Who makes the most accurate powder measure for progressive presses?

[Schwing]

I am gearing up to get a Dillon 650xl. When I do, I am going to buy a couple of extra powder measures because, frankly, I want to keep my tool-heads populated with dies and don't want to swap out the powder measures either.

The only powder measure I have ever used is the lee pro auto-disk. With most powders, it ALMOST consistently drops +-.2 grains. Occasionally however, I will see some weird +-.5 or .8 drops. My eyes and powder check catch the dangerous ones but I still can't help thinking that this variance is almost certain to cause accuracy issues. I own three of these and they are all about the same.

What, in your opinion, is the most accurate powder measure out there that can be used on a progressive press?

 

[BigBore45]

here is a review of a new lee powder measure called the auto drum. I just ordered one, might give it a few weeks and see what people say. my dillon one is about the same as my lee auto-disk with charging bars. the dillion is a bit harder to work with but if your gonna leave it on your tool heads that is no big deal. the dillon is on the pricey side but sounds like you dont much care about price since your getting the 650. in all reality i think they all work about the same, my dads dillon is just like my lee and dillon

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=788169

 

[jwrowland77]

I have a Hornady powder measure that is extremely accurate and consistent from drop to drop. I have the rifle and pistol rotors for it.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a Redding 10-X modified to use with a Hornady case activated powder system. Works great.

The Hornady L-N-L and RCBS Uniflows sith the case activated powder drops work well. I prefer the Hornady powder drop but either will work with either measure.

The Dillon powder measures are also quite good as well. There are some after market options that make adjusting easier.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

My Hornady powder measure that came with my LNL-AP is also extremely accurate. It's the best out of the three I own.
I have Lee pro-Auto disc, Hornady, and RCBS Uni-flow, which is still on my bench but I don't use anymore.

 

[CLP]

Pricey measure but it works exactly as advertised and I've got it set up on my 650XL. Main complaint is the hopper volume is small and it requires refills more frequently than I'd like to do, but I think he'll sell a custom large size hopper if you inquire.

 

[Reloadron]

Who makes the most accurate powder measure for progressive presses?

Actually in just my opinion all of the leaders are about the same in the field when it comes to accuracy. If we look at the RCBS Uniflow, Lee Auto Drum, or Hornady LNL just as a few examples they all look similar and work on the same principal. The better ones all offer changeable drums to go from large rifle loads to small pistol loads and they all have the same issues with certain powders like stick powders which crunch through as the sticks are cut. My RCBS with a baffle does a real nice job but I am pretty sure the Hornady or Lee flavors would work just as well and be just as accurate. Mine holds +/- 0.1 grain typically and even does pretty well with stick powders using the baffle. Really, sometimes I think it becomes a matter of color so the powder dispenser color scheme matches your decor.

Anymore I charge cases separately and recently added a new RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo for my high power rifle stuff and like that very much. Again, as to accuracy? I don't believe there is much difference between the top brands. Just find one with any features you may like and run with it. Of course you can leave the traditional beaten path for nice stuff like CLP linked to.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[cwall64]

I love my 30 year old RCBS Uniflow, but the 4 Dillons I have on 4 different toolheads do a great job also. I really think you have to find the right powder to work in the droppers versus change out brands. For 10MM I like 800X, but it doesn't measure well at all! When I use it it is on a single stage with my RCBS Chargemaster Duo... If I am loading 10MM on the 650 it is with AA #9 - meters like pouring water. Same with some of the more difficult to drop stick powders for rifles.

 

[jwrowland77]

Could always get a Harrell (sp?). Super nice powder measure that BR folks use.

 

[taliv]

clp, how accurate is that measure? or rather, how precise?

 

[Reloadron]

clp, how accurate is that measure? or rather, how precise?

Couldn't find a good number for the accuracy or repeatability but they do mention:

ACCURATE -- The Quick Measure is more accurate than any other commercially available powder measure, particularly with the long extruded powders like IMR4831 and 4350. Our special patented valve will not shear the powder. This eliminates the pack density problems in the powder reservoir, resulting in a more accurately dispensed charge. The powder is moved into a separate metering chamber, for measuring, eliminating the changing powder column height problems.

Maybe a phone call to them would get a more specific answer or a number?

