Author Topic: which powder measures?  (Read 545 times)

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Offline Will52100

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which powder measures?
« on: July 04, 2006, 07:59:01 AM »
Looking to upgrade powder measures.  I load mostly below 10 grains for pistols, and use a lot of Unique.  I am wanting to try trail boss also and have some on the way.  What measure throughs a consitant charg?

Thanks
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Offline PaulS

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2006, 10:49:59 AM »
Looking to upgrade powder measures.  I load mostly below 10 grains for pistols, and use a lot of Unique.  I am wanting to try trail boss also and have some on the way.  What measure throughs a consitant charg?

Thanks

With a good technique the RCBS measure holds accurate thrown charges. There are many good powder measures and most of them have at least some plastic parts. The ones to avoid are those with plastic at the wear points. Powder can cut and break the plastic components and if you are using kernal powders you will run into metering problems with shallow drums. Pick a measure that will be nearly full when you measure you largest loads. You will get the best consistancy from them. Deep, small diameter drum or cylinder type measures will work equally well with the ball propellants giving accuracy that is often better than a medium priced scale. (you still have to use a scale to set the measure each time)
PaulS

Hodgdon, Lyman, Speer, Sierra, Hornady = reliable resources
so and so's pages on the internet = not reliable resources
Alway check loads you find on the internet against manuals.
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads.

Offline Jerry Lester

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2006, 06:45:06 PM »
Buy a Redding 10-X competition pistol measure. I "promise" you won't be sorry. Mine will weigh charges of even Unique so close it's amazing!

Offline Will52100

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2006, 06:53:55 PM »
Thanks guys, I'll check them out.
The thing about freedom, it's never free
www.courtneyknives.com

Offline Selmer

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2006, 03:14:57 AM »
I'll also suggest a Lyman No. 55 powder measure.  ZERO plastic parts and I use lots of Unique, usually at around 10 grs, perfectly consistent, every charge. (with a consistent technique, as mentioned earlier)
selmer
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Offline Ron T.

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2006, 03:58:51 PM »
I'll "second" that "vote" for the Lyman #55 Powder Dispenser... mine has given me perfect service for over 45 years and still counting... never a problem... no plastic parts.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."  - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Bullseye

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2006, 04:36:54 PM »
I have been using a Hornady for about 15 years with great success.

Offline PaulS

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2006, 10:21:43 AM »
The Lyman 55 is a top quality powder measure and i own one too but it serves me better as a rifle measure than for pistols. It is made of Steel and brass with three seperate bars to adjust and can be a handfull for the inexperienced. After using one for 34 years it is easy to set and adjust but I can remember having trouble with it when I began. I would recommend it to those who want the absolute best measure and have been loading for some time.
PaulS

Hodgdon, Lyman, Speer, Sierra, Hornady = reliable resources
so and so's pages on the internet = not reliable resources
Alway check loads you find on the internet against manuals.
NEVER exceed maximum listed loads.

Offline Rod B

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2006, 10:45:31 AM »
I have had very good results with the RCBS UniiFlow.

Rod.
Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon.
~Horatio Nelson

Offline BigJakeJ1s

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2006, 04:01:44 PM »
The Lee perfect powder measure works great on Trail Boss for me.

Andy

Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2006, 04:28:03 AM »
A forth vote for the Lyman #55
Just remember to use the top two slides only for pistol powders like Unique. Works great.

Offline Questor

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2006, 06:59:05 AM »
The RCBS measure with the micrometer adjustment option has been a good measure for me, but I'd recommend looking at something else. If I were buying another measure it would be one of similar good quality, and with a micrometer measure for repeatability, but also one with feature that lets me drop my powder out quickly after a loading session. I have also had problems with some powders in the RCBS due to what you might call "static cling". Bullseye is one such powder. I just can't get very uniform charges with it. The same powder in a Dillon measure gives excellent uniformity.  I have also had problems with some short stick powders in the RCBS. I believe H4831-SC, as is Varget. The symptom I've experienced has been that the sticks bunch up in the drop tube and a partial charge is dropped into one case, followed by an excessive charge in the next case.

If you get one, I recommend also getting a stand for the measure. I built one myself, but having a good stand is a good accessory. It's not necessary, but makes the work more enjoyable.

Whatever you get, buy a quality tool. This is one tool that affects the safety of your charges and buying an inferior model just to save a few bucks is a bad idea.

I'm interested in seeing responses from others on this subject because I'd like to replace my RCBS with something better.
Safety first

Offline smalstuf

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Re: which powder measures?
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2006, 05:41:35 PM »
Check out the JDS quick measure. it will not cut powder, no, not even 4350 or 4831. is accurate to +/_ .1 grains. Will charge 100 cases in less than 4 min. www.quick-measure.com