mull.

The Lee is not so great with really fine powders, but I don't remember which those are.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have an OLD Pacific powder tube, drop that does well with Unique powder, if

I load it at least 1/3rd full and tap the unit with my hand 4-5 times to settle the powder
and toss the first four loads back into the tube, before loading cases.

Large IMR rifle , stick powders, will sometimes give me a "Crunch"
and I toss this load back into the tube and hope the next charge works out better.

It's not perfect but it beats hand weighing each charge, for target revolver & pistol ammo
after I check each case in my loading block, when it is filled.

I use "Crunch" powders, just because, some give me top accuracy or fps in max or hunting loads.

 

[imakmst]

"Good Powder Measure for throwing Unique"

I read this and chuckled, "no such animal"

Anyway, good luck

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I use the Lyman 55 , plastic Lee, Belding & Mull and an old Hornady and never had any trouble with Unique in ant of them. Some are easier to get set . For me the B&M is the absolute easiest to set and use but they are not as easy to find and the charge tubes are hard to find if not with the measure. I also have an Ohaus Duo Measure and an RCBS, both work fine for me.

 

[Model19man]

I used to use a Herters measure. Then I bought a Lee PPM and wouldn't trade it for anything. It works perfect with BE, Unique, IMR 4227 AND w-231.

I upgraded to the micrometer adjustable setup and calibrated it with each of my powders. I am simply amazed at how my data is reproducible year after year.

Same here. I bought several pounds of Unique when Hercules was about to change ownership. I still have several unopened containers. It and 231 are my two favorite pistol powders.

 

[WR Moore]

I've used a lot of Unique over decades. Some powder weight charges seem to have issues with consistency, some don't. May depend upon the design of the measure.

I found with fixed chamber measures, like the Little Dandy and the obsolete () Pacific/Hornady measure, you need to make your own charge weight charts, starting with a freshly opened can of Unique. That way, you get the heaviest charge that particular insert/rotor will throw. If your bottle has been open for, say, a year or so, you might want to reweigh your charges. The charge weight seems to go down for the same volume and, at least in my experience, you need the weight to get the same velocities. Or, you might find you now have an insert/rotor that throws the exact weight you want.

 

[SS336]

I've used a lot of Unique over decades. Some powder weight charges seem to have issues with consistency, some don't. May depend upon the design of the measure.
I found with fixed chamber measures, like the Little Dandy and the obsolete (***) Pacific/Hornady measure, you need to make your own charge weight charts, starting with a freshly opened can of Unique.

That is what I did, works very well. I do not have enough variance to matter. I do check the rotors occasionally and adjust if needed.
I don’t use it for max loads but just range and target loads. Quick and easy. Also have done it with Red Dot.
Of course you measuring technique might be different.

 

[Nevada Ed]

That is what I did, works very well. I do not have enough variance to matter. I do check the rotors occasionally and adjust if needed.
I don’t use it for max loads but just range and target loads. Quick and easy. Also have done it with Red Dot.
Of course you measuring technique might be different.

For some odd reason when I saw this picture
I got a instant flash back of my 366 P/W , shotgun loader unit.

 

[rockquarry]

I am in the market for a powder measure for throwing consistent light charges of Unique.

I had a RCBS Uniflow with small cylinder and added the baffle and it worked pretty good.

I had heard that the Lee Perfect Powder measure although being less expensive and visibly not as rugged as an RCBS Uniflow was actually better throwing Unique as well as coarse powders such as IMR 4350. What are your thoughts. The main reason I ask is I know what new and used Uniflows go for but know where a brand new Lee Perect Powder Measure is for a great price locally.

I will be using the Powder Measure for 38 / 357 loads using Unique and also 223 Rem loads using H-335 which meters very well across the board.

I bought a Lee Powder Measure year ago not long after they were introduced. It actually worked very well and threw consistent charges of rifle powder(s). I really didn't give it a fair workout as I couldn't get over the cheapness of appearance and sold it.

The Lee might not be as durable as powder measures costing much more, but it just might work as well or even better with some powders. Maybe there are people here who have had experience with the Lee and a variety of powders.

 

[38SPL HV]

I’d pass on the Lee Perfect Measure, they leak and it’s adjustment stem has much to be desired. However, I’ve had good luck using Lee Deluxe Perfect Powder measure with Unique and VV N340, much better powder measure in my opinion.

I also use RCBS Little Dandy but be careful with the lower numbered rotors up through #11 when using Unique since the cavity circumference is not wide enough to always throw accurate charges; unless you tap the measure before throwing the charge…rotors #12 and above work with excellent consistency having wider holes for Unique to settle in its volumetric cavity. With Unique, I use rotor #12 (6.0 grs) for an accurate 357 Mag mid range load with generic cast 158 gr SWCs.

 

[38SPL HV]

Totally forgot about the Lil Dandy's.

As far as loading revolver loads on a single stage, I follow the golden rule of never charging an upright case. I put my primed, ready to load cases mouth down in the loading block.

How do you get the powder into a mouth down case???