RCBS quick change vs. Hornady Lock-N-Load powder measure

[Dewey 68]

I'd like to upgrade my powder measure. Currently I'm using a Lee Auto-drum on an older Pro 1000. Does anyone have experience with both of these measures and can make a recommendation on one over the other, or are they so similar that it comes down to which color is your preference? They are both about the same price.

I'd get the linkage to allow it to be activated with a case and using the lee powder through expanding dies.

 

[Kaldor]

They are essentially the same. The linkage is the same, the PTX's are interchangeable, design is pretty close to the same, its just a brand/cost thing.
I have 4 of the Hornadys, and I use RCBS PTXs in them. When polished and properly setup, they will hold .1gr with ball and some short stick extruded.

 

[BBarn]

The Hornady measure requires two different drum sizes to cover the range of pistol and rifle calibers. But I believe it normally comes with only one drum (large or small but not both).

OTOH, I think the RCBS measure comes equipped with two assemblies to cover the full range. If so, that might be an advantage if you need the full range of powder drops.

I have the Hornady with the small drum, and it can drop only up to about 12gr of powder.

 

[n2omike]

I have the Hornady with the small drum, and it can drop only up to about 12gr of powder.

I have the Hornady. It is very precise for pistols when using the small drum. I really like it. The big drum is for bigger charges, and isn't that precise then throwing 20-30 grains. I've read the RCBS small drum can go up to around 30 grains??? If so, it would be great for .223-ish sized cases. Had not heard the RCBS comes with both drums. Can someone confirm?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I had the Uniflow and the Hornady both. The Hornady was more consistant.
In fact the Hornady measure I have is the most accurate of the three different brands I have.
I gave the RCBS Uniflow away.
There is something different about them.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The cavities in the Uniflow I had were larger then the Hornady cavity is\was. I always figured that was why the Hornady was more accurate.
My RCBS came with both drums but that was in the early 90's.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Do they work with the lee powder through dies? And activate like the Lee auto drum?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

No they don't work with Lee ptx dies. RCBS and Hornady are both 7\8x14 threads.
General principle of operation is the same for all three.

 

[Bearded Phil]

I have the RCBS quick change and can confirm it does come with two measure inserts, one smaller for pistol and smaller rifle and one large for, well, larger rifle calibers.

It works fine as far as I know, it's the only one I've used. I really put it to use for the first time when I got some AA#5 for 38 Spl and tried it out. It did seem to hold .1gr but overall I don't think a powder throw is for me. I find I'm faster and nominally more accurate with my set of Lee dippers and my scale (prefer to weigh each charge).

One thing I will also note is the quick change doesn't come with the powder baffle, unless that's changed. But also as a possible benefit, if you really like it and find it necessary you can get the measure inserts separate for maybe $10/ea and set them to specific powder and charge levels so you don't have to try to dial in every time you switch powder/caliber. Just change out your insert for what you're loading that day before you fill the hopper.

 

[Dewey 68]

Does RCBS have anything like Hornady's "quick change powder die" that will also flare the case mouth when the powder is dropped?

 

[dannyd]

Between the two companies Hornady's work better and have less problems. You can change the powder meter in a hornady on the fly which means for 20 bucks you have another measurer also PTX system is better.

Here's how I know and this is just my opinion.

But their both better than Dillion's powder measures. To me; my Dillion gear from 30 years ago.

 

[cfullgraf]

I prefer the Hornady case activated powder measure die better than the RCBS version mostly for the ease of removing the powder measure from the die.

I have an RCBS Unilow, Hornady L-N-L and a modified Redding 10-X powder measure set up to work with the Hornady case activated powder die.

I do not like having the powder adjusting stem near the “zero” setting for a particular powder charge. I’d rather be operating nearer to mid-range or greater setting. Hence, I choose the powder measure with the appropriate diameter powder cavity to obtain that goal.

Generally, I use the Redding 10-X for handgun charges, the RCBS Uniflow with the small cavity drum for small rifle charges and the Hornady L-N-L powder for other cartridges that do not work well with other charges. I use these combinations on a Hornady L-N-L, RCBS Pro2000, and Dillon BL550 progressive presses.

There is some overlap in “sweet spots” between the different powder measure. I’ve accumulated the different measures over 40 years of reloading so it is not like I bought them all at once.

 

[GW Staar]

Does RCBS have anything like Hornady's "quick change powder die" that will also flare the case mouth when the powder is dropped?

Yes they do have quick change versions of their powder measure, and they upgraded that one too, the new Uniflow Three. I posted a review of that here on THR.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/uniflow-3-picture-review.871276/

Btw, after badgering them for a year they finally began to offer their powder measure's case activated lower assembly for sale as a separate product a couple of years ago too! This is the part you mount on a die plate, so now you can buy one for every die plate you have without having to buy a whole powder measure..... Hornady offered their version for sale separately a long time ago. Picture below of both. RCBS is the Chrome plated one.



That's a Pro 2000 die plate. works the same for any shellplate. Powder measure just lifts off once you remove the screw on the RCBS one or just loosen the screw on the Hornady one. PTX's drop inside of either one but they are "almost interchangable" You do have to adjust the upper linkage height depending on which powder measure/linkage combo you bought.

As for PTX's I disagree with the gentleman above who prefers the Hornady PTX. The RCBS one has an "M" sizer as well as a flare.....and the "M" sizer is awesome. Leaves a 1/16"deep shelf for a bullet to drop into, which eliminates bullets leaning while revolving to the next station after being dropped on a progressive's merry-go-round by a bullet feeder.

Picture below shows RCBS's PTX, red arrow pointing to the "M" step. Lyman invented the "M" die and now RCBS and Mr. Bullet Feeder adds PTX's that do the same thing.



Picture below shows M.B.F's PTX compared to Dillion's (and Hornady's) This step allows MBF's bullet feeder to keep their fed bullets upright and straight too.

 

[lgjhn]

I have 3 or the Hornadys as well as 3 of Lee Auto Drums. For it’s price, plastic and simplicity, the Lees work quite well for me and will hold 0.1 grain. I actually use them quite often except for really fine grain powders (ie H110).
As Kaldor stated above, “when polished and set up properly..” the Hornadys also work well for me. I’m not a big fan of that external, space-eating, Rube Goldberg lever/spring system and the LnL bushings, but I’ve used em for years and still use em for fine grain pistol powders as they’re very precise. FWIW, I run em with the pyrex DramWorx hoppers on em.
Like anything mechanical, none of em are perfect....at least I haven’t found one yet.

 

[Dewey 68]

The fine powder leaking is what is pushing me to upgrade the Lee's.