Looking for different powder measure

[Slasher]

I have a Lee Classic Turret that came with the Pro auto-disk and that has been fine for pistol when using only one disk. If I want to load for 223 then I need to jump up to the dual disk setup but that seems to leak powder, same with the adjustable charge bar. Because of this I have to measure out each charge with the Lee dipper on the scale then pour it in with a funnel which is very time consuming.

Please recommend a different powder measure to speed up this process. I would also consider charging my pistol cartridges this way if it was quite a bit faster. I see that RCBS and Redding have some that look pretty good but wanted to get some opinions from people that have experience with them.

Thanks.

I forgot to mention what powder I use. Win 231, TAC, 846, 844 and some of the newer Maxam CSB powder.

 

[Toprudder]

I have a RCBS Uniflow and like it. I have the standard model with the small insert. I also bought the optional baffle for it, which helps with some powders such as 700x (large flakes).

If I had it to do over again, I might consider getting the quick-change version. It comes with the small and large metering inserts, and a quick-drain attachment that allows emptying the hopper without taking the measure off the press. It costs only a few dollars more than the Uniflow.

 

[newfalguy101]

I have an old Lyman ( probably Lyman anyway ) pistol measure that is deadnuts reliable, once you get it set.

I also use a Hornady powder measure that I really like.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman / Ideal #49.

The learning curve may be steep for 'read the instructions' challenged.

But, there is nothing more precisely adjustable or accurate measure made.

I have three of them and that's all I use.

rc

 

[Shinbone]

Lyman #55. Very accurate and stable when set.

 

[TexasDon]

I have several brands of powder measures.
My favorites are the RCBS Uniflow and the Redding #3.
The Uniflow has both the small and large powder drums, the Redding #3 has the pistol chamber.

It would be hard to pick one of these, they both do a great job.
If I just had to, I'd say I liked the Uniflow best...But not by much.

The Uniflow will work with the Case Activated Powder Drop assy, the Redding powder measures won't because the built in powder funnel on the bottom of the measure pushes in and the RCBS screws in.
Must be the screw in type powder measure funnel to work with the CAPD Assy from RCBS or Hornady.


TxD

 

[cfullgraf]

The Redding powder measures can be modified to work with the Hornady or RCBS powder drop systems. I have a Redding 10-X that I use on my progressives. The 10-X is for pistol size charges. The other two Reddings are good for rifle size charges.

I use the RCBS Uniflow for 223 Remington, 204 Ruger, and other similar sized powder charges.

I have good success with a powder baffle in my drum style powder measures.

The Harrell Precision are great powder measures but are a bit pricey for most folks.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

i use the pro auto disk for everything. is the little rubber piece on the bottom of the hopper bad? when that wears out it will start to leak...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

All the above suggestions are good ones for good powder measures but they also cost a good penny. If you are having a problem with the double-disk setup why not try the Lee Perfect Powder Measure? When you add the Lee Universal Charging Die you can easily use the Lee PPM along with your turret press.
https://fsreloading.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes
That setup will cost you ~$45 and it does work well when loading the .223...

 

[Lost Sheep]

If you can manage the dipper consistently, is it necessary to weigh each charge? The dippers CAN be as accurate as the auto-disk, and most other measures as well. But you have to practice consistency.

Dipping powder charges and dropping them into the die with a funnel instead of using the po9wder measure is slower, but not THAT much slower. I estimate 20% maybe.

But your arm, with all the extra movement will get more tired. If you set up the location of the powder sensibly, you may find this solution acceptable.

Not ideal, but workable, I think.

Good luck

Lost Sheep

 

[mhblaw]

I load mostly for revolvers and use an RCBS Lil' Dandy. You must buy several different inserts/dies depending on powder used and charge weight, but once you have them is very easy to use.

 

[David4516]

Check these out:

http://store.gun-guides.com/Perfect-Adapters-_c_12.html

I got the adapter for the Lee "perfect" powder measure and have been using it with my turret press. Works great. Only issue is that this (like most Lee measures it seems) likes to leak a little.

I use it mostly for .380 ACP and .223 Rem

I am considering upgrading to an RCBS uniflow and buying the uniflow adapter from the link above...

Edited to add:

You have to use Lee 'powder thru' dies for this setup to work but I assume that you already do that anyway if you're using the auto disk measure. If you need one to work with rifles try this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/792057/lee-auto-disk-rifle-powder-charging-die-22-to-30-calibers

 

[dickttx]

If you change to another brand of powder measure you are essentially turning your LCT into a single stage.
I would work a little more with the double disk kit and/or the ACB.

 

[FMJBT]

Lyman / Ideal #49.

The learning curve may be steep for 'read the instructions' challenged.

But, there is nothing more precisely adjustable or accurate measure made.

