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best powder measuring

4570marlin
I have a lee powder measering device that came with my lee kit. Is the rcbs uniflow powder measure any better, or is there another brand I should look at? I like the dies from rcbs and own almost exclusivly rcbs dies. I would like a device that is pretty much dead on the money every time. Regardless of what I will get or use I still weigh about every third load just to be sure. I am fairly new to reloading so If the question sound primitive please excuse my lack of knowledge. I was also wondering who makes the best scale aside from going electonic?
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • CS8161
    I have always had very good results with the RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure. I don't like LEE's scale and would rather have a RCBS 505 or a Lyman.

    Chris8161
    Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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  • Tailgunner1954
    RCBS or Lyman, unless you want to drop some serious money, are your best bets.
    The long extruded "stick" powders are the worst to throw consistantly, "ball" powder is the easiest.
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • rufe-snow
    Amen to what Tailgunner says!

    I have been loading for years, and still have problems with the stick powders.

    Just recently I was using some IMR 4198 and couldn't get it to throw uniform loads with my Lee measure, I weighed a number of sample charges and they varied as much as 3/4 grain.

    I went out and bought some Accurate Arms 2230 Ball Powder, that cleared the problem up.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • temblor
    I have checked the powder charges side by side from my RCBS VS my Redding measure many times and the RCBS is consistently off by .1-.2 of one grain more than the redding.This is not even the benchrest measure that redding sells which is more accurate yet, but are more expensive.This has been checked against a lab quality scale -- and neither is as accurate as a trickler.-- If you want a really accurate drop measure get catalog from Sinclair International and look at the different ones they have, but be prepared for sticker shock...[:)]
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  • 260
    rcbs is the best way to go
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  • Clair
    I don't trust any powder drop. I weigh every charge, except target loads for the 38 spec.

    <P> To each his own
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  • roysha
    The Hornady Lock-N-Load measure is the best thing I have used to measure powder in 40 years of reloading and I have used nearly all brands ,except the Lee junk, including the old Belding & Mull, which is the only measure I have ever found to throw 4831 extermely consistently. I have a powder chamber dedicated to each set of dies that is dedicated to a specific rifle and load. I hate adjusting stuff. I just put in the chamber and check for weight, which has never been off more than 1/10gr +or- with ball, flake or granule type powder, and start loading. As mentioned earlier, the coarse stick powder doesn't meter worth a darn. As far as weighing each and every charge, for the percieved accuracy gained, it is a waste of time. Go to a bench rest match and see how the majority of the shooters measure powder. I throw "Idiot Proof" (H-4831) with my Hornady, for my 270WIN and shoot an average of 7/8" with it. I have weighed each charge in an attempt to increase accuracy but the difference, if there is any, is not worth it. For all intents and purposes I don't think you can do better than the Hornady and the price is equal to or less that RCBS or any of the other better quality measures.

    BEER IS PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO BE HAPPY!
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  • 4570marlin
    Thanks for all the responses. I will make a decision from the responses I have received. Looks like an rcbs, hornady, or redding. From the little experience that I have, the stick powder is what I have also had the most problems with.
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  • JustC
    IMHO,..verifying every charge with a scale is the only way to be sure.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • ATF
    I agree with roysha on the Hornady Lock-N-Load.I also have a RCBS that works very good and an old Herter (made by redding) that's a good powder measure.

    [:)] [:p] [^]

    standard.jpg

    Why is it that our children can't read a Bible in school, but they
    can in prison?

    ATF,Eagle Guns
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  • bobinwis
    I have used an RCBS measure for years and am confident in using it. True, stick type powders are more difficult as they want to jam the action of throwing a charge. I only check my meaaure against my RCBS scale and I don't know if either are dead on or slightly off. It doesn't make any difference. It is more important to be CONSISTENT in throwing charges. Make sure the handle 'bottoms out' on each charge to break off sticks or flakes of powder and ensure that all particles exit the drop tube. Drop all charges with the same motion and speed. Keep your hopper at least half full all the time. The weight, even as small as it seems, helps push powder down and out. When loading I will drop 5 or 10 charges every 10-15 rounds or so, depending on the powder and grains desired, into the scale pan and divide out to the individual weight just in case something changed and I missed it. Dropping 1.5 gr. of Bullseye is not the same as 42 gr. of IMR4320. I also find it comforting to eyeball each casing after charging with powder to ensure that the powder level in each case looks to be the same. Enjoy your new hobby, handloading is fun and very satisfying.
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