I, use a Hornady. Get it close, then trickle where you want it.

 

Rcbs. have one i have been using 30 years . Still dead on after no telling how many loads .

 

As most powder throwers, Lee, RCBS, Hornady all throw the charge by volume and not weight - I'm curious what powder you are using and what you consider "very inconsistent". Are you using and do you trust your scale when comparing weight from one throw to another?

I use a RCBS for my typical handgun, 223, maybe some 308 out of an AR and the charge rarely varies more than tenth of a grain - and that is using both flake and fine granular powder. Extruded a tad more variance. I do use a Charge masters for my precision loads but it's pricy and I think it would be over kill for your needs.

 

Hornady

 

The more consistent you are with running the powder measure, the more consistent your throws will be. I’ve used the lee measure for quite a few years and it was always consistent enough within a couple tenths.
I’ve since switched to a Lyman 55 and would be the one I’d recommend if you have to have another powder measure.

 

Like MPistone I'm curious to know which powders you're using and your idea of "very inconsistent".
I'm also wondering which Lee powder measure you have along with what type of scale you're checking with.
Personally I've been using two Lee Perfect Powder Measures, one for pistol, the other for rifle for the past 10+ years. Typically with smaller charges they throw +/- 1/10th of a grain and +/- 2/10th on large charges
Extruded long cut powders can be more of an issue for smooth operation. And smooth & consistent action is key to getting consistent throw weights.

 

Like MPistone I'm curious to know which powders you're using and your idea of "very inconsistent".
I'm also wondering which Lee powder measure you have along with what type of scale you're checking with.
Personally I've been using two Lee Perfect Powder Measures, one for pistol, the other for rifle for the past 10+ years. Typically with smaller charges they throw +/- 1/10th of a grain and +/- 2/10th on large charges
Extruded long cut powders can be more of an issue for smooth operation. And smooth & consistent action is key to getting consistent throw weights.

Hello, I am using a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and I am using HS-110 and HS-6 for reloading pistol ammo. I am trying to get 6.3 gn and it ends up anywhere from 5.9 to 6.8 when I check them.

 

I have several Lee Auto Drum measures and I have consistent drops with all of them..one sits on my Lee Turret, the others are on several different caliber conversions for my Dillon 550B.

 

I have 3 RCBS uniflow powder measures and a little dandy. One I bought new, the others were bought used on Ebay. I had a Lee, inconsistent is right. It was almost as bad as the Lee scale I had.

 

Lee is generally very consistent.
If bench mounted, the cheap and crappy feeling Lee perfect powder measure is extremely consistent. Next would be Hornady/RCBS powder measures. For bench mounted measures, be sure to tap handle twice on up stroke and on downstroke to keep powder settled.
For mounting on press, I personally have found the Lee auto-disk powder measure to be veru consistent and the Hornady to be very close. The Dillon has a bit more variation but is still more than good enough.
if a new reloader, you could be expecting too much.
To improve consistency:
with a new measure, degrease all metal parts and wash plastic parts in soapy water (do not rinse, just air dry). Hornady has a cleaner/dry lube that can be used on metal and plastic, but the very slight soap film on plastic helps control static electricity)
after adding powder to hopper, gently shake hopper to settle powder
throw ten charges before ever weighing any, returning powder to hopper
throw ten charges and weigh each one. +/- 0.1 gn is as consistent as you need and one throw of 0.2gn over or under target is fine.
If that variation worries you, buy an RCBS Charge aster and be done with it.

 

For bench mounted measures, be sure to tap handle twice on up stroke and on downstroke to keep powder settled.

Ha, I thought I was the only one who did that little dance. It's just second nature to me now.

 

I have Dillon,RCBC,and Redding....and the one that drop 5gr every time for a dedicated caliber is---Lee Auto Drum,,,funny as heck-leave it for a month-turn handle 5grs every time.

 

Like others have said the RCBS uniflow works every time. Never have had a problem. Never tried any other types, but i'm sure they work too.

 

Lyman 55 will do ball , flake and stick powders if you know how to set the cavities and operate it consistently .
When setting the slides to form a cavity , start with a deep narrow cavity , not a shallow wide cavity , and you will get consistent powder drops .
Setting the 55 is tricky but once set with a deep narrow cavity, it will not vary much at all .
Gary

 

My favorite is the Redding but not cheap. You can sometimes find good used Redding’s and Lyman 55’s on eBay. Both are quality and do a good job.

 

Hello, I am using a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and I am using HS-110 and HS-6 for reloading pistol ammo. I am trying to get 6.3 gn and it ends up anywhere from 5.9 to 6.8 when I check them.

O.K. That's a bit of a spread for those powders and charge weight.
Both powders are fine grain, so powder bridging in the drop tube or grains getting cut aren't a problem. H-110 is one that I get some leaking around the drum on my PPM (as do most people!) but not enough to alter weights that much.

Are you using a digital or beam scale (and which brand/model) to check drop weights? Some digital scales are prone to "weight drift" due to temperature, vibration, type of lighting, even a light breeze. Both types of scales like to be on a stable level surface and not be moved around if possible.

