Time for a new powder dispenser...

O

ontargetagain

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2014
Messages
921
Reaction score
600
Location
North Central Ohio
So I have been about 2 yrs into reloading now working with a basic set up which has allowed me careful watch over each step of the process.

I have been using the basic inexpensive Lee power drop from a stand not a press mount unit. There are many powders it does a very good job at and few it struggles with. I am considering purchasing a new powder dispenser, likely the RCBS Uniflow model for pistol caliber reloads. I do use many powders, Unique, Trail Boss, 700x, BE86, WSF, WST, 2400, HP38, HS6,
Bullseye, Universal.

Am I picking the best choice for a replacement? I don't need a competition unit, I am a recreational shooter but want to make sure in the $100-130 range I am making a good choice...........any input would be welcomed, and thank you:)
Karl
 
Register to hide this ad
Disclaimer: 25 years of reloading does NOT make me an expert.

A lot of powder measures struggle with flake powders.
I use a Lee Auto Disc and I like it, for the most part.
I've used RCBS before, and like them.
 
ontargetagain said:
So I have been about 2 yrs into reloading now working with a basic set up which has allowed me careful watch over each step of the process.

I have been using the basic inexpensive Lee power drop from a stand not a press mount unit. There are many powders it does a very good job at and few it struggles with. I am considering purchasing a new powder dispenser, likely the RCBS Uniflow model for pistol caliber reloads. I do use many powders, Unique, Trail Boss, 700x, BE86, WSF, WST, 2400, HP38, HS6,
Bullseye, Universal.

Am I picking the best choice for a replacement? I don't need a competition unit, I am a recreational shooter but want to make sure in the $100-130 range I am making a good choice...........any input would be welcomed, and thank you:)
Karl
Click to expand...

FWIW, I'd like to recommend the Lee Auto Drum. Very accurate, easy to set up, easy to adjust, easy to use, and only around $35-$40.
 
For mid range loads with flake powder, I use the Lee scoops.
For minimum, near-maximum, and maximum loads, I weigh each charge.
 
I have been using a Redding Match powder measure since they came out. Very simple to change loads. The best thing about them is once You have the load dialed in with the micrometer adjuster, just write it down. The next time You use that load dial it in and You are in business. There are several on E-XXX right now and don't be afraid of a used one.
 
Last edited:
I've been quite happy with the Auto-Disk Pro. Is every charge of every powder completely trouble-free? No, but the disks have worked fine with everything I've tried.

Some of the powders on your list are difficult to work with at different charge weights. 700-X, for instance, is very prone to bridging.
 
Not sure the Lyman 55 is still made, but I have two of them. The newer one is slightly different from the older one. I bought my first 55 around 1967, have never used any other. I have an RCBS, but have yet to ever use it. I don't like the fixed volume rotor cavities. I couldn't even begin to estimate how much powder has passed through my 55s in the last 50 years.
 
Last edited:
I've used a Lyman 55 for years. Just bought a Harrell's pistol measure. Cant believe how accurate it is . And with micro adjustments it's very repeatable.
 
Hornady works for me on the LNL press. I've been using a RCBS bench with large rotor but will be getting the Hornady bench measure as a friend has one that works very well with all the powders that I will be using.
 
Many thanks to those that have replied. Will have to give some consideration to a few of the old standbys now that I see the Lyman 55's in long use.
Might end up with a few and sort out the best that works for me.
Karl
 
I have both a RCBS Uniflow and a RCBS Lil dandy powder measure and they both work well. Since I use a single stage press I actually like the Lil dandy measure better for pistols since I can put a bunch of cases in blocks that hold 50 cases and hold the measure and fill each case instead of using the Uniflow on a stand and filling each case and putting it in the block. I also like to visually inspect each case after it is full this way.
 
Spring for the RCBS with the micrometer adjustment, and you won't regret it. The Hornady is just as nice, but you have to buy both the standard adjuster and then upgrade to the micrometer, so go with the RCBS.
 
I'm another long time Lyman 55 user. I first started using my Dad's 1960's vintage then after I moved out of the house I bought my own in the late 70's. I can't comment on other powder measures as I've never used them. I will say that I bought the large powder reservoir and the powder baffle for my older Lyman a few years ago and they were worth the money for the upgrade. Powder throws stay very consistent even with very low quantities of powder left in the reservoir and the large capacity is a blessing when loading larger quantities of ammo.
 
