Which powder measure?

[YRUpunting?]

I've been using the Lee dippers for a couple months to get started.  A very early spring has hit Indiana so more good shooting days coming.  I've read good reviews on the Lyman 55 and the Redding 3.  I'm currently loading for a Handi in 38 spl, 357 mag and max, and 44 mag.  What do you recommend?

[Graybeard]

I have two RCBS Uniflow measures in use in addition to my Hornady dispenser/scale combo. I tried a Hornady powder measure and liked it for awhile then lost interest in it and sold it.

I've never cared for the Lyman measure. I'm very pleased with mine from RCBS and wouldn't mind having another but can get by nicely with the set up I have now.

[jager]

I've got a RCBS, Lee "Perfect", and an old B & L measure. Of the 3, the RCBS is the most versatile; it works well with just about any powder. I also like the RCBS's quality; for they can stand up to long term use without needing maintenance. I was really displeased with the Lee measure's consistency until I tried it with "ball" powder and it demonstrated it could be "accurate". I just don't have much trust in its use with different types of powders, and it is mostly made of nylon "stock" and plastics. The B & L is my favorite measure for "slow, stick" powders like H4831, but it is an antique that is slower to use than the rest. I've not tried any of the other brands mentioned and would probably not look beyond RCBS if I were to buy another.

[Ranch13]

I like my lee perfect measure better than either the lyman 55 or the rcbs uniflow.
My favorite "measure" is the Lyman 1200 dps, it throws exactly how much powder you tell it to, is easy to go from one powder to the other, plus being able to store each round and it's powder charge in the memory is really helpful

[.22-5-40]

Hello, YRU..Since all your ctgs. are handgun..If it were me, I would spring for the Redding 10X pistol measure..Santa brought me one two years ago, and I love it!

[huntducks]

I have a pair of Redding, but have had the RCBS they both work great but you have to pay extra for the mike dial on the RCBS.

[Savage]

I have a couple of the Uniflow measures, and a Lee Perfect. They both work as intended.  The Lee works better with extruded powders than the RCBS ones. I find myself using the Lee more often than the others. I use mine for rifle loading only, my handgun rounds are loaded progressively. Not sure how these measures work with small volume charges.
Savage

[wncchester]

"I have a couple of the Uniflow measures, and a Lee Perfect. They both work as intended."
 
Add the Reddings, Hornady and Lyman and that says it all, they all work as intended.  I believe the reason there is so much brand loyalty is simply personal predijice in small things that suit different people's taste because no one makes a 'bad' measure and none of them are worth much if the user is erratic in operation method.

[Bigeasy]

For non progressive loading of hand gun rounds, I like the RCBS Little Dandy powder measure that uses pre drilled charge cylinders that throw a set charge of various popular handgun powders via a load chart.  Best used for when you settle on a particular load or two for the cartridge in question.
 
Larry

[Rock Home Isle]

I have two RCBS Uniflow Powder Measures. One for rifle, the other for pistol...Very well made product. 

[Dave in WV]

I bought the Redding 3BR measure and got both metering chamber (pistol & rifle). I went from Lee dippers to the Redding powder measure.

[charles p]

I hate to think of the loading errors I could make with two powder measures mounted side by side.
I have an old RCBS.  I wish I could quickly adjust it for a desired weight, without so much trial and error.  Maybe I should write down the settings in my manuals.  It would be sweet if they published a table of powders, charge weights, and volume settings.

[mbopp]

I have an older Redding 3 (not BR) with both micrometer sizes. No complaints. I added a home made baffle and even with powders like Unique it's very consistent.

[cybin]

I have used the Rcbs uniflow for many years now and really like it--before that I tried the Lyman #55--in my  opinion its a POS--others seem to like it--so I figured that maybe I just had a bad one---no way--since then I have been involved with 2 more of them--they are really a POS.
 
The Lee dippers are much better than the Lyman IMO.
 
cybin

[LanceR]

I have a pair of Redding measures on the bench.  One with a rifle powder chamber and one with a pistol chamber.  The micrometer settings are very consistent and it is quite easy to dial in your recorded setting when getting ready to load another batch of a particular load.  They are so consistently accurate that if I throw a few charges to settle things down after setting the micrometer and then drop 10 charges and weigh them the weight will usually be a small fraction of a grain off of 10 times my target weight for the rifle measure and so close for the pistol measure that the scale can't tell the difference.

I don't have powder baffles in the powder tubes but would recommend then if you are buying one since it keeps the amount of powder above the measuring chamber consistent and adds a wee bit more consistency to the process.  After all, we spend a lot of time talking about accurate rifles and loads but what we really mean is that our firearms and ammo are very consistent.

I haven't used another brand in over 30 years so I can't help there.

Good luck.

Lance

[dave29]

I have been using a Lee, it does OK. It is always +/- .1 grains. Been doing my research to upgrade though. I believe I am going to buy an RCBS electronic scale/dispenser combo.

[YRUpunting?]

I almost hit buy on the Hornady scale dispenser (Amazon had a great deal) before I made this post.  I just don't want another beeping electronic gizmo in my life.

[skarke]

This is an absolutely fantastic measure.  It is accurate, as repeatable as any measure ever designed, and will last forever.


http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=49&rn=376&action=show_detail


Unfortunately, they've gone up since I got mine, but with proper technique, it throws EXACTLY the same charge with short extruded powders and ball powders, and rarely cuts long powders.  Fit and finish make this possible, these are hand fit precision instruments.  You'll see Harrells all across the BR line at any BR shoot.


That said, RCBS, Hornady, and others make fine measures, just not quite as fine as the Harrells, IMHO.  I even get really good measures out of a Lee Pro Auto Disk, and it is surprisingly durable.  I just don't use it anymore since I got my LNL press with the Hornady measure.


The Harrell goes with me to the range.  It is just sweet to pull the handle on it, and it is the cheap one:-)

[skarke]

One other nice thing about the Harrell is that it has click settings that are ultra-repeatable.  No micrometer setting, stem measuring, etc. is needed.  Even considering climate, if I set my Harrell to a number (say, 43), I'll get virtually the same charge, or within a 10th anyway, with the powders that I use regularly (H322, 748, Varget, even some 4831 on occasion for the thumper).


Consider if you haven't handled one, finding a buddy who has one.  They are mind altering:-)