Powder Measure for Ball Powder - The Firearms Forum

Dutchboy · 11-12-2011, 07:54 AM

I use a Lee Perfect Powder measure. It works fine for me with one big exception. With ball powders, the thing is absolutely worthless. It binds, and it leaks powder all over my reloading bench.

What powder measure do you recommend I buy to use with ball powders?

90% of my reloading is for handguns, and I'm a tinkerer. I'll make 25 rounds with this charge, and 25 rounds with that charge, and 50 rounds with this other kind of bullet, etc. Then, I will shoot them all through the Chrony, measure groups, and start all over again. (You've seen my type before. I'm sure.)

Thanks for the advice

RandyP · 11-12-2011, 08:58 AM

Before I switched to the turret my Lee Perfect was ...well.. perfect using Win 231/HP-38, which is a ball powder? I have heard that stick powders can be an issue with some dispensers?

What powder are you using?

cpttango30 · 11-12-2011, 11:32 AM

For every day reloading I would push you towards the RCBS uniflow measure.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/752...ndard-cylinder

daboone · 11-12-2011, 02:45 PM

My Lymans 55 and Belding and Mull both meter ball powders very consistently.

Dutchboy · 11-12-2011, 04:36 PM

Randy P.

I also have good results with my Lee Perfect measure and Win 321 (And Bullseye, and Red Dot). When I wrote "ball powder" I must not be calling the powders the right name.

The powders that the Lee Measure chokes on are Accurate #5 and H110. That stuff looks like tiny little balls; so I figured they were called ball powders.

Anyway, I'm looking for something that will do a good job with powders like #5 and H110. Because my Lee Measure can't handle them.

Thanks for the comments

312shooter · 11-12-2011, 06:51 PM

Great deal on a RCBS uniflow powder measure with shipping included, $55 is a great price! http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14...r_Measure.aspx

reynolds357 · 11-12-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Before I switched to the turret my Lee Perfect was ...well.. perfect using Win 231/HP-38, which is a ball powder? I have heard that stick powders can be an issue with some dispensers?

What powder are you using?

They are an issue with ALL dispensers.

Kevin Rohrer · 11-13-2011, 04:21 PM

Almost all. The Quick-Measure has no problem with stick powders, anymore than the B&M does.

The Quick-Measure is on the left, a B&M clone is on the right.

JLA · 11-13-2011, 06:03 PM

I use a lyman55 and love it.. But you 'tinkerer types' as you describe may be better off just hand weighing each charge with a powder trickler and a scale. Afterall you are loading pistol.. 5 grains with a powder trickler doesnt take 30 seconds to dribble out..

JLA · 11-13-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchboy

Randy P.

I also have good results with my Lee Perfect measure and Win 321 (And Bullseye, and Red Dot). When I wrote "ball powder" I must not be calling the powders the right name.

The powders that the Lee Measure chokes on are Accurate #5 and H110. That stuff looks like tiny little balls; so I figured they were called ball powders.

Anyway, I'm looking for something that will do a good job with powders like #5 and H110. Because my Lee Measure can't handle them.

Thanks for the comments

Those are ball propellants, except only winchester is legally identified as ball powder, they own the nomenclature. all others are spherical types.. tomato tomatoe right.. W231 is a flattened ball propellant, as is titegroup and HP38 (HP38 is also same beast as W231), AA propellants are all mostly fine spherical propellants as is H110 and W296 (Again, same beast, different labels)..

All volumetric powder measures have 'issues' metering ball/spherical propellants. the finer ones do tend to creep between the drum when you throw a charge and cause it to leak powder and stick..

Dutchboy · 11-25-2011, 08:12 PM

To celebrate Black Friday, I ordered an RCBS uniflow powder measure today. Thanks for all of the input and advice.

I'll let you know what I think of the powder measure after I get a chance to use it.

X Ring · 11-26-2011, 07:08 AM

I think you will be happy with the Uniflow its easier to adjust than the Lyman #55. The Hornady is more or less the same as the RCBS at a little lower price.

smlranger · 11-26-2011, 05:17 PM

I've loaded a bunch of AA#2 with my RCBS Uniflow and had no problems. It meters it very accurately. I will soon be using the Hornady measure on the LNL so will see how that does.

Dutchboy · 12-11-2011, 05:18 PM

Today I set up the RCBS Uniflow powder measure, and I used it to make some loads with H110. It worked great. My Lee Perfect Powder measure chokes on H110, but the Uniflow did fine. There was no binding and no leaking of powder. Thanks for the advice!