I have three of them and that's all I use.

rc

Do you mean the #55 power measurer?

 

[balderclev]

Lyman / Ideal #49.

The learning curve may be steep for 'read the instructions' challenged.

But, there is nothing more precisely adjustable or accurate measure made.

I have three of them and that's all I use.

rc

My Hornady is accurate to about half a grain most times. Don't know why so I measure every load.

Is the current Lyman model basically the same as you are using? If so, I would replace mine with it.

 

[TexasDon]

FYI

TexasDon

I have several brands of powder measures.
My favorites are the RCBS Uniflow and the Redding #3.
The Uniflow has both the small and large powder drums, the Redding #3 has the pistol chamber.

It would be hard to pick one of these, they both do a great job.
If I just had to, I'd say I liked the Uniflow best...But not by much.

The Uniflow will work with the Case Activated Powder Drop assy, the Redding powder measures won't because the built in powder funnel on the bottom of the measure pushes in and the RCBS screws in.
Must be the screw in type powder measure funnel to work with the CAPD Assy from RCBS or Hornady.
TxD

I was recently informed by a fellow member that I was wrong in my above statement about the CAPD assy. not working with the Redding powder measures.
BUT, the Redding PM's must be modified to work with the Hornady CAPD assy.

So it IS possible, but not out of the box.

TxDon

 

[oldreloader]

I have an adapter like David posted for a UniFlow. Works great!

 

[grogetr]

Slasher,
I have the same set up as you with the adjustable charge bar. I have used w231 and never had any leaks. Maybe the seal needs cleaned or replaced. I am just starting to load .223 and got the double disk kit but found that the adjustable bar will load a little over 25gn of H335 which will work since max charge is 25.3. I also have some cfe223 but haven't tried it yet to see how much of it will fit.

 

[HardwarePro]

FWIW: I started reloading about 1 1/2 years ago on a LCT with the PAD.
Before I started I did a lot of research and saw there were many complaints about leakage.
I read a post somewhere about tuning the PAD to minimize this.
The process involved wet lapping the disks with ultra-fine grit sandpaper on a glass plate.
This is done on the top, and the bottom is done with a metal ruler between the pegs.
Then lapping the walls of the cast body.
Once all of the surfaces were lapped, I rubbed generous portions of graphite powder into all of the disk surfaces and the Elastomer wiper.
I use H335 and Titegroup for my loads and have had no issues with leakage.
ETA. I modified the smaller disks by drilling and tapping for a set screw to make them adjustable for the minute amount of material removed and to throw more accurate charges for pistol loads.

 

[anothernewb]

My dillon measures are the best of my bunch. I have the lee perfect, a positively ancient blue one with pacific cast into the front, a lyman #55 and a RCBS uniflow.

Of them, the dillons seem to be the most consistent, even with unique. but the lyman one is great for the rod powders like 4064.

That being said, it would be nice to find a way to mount the dillon to a regular press. Barring that, all of the other "rotor" styles I have are all equal in performance. close, but it seems the dillon measures more powders, a tad better.

However, I will add the caveat - that the difference s probably slightly subjective anyway since the dillon just gets used so much more.

 

[Artofgolf]

FWIW: ........The process involved wet lapping the disks with ultra-fine grit sandpaper on a glass plate. >......Once all of the surfaces were lapped, I rubbed generous portions of graphite powder into all of the disk surfaces and the Elastomer wiper. >......and have had no issues with leakage.

Kudos for an excellent, well-thought-out suggestion

 

[HexHead]

That being said, it would be nice to find a way to mount the dillon to a regular press.

Couldn't you just use the Dillon powder die and manually activate the powder bar?

 

[Potatohead]

I've probably used 10 or 12 powders using the LCT/PAD combo and Ive only had one leak, and that was slight. (it was TAC btw)

Though I'm not overly fond of the double disk deal myself, IMO you're setup has a weak link.

 

[HJ857]

I've done something similar to what HardwarePro did but nowhere near as carefully. I just sanded down the two "rails" under the powder hopper (the black part of the assembly). It's possible to remove too much and the movement of the discs becomes sticky for a while, but then smooths out over time.

It's easy and it works great for a 10 minute fix. All you're doing is reducing the height of the hopper in relation to the discs.

If you already have the double disc kit, you can stack two adjustable charge bars and that provides a very consistent drop since you can make both cavities the same. I seem to recall that you have to cut off a couple nubs on the bottom of one of the charge bars to get them to stack properly.

 

[anothernewb]

Couldn't you just use the Dillon powder die and manually activate the powder bar?

certainly, but I found it easier to just attach it to one of those fancy blue presses, lol.

If i was so inclined, I'm sure I could rig up a mount. but 99% of my reloading is bulk pistol so the few times I use load rifle - I manually measure every load anyway.