Powder Measure for 2.5+ Grains

[stodd]

Anyone know of a good powder measure that does 2.5+ grains and up? I'm working with 38 special 125gr bullets and 148 gr bullets and need 2.5+ grain charges (using bullseye powder). I've got a RCBS Single Stage press.

I've got a RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure with Standard Cylinder and it is not dropping the same 2.5+ grain charges every time and i need to find a different powder measure.

Thanks.

 

[tom357mag]

What kind of press and dies are you using ? A Lee Auto Disk will depending on the powder. I use Unique.

 

[stodd]

I got RCBS Single STage Press with RCBS Carbide 38 special Die set..

 

[Maj Dad]

I have used a Lyman 55 for nearly 50 years - started loading 38 spl with 148 gr HBWCs with 2.7 gr of BE for centerfire pistol matches. Worked great then, still does - I've never needed another.

 

[bullseye308]

Lee Perfect Powder Measure is what I use and it works well with Bullseye & light charges. I load 38spl 148WC with 2.7 gr all day long with no problems. It also has the advantage of being inexpensive.

 

[Seedtick]

That Uniflow will work better if you'll make a baffle to go in it.

There is a .pdf file floating around here somewhere with templates and instructions on how to make some.

ST

 

[BADUNAME37]

I have the Uniflow and I installed a Micrometer Adjustment on it, to replace the OEM adjustment. It seems I have the large one. Even at that, I can accurately throw literally hundreds of cases of powder in the weights you are talking - even less than 2.5g, for both my 38 and my 380.

After using that Micrometer Adjustment, I would never go back to the other one. I can literally dial in the EXACT number that I noted last time I loaded the round and nine times out of ten, I throw the charges into the scale pan and they are RIGHT-ON! Any that are not right-on are so close, they are essentially the weight I am throwing (perhaps only one or two powder granules -at most - either side of right-on)!

I do also have that inner baffle. It baffles me, because I have not really determined if it actually helps or not as the measure throws just as good with it as without it. I suppose for some really fine ball powders, where the granules are extremely tiny, the baffle may be doing it's job.

Now, I throw every charge, even for my most accurate loads. With the OEM measuring rod combination, I never would have done that, I would have thrown a bit lighter load into a pan, then trickled up.

 

[Walkalong]

My Redding 10X has no trouble with those small charges. I am sure the RCBS with a pistol insert would work just as well.

 

[stodd]

Inspector,

Is this the Micrometer Adjustment you are talking about the "RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure Cylinder Assembly Small"?

Stodd

 

[BADUNAME37]

I just looked at my Midway past orders.
It is item number:
654966
Uniflow Powder Measure Micrometer Adjustment Screw Large 685 Diameter

Also the baffle:
493217
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure Powder Baffle

I purchased them in Spring, 07.

I have such good luck with this one, I don't see the need for a smaller one. They give you several washers with it, so you can install it and tighten it with the writing embossed in the metal and the writing will be facing up (or any way you want it facing, actually). Then you install the outside knurled knob, so when the piston is all the way down (almost closed), you install the knob set on zero and tighten the allen screw.

 

[stodd]

Inspector,

Are you able to do charges of 2.5 grains to to 3.5 grains without any problems of the charges not being the same all the time? I'm trying to load 38 special with a 148 grain WC bullet with bullseye powder and it calls from between 2.5 to 3.4. So i was going to start at about 2.6 or 2.7 i think due to the different manuals load data.

 

[steve4102]

I use this, perfect every time.
http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=49&rn=378&action=show_detail

 

[jpdavis423]

I've used the Uniflow with the small rotor down to 1.8 gr for .32 S&W long.

Jeff

 

[hydraulicman]

you might need a small rotor .

 

[Walkalong]

I use this, perfect every time.

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=49&rn=378&action=show_detail

That's cause it is the best.

My Redding 10X has a small insert. It works very well with the smaller pistol charges. If I had a RCBS drum measure and wanted to use it mainly for pistol, I would get the small screw insert. If RCBS had made these nice inserts back when I bought my 10X, I might have gone with RCBS. They make great stuff as well.

Once I set my reading for a charge and record it, all I have to do, until I change lot numbers, is dial back to it, check it real quick, and start loading.

 

[ranger335v]

"Anyone know of a good powder measure that does 2.5+ grains and up?"

Yeah. A Lyman 55 measure is that versatile.

 

[oneounceload]

My RCBS powder measure with the small rotor does just fine - I load 32SWL at 2.7 grains all day long in it

 

[rscalzo]

One of the primary concerns for any powder measure is uniformity of the operation. Changing the way the charge is thrown can cause variations. The same effort must be used on each charge of any measure will vary somewhat.

 

[Seedtick]

Here is a post that might be of useful. It helped me.

My new Uni-Flow powder dispenser.

ST

 

[stodd]

Thanks Seed... hhmm i think i will try that out.. Do you use a small or large Cylinder Assembly for low lvl charges 2 grains to 4 grains?

 

[Seedtick]

I've only got the large cylinder but I have added the micrometer adjusting screw to it. The homemade baffle helped quite a bit with my consistency. About the smallest charge I remember using on it was 5 grains but it worked well enough.

ST

 

[PO2Hammer]

My Redding 10X is great for small charges, 9mm up to 30-30. Micrometer adjustable chamber for precise, repeatable settings.
Not cheap, but worth it.
American made too.

 

[wingman]

Yeah. A Lyman 55 measure is that versatile.

My 55 is good but anything below 3.0 gives problems while the Lee perfect powder measure does well with the small amounts, but as someone stated proper use & consistency is the key.