I'll still use the Lee measure for other powders since it is quicker to set up and put away than the RCBS. But, for those tiny spherical powders, this RCBS is just the ticket.

Thanks again.

reynolds357 · 12-11-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpttango30

For every day reloading I would push you towards the RCBS uniflow measure.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/752...ndard-cylinder

Thats what I use. It will throw anything. I do not care about accuracy of the measure because I weigh every charge. It is reasonable accurate with everything except stick. Having said that, I think it is a physical impossibility for any volumetric powder measure to be accurate with stick.

reynolds357 · 12-11-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchboy

Today I set up the RCBS Uniflow powder measure, and I used it to make some loads with H110. It worked great. My Lee Perfect Powder measure chokes on H110, but the Uniflow did fine. There was no binding and no leaking of powder. Thanks for the advice!

I'll still use the Lee measure for other powders since it is quicker to set up and put away than the RCBS. But, for those tiny spherical powders, this RCBS is just the ticket.

Thanks again.

I must be missing something. You should not have to do any set up unless you are going to switch from loading standard type cases to the Ultra mags. You do not even have to change anything then, you can just double throw. 99% of the time I just double throw. Maybe once every 10 years I actually switch it over. Just pour powder in and start dialing. Usually I have it within 4 or 5 throws. I need some powder for the trickler anyway and that is as good a way as any to get it in there.

gdmoody · 12-11-2011, 10:29 PM

I use H110 and AA#5 in my RCBS Uniflow without any problems at all.

Dutchboy · 12-12-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I must be missing something. You should not have to do any set up unless you are going to switch from loading standard type cases to the Ultra mags. You do not even have to change anything then, you can just double throw. 99% of the time I just double throw. Maybe once every 10 years I actually switch it over. Just pour powder in and start dialing. Usually I have it within 4 or 5 throws. I need some powder for the trickler anyway and that is as good a way as any to get it in there.

This was my experience.

On the set-up side, I found it quicker to make throw adjustments with the Lee. A partial turn of the lock nut, and I can spin the adjustment screw with ease. With the RCBS, I had to back off the lock nut a lot more. That's a small issue. A bigger issue was with the take-down. With the Lee, I can just rotate the powder hopper, which shuts off the powder flow, make a couple of throws to dump the metering unit, lift off the hopper, and then drain out all the powder back into the container by turning the powder flow back on. That's super easy. Getting all of the powder back in the original container takes less than 30 seconds.

With the RCBS, I have to run the adjustment screw all the way out, and then make dozens of throws to run the powder out of the hopper. I also found that the powder clings to the inside of the RCBS much more than the Lee. (Yes, I ran a pound of powder through unit before I start using it.)

If someone has a better way of clearing out the RCBS unit, please teach me.

reynolds357 · 12-12-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchboy

With the RCBS, I have to run the adjustment screw all the way out, and then make dozens of throws to run the powder out of the hopper. I also found that the powder clings to the inside of the RCBS much more than the Lee. (Yes, I ran a pound of powder through unit before I start using it.)

If someone has a better way of clearing out the RCBS unit, please teach me.

Become reasonably efficient at guessing how much powder you will need. You dont have to fill it to the top.

Regular Joe · 12-13-2011, 10:30 PM

What am I missing? My uniflow is mounted on the RCBS mount. I remove the mounting nut, invert the measure over the powder container, and pour it in.
With the uniflow, I've found that I can invert the hopper over a Hodgdon 1 lb. can, and just leave it that way as I flip it over into the mount. The can seals in the hopper perfectly. That way, the powder can becomes an increased capacity hopper attachment. When I'm done, I reverse the process, and the powder is back in the can. It would be physically impossible for this to be easier.

Dutchboy · 01-19-2012, 07:22 PM

That's brilliant, Regular Joe.

I'm embarrassed that I never thought of that myself. Once the thing was tightened down, it never crossed my mind that I could take it off again.

Thanks for the tip!

bluesea112 · 03-20-2012, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchboy

That's brilliant, Regular Joe.

I'm embarrassed that I never thought of that myself. Once the thing was tightened down, it never crossed my mind that I could take it off again.

Thanks for the tip!

