Best powder measure for pistol reloading?

[Whirlwind06]

I have been looking at either the uniflow, Lee perfect powder measure or the Lee auto disk. I'm using flake and ball powder. (unique and accurate #5 and 7) From reading other threads it seems that the perfect powder measure works best with stick powders. So my questions are:

1 will the perfect powder measure work with the powders I'm using?

2 is the uniflow worth the extra $30 for pistol reloading?

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

You need to provide more information. Like how you're reloading - single stage, turret or progrssive. What press? Your powders indicate a Uniflow or a Pro Auto Disk if you want case activated powder drop.

More information is needed to help you.

Dave

 

[Whirlwind06]

Right now I have a single stage press, but plan on getting Lee's Turret press pretty soon.

 

[earplug]

Uniflow

I recently switched from a single stage to a progressive.
Was using A old 1976 model Uniflow, new RCBS Pro 2000 came with a uniflow and its working fine.
I have loaded many powders and its easy to set up and accurate.
Sold the old Uniflow to a friend who will probable use it for another thirty years.

 

[facedown]

If you're going to get a Lee turret press, which I have as well, it is well worth the extra $ to get the Pro Auto-Disk unit. It works flawlessly and powder doesn't hang up on the sides.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Whirlwind06,

Based on your responses, your answers in context below:

I have been looking at either the uniflow, Lee perfect powder measure or the Lee auto disk. I'm using flake and ball powder. (unique and accurate #5 and 7) From reading other threads it seems that the perfect powder measure works best with stick powders. So my questions are:

1 will the perfect powder measure work with the powders I'm using?

For reloading pistol, particularly on the Lee turrets, I would not use the Perfect Powder Measure. It is designed to use with rifle (extruded) powders and there is no curret design to use it case activated on a Lee turret press. You would be much better going with a Lee Pro Auto Disk.

2 is the uniflow worth the extra $30 for pistol reloading?

No, not if you're going to use the Lee turret press, Lee dies (which have the capability of powder through case activated powder drop with the Lee Pro Auto Disk.

Right now I have a single stage press, but plan on getting Lee's Turret press pretty soon.

I would advise going with this setup:

1. Lee Classic Turret press
2. Lee Deluxe Pistol Die set
3. Lee Pro Auto Disk
4. Lee Safety Prime lg/sm kit
5. Lee Auto Disk Riser

You'll get better results with the list as described and have a better tiem doing it.

To use have case activated powder drop and case expansion with a Uniflow, you would need to buy a Hornady CAPD, an expander for the caliber and the Uniflow, about a hundred dollar setup vs. $36.00 for the Lee including the riser. The Lee Pro Auto Disk is a very accurate powder measure and works well for pistol, which is what it was designed for.

Regards,

Dave

 

[pbhome71]

I have a Lee Perfect Powder Measure (LPPM). In fact, it is the only powder measure that I have.

It works well with Uniq. It doesn't work with WAP, it leaks on the side of the rotor.

I have no experience with Accurate #5, or 7.

-Pat

 

[Idano]

RCBS Uniflow I trust nothing else!

pbhome71,

I highly recommend the RCBS Uniflow over any other measure. I have two of theses one on a stand for when I load single stage and one connected to a RCBS Case Activated Linkage I originally bought for my Lee LoadMaster and is now on my Hornady AP. The reason I recommend the RCBS Uniflow is because of it's repeatability. When I reload with Unique (flake powder) it may occasionally toggle my digital scale 0.1 gr 3 or four times in 500 rounds and I measure every 25th round. On H414 or Data Powder 2200 (ball powder) it rarely toggle my digital scale 0.1 gr , maybe 3 or 4 times out of a 1000 and I measure every 25th round. It never deviates more then +/-0.2 gr on extruded powder and usu sally stays within +/-0.1 gr but I measure every extruded powder load just to be sure. I bought my second Uniflow just before Christmas on eBay for $48 shipped with both cylinders and looked absolutely new. I have never had a squib or double load when used with my progressive press and I can honestly say I trust my life and limbs with the repeatability of my Uniflow Powder measures.

 

[cheygriz]

Just get a Redding and be done with it!

 

[ocabj]

I use the RCBS uniflow with the large cylinder (that's all I have) and it throws Titegroup fine for me. I set it to throw 4.3gr of Titegroup for some 185gr 40cal loads and ran it through the chrono for a standard deviation of only 6fps.

That's obviously not the best powder measure for pistol, but having a basic measure won't be bad.

 

[Walkalong]

Love my Redding 10X, but loaded for years with a Hornady pistol measure (which uses bushings ) which I modified to work automatically on my Hornady progressive. I sent the Hornady drum style measure back. My loads are probably a bit more consistent and the Redding is much more versatile, but I don't shoot any better.

Note: I used and still use a Redding BR30 for rifle round charging.

 

[LHB1]

After trying several powder measures for pistol calibers including Hornady, RCBS, Belding & Mull, Redding, etc. I settled on what works best for me:
a. For 1-15 grains: Redding Competition Model 10X Pistol and Small Rifle PM
b. For 15-35 grains: Redding Competition Model BR-30 PM

Both of these measures throw extremely accurate charges.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB