RCBS Powder measure

[cfullgraf]

What I like about the Quick Change, is that you don't have to write down a setting. You keep settings on the stems. You have a separate stem for each powder charge you use.

I agree. the L-N-L powder measure has interchangeable measuring stems, a similar concept as the RCBS Quick change. The trouble is for me, I load so many different cartridges that a micrometer stem is less expensive over all versus having a measuring stem for each cartridge.

Also, I got hooked on micrometer heads in the 1990s, long before the quick change options were available. By the time I bought the Hornady L-N-L progressive press, micrometer head powder measure stems were ingrained in my reloading habits.

Either method is an effective quick change method for a powder measure. It just depends on one's druthers.

 

[cfullgraf]

To me, changing the drum or rotor is a pain with the Uniflow. My solution was to get another second hand Uniflow for the other, which ever it is, rotor.

My solution to "changing drums" as well except I bought different brands of powder measures. I like a Redding 10-X for handgun cartridges. The RCBS Uniflow with a small rotor for small rifle (204 Ruger, 223 Rem etc). A Midway Indispensable Powder measure (discontinued in the 1990's) with the large rotor for larger rifle cartridges (308 Win, 30-06).

Several years ago, I bought an RCBS Pro2000 press and acquired a second Uniflow. I set it up for use in single stage reloading so that I do not have to remove all the "case activated" mechanism on the other powder measures.

 

[GW Staar]

I agree. the L-N-L powder measure has interchangeable measuring stems, a similar concept as the RCBS Quick change. The trouble is for me, I load so many different cartridges that a micrometer stem is less expensive over all versus having a measuring stem for each cartridge.

Also, I got hooked on micrometer heads in the 1990s, long before the quick change options were available. By the time I bought the Hornady L-N-L progressive press, micrometer head powder measure stems were ingrained in my reloading habits.

Either method is an effective quick change method for a powder measure. It just depends on one's druthers.

Understand. I knew I'd eventually get a Pro Chucker with a Quick Change included.....so I got a head start. Curiosity keeps me mudding up the water, but you know that's my nature. In this case I think its for the better. Quicker for me. Doesn't change that slight final adjustment of powder is always necessary. (Final tweaks to get the powder charge just so).

As for cheaper, that can be true....especially if you already have enough mic stems. On the other hand any time I have an order need from Midway or Grafs, I add a couple of stems....they are pretty cheap and once set.......nice......one less annoyance changing calibers.

Now that I have two progresssives I can perhaps experience some of what you do.........like having one setup for my 3 favorite rifle calibers....and the old one ready to load 4 pistol calibers.......I'm going to like that when I get comfortable with the new one. Comfortable means stopping the extracurricular reloading room activities. (Modding & Improving the press) Almost there. Been in steady communication with RCBS engineering too. They seem to like what I'm doing (at least paying lip service to that)......maybe others will benefit....hope so.

 

[Rule3]

Explained well. a Mic's numerical setting is easy to write down for the record, versus "half a turn past 1 or quarter turn past 2", but it's really no easier to find a new setting.
What I like about the Quick Change, is that you don't have to write down a setting. You keep settings on the stems. You have a separate stem for each powder charge you use.

I store each tool head including powder die in its own clear plastic box.....along with the powder measure stems I use for each caliber/bullet I use. The powder die is only adjusted once and left on each tool head. Of course stems have to be re-adjusted slightly, at various times, but that's so with any system.....you sure don't need a mic for that minor adjusting.

Twiddle the Micro for 10 seconds, twiddle the graduated screw for 20 secs.

Well sure with your reloading disposable income I would just get someone to load my ammo for me.

 

[GW Staar]

Twiddle the Micro for 10 seconds, twiddle the graduated screw for 20 secs.

Well sure with your reloading disposable income I would just get someone to load my ammo for me.

One $43 mic......is 3 or 4 Q.L. stems. only $10 for a large (rifle) stem......$15 for a small cavity. I could skip a trip to McDonalds and buy one.....I never buy everything at once. Except the Pro Chucker......had to save up for that.

As for getting someone to load for me........that I can't afford.....buying ammo from Walmart is cheaper and safer.

 

[Rule3]

One $43 mic......is 3 or 4 Q.L. stems. only $10 for a large (rifle) stem......$15 for a small cavity. I could skip a trip to McDonalds and buy one.....I never buy everything at once. Except the Pro Chucker......had to save up for that.

As for getting someone to load for me........that I can't afford.....buying ammo from Walmart is cheaper and safer.

