New Powder Measure

[GypsmJim]

I started reloading over 50 years ago with a Herters Powder Measure. Lately it has been acting up and I'm getting varying charges. Occasionally it "hangs up" and feels like a grain of powder gets stuck in the mechanism. I only use it for ball ponder in rifle cartridges. I guess I should take it apart and have a look, but maybe it's just worn out. In any event, maybe its just time to get a new one.

Suggestions? What's the best model out these days?

 

[Mike in Reedley]

RCBS Uniflow. I switched to a Redding powder measure for a while, but found the Uniflow was more consistent with light charge weight. Some powders, like Unique, are difficult to get consistent metering below 5 grains or so.

 

[Gamecock]

I have been using an RCBS Competition Powder Measure for many years. LOVE IT!

The Competition model is like a performance center Uniflow measure.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have been using a Redding competition for almost 35 years now. Works great, even with 2.7 grains of bullseye.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

If money doesn't matter and you are throwing ball powder, a Harrells (from Sinclair?) is probably the best.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I second the Redding Competition (BR30) measure for charges in medium cases like 221 Fireball up to 308. For large cases 30-06 to 458 Win Mag I prefer the older Lyman 55 (Discontinues but still thousands as new Old Stock and half a million used.)[I currently use the Black Powder Version]. For super magnum and Monster cases (300 Weatherby to 577 Nitro) I think the Harrel's are the best. For Nitro Bore rifles to 50 BMG, Hornady makes a 50 BMG version of their very good powder drop!! For 20mm and above an 8 ounce measuring cup work well!

When I was shooting more long range (1000 yard+) in 300 Win Mag and 338 Lapua Mag, I used any powder drop and used it to pre-fill the digital scale's powder pan and hand trickled the rest of the way. With extruded powders, you get to where you know how many kernels are in a 1/10th of a grain. And you can see if you want to use 3 large ones or one large and two small! Ball powder is similar.

Ivan

 

[GypsmJim]

Tried to take the old Herters apart today. It won't budge. Looks like there is some corrosion and the main screw holding the tube won't come out. After all these years it served me well (up until last week)

Looked at all the suggestions. Looks like an RCBS Competition is in my future. Thanks for all the suggestions. It looks like a medium priced model that should last me as long as I need it.....

 

[Skeet 028]

I have an old Herters...It also bound up a bit. Put a few drops of Kroil or PB Blaster on it. Let it sit for a day or 3...take the plastic reservoir off and heat it up with a torch. O tried a soldering iron but the measure is too much of a heat sink. If you get the screw loose..be careful a couple of the old Herters have a small spring in them...mine did and after cleaning it up and trying it again it worked like new...with ball powder too. The RCBS is a good choice. I use one for loading 222 and 222 mag.

 

[DWalt]

I believe that no one has ever made a better powder measure than the classic Lyman 55. Or ever will. I own two of them, and have used them for over 40 years. I have not checked if they are still made, but if not, they should be available on the used market. With a little care they will not wear out. Very simple to occasionally remove and thoroughly clean the brass spindle.

 

[Model19man]

The one I find myself using is an old Lyman #55. I have a RCBS Uniflow too but the Lyman is better. Lyman quit selling them but there are many on eBay still.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have an old Herters...It also bound up a bit. Put a few drops of Kroil or PB Blaster on it. Let it sit for a day or 3...take the plastic reservoir off and heat it up with a torch. O tried a soldering iron but the measure is too much of a heat sink. If you get the screw loose..be careful a couple of the old Herters have a small spring in them...mine did and after cleaning it up and trying it again it worked like new...with ball powder too. The RCBS is a good choice. I use one for loading 222 and 222 mag.

I had some leakage a few years ago, so I JB welded the reservoir in place. I can see some corrosion externally, so I'm guessing there is some internally as well. That screw ain't a coming out. I guess it's just its time. A new RCBS is on order.

Thanks to all for the replies.

 

[Skeet 028]

Cleaning some stuff up today and found some old Herter's catalogs...including their last. Their stuff was pretty cheap at the time and surprisingly worked well mostly. Not long ago I picked up a brown press they sold...made by Dunbar...2 station H press...Heavy American Iron. You will like the RCBS

 

[DWalt]

Back in the day, the Herter's catalog was my wish book. Pure entertainment to read. I bought die sets and bullets from them, still have some of each. Never did buy any of their guns or reloading tools but I was tempted. I bought one of their hunting knives, still have it. An excellent blade that holds an edge, even though it resembles a kitchen knife more than a hunting knife.

 

[SMSgt]

My dad was a Herter's fanatic. He ordered everything from them--pancake mix, unpainted fishing lures, muskrat traps. I always put the .401 Powermag six shooter on my Christmas list so I could go elephant hunting like Jaques. Still waiting.

