Best Way to Measure Powder?

[GunAdmirer]

What is the best/easiest way to measure powder? I am not going to be reloading mass quantitites but want to be somewhat efficient and very accurate. I will be reloading .357, .45 and 9mm rounds.

Options:
Tranditional powder measures - look like a lot of hassle; lots of reports of inconsistency and leakage
Lee Dippers - limited range
Little Dandy - have to buy rotors at $9 each
Electronic dispensers - pricey but very nice - I really want one of these but funds are limited.

Other options?

I already have a RCBS powder trickler and new PACT Digital Scale.

What do you all recommend???

 

[Zak Smith]

The Dillon powder measure on both the SDB and 650 is consistently within 0.1gr for me for handgun cartridges.

 

[brickeyee]

RCBS Uniflow with appropriate head (small for pistols) a micrometer attachment, and a baffle plate. The baffle plate is really the thing that creates a very consistent throw by limiting the powder weight at the bottom of the column to a consistent amount.
I have two Uniflows set up, one with each size so I do not lose the zero on the micrometer head. I use both on an RCBS 4x4 press when bulk loading and after setting up and cycling the powder measure 20-30 times to check weight (blocks of 10 times) the loads are very uniform, even with 4895 and other stick type powders. With a fine ball powder the accuracy is outstanding.
Anything that changes how powder flows, settles, and packs can change the weight thrown. Vibration on a bench that is not consistent will cause the powder to settle slightly and increase loads. Not using a baffle causes variation as the amount of powder in the hoper changes.
For high accuracy loads I use the rap the measure method common to bench rest. This involves purposely banging the measure at the top and bottom of the stroke to ensure more even settling of the powder into the measurement chamber. The raps are enough to swamp out any settling caused by other vibration. Almost no one at a bench match weights powder. Those tiny groups are almost always fired using powder measured by volume. Harrel and Culver are two popular makers for measures. They use ball bearings on the rotors to produce a smooth consistent action.
Cheaper powder measures tend to have more clearance between the rotor and housing and powder leakage makes for erratic operation. I threw a Lee measure away that had this problem. The plastic drum and housing did not fit tight enough for ball powders.

 

[Jim Watson]

A $250 Harrell benchrest measure
A $130 Redding 10X
A $65 RCBS Uniflo small

Ball powder, priceless.

 

[P95Carry]

If time and patience were never a problem - weigh every charge!! I use Dillon electronic/digital scales now but only for every charge when really critical.

Otherwise volumetric is well adequate. Lee stuff is a bit slack on tolerance, tho for pistol target loads good enough. For rifle in particular I have and use one of the Hornady "Pacific'' deals- tall hopper and two micrometer inserts. Takes some setting up but it has good tight tolerances mechanically and once set throws very consistently.

I also have made a good few dippers over the years. I made another one yesterday in fact for loading 3031 in 45-70 cases. Took an old case - measured on scales 52 grains - poured powder in, marked case and cut off excess. Cleaned up edge and soldered a braze rod handle on it.

Then proceeded to drop a series of test measures via scales, to establish method of dipping and spread of charge weight. Found that I could keep the charge close enough (for this purpose) so as to only be about +/- 0.3 grains most throws. Good enough for this round with that large of a charge, which is still sub max.

 

[halvey]

With Bullseye, the Dillon is dead on everytime.

 

[Dave R]

Well, you need a good scale in any event. The only question is how you get the powder measured.

For small quantities of rounds (under 25 or so) , I use a combination of the Lee dippers and a trickler going right into the scale.

For higher quantities (over 25 rounds), I use a Powder Measure. I use an old RCBS Uniflow I got used. Its plenty accurate.

 

[pbhome71]

I use a scale and a Lee Perfect powder measure. If it is over, I skim some out. If it less, I put some more in.

It is accurate enough for my plinking needs.

 

[HSMITH]

My Dillon measures are very consistent. My Redding 3 BR is also very consistent.

If you are going to buy a powder measure get a good one, don't cheap out and have to spend the money on a good one later.

If you are loading for accuracy you will be better off loading volumetrically with a good measure than you would weighing each charge and trickling. I don't fully understand why this is, but it works for me and most if not all of the benchrest crowd.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Decision

After reading all your posts and considering all the different powder measuring/handling methods, I talked my wife into letting me buy the PACT powder dispenser that interfaces with my digital scale. It was not that much more than a good standard dispenser, stand and baffle. I think I will really be glad I did in the long run.

By the way, Cabelas makes things easier with their 6 easy pay program. They charge your credit card for your purchase over a 6 month period.

Another good thing about Cabelas: They charge shipping by total purchase amount and not weight. I think it would be much cheaper in most cases to have bullets and other heavy components shipped by purchase amount than by weight.

I don't work for Cabela's but wish I did.

 

[brickeyee]

Dillon made a mistake years ago and was charging shipping by $$ spent. I ordered a bunch of bulk pack 9mm and .45 FMJs and made out very well. The shipping on a 60+ pound box of 230 gr .45s was way over the Dillon charge. i cnoticed they recised the catalog numbers quickly and added an extra charge for 'heavy items', and they no longer even sell the factory bulk packs.