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Posted: 7/2/2008 12:42:46 PM EDT
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I need to get a powder measure of some kind. I am wondering what would be a good one to get for loading single stage? I am not to worried about cost, but speed and accuracy is important. What are good choices give the need for accuracy and speed? |
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RCBS Chargemaster, IMO nothing else comes close. Yeah, I know it cost a bit more, but you will never regret buying it. Mine has literally changed the way I feel about loading with extruded powders. It is fast and accurate (it's basically a motorized powder trickler). I check the throws regularly on a Dillon D-Terminator and an RCBS 505. It's always spot on. I normally use it on auto-dispense mode. On this setting after it dispenses a load you pick up the pan and empty it into the case, then set the pan back down on the scale. When the scale zeros out it will dispense again. Very fast, very accurate. Damn I love it!!  |
I can't live without it.
| Another vote for the Lee perfect powder measure...it works just as well as some of those measure that cost many times more. It throws accurate charges with extruded powders too.There are two items from Lee in my book that are about the best and that's the PPM and their Factory Crimp Dies...top notch IMHO. |
You can't get a Prometheus, since they don't make them anymore. But I hear a new one is coming out. But for 1200+, I am going to pass. The way I look at the automated measurers is that you are buying a thrower and scale at the same time. |
I have a LEE PPM and a Redding. I use the LEE for measuring Varget and other stick type powders. The "wiper" inside the LEE is nylon or rubber and when operating the measure, it doesn't stick or cut the powder. This makes it smoother to operate in my experience. As far as accuracy, I think that they are the same. |
I don't think he's making the Prometheus any longer...or is he? 
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IMR what? My Harrell throws 4895 more accurately than any of the other measures I have (nine total, including two RCBS). |
OK, you have my attention. What is the tweak? I have a standard Uniflow with baffle.
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IMR whatelse, 4064 4895 4350 and the like. My measure hasn't received an overhaul or anything just the baffle and mic. You really can't do much more than a bottle adapter and drop tube from Sinclair. I'm curious what kind of accuracy you get from a Harrells with these kind of powders? I realize the culver type measure offers the most accurate clicks but charge to charge consistency is what I'm after. Give me the numbers. |
Set for 44.5 of 4895 it throws 44.4 or 44.5. About one in a dozen is outside that. Usually because I wasn't smooth on the throw. It throws H4350 with a 0.3 spread with about the same error rate as 4895. The other sticks I use are fairly small granuled and hit dead on about 95 out of a 100 throws. Harrel has some good competition from Bob Jones and Bruno. |
I'm curious to hear what some others might have to say but that's impressive. Some books or threads that I have read didn't leave me to believe that .1 grain accuracy would be possible with those long kernel extruded powders. Mama shouldn't have to ask and ask what I want for Christmas this year. I hope this was helpful to the OP. Thanks LS1 |
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Anyone try the Quick-Measure? www.quick-measure.com/index.htm Accuracy within 0.2 of a grain (even with powders like 4831) |
Don't know what Liftech did to tweak his Uniflo. This is what I have done to my Hornaday Lock and Load powder measure. Took off the plastic hopper and metering chamber. Smoothed out the rough casting between the hopper and the metering chamber. Dremel tool with a stone to start, finished with a sandpaper wheel. Much smoother now, but not polished to a mirror shine like I did to my Dillon powder measures. Reassembled and installed a baffle I got from Midway. Pointed end of baffle goes up. Results, now throws Varget + or - .02 gr. A great improvement. Flake powder = or - .01 gr, ball powder dead on, same as before tuning. |
I suppose I should have used the term upgrade vs tweak as my Uniflows have the baffle and mic as stated in a previous post. Didn't mean to mislead anyone. My Uniflows are about 15 years old and pretty smooth, not sure what more could be done to improve them short of a better measure. The best my measure will do is +/- .5 with 4064 and +/- .1 with Varget. 1 out of 10 charges for Varget might reach +/- .2 but 4064 is so inconsistent that I have to trickle up to the stated charge. I have tried various methods of operation but those longer stick powders just don't work that great in my measures. |
I didn't mount the measure and begin throwing accurate charges. There was a learning curve while I developed the proper technique and, as Imentioned, I still have "throw-backs." I also leaned that not everything in Zediker's book applies to everyone. Eddie |
| My Uniflow is spot on with Ball powder. It is OK with Varget, but when you feel the lever hang, dump that case. Also I did a little experiment. 20 rds of Varget trickled and 20 rds of Varget straight from the measure. Very similar through the Chrony and groups were equal. |
Understood...... Just about every throw w/ 4064 results in hang-up and really throws off the harmonics of the process. I try to rest my hand against the side of the measure and cut the kernal of powder but to no avail, still all over the place. Ball powders are excellent. RL-15 and Varget throw accurately enough for me. Zedikers books are a great resource but I also wouldn't consider them gospel. Proof is on the paper. |
Rocky Raab has posted his love for the JDS device as have some others. HERE is a good review. |
I've never tried 4064 in the Harrrel, but my recollection from many years ago you need a chainsaw to load it. Eddie |
Thanks. That review convinced be to stick with my BR-30. |
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