I've used a Lyman #55 Powder Measure since I first started reloading over 40 years ago... and it's still going strong
and is still as accurate and easy to use as it ever was.
There are three powder adjustments
coarse, medium and fine
on the metering shaft that you set to "throw" the amount of powder you wish.
Once you have the three adjustments set and the powder measure is throwing the desired amount of powder, you can further regulate the amount thrown by "tapping" the Measure's handle against the upper final stop 2-4 times to settle the powder before each 'throw", I find it gives me very consistent powder "throws" each time.
This "tapping" packs the powder slightly and I've found one can "throw" almost a perfect weight of powder every time you "throw" a load. As the powder hopper empties and the "thrown" powder charges get slightly lighter, you can increase the "thrown" powder charge weight slightly by merely increasing the number of powder dispenser handle's "taps".
I usually try to set my Lyman #55 Powder Measure to throw the desired amount of powder using 2-3 "handle taps". Then when the powder hopper goes down as I throw load after load, I add one or two more "taps" to maintain the powder weight thrown.
When reloading pistol cartridges, I "throw" the powder directly into handgun cases, weighing every 5th and then, after 20 cartridges, every 10th charge once I have the powder measure properly adjusted. I prefer to weigh each powder charge when reloading my rifle's cartridges.
Yes, I "know"... that's being "ultra-picky"... but I am a rifleman and want every load to be as perfect as possible so that I get as much accuracy as my rifle and my ability will allow.
Once you have the Lyman #55 set up & use a consistent number of "handle taps", it will consistently throw powder charges very accurately... usually ± ¼ of 1/10th of a grain (±.025 grains). This small amount of "difference" is totally acceptable to most shooters.
When loading for rifle, I always set the Lyman #55 to throw a slightly lighter amount of powder than I actually want to use. I throw the powder directly into my powder scale's powder pan, then put the powder pan on the scale to check it's weight.
I then take a "pinch" of powder between my clean, dry fore-finger & thumb... and "dribble" a few powder granules at a time into the powder pan while carefully watching the scale's pointer slowly move up to "zero" mark on the powder scale.
This way, I'm very sure that I have the EXACT weight of powder to dump into the cartridge case. :-)
Strength & Honor
Ron T.
