What do you recommend for measuring powder?

[Justincase]

Like the title says, what do you recommend or use for measuring your powder? I'll be using Winchester 231 for 9mm and 38 special. I'm wondering about tricklers vs electronic vs manual. I have an RCBS scale for verifying/sampling loads, but I wanted to get an idea of what would be best for loading 100 or so rounds here and there on a single stage press.

 

[MilesTeg]

What have you been using?

I use a powder measure and charge a whole loading block at a time. 2 minutes at absolute most.

RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure Small Cylinder

The RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure throws consistently accurate charges reload after reload. Powder pours uniformly from measuring cylinder into the brass...

www.midwayusa.com

I will always verify at least one sample throw from each loading block on my beam scale. I would use a digital scale if I had one.

 

[Robin]

I have a Hornady thrower set just under the desired weight and using a trickler on a balance beam scale bring it up to the desired weight. I doesn't add that much time to the session and I am assured that when I miss the bull, its me, not the ammo.
Robin.

 

[MilesTeg]

I have a Hornady thrower set just under the desired weight and using a trickler on a balance beam scale bring it up to the desired weight. I doesn't add that much time to the session and I am assured that when I miss the bull, its me, not the ammo.
Robin.

I only drop low and trickle up for rifle rounds. Pistol I drop right at the desired charge weight.

 

[Robin]

I just started reloading pistol after about a 40 year hiatus, it may come to that but for now, I don't really mind the extra step.
Robin

 

[1075tech]

I have a Hornady thrower set just under the desired weight and using a trickler on a balance beam scale bring it up to the desired weight. I doesn't add that much time to the session and I am assured that when I miss the bull, its me, not the ammo.
Robin.

^^ What he said.^^

Except that I have a Lee perfect powder measure. The last 9mm I loaded, I was wanting 4.4gr of 231 under 115gr FMJ-RN. The powder scoop thatt came with the Lee dies gave me exactly that. I still frequently double checked on a manual scale though.

 

[Justincase]

What have you been using?

I use a powder measure and charge a whole loading block at a time. 2 minutes at absolute most.

RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure Small Cylinder

The RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure throws consistently accurate charges reload after reload. Powder pours uniformly from measuring cylinder into the brass...

www.midwayusa.com

I will always verify at least one sample throw from each loading block on my beam scale. I would use a digital scale if I had one.

I haven't yet done my own yet. Years ago a buddy of mine walked me through the process but that was for precision rifle rounds. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Justincase]

Does anyone use the electronic measure/scale units? We're they worth the cost? I'm not so concerned with speed, just want it to be accurate with minimum tinkering. Of course I would spot check random loads to ensure consistency/safety.

 

[Acer-m14]

how much you want to pay .. RCBS just came out with a new one .. 900 buck or so lol ..

Matchmaster Powder Dispenser | RCBS

Shopping for the MATCHMASTER POWDER DISPENSER - Learn more about the latest Electronic and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

 

[Acer-m14]

I used the Lee powder drops like the Miles posted of the RCBS version .. and have a Lee electronic scale ( came with 2 calibration weights) to check ..

now if my bud and his wife are over to reload she is the OCD powder measure .. she will cut a flake in two lol ..

 

[MilesTeg]

Does anyone use the electronic measure/scale units? We're they worth the cost? I'm not so concerned with speed, just want it to be accurate with minimum tinkering. Of course I would spot check random loads to ensure consistency/safety.

Honestly I'm not a great pistol shot so maybe that's why it doesn't make a difference to me. But when I do work up rounds for pistol I shoot from sand bags. I can tell you +-0.1gr doesn't translate much on target for me. So I don't worry about the powder throw. Also once I have it dialed in I rarely even see a variance. So if you aren't concerned about a small variance the powder throw to your charge weight will be the fastest option. Hell that's all the progressives/factories use is a powder measure.

Now for precision rifle I totally throw the charge -0.2gr and trickle my way up. I will probably be looking to buy an electric one this coming year.

