Powder measure / dropper

What are you using?

  • Total voters
    64
  • Poll closed .
I’m definitely looking for something that is consistent and repeatable. I am intrigued by the Lyman brass smith due to the micrometer, but don’t know how well it would work. I also don’t want to spend money for something else that I don’t end up using.
 
The best measure I have ever used is Harrell's. I sold mine as a "package deal" when I got out of benchrest competition and have always regretted it, but never quite see fit to spend the $300 it takes to replace it.

For someone looking to "buy once and cry once" it is the obvious answer.
 
.38 Special said:
For someone looking to "buy once and cry once" it is the obvious answer.
Click to expand...
I cried several times during past 30 years. :rofl:

No, I am OK now ... Feel much better after I am all "cried out" after 15 presses, countless powder measures along with scales and recently, I bought two more presses along with Dillon Eliminator used (because Ohaus no longer makes them) and yes, more scales and Ohaus check weights ... spending over $180,000 later (Yes, you are reading that correctly, there are three zeroes after $180) ... :eek:

Wife said I have a "hoarder" problem. :p
 
Last edited:
Yamifrk said:
I am intrigued by the Lyman brass smith due to the micrometer, but don’t know how well it would work.
Click to expand...

My Brass Smith has pros and cons. The hopper is small, about half the size of my Hornady measures. Also, the "micrometer" adjustment is just marks on the adjustment knob, which slides in/out vs. a threaded knob on my Hornadys which screw in/out. The sliding motion makes it a bit fiddly to set up, but once it's set mine is very consistent with powder drops. I haven't tried it with small ball powder, but with larger donut/flake powder it works well.

My Hornadys have had ball, stick/extruded, and flake, and are also very conistent, except with extruded (still fairly close, but I weigh every charge).

Back to the Lyman Brass Smith, if you only load one round with the same charge every time, it could be a good option. If you like changing powder weights often, there are easier measures to adjust. Just my .02.

chris
 
ballman6711 said:
My Hornadys have had ball, stick/extruded, and flake, and are also very conistent, except with extruded (still fairly close, but I weigh every charge).
Click to expand...

Even though my Hornady drop is mounted on my progressive press, I still actuate the handle manually. Because of that, I have a 'feel' for how the cavity is filled when I go to dump it... I can tell by the action (crunchy or smooth... ;) ) how accurate the charge is likely to be, and particularly with extruded (IMR) powders. If it binds, I can just back off it a tad, then lever into it, again... and get an accurate charge... all of this without tying up the press.
 
.38 Special said:
The best measure I have ever used is Harrell's. I sold mine as a "package deal" when I got out of benchrest competition and have always regretted it, but never quite see fit to spend the $300 it takes to replace it.

For someone looking to "buy once and cry once" it is the obvious answer.
Click to expand...
I’m getting one of those when I grow up.
 
ballman6711 said:
My Brass Smith has pros and cons. The hopper is small, about half the size of my Hornady measures. Also, the "micrometer" adjustment is just marks on the adjustment knob, which slides in/out vs. a threaded knob on my Hornadys which screw in/out. The sliding motion makes it a bit fiddly to set up, but once it's set mine is very consistent with powder drops. I haven't tried it with small ball powder, but with larger donut/flake powder it works well.

My Hornadys have had ball, stick/extruded, and flake, and are also very conistent, except with extruded (still fairly close, but I weigh every charge).

Back to the Lyman Brass Smith, if you only load one round with the same charge every time, it could be a good option. If you like changing powder weights often, there are easier measures to adjust. Just my .02.

chris
Click to expand...
Lyman sells the Brass Smith hopper for $5, I have 3 of these measures and super-glued the additional hoppers on top of the first, doubling the powder capacity. It's my favorite for manually-operated measures, consistent and accurate.
 
ballman6711 said:
My Brass Smith has pros and cons. The hopper is small, about half the size of my Hornady measures. Also, the "micrometer" adjustment is just marks on the adjustment knob, which slides in/out vs. a threaded knob on my Hornadys which screw in/out. The sliding motion makes it a bit fiddly to set up, but once it's set mine is very consistent with powder drops. I haven't tried it with small ball powder, but with larger donut/flake powder it works well.

My Hornadys have had ball, stick/extruded, and flake, and are also very conistent, except with extruded (still fairly close, but I weigh every charge).

Back to the Lyman Brass Smith, if you only load one round with the same charge every time, it could be a good option. If you like changing powder weights often, there are easier measures to adjust. Just my .02.

chris
Click to expand...
Does Dramworx have a pyrex hopper that will fit that Brass Smith? That might be an option for expanded capacity. The Pyrex also won't stain.
 
I don't use one but if I were to consider one ,RCBS or Hornady looks like the ticket ,especially money=consistency .
I use Dillon sliding anvil on the progressive ,very consistent once fine tuned .

RCBS :
Competition Powder Measure
$138.99 - $205.99


Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure $95.00 at Scheels

Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure

09025550069

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure is loaded with innovative features that serious reloaders demand. The design allows you to change powders and settings with the push of a button. With the proper accessories you can dispense between .5 and 75 grains of powder. The push button release allows you to quickly change metering inserts for predetermined charge weights, so you can switch calibers quickly and easily without the hassle of resetting the measure. The tension on the metering insert is adjustable with an "O" ring that allows a slight amount of tension on the metering insert to make fine, incremental adjustments. The precision tolerance of .002" between the drum and rotor eliminate powder binding between the frame and the drum. Measure comes with small and large drop tubes plus a mounting plate. Measure has standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies.
 
Yamifrk said:
That’s how I have been doing it as well just trickling out of the dipper. I like the idea of dipping out of a separate container, “pill bottle”
Or something similar.
Click to expand...
I use the large cap from laundry detergent bottles. (The ones that are measuring cups/caps for the detergent)(we use arm and hammer)Like it because it holds quite a bit of powder when loading rifle rounds, it’s large flat base makes it stable and almost spill proof, it’s easy to use your dippers without compacting the powder. And then trickle what extra I need.
 
For my 460 S&W Mag, I use my RCBS Uniflo powder measure. About as close to 500 S&W Mag as one can get. I like a micrometer adjuster on my powder measures. It makes changing or zeroing in on desired powder charges easier.

For load work up, I might use my Culver Custom 90. Once set up, it is easy to work through several different powder charges.

I like my Redding 10-X powder measure and use it for most handgun cartridges. It does not have the range for large powder charges required for my 460 S&W Mag. I do have a light load for plinking using Unique that I charge with the 10-X powder measure and the 460 S&W Mag case.

The Redding BR-30 would probably work well for 500 S&W Mag but I do not have one. The Uniflo works fine for me.

The BR-30 can be adapted to work on a progressive press.

If you are not loading on a progressive, a Lyman 55 would also be a good measure. It has a good reputation for load consistency but it is not easily adaptable to a progressive press.
 
I used a Uniflo for years and have a wall of trophy's from using that powder measure. In this modern era I am using a Franklin Arsenal Intellidropper. The thing is excellent, lowest SD I have ever seen in my handloads. Retired the Uniflo to the cabinet. Everyone has their favorite way. Carry on.
 
I have two Ohaus Duo Measures that do the lion's share of my loading. Both are modified with MEC powder baffles which take MEC bottles. A Hornady LNL is generally relegated to dealing with the large charges required for .50BMG. Precise drops of stick powder are handled by a B&M measure with the appropriate drop tube.
 
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