Skip the the trip to Ronalds Steak House regardless

 

[GW Staar]

I could skip a trip to McDonalds and buy one.....I never buy everything at once. Except the Pro Chucker......had to save up for that.

As for getting someone to load for me........that I can't afford.....buying ammo from Walmart is cheaper and safer.

Good advice! Judging from the Saturday morning traffic jams around those locations, many don't follow that advice. I do like an egg muffin once a month on my way out of town.....that's about it, those trips start at 6 AM, and no time for a real breakfast. I personally hate their burgers.....but the point I was trying to get across was that some do fast food every meal and that's more expensive than reloading. Unfortunate choice of words, "I could skip...". If I was a more talented writer of the spoken word, I would have written "one" instead of "I". Thankfully I am not Mc-overweight nor looking to get that way.

 

[cfullgraf]

Twiddle the Micro for 10 seconds, twiddle the graduated screw for 20 secs.

In my experience, making large powder setting changes with the graduated screw took much longer than 20 seconds to accomplish dialing in the desired powder charge. Changes like going from 38 Special target wadcutter loads to 44 Magnum wrist snapping loads.

If starting at approximately the desired powder charge, maybe. That is where the quick change systems or micrometer stems come in.

But, I used a Uniflow powder measure with the standard graduated screw for about 15 years before I stumbled into a micrometer stem powder measure. The Midway Indispensable powder measure I bought came standard with a micrometer metering stem and I was hooked. Other powder measures use different locking systems for the metering stem than the RCBS Uniflow. Some better and easier to adjust, some not so convenient.

I tried the quick change stems on the L-N-L powder measure that came with my Hornady press and it works but it did not suit me. I'm sure other like them. I already had a Redding 10-X powder measure so I modified it to work with the Hornady case activated powder measure die. The modified Redding die works great on my L-N-L, Pro2000 and Dillon BL550 progressive presses.

I do not have any experience with the Uniflow quick change powder measure. If GW Starr likes it, it is probably a good system, he does some great things with RCBS progressive presses. I just do not need another powder measure to try at this time.

Bottom line, there are many ways to skin a cat, so do what works best for you but hearing what others do might provide some ideas to explore and improve your reloading experience.

Well sure with your reloading disposable income I would just get someone to load my ammo for me.

Even if I could afford to hire someone to reload for me, I would not shoot someone else's reloads.

 

[Rule3]

In my experience, making large powder setting changes with the graduated screw took much longer than 20 seconds to accomplish dialing in the desired powder charge. Changes like going from 38 Special target wadcutter loads to 44 Magnum wrist snapping loads.

If starting at approximately the desired powder charge, maybe. That is where the quick change systems or micrometer stems come in.

But, I used a Uniflow powder measure with the standard graduated screw for about 15 years before I stumbled into a micrometer stem powder measure. The Midway Indispensable powder measure I bought came standard with a micrometer metering stem and I was hooked. Other powder measures use different locking systems for the metering stem than the RCBS Uniflow. Some better and easier to adjust, some not so convenient.

I tried the quick change stems on the L-N-L powder measure that came with my Hornady press and it works but it did not suit me. I'm sure other like them. I already had a Redding 10-X powder measure so I modified it to work with the Hornady case activated powder measure die. The modified Redding die works great on my L-N-L, Pro2000 and Dillon BL550 progressive presses.

I do not have any experience with the Uniflow quick change powder measure. If GW Starr likes it, it is probably a good system, he does some great things with RCBS progressive presses. I just do not need another powder measure to try at this time.

Bottom line, there are many ways to skin a cat, so do what works best for you but hearing what others do might provide some ideas to explore and improve your reloading experience.



Even if I could afford to hire someone to reload for me, I would not shoot someone else's reloads.

I would shoot your reloads and several others on this forum and other forums. Only if they were loaded on a Dillon of course!

 

[Tilos]

A micro stem is just a reference number to record/note for future loading of a specific charge/powder.
I use a dial caliper, something most reloaders have, to measure/generate a reference measurement rather than buying a micro-stem.
I ground the stem flat to get a more consistent measurement.
This does not get you close, it gets you to the exact weight... try it

a pic I've posted many times

 

[GW Staar]

There you go......that works too. But temperature, air moisture, etc........the same things that make final adjustments always necessary....and always require test throws.....still applies.

All Quick Change stems in multiple do is, make keeping records of such measurements unnecessary. I'm lazy....the less note record the better. But I'm old post carpel tunnel operation.;

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I have the Quick Change parts in the drawer, haven't used for a while. Tried it for a while and went back to the micrometer. I do too much experimenting and load workup, which the mike is worthwhile.