Having trouble with RCBS powder measure.

[Bmac1949]

I purchased a new RCBS powder measure a couple of months ago and I can't get it to measure reliably. When I got it I cleaned it and ran a pound of powder through it to lubricate and it seemed to be a little off. I figured this because it needed breaking in. I tried a baffle that I made but could tell no difference. The charges still aren't consistant and now I have a problem with static cling. I don't mean just a little bit either. I have to scrape down the sides of the hopper after every use. and, the plastic hopper has started to cloud up. From what I understand this might be to leaving the powder in the hopper, which I've done a couple of time after an late loading session and I have since quit. I've tried the dryer sheet...doesn't work. I gone back to my Lee powder measure which is very consistant and doesn't have static problems.

Ant thoughts? Thanks

 

[soloban]

I've found the RCBS powder measure only works well with small ball powder. The Lee measure has a wiper in it that keeps it from shearing stick powder.

 

[Para Cassatt]

I've had mine 10 years and static has always been present but not problematic. Do you have the micro adjustment screw for yours? Mine wouldn't throw precise loads until I changed it.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I also have used the RCBS powder measure since 1982 with no problems, just occasional cling, nothing major.

I have had the micrometer adjustment which makes all the difference in how it measures. The weight of the micrometer keeps the opening up toward the powder until you turn the knob, then the opening comes down to dump the powder, gravity brings the micrometer back down (with the opening up again).

When you throw, you have to do it with a bit of authority, you need to kind of make one continual fairly-hard motion to bang at one end, then bang back at the bottom. When I say bang, I mean a fairly-stern turning of the handle so the ajustment screw goes up and hits the top with a clack, then comes down and hits at bottom with a clack -- not so hard as to break or prematurely wear anything.

If you are hesitant in how you are manipulating the handle, the powder won't always drop the same. Doing it as I mentioned, I can throw anything from fine ball to flake (Unique) to cylinder (IMR Powders).

 

[rugerglocker]

I'm just the opposite, bought the Lee "perfect" one, hated it, it constantly leaked powder no matter how I adjusted it, sits on the shelf maybe I'll try it one day for stick powder. Bought a used Uniflow, and man I love that thing. I use some flake pistol powders and even a large flake shotgun powder (Solo 1000) and ball rifle powder, and she measures within .1 of a grain almost every time I check a throw.

On the static, there is some but not any different with the Lee. Dryer sheet seems to work well (try an unused one?). Static can depend on your climate and vary from day to day, seems like the dryer it is (low humidity) the more static you get, and it's pretty dry where I am. Good luck with that thing, maybe you'll learn to love it?

 

[fguffey]

Bmac1949, do not have just one RCBS Uniflow measure, I do have 3 presses that use one, I have two Little Dandie powder measures with 25 rotors, all of the Uniflow measures have both small and large rotors. If I had all of your problems you are having the first one would have been the last one, I also have Herter powder measures, Ohaus, Lyman and Redding. I also have scoops in sets, home made and adjustable scoops and tricklers, all kind of tricklers.
'
I do not understand why someone that is so happy with Lee equipment forsaking their brand for another manufacture, the most unlikely thing I expect to hear from a Lee fan is something nice being said about a tool that is green, red or orange. I have Lee equipment, I do not use it, but, just in case.

If i had a problem with a piece of equipment that was giving me a problem I would contact the manufacture. if they did not work with me, then, I believe I would have the opportunity to tell everyone..

F. Guffey

 

[cfullgraf]

I purchased a new RCBS powder measure a couple of months ago and I can't get it to measure reliably. When I got it I cleaned it and ran a pound of powder through it to lubricate and it seemed to be a little off. I figured this because it needed breaking in. I tried a baffle that I made but could tell no difference. The charges still aren't consistant and now I have a problem with static cling. I don't mean just a little bit either. I have to scrape down the sides of the hopper after every use. and, the plastic hopper has started to cloud up. From what I understand this might be to leaving the powder in the hopper, which I've done a couple of time after an late loading session and I have since quit. I've tried the dryer sheet...doesn't work. I gone back to my Lee powder measure which is very consistant and doesn't have static problems.

Ant thoughts? Thanks

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the RCBS powder measure. i assume you are using a Uniflow. The Uniflow is one of my main measures and it works very well with all types of powders.

Here are some suggestions. First, the openings in the powder baffle need to be oriented correctly. The line between the centers of the openings should be parallel with the rotational axis of the drum. Otherwise, the baffle does not "baffle".

Secondly, consistency of operation is important. If you operate it hard one time, then easy the next the powder charges will vary. This is not unique to the Uniflow but all similar design measures. I operate mine easy with minimal wrapping and vibration. Others like to tap the measure at the end of the strokes to help vibrate the powder column. Either way works but you have to do it the same way each time.