Ron

 

[entropy]

Kinda like asking who makes the most accurate AK, I think. I hand weigh every charge on a 505, but then I use a single stage press. Too much of a control freak, I guess.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't know diddly squat about progressive presses, much less which powder measures are adaptable or best suited to a progressive. But as powder measures go, I have used the RCBS Chargemaster system, and it was dead on accurate. Granted I've probably only charged 4 or 5 hundred bottle necks on it, I was impressed and wouldn't hesitate to trust it with my life.

It was anything but fast though, I was able to hand weigh on my beam scale at a rate of almost 2 to 1. But I trusted the charges it was throwing 100%, and you did ask most accurate, not quickest. It's also very expensive, but you usually get what you pay for, and with reloading this rule seems to often apply.

GS

 

[Hondo 60]

Sorry, but I haven't found any one-size-fits-all powder measure.

I have 3, a dillon pm that's attached to my press, a Uniflow & a Lee Pro auto disk.

Each one has powders it likes & powders it hates.

 

[Schwing]

here is a review of a new lee powder measure called the auto drum. I just ordered one, might give it a few weeks and see what people say. my dillon one is about the same as my lee auto-disk with charging bars. the dillion is a bit harder to work with but if your gonna leave it on your tool heads that is no big deal. the dillon is on the pricey side but sounds like you dont much care about price since your getting the 650. in all reality i think they all work about the same, my dads dillon is just like my lee and dillon

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=788169

I had also never heard of this. It certainly looks intriguing. While price isn't the biggest factor in my decision, it is still a consideration. close to $200 per unit vs. $35 is pretty significant. I am going to order one now and give it a shot!

 

[loadedround]

Got to go with the Dillon powder measure for a progressive press (read Dillon).

 

[SwaneeSR]

I use the Dillon powder measure on my 550B, I have two tool heads, each with the powder measure installed. For rifle, I picked up an RCBS Chargemaster combo. Amazon dropped the price to almost match Natchez. Under $300 - $50 rebate. It works excellent even with IMR 4350 that would cut the extruded grains. Huge time saver and very accurate.

What I found with my Dillon and even my RCBS uniflow is that technique really matters. If you do every pull the same, you can expect .1 grain accuracy. I bet this is true even with the less expensive plastic Lee unit.

When you own a progressive, I would think you purchase the same powder measure.

 

[BigBore45]

I had also never heard of this. It certainly looks intriguing. While price isn't the biggest factor in my decision, it is still a consideration. close to $200 per unit vs. $35 is pretty significant. I am going to order one now and give it a shot!

I ran mine today for a few hundred rounds at 6.2 grains of BE-86. Worked great, I checked every one and they were all at 6.1-6.2

 

[nettlle]

I have a Harrell's Shuetzen measure. It's never varied over 1/10 of a grain (+/- 1/2 grain) using Bullseye powder in over 18,000 reloads. I don't see any possible way to mount one on a progressive though.

 

[Dudedog]

I have the Hornady measure on my LNL and it works well. I also use a LPD and it works well with most powders.
The new Lee Autodrum does look interesting. For $35 I will have to give on a try.
If the LPD can throw the charge you want well it is a great deal for the price.
With the right powder mine is usually + or - .1gr
If you are setting up multiple tools heads the difference in price doess add up.
The Autodrum sounds like itmight be a great choice as well, but I haven't used one yet so I can't say for sure.

 

[bluetopper]

Like the above post......my Hornady LNL powder measures just fine. I get excellent groups in 223 and 7mm-08. I see no need at all for an electronic powder measure.

 

[Archie]

I have used a Dillon XL650 for about twenty years now. Over that time, I find the Dillon measure as uniform or more uniform as anything else.

Pretty much every measure works better with smaller kernel powders (spherical) than long 'stick' type powders. Still, the percentage of variation with the three Dillon measures I have is pretty small.

Also in my experience, the 'exactness' of uniformity of powder charges is probably the least important factor in accuracy goals. Which is not to say one should be intentionally sloppy, but there is a point of diminishing returns with standard arms.

 

[CLP]

clp, how accurate is that measure? or rather, how precise?

consistently within 0.1grain as verified by a Chargemaster, and no crunching with even the longest extruded powders

 

[joem1945]

The powder drop on my Dillon 650 drops accurate charges. I bought a extra powder measure and one is set up for rifel and the other is for pistol. I have a Hornady for most calibers that I don't shoot much and 2 Redding for small pistol calibers.

 

[Schwing]

I ordered one today (The Lee powder drum) when I ordered the dillon 650. For $35, it seems like a pretty small loss if it doesn't pan out and, from the majority of the reviews I am reading, it looks very promising.