On the Dillon I use their great powder measurers.

For non-progressive rifle I use a Redding BR-30. I have a H-335 load for my 22 BR, that consistently shoots 1 hole groups using the BR-30. The Army Marksmanship Unit uses this powder drop. The unit buys the equipment and won't accept "Gifts" from manufacturers. That was all the recommendation I needed!

For everything else I use a Lyman 55, the version I have is the aluminum reservoired on. All models come with the "Hammer" on the front, this vibrates the last few flakes of Unique out when loading tiny loads, like 32 ACP. My is also very consistent with 65 to 70 grain loads of FFg Black Powder.

Rifle cases loaded with Trail Boss use very little by weight, but NEED to fill the case to just below the bullet. Any model of the 55 is great for this. I have a Trail Boss load that shot a 20 shot 3/8" group in my tang sighted 38-55 High Wall, you guessed it; loaded with a Lyman 55!

My original Dillon powder drop is a push bar/ manually operated measurer. With ball powders, like WW748, it made extremely consistent loads in 223. It is about 100 rounds an hour slower than the case mouth activated version, and is a pain to use on non-progressive loading!

Over the years I have had RCBS Uniflo and Hornady's equivalent (they are both "Better" powder drops. But to be the "Best" would mean different things to different people and for different applications! But for the "Best All Around" powder drop, I'd say it is the Lyman 55 series!

Ivan
 
I went from that Lee measure to the RCBS Competition Powder Measure and can tell you with certainty that this model is well worth the extra cost compared the the base Uniflow. That micrometer setting adjuster allows me to keep a record of the micrometer setting for a particular load combination that worked well so any time I want to set up to load that bullet/caliber/powder/charge weight it's a simple matter of setting the micrometer and pouring the powder in the measure. Then I'll check 2 or 3 thrown charges to confirm the charge weight and I'm good to go. BTW, due to variations in density between lots of powder the setting will need adjusting sometimes but that is typically a matter of one to 3 notches.

One thing I will note that the Competition Measure isn't a cure all for a poor metering powder such as Unique. I've taken the time to do a Capability Study of the metering qualities of every powder in my possession so I know what powders meter well enough for "throw and go" and what powders require tweaking every charge thrown. In my case the powders that I have to hand weigh are 4064, Varget, Unique, and Longshot. All feature a Standard Deviation of 0.15 or higher, which means that 1 in 300 charges can exceed a 1/2 grain variation from the target charge. As for the rest of the powders I have in my possession, all have a SD of 0.032 grains or less, so maximum potential deviation is 1/10 grain. BTW, IMO Hodgdon H110 is the finest metering powder on the planet with a SD of 0.014. Close second are any of the Accurate Handgun powders (2, 5, 7, & 9).
 
An internal cone in the hopper helps prevent bridging, which is the bane of flake powders like Unique. Don't be too gentle with a manual powder feeder. I knock the handle a couple of times at each end of the stroke. It seems to improve uniformity.

Make sure you use a measure size appropriate for the powder volume. A wide, shallow chamber will not be as consistent as one which is as deep or deeper than wide

Some powders feed better in a sliding block, others in a rotary block. The Lyman seems to combine the best features of both. A micrometer adjusting screw is helpful in resetting the measure to previous values and making fine adjustments. It doesn't really improve consistency, which depends on the powder and measure.

Avoid working close to the maximum load with a volumetric measure. Weigh each load or use an automatic dribbler.
 
Another vote for the RCBS uniflow. I have both large and small drums. With ball powder it will throw very consistent weights. After it settles in with WST it won't vary beyond +-/.1 grain when weighing 3 or 4 loads at a time. Other powders work just as well. The small drum will also open to 26 grains plus for my 223 loads.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lrrifleman
Dillon powder dispenser accuracy?
2
Replies
36
Views
1K
rosewood
rosewood
lrrifleman
Dillon powder dispenser accuracy and consistency?
Replies
5
Views
479
H Richard
H Richard
W
Powder measure for Accurate #9?
2
Replies
20
Views
233
MDF4
MDF4
T
Powder help for 357
2 3
Replies
40
Views
1K
222remx4
2
jimmyj
Unique Powder
2 3
Replies
44
Views
2K
zeke
Z

Latest posts

Back
Top