 

[Skeet 028]

I like the Lyman 55s too. At one time I had 7...some set for certain loads...Only time I really checked 'em was when I changed jugs of powder. Only have 2 now...One is still set for loading 30-30 with Hi-Vel #2 I think...and I found an unopened metal can of it today. I was a receiving dealer for Herter's back in the 70s-80s.

 

[H Richard]

I started with a RCBS Uniflow back in the early 80's when I started reloading. I still use it. Loaded everything from .32 S&W up to 30-06, and about a dozen calibers in between. Has never let me down, very consistent with any of the finer powders. Has probably had a couple hundred lbs of W231 through it, and maybe 100 lbs of Varget.

 

[rockquarry]

I had a Herter's fifty or more years ago. It disassembled on me after a little use. Had a number of others after that, including a Harrell. Sold them all.

I have four Reddings, the newest of which is well over thirty years old. These are all I use nowadays. Great for pistol or rifle powders. For pistol, I use the Redding Match Grade with a pistol insert. Like some other measures, it doesn't handle Unique well, but I no longer use Unique anyway.

The RCBS Uniflos worked fine for me, as long as I didn't have to change a setting. Mine were from the '60s and did not have micrometer (repeatable) adjustments, a big drawback. I think they have mcrometer adjustments nowadays, so they might be worth looking at. Still, Reddings are hard to beat.

 

[JoeDice]

I started reloading over 50 years ago with a Herters Powder Measure. Lately it has been acting up and I'm getting varying charges. Occasionally it "hangs up" and feels like a grain of powder gets stuck in the mechanism. I only use it for ball ponder in rifle cartridges. I guess I should take it apart and have a look, but maybe it's just worn out. In any event, maybe its just time to get a new one.

Suggestions? What's the best model out these days?

Now don't laugh and dismiss my recommendation without trying it ..
The Lee Perfect Powder Measure . I can't say it's the very best , but I can say it is amazingly accurate and consistent. I also have a Lyman 55 but the Lee is easier to use and set up in my option . And it's on sale for under $23.00 at Titan Reloading.
For $23 " Try it you'll like it a lot " I use it for reloading 38Special and my wife's 380 Auto with Bullseye and BE-86 and it throws those light powder charges amazingly accurately and consistently… I use my Dillon progressive presses for my 9 mm and .45ACP .
Respectfully
JoeDice

 

[rockquarry]

Now don't laugh and dismiss my recommendation without trying it ..
The Lee Perfect Powder Measure . I can't say it's the very best , but I can say it is amazingly accurate and consistent. I also have a Lyman 55 but the Lee is easier to use and set up in my option . And it's on sale for under $23.00 at Titan Reloading.
For $23 " Try it you'll like it a lot " I use it for reloading 38Special and my wife's 380 Auto with Bullseye and BE-86 and it throws those light powder charges amazingly accurately and consistently… I use my Dillon progressive presses for my 9 mm and .45ACP .
Respectfully
JoeDice

I bought a Lee Pefect Powder Measure not long after they came out, probably more than thirty years ago. I couldn't get used to the flimsy and cheap look and sold it at a gun show.

However, it worked very well and threw consistent charges; very surprised at this, especially considering the low price. I don't know how durable these measures would be, but they work well, at least as well as some costing a lot more.

 

[GypsmJim]

Now don't laugh and dismiss my recommendation without trying it ..
The Lee Perfect Powder Measure . I can't say it's the very best , but I can say it is amazingly accurate and consistent. I also have a Lyman 55 but the Lee is easier to use and set up in my option . And it's on sale for under $23.00 at Titan Reloading.
For $23 " Try it you'll like it a lot " I use it for reloading 38Special and my wife's 380 Auto with Bullseye and BE-86 and it throws those light powder charges amazingly accurately and consistently… I use my Dillon progressive presses for my 9 mm and .45ACP .
Respectfully
JoeDice

No dismissing from me. 99% of my stuff is Lee and I endorse their products all the time.

I might have bought a PPM a few years ago, but it looks to me that the current model requires the hopper to be removed for loading rather than top loading. Reviews have not been good.

Anywhoot, I just received the RCBS model from Amazon today. My first calibration with IMR 3031 showed an Rsq of .9997, so I'm quite pleased. It performed very well.....thanks for the suggestions.

With my dilemma solved I put on my bubba hat and drilled out the errant screw in my Herters. Thanks for the tip about the spring. It sure was corroded inside, but with a little emory cloth I was able to reassemble it and it now works better than ever.

My plan is to drop it off on the community table at my gun club with a "free" sign. I believe in pay forward.