RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure

[John Hill]

I am looking at a lot of used RCBS Uniflow Powder Measures on line and am confused as to the difference in small cylinder and large cylinder. Do they usually come with both? I load primarily handgun with small powder charges. Would I want the small cylinder for handgun or does it matter which cylinder that I use??
Thanks
John

 

[GBertolet]

I have the Uniflow powder measure with both large and small cylinders. Usually the measure comes with just one cylinder. I found the small will handle most cartridges up to 30-06. The small cylinder will tend to measure small amounts of powder, such as 2.7 gr of Bullseye very accurately, while the large measure won't work as well with small charges, as due to the larger cylinder, it can't go down as low. Being you are a handgun reloader, the small cylinder will be all you need.

 

[bobandmikako]

The particular model I ordered only came with the small one. I load only handgun ammo, so that's all I needed. It works great too.

 

[retired_diver]

I bought mine "forever" ago an it came with both. I actually have never used the large, I load handguns, .223, and Thomson Center Contender even up to 45-70 and small still works.

 

[Bohica793]

I have 2 Uniflows. one setup with small cylinder and a micrometer, the other setup the with regular large cylinder. I use the small cylinder for measuring my normal loads for 9mm, 38spl and 45acp and the large for the heavier loads for my 357. It also helps since I use different powders for the two and I don't have to dump and switch.

 

[fredj338]

FOr handgun, you want the small cyl. If you are buying used, the old RCBS DUo is a better measure IMO.

 

[Pequod]

Uni-flow

I bought one about 10 years ago, and it had small and large. Bought one about 18 months ago from RCBS directly, and it came with one cylinder, large. Did not notice until I tried to load some .38 special with Titegroup and it would not throw that small of a weight. Bought a small cylinder, and as a bonus, the new ones are quick change, and are a little nicer. RCBS told me they no longer send both with a new Uni-Flow meter. They did not indicate or ask which one I wanted when I ordered it though, it just came with large.

Great powder measure, never had problems with any type of powder witht he RCBS uni-flow.

Pequod

 

[cal50]

I have had mine for decades and it came with two drums like others have stated. Top notch measure and it will outlive the owner if not abused.

One suggestion is to add the aluminum powder baffle inside the main hopper. It takes the weight of the powder off the measuring drum for more consistent charge weights. They use to be a few bucks but worth it.

 

[Sansho]

The particular model I ordered only came with the small one. I load only handgun ammo, so that's all I needed. It works great too.

Ditto .... +1^^

 

[blujax01]

I just bought one and luckily I noticed the different part numbers on the end of the box. The two units look very similar and I needed the large cylinder in order to load my 45-70.

The 9010 throws 5 - 110 grains. This is called the "Standard Cylinder" but is actually the large cylinder. There is a small cylinder insert (917289) available separately.

The 9002 throws .5 - 50 grains. This is called the "Small Cylinder". I do not know if there is a large cylinder insert that fits the 9002. I'm sure someone will come along with the info.

*EDIT* I forgot to add that RCBS has a rebate program and you can either get $10 cash back or for a $7 handling fee, they will send you 100 Gold Dot HPs.

 

[John Hill]

Thanks to all for the info. I will make sure that I get one with the small cylinder.
Thanks
John

 

[H Richard]

I have had mine for 30 years and it came with both, but I have never used the large one. The small one will load up to 30-06 and still have a little way to go. I don't load anything any larger than that.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Somewhere they got cheap and only send the large cylinder, they used to send both, but not now. Corporate greed in the works.

 

[scooter123]

Those drums require some precision machining so they aren't cheap. If you want both drums you can still get them but the complete kit does cost more. Just look on Midway for the RCBS Competition Handgun and Rifle kit for 174.99. BTW, that kit comes with a powder baffle and both sizes of the Micrometer adjusters. As for the cost, you may now understand why the typical kit only has one drum, too many people complaining about the cost for the complete setup. So, don't blame the manufacturer for taking the cheap route when most of the buying public places low cost above anything else. To be blunt TANSTAAFL.

 

[MasterTech1960]

Same here.

I bought mine "forever" ago an it came with both. I actually have never used the large, I load handguns, .223, and Thomson Center Contender even up to 45-70 and small still works.

What He said. It is a great powder thrower. I love it . I picked up an adapter to use it with my Lee Turret press.

 

[hangnoose]

PLEASE DEFINE CYLINDER.

Do you mean the green plastic tube/hopper/canister that holds the powder, or the micrometer that measures the amount of powder dropped? I've had mine forever and used to load for rifles primarily and opted for the large micrometer, which works fine for higher weight rifle charges, but not so consistent for low weights like 2.7 grains of bulleye or titegroup for example for my 38's/9mm's. Eventually I will get around to buying a small micrometer for pistol. I now use a dipper/trickler & scale for small loads. The size of the powder canister matters little to me as the small one still holds plenty of powder, if it runs low, add more. A powder baffle is a +1 inside the canister. With the aftermarket micrometer, it is calibrated so if you record the setting #'s, you can redial the setting to get close to the exact wt of powder you want to dispense next time, ALWAYS keep records of ammo you reload, and good labeling will save you a lot of headaches also. My micrometer came with both a large drum & a small one.

 

[Moe Mentum]

The cylinder is the thing that the handle is connected to, you move it up and down, It fills with the desired amount of powder and dumps it for you....not to be confused with the powder hopper ( the green thing that the powder is held in)

 

[hangnoose]

CYLINDER = DRUM

OK, gotcha. For my older uniflo the larger micrometer came with 2 drums or cylinders, one with smaller holes for the lighter wt's, and 1 with larger holes for heavier wt's. You still need different micrometers to fit each one. Different size/capacity powder canisters have also been around, the more recent one is smaller.