C-H 502 Micrometer Powder Measure

[LiveLife]

I am a fan of C-H products (last of true made-in-USA products like Lee Precision) and have 205 single stage press and 3/4 station H type presses. I recently bought a NOS (new old stock) 502 micrometer powder measure from a vendor who often carries older reloading equipment I buy to help equip new reloaders. For those interested in made-in-USA products, I found this link interesting - http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#PowerEquipment

I am thinking about using it alongside the 205 single stage press for reloading rifle loads or on the Dillon 650 if the powder measure drifts too much (I thought about using modified double stack charge bars but feared some Dillon owners may never talk to me again )

Here are some comments I found about the powder measure - http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/402574_CH4D_Powder_Measure__Give_it_a_look.html

As for a powder measure that you can put in a progressive press I bought a Powder Measure from CH4D that has an micrometer adjustment and has both micrometers for rifle and pistol ... I use the Dillon on all machines except for my 550 ... 30 drops with Win 296, Universal flake and Varget. All meter perfectly. I dropped 30 charges of 296 at 21gr and all 30 hit exactly 21.0 Same results with Universal and with Varget 20 were dead on and 5 were within .1 to .05gr variance ... I've never used a powder measure (drop type) that throws as consistent a load as this one ... Some measures worked well with certain powders but not with others. This one has worked accurately with all I've tried from ball to stick.

Here's powder measure comparison done by LASC - http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_6-4_PowdersAnd Measures.htm

SD - CH4D / Redding / Harrell / B&M / RCBS / Lee / Hornady / Lyman 55

AA #9 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.032 - 0.000 - 0.043 - 0.037
I 4227 - 0.025 - 0.032 - 0.038 - 0.102 - 0.000 - 0.051 - 0.031 - 0.061
Unique - 0.145 - 0.127 - 0.150 - 0.100 - 0.129 - 0.142 - 0.139 - 0.185
I 4198 - 0.138 - 0.177 - 0.103 - 0.125 - 0.169 - 0.141 - 0.170 - 0.114
SR4759 - 0.128 - 0.099 - 0.151 - 0.127 - 0.146 - 0.157 - 0.135 - 0.205

Average - 0.087 - 0.087 - 0.088 - 0.091 - 0.095 - 0.098 - 0.104 - 0.120

Since my Pro Auto Disk won't meter large flake Promo well, I was curious to see how the C-H powder measure metered Promo. To my surprise, it did not meter Promo well at all until I realized the powder measure had rifle micrometer. :banghead:

CH4D still sells C-H products and I will be ordering the pistol micrometer. I will post back with results from various pistol/rifle powders - https://www.ch4d.com/products/equipment/powder-tools/502

BTW, here's some information about the powder measure:

For those who desire a precision powder throw and simple adjustment, C-H offers the No. 502 Micrometer Powder Measure.

- The Pistol Micrometer adjusts up to approximately 25 grains of the more dense pistol powders.
- The Rifle Micrometer adjusts up to approximately 95 grains of powder.
- The polished steel drum is designed so the handle can be placed on either the right or left side, and the charge can be dropped on either the up or down stroke.
- The measure can also be positioned with the micrometer either front or back.

We know of no other measure that offers so many choices.

The base threads are 7/8-14, so it will fit any standard loading press. The standard powder hopper holds approximately 1/2 pound of powder. The optional 10" Production Hopper holds nearly a pound, so you don't have to spend your time constantly refilling the powder hopper.

 

[lauderdale]

Wonder how the pistol micro-meter will meter for 380? I have a redding 3br and a 10x to try! Been using my charge master to be spot on. The price isn't that bad and its a good looking measure!

 

[LiveLife]

If you look at LASC powder measure comparison, C-H and Redding powder measures showed lower SD than Harrell - http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_6-4_PowdersAnd Measures.htm

RCBS 10-10 scale ... I tested eight mechanical powder measures: Lyman 55, Hornady Lock 'n Load Bench Rest, RCBS Competition, CH4D, Lee Perfect, Redding BR30, Harrell and Belding & Mull... repeatability of a powder measure by calculating the standard deviation (SD), of the weights of the second set of 30 charges (charges 31-60) thrown with the measure during the test. The first set of 30 charges lets the measure settle down

SD - CH4D / Redding / Harrell / B&M / RCBS / Lee / Hornady / Lyman 55

AA #9 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.032 - 0.000 - 0.043 - 0.037
I 4227 - 0.025 - 0.032 - 0.038 - 0.102 - 0.000 - 0.051 - 0.031 - 0.061
Unique - 0.145 - 0.127 - 0.150 - 0.100 - 0.129 - 0.142 - 0.139 - 0.185
I 4198 - 0.138 - 0.177 - 0.103 - 0.125 - 0.169 - 0.141 - 0.170 - 0.114
SR4759 - 0.128 - 0.099 - 0.151 - 0.127 - 0.146 - 0.157 - 0.135 - 0.205

Average - 0.087 - 0.087 - 0.088 - 0.091 - 0.095 - 0.098 - 0.104 - 0.120

So I figure it should drop smaller 380Auto charges as well. I tested following powders in my modified Pro Auto Disk with .1 gr variance with lowest consistent charges shown in parenthesis: Bullesye (1.5 gr) Titegroup (2.8/2.5 gr with polished tip) and W231/HP-38 (2.0 gr)

 

[lauderdale]

That's hard to believe when you look at the price of the HARELLS brand! I have to say iam glad to see that! Interesting.

 

[mdi]

I read that report/comparison a couple years or so ago. Santa brought me a new C-H 502 Christmas of 2012 and it has worked excellently. Nearly all the powders I use meter from precise to fairly good (some mini-logs). Both micrometer inserts work quite well, and the pistol mic. does well down to 3.0 gr of Bullseye, my lowest load...

 

[dickttx]

I do not have the powder measure, but have had the CHampion press for over 40 years. Just added the CH4D primer pocket swager. I don't see how any swager could work easier or better.

I don't recall them having the measure when I bought the press. I bought an Ohaus Duo Measure with the press. Still have it too.

 

[lauderdale]

I'm finally messing around w/unique for 380 and I would not try it in my dillion or anything other then the charge master. But i'm very interested in the micro meters! I will later be trying them for reloading as I have w/BE and W231 & T.Grp. P.Pistol. I would trade both/p. measures for one good one thou!