+1

11-12-2011, 07:54 AM	#1
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Powder Measure for Ball Powder I use a Lee Perfect Powder measure. It works fine for me with one big exception. With ball powders, the thing is absolutely worthless. It binds, and it leaks powder all over my reloading bench. What powder measure do you recommend I buy to use with ball powders? 90% of my reloading is for handguns, and I'm a tinkerer. I'll make 25 rounds with this charge, and 25 rounds with that charge, and 50 rounds with this other kind of bullet, etc. Then, I will shoot them all through the Chrony, measure groups, and start all over again. (You've seen my type before. I'm sure.) Thanks for the advice -->

11-12-2011, 11:32 AM	#3
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder For every day reloading I would push you towards the RCBS uniflow measure. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/752...ndard-cylinder

11-12-2011, 02:45 PM	#4
daboone Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 30	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder My Lymans 55 and Belding and Mull both meter ball powders very consistently.

11-12-2011, 06:51 PM	#6
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder Great deal on a RCBS uniflow powder measure with shipping included, $55 is a great price! http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14...r_Measure.aspx __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

11-13-2011, 04:21 PM	#8
Kevin Rohrer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 281	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder Almost all. The Quick-Measure has no problem with stick powders, anymore than the B&M does. The Quick-Measure is on the left, a B&M clone is on the right. __________________ An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein via Jeff Cooper Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, Varmint Hunters Assn, American Legion, ARCTA, & South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn. Last edited by Kevin Rohrer; 11-13-2011 at 04:23 PM..

11-12-2011, 08:58 AM	#2
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder Before I switched to the turret my Lee Perfect was ...well.. perfect using Win 231/HP-38, which is a ball powder? I have heard that stick powders can be an issue with some dispensers? What powder are you using? __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP Last edited by RandyP; 11-12-2011 at 08:59 AM..

11-12-2011, 04:36 PM	#5
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder Randy P. I also have good results with my Lee Perfect measure and Win 321 (And Bullseye, and Red Dot). When I wrote "ball powder" I must not be calling the powders the right name. The powders that the Lee Measure chokes on are Accurate #5 and H110. That stuff looks like tiny little balls; so I figured they were called ball powders. Anyway, I'm looking for something that will do a good job with powders like #5 and H110. Because my Lee Measure can't handle them. Thanks for the comments

11-13-2011, 06:03 PM	#9
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder I use a lyman55 and love it.. But you 'tinkerer types' as you describe may be better off just hand weighing each charge with a powder trickler and a scale. Afterall you are loading pistol.. 5 grains with a powder trickler doesnt take 30 seconds to dribble out.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-25-2011, 08:12 PM	#11
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder To celebrate Black Friday, I ordered an RCBS uniflow powder measure today. Thanks for all of the input and advice. I'll let you know what I think of the powder measure after I get a chance to use it.

11-26-2011, 07:08 AM	#12
X Ring V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 190	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder I think you will be happy with the Uniflow its easier to adjust than the Lyman #55. The Hornady is more or less the same as the RCBS at a little lower price. __________________ Load More = Shoot More http://s1096.photobucket.com/albums/g327/Wynn3/

11-26-2011, 05:17 PM	#13
smlranger V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Smith Mountain Lake in VA Posts: 113	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder I've loaded a bunch of AA#2 with my RCBS Uniflow and had no problems. It meters it very accurately. I will soon be using the Hornady measure on the LNL so will see how that does.

12-11-2011, 05:18 PM	#14
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder Today I set up the RCBS Uniflow powder measure, and I used it to make some loads with H110. It worked great. My Lee Perfect Powder measure chokes on H110, but the Uniflow did fine. There was no binding and no leaking of powder. Thanks for the advice! I'll still use the Lee measure for other powders since it is quicker to set up and put away than the RCBS. But, for those tiny spherical powders, this RCBS is just the ticket. Thanks again.

12-11-2011, 10:29 PM	#17
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,358	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder I use H110 and AA#5 in my RCBS Uniflow without any problems at all. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

12-13-2011, 10:30 PM	#20
Regular Joe V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 269	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder What am I missing? My uniflow is mounted on the RCBS mount. I remove the mounting nut, invert the measure over the powder container, and pour it in. With the uniflow, I've found that I can invert the hopper over a Hodgdon 1 lb. can, and just leave it that way as I flip it over into the mount. The can seals in the hopper perfectly. That way, the powder can becomes an increased capacity hopper attachment. When I'm done, I reverse the process, and the powder is back in the can. It would be physically impossible for this to be easier. __________________ Around here, we don't say "Oh shucks", or "oh man". We say Oh BAMA!! Last edited by Regular Joe; 12-13-2011 at 10:32 PM..

01-19-2012, 07:22 PM	#21
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Re: Powder Measure for Ball Powder That's brilliant, Regular Joe. I'm embarrassed that I never thought of that myself. Once the thing was tightened down, it never crossed my mind that I could take it off again. Thanks for the tip!