I’ve seen plenty of discussion of various reloading setups, but nothing specific to Powder Measures. What are you guys using and how is that working for you?
I’ve been using two setups, first is the Lee Auto Disk powder measure that I got with my turret press, second is just using a stainless cup and spoon and a powder trickler over a digital scale.
For plinking ammo, the Auto Disk has been ok for me. Despite my best efforts I can’t get the thing to run consistently, or at least as consistently as I’d like. Mostly I load 55gr FMJ’s over 24.5 grains of Ramshot Tac so I’m not going that hot and can deal with it if the disk drops 24.6 or 24.4. I measure pretty frequently so I know what it’s doing but the variability is there and it’s sometimes more than .2-3.
Once I figured out I really liked reloading and got my blasting ammo out of the way I started working on accuracy loads. The variability of the Lee just drove me crazy so I’ve been measuring all those rounds by hand. I’ve gotten pretty quick at it, but I reload regularly and at a decent volume so I’d probably be happier with something less labor intensive…I just have no idea what to get.
Most of your serious benchrest shooters will use a powder measure to drop within .5 +/- of the target weight and trickle up from there.
I usually trickle everything that’s intended to be as accurate as possible, but for me, those lots are usually 20 rounds or less. No big deal.
ETA: Actually, I lied.
Most of the SERIOUS benchrest shooters are using a Prometheus powder measure. If you have $1200 to spend on one, it is supposed to be accurate to .03 during process. The rest of us hacks are dropping from our cheap powder measures and trickling up from there.
Huh, that’s interesting. Are the semi-automatic scales like the ChargeMaster or Lyman 1200 any good or are we talking about variability issues there as well?
I guess my metal spoon and scale method isn’t so far off after all. Takes me about 8 seconds a round so it’s reasonably quick, it’s free, and it’s accurate enough.
If I don’t want to deal with reloading for accuracy maybe I should just shoot less.
I have zero first hand experience with either the Chargemaster or the Lyman. However, those that I know that have them (and the reviews on the retail websites) seem to be happy with them. They are likely a step up from the Uniflow and similar measures, but worth the $300 to step up? I simply cannot say.
Personally speaking, I don’t mind taking the extra time to trickle/spoon/whatever. I’m loading for accuracy and not volume, first of all. Plus, my reloading sessions are some of the rare times when I can get everyone to leave me the hell alone.
Well, except for the boy. If he sees the light on, he’s on me like white on rice. But as a dad, can you really tell your son to get out when he wants to help make “da boolits”? I think not. At least the wife still knows better. :D:D
Ha! We’re of one mind my friend it’s the same at my house. Mine’s three and a half…and very curious.
Is there a non-progressive press mounted powder measure that doesn’t suck? The $300 option just adds up to too much ammo and I like shooting more than I like saving 3 seconds a round…
benchrest shooters do not weigh every charge as it’s simply not needed. Once you work up a load, mark the clicks on the measure and it will return to zero. I have an older Bruno which is the same basic design off the culver.
I use the Lee disk measure on the press also and have had good accuracy from it using ball type powder (H335). For accuracy loads I use the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and trickle up.
I will say I have gotten excellent groups fro a bench using the disk set up, but like working up any other load you have to test different weights, bullets…etc.
When I use my single stage presses, my go-to measure is the RCBS uniflow (also mounts on a press). I have had good luck with it.
I also have a Lee Perfect Measure, which is ok, and still works well, but I find the Uniflow easier to adjust and operate with all types of powder and would rate it a little higher than the Lee.
A friend has the Lyman (also mounts on a press), which is a nice measure, I like the knocker, that is a plus for those really fine powders.
Now when I am building up new loads in small batches, I am measuring each charge and “spooning” like you.
Honestly at this point I don’t know what’s possible or what I should expect so my goal is just to be as consistent as possible, see what happens on target, and adjust.
I shot a bunch of different heavier loads, figured out which one worked best in my rifle, and now I’m going to see if I can get close to those results with my own loads.
Honestly…if your goals are simply to produce quality Handloads then any of the top companies powder measures will suit your needs.
If you intend to craft loads for a firearm capable of 1/4 minute accuracy then you need to step up to top tier powder measure.
I bought my Redding 3BR back when I was shooting Benchrest Competition on the recommendation of a Nationally Ranked Competitor who lives here in SWMO.
It cost a little more money than the Lyman, RCBS and Hornady Models…but now 25 years later…this little green machine still throws charges with a high degree of accuracy. I have used it for everything from throwing 3 gr of Hercules Bullseye for .38 special target loads to 52 grains of H4831 in a 7mm Mag.
Is it a better measure than the RCBS/Lyman/Hornady? In my mind yes…but thats only because I have the utmost confidence in it stemming from it giving me dependable service for nearly a quarter Century.
It falls back to the buy once and cry once attitude that seems epidemic on this forum…one of which I personally agree with by the way.
For hunting or match loads, I have an RCBS mounted on my bench that I set to throw low and then trickle the last few grains in.
For everything else I use the supplied Dillon measure on my 550.
My RCBS has to be at least 30 years old now and suits me fine, but my volume is probably low in comparison. 750-1000 match .308’s a year and less than 1000 a year for all other projects. (.218 Bee to 45-70) The Dillon handles everything else which is mostly cast bullet handgun.
I appreciate the advice. Believe me I get the “buy once, cry once” thing – if you looked at my first AR and my current AR’s you’d see that I learned my lesson and learned it well thanks to this place.
I seriously don’t know what the future holds in terms of reloading and just how accurate it makes sense to try and be but my initial instinct is that I’m not going to be going for 1/4MOA anytime soon so the RCBS or Lyman with the case activated attachment will do me just fine. Seems like a lot of people are using those and have had them in service for a long while.
The main advantage you get with the premium measure is not having to check the weight once you record the clicks for the specific powder…they are that repeatable and trust worthy. Only time I pull out the scale now is to try a new load / powder combo. Other measures work fine but a little more persnickity about getting dialed with the adjustments.
I think I paid around $200 for my Bruno about 20yrs ago…if I lost all my reloading equipment, I would jump right back in with a harrells as my first purchase & a mitutoyo digital caliper as the second.
So that’s a pretty darn strong endorsement. I always gauge what I buy using the “if I had to start over, which of this stuff would I still want?” Of my current reloading gear about the only thing on that list is the RCBS powered trimmer and 3 way cutter. That thing’s friggin’ magic after doing trimming with the Lee cutter by hand in an electric screwdriver. It’s also the most expensive piece of reloading equippment I currently own…
I guess the major appeal of the lesser measures is the turret mounting option. How little standard deviation between drops should I really care about if I’m just shooting these things out an AR? I don’t currently own an SS barreled SPR type rifle, but I can see myself getting one.
If my shooting was gonna be geared to high volume auto’s then I have to go with a Dillon 550 like high desert mentioned. They really crank out quality ammo and super fast.
My dillon is a smaller square b that I use for 45 & 38 super but cannot handle the 223 case. I would love to have a 550 for my ar shooting but I just size them out on a short handled CO-AX. It’s no progressive but way faster than a rock chucker where I do all my turn bolt / precision loads.
As to what you can expect…I took my cheap Lee set up, loaded some Hornady 55 FMJs, put a 10X Bushnell scope on and shot 1" groups off the bench with my 16" carbine.
If you have good trigger control, you should have no trouble duplicating that.