Finally, make sure the measure is clean of all protective lubricants and then run dryer sheets over the inside and out. You may already have done this.

Hope this helps.

 

[JimKirk]

Had my RCBS Uniflow since 1969... mine is as accurate as I am with the consistent handle movements... using concise sharp movements. I don't bang...bang like some of the others have posted, but I do use sharp consistent movements. There are two powders that I have slight problems with, but even those are within acceptable accuracy...Unique and 800X.

I have found that I get better accuracy when the cavity of the rotor is exposed to the powder(hopper) only on the upstroke of the handle...when the handle is down the cavity is down. I emailed RCBS techs and they said this is the way the Uniflow should be used...even though the photos in the instructions show it otherwise... asked why they didn't change the photo... never got a real answer.

Jimmy K

 

[rcmodel]

If all else fails to cure the static, wash the hopper with rubbing alcohol to remove anything it has in it.
Then use a light spritz of Static-Guard spray from the laundry aisle at the grocery store on the outside & inside of the whole measure.

Static-Guard keeps my slip from clinging too!

rc

 

[Bmac1949]

will order the micrometer...I've been meaning to anyway. I'll take it apart clean and put it back together with the cavity in the up position and se how she works. Thanks for the good pointers...Oh, and of course I'll spray my slips with static guard!

 

[rikman]

You have a good measure and it could be the powders. I bought the Redding 3BR and it has problems with stick powders like Varget and Unique is worse.

I found that practice and dropping charge with authority helps and like Reddings instructions say, you are with in 1/2% of charge. For pistol rounds I don't worry about. And even if 1/2% isn't mucn, I've chosen to charge light and Trickle up for my 308Win loads. It really hasn't added that much time since i'm only loading 30-50 rounds.

Rikman

 

[cfullgraf]

will order the micrometer...I've been meaning to anyway.

I have micrometer adjusters on all my rotating drum style powder measures, four at last count.

I like them, I would not do without them, they make dialing in an adjustment easier, they make returning to an adjustment easier, but they will not make the powder measure any more accurate.

Once set, the drum cavity does not know what adjustment screw is on the measure.

The weight thing that keeps the drum in one position might be helpful but you could tape a weight to the standard adjustment screw and get the same effect.

So, get a micrometer adjuster but don't expect it to miraculously solve you powder charge accuracy problem.

 

[rugerglocker]

Here are some suggestions. First, the openings in the powder baffle need to be oriented correctly. The line between the centers of the openings should be parallel with the rotational axis of the drum. Otherwise, the baffle does not "baffle".

Ummm what? That's what I said to myself first time I read that. I think I get what you are sayin, but a picture is worth 1k words.

 

[Bmac1949]

Yep, +1 Rugerglocker. Show us what you got.

 

[cfullgraf]

Ummm what? That's what I said to myself first time I read that. I think I get what you are sayin, but a picture is worth 1k words.

Said another way, one of the openings in the baffle should be located next to the operating handle. The peak of the baffle would be oriented over the front, pointed at the adjusting screw.

You do not want the openings in the baffle to have a straight shot at the measuring cavity.

 

[HOWARD J]

My Uniflow is about 36 years old. It works well except it allows Power Pistol to stick to the sides when I pour it out of the unit. I use a std. pistol cleaning brush to push the powder to the bottom--works good.
I cut a piece of Bounce about 1 1/2" wide & place it almost to the bottom inside the unit & then tape the rest to the outside of the unit to keep it from falling all the way into the unit. This has worked well on the static problem.
When loading I bang the handke twice at the top & twice at the bottom--it drops within
1/10 of a grain--most of the time.
It has been a very good unit since the static problem has been fixed.

 

[rg1]

As Friendly, Don't Fire said:
You need to get a technique going and repeat every cycle the same. When you dump a charge move the handle the same each time with a little "peck-peck" on the handle at the bottom of the stroke and when raising the handle to fill the hole with powder peck it lightly at the upstroke too. The same every time.

 

[hAkron]

I have the RCBS Uniflow and I've done a couple of things which have really smoothed it out. First upgrade was thev piggy back stand and the baffle. I always hated the adjustmen screw so when. Bough my turret press I also bought the small (pistol) drum and the micrometer adjuster which I LOVE! I don even read the numbers, just get it close, then throw some charges and weigh each one till I'm dead on, that's usually about 10 throws which is enough to get it consistent. I weigh ever 10 or 20 and micro adjust as needed. Mounting it to the turret makes the baffle useless due to the turret rotation knocking powder down under the baffle, but opens the door to the case activated linkage, just pull the press ram and the case cause the meter to drop a charge right in. Its a very consistent action which tends to throw a consistent charge. A little pricy but well worth the money. I also keep a generic WalMart dryer sheet in it when I'm not using it which as the double benefit of keeping static low and making it smell nice.