If the scale is reading consistently and the measure is adjusted and mounted properly, it really comes down to using the measure in a consistent (amazing how often that word keeps popping up!) way. Move the measure handle up and down at a constant speed and the same speed every time. Make sure you're going to the very end of the top stroke and leaving the handle in the up position the same length of time before bringing it down to throw a charge. When I'm not throwing charges I leave the handle in the down position to avoid a packed charge on the next throw. If I've made an adjustment to the measure, I'll throw 3-5 charges into an empty container (then put the powder backing in the hopper or it's original container) before checking what weight it's now dropping and I'll weigh the next several drops to make sure it's doing what I want.

 

Just bite the bullet and make the leap to a nice multiple drum style, micrometer adjustable type powder drop....RCBS, HORNIDAY, your choice...you are going to thank yourself in the end...just say no to Starbucks for a month or two...stash that coffee money away..and before you know it......your going to be cha-ching..throwing charges within a 10th....
You deserve a break today...

 

The powder drop I use for pistol is the lee perfect powder measure it is consistent as long as I leave it empty as I seat the bullet. If I leave it charged under the load of powder in the canister the settling will change the dropped load of powder depending on how hard the bullet seats. So if you leave the measure dump empty it can’t settle & you can get a consistent charge out of it.

 

You might try a Powder Baffle to avoid the settling issue. They work great.

 

I've owned and used them all but Lee and have no desires to try a Lee. My two now are RCBS and an ancient Belding & Mull.. The best, hands down and, most consistent is STILL the old Belding & Mull. Probably too slow for the instant gratification crowd but you won't find one any more accurate or consistent, regardless the powder type, period.

After that, one is as accurate as the next, PROVIDING YOU PERFECT YOUR TECHNIQUE. The "double bump" was mentioned and that works. I'm a "single bump" kinda guy and until you get to the heavy, extruded types, with consistent technique, you can throw pretty much within 1/10 of a grain with any of them, with all but the heaviest powders.

 

I have a Lee perfect powder measure and have had no issue with it. Most my loads are always in the middle of the road so +/- a 10th of a grain isn't enough of a difference to make a difference. I also weigh my powder every 10 rounds. I hand measure my rifle loads since its usually only 20 or so rounds I'm reloading and they are hunting loads. Most of my handgun loads are just plinking loads. I'm also not as picky as most.

 

I have two Redding powder chargers. A BR 30 (5-50 gr) and a LR1000 (25-140 gr). I absolutely love them. The plunger which sets the volume of gunpowder to be dispensed has a spherical concave shape too the cylinder chamber end which allows the gunpowder charge to settle in the cylinder chamber with great consistency. Also. The rotation of the cylinder feels like it’s on ball bearings. The plunger vernier and thimble scales, much like a micrometer is friction adjustable and can be locked once the charge has been established, and adjustments are accurately repeatable. But the current prices are $250-$260. I paid less as the BR30 was purchased twenty years ago, and the LR1000 was purchased seven years ago. Although with certain long cut large diameter kernel gunpowders, I will still have to throw a few grains light and trickle the rest on a scale. But then, I am super OCD when it comes to absolute gunpowder charges. Also. Redding has a no questions asked life time no cost replacement parts warranty.

 

Their not powder measures, their powder dispensers.

 

I use RBNS and have used Lyman 55's. I have good luck with both.You can also find many good ones of either brand used too. They all will throw fairly consistent charges, but you should always check your charges every few rounds to verify. Also, if you are looking for "benchrest" accuracy etc then you need to "weigh" each charge individually on a manual or electronic scale. Reloading is serious business, not to be taken lightly. The Powder "Dispensers" are accurate but usually only to a (0.5) grain one way or the other. It will also matter what caliber you are loading for. Being off a tenth or two grains might not matter in a 45-70, but may have more of an impact in a .22 Hornet. IMHO

 

Are you talking about a volume measure or a scale? I have good luck with the lee disk measure on the turret press but I do not like lee scales. I use RCBS for that and RCBS Uniflow for my single stage and rifle loading.

 

I have an RCBS and it is usually consistent to 1 or 2 tenths, but I find that different powders require different action on my part.

I recent ran some coarse powder after loading with a finer grain powder and I have to pause slightly at the end of the throw for it to be consistent, where with the finer powder, it doesn't matter...why?

I have no idea, but that seems to be what works for me and I have a feeling all powder throwers will garner similar results.

 

I have an RCBS and it is usually consistent to 1 or 2 tenths, but I find that different powders require different action on my part.

I recent ran some coarse powder after loading with a finer grain powder and I have to pause slightly at the end of the throw for it to be consistent, where with the finer powder, it doesn't matter...why?

I have no idea, but that seems to be what works for me and I have a feeling all powder throwers will garner similar results.

Powders that are ball, flake, and extruded, short grain vs long grain, all will meter differently. It is what it is

 

i have used a Lee for some time and when it starts doing strange things i take it apart and clean it. use a bit of grafite and there is a vast improvement. Lee is not a lot of money and there is a reason for that. it is more than good enough for paper punching, if you need better see the above posts. just the way i see it.

rick

 

I like rcbs.. But I generally I use my chargemaster.