 

[Mosinitis]

From my experience, it's better to use a good balance beam scale for trickeling up to desired weight. They are more accurate then a typical electronic scale when used correctly. Since you are only dealing with one pre-set weight at a time, electronic scale speed advantage is no longer there.
Electronic scales are great for checking unknown weights or sorting brass or bullets according to weight. However they have a number of drawbacks and a lifespan of an average electronic gadget. There are some very good lab grade electronic scales (I use one, A&D FX-120i ), but they are pricey and for most people don't give that much more advantage over balance beam to justify paying $600 and up.
Balance beam scales work so much better when you place them on a shelf at an eye level. Having your eyeballs on the same horizontal plane as the scale index marks makes all the difference. It also shields the scale from vibrations on the bench.

 

[Mosinitis]

Here are some of the drawbacks of electronic scales. They need to be recalibrated before every use. Most of them drift and flipflop. They can be effected by things like fluorescent lights and spikes in the power line. When you go to your doctor for an annual check up which type of scale do you see there?

 

[Parzival]

 

[tony]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now that is just BAD... But I did get a good belly laugh.

 

[repete]

Scale? Who needs a scale? Just use the good ole mach 1 eyeball! Good e nuff, can't see it from my house!
Probably shouldn't kid about this kind of stuff but my inner asshole just has to show itself sometimes.

Lots of time I use the Lee powder scoops to get close and then trickle up to the desired charge.
On most hand gun and even rifle plinking rounds I just use a Hornady powder thrower and it is what it is. I do visually check each charge/case before seating. I'm sure that a small variation in charge doesn't change the POI anymore more then my poor eyesight or shaking hands!

 

[Justincase]

how much you want to pay .. RCBS just came out with a new one .. 900 buck or so lol ..

Matchmaster Powder Dispenser | RCBS

Shopping for the MATCHMASTER POWDER DISPENSER - Learn more about the latest Electronic and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

Oof. That's a bit above my pay grade.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I hear Hunter Biden has experience with powder.

 

[Justincase]

So, looks like for pistol loading, this should be adequate?

Now the question is Hornady, Lee, Dillon or RCBS? Everybody has their favorites. What experience/recommendations do you guys have?

 

[Robin]

I had an RCBS years ago, today I have a Hornady. I don't see any meaningful difference, they are both good.
Robin

 

[MilesTeg]

If you plan on dropping charges at the intended weight. I would also recommend a baffle in the powder throw. All the manufactures offer one. It's well worth the extra money.

 

[Toecutter]

Ask this guy

 

[tony]

View attachment 96438

So, looks like for pistol loading, this should be adequate?

Now the question is Hornady, Lee, Dillon or RCBS? Everybody has their favorites. What experience/recommendations do you guys have?

As far as metering powder, some powders drop more consistently that others, the shape of the powder influences that. I've have a Redding and have used a RCBS both work(ed) well.

If you plan on dropping charges at the intended weight. I would also recommend a baffle in the powder throw. All the manufactures offer one. It's well worth the extra money.

Good on the baffle!! It will help keep charges consistent as the level of powder in the hopper changes. Beside doing a visual check I usually weighed every 5th or 10th charge dropped.

 

[Mosinitis]

Reddings come in several models, depending on the amount of powder to be dispensed; pistol, small rifle, etc. They come with micrometer adjustment, which is nice as you can dial previous charges. I had Redding BR-30 and it was very nice, then I sold it and few years later had to buy it again. The second BR-30 had a loose hopper. It functioned ok, but flimsy hopper was very annoying. In Lapua reloading manual they had a picture of Redding measure with duct tape supporting the Hopper, so mine wasn't an anomaly. Other then that it's a nice measure. RCBS Uniflow can be upgraded with a micrometer adjustment thingy, so it will work just like Redding. I have Uniflow now on my bench with powder baffle and micrometer adjustment. It's one measure that does it all, rifle and pistol. There is also an optional tall stand for it and optional case activated linkage to use in progressive presses. If I had to pick one measure, I would pick RCBS Uniflow for quality and versatility.

 

[Mosinitis]

RCBS Uniflow measure with case activated linkage will work much better on Dillon presses then Dillon measure. Less powder bridging and better consistency than Dillon measure. It's definitely an upgrade to Dillon presses, but still you will get an occasional bridging in .223 necks and occasional drops that are way off (at least way off for me to use). I know it's not what OP is asking, but I had to put this in for others.

 

[MikeGrad]

rifle i use hornady chargemaster to get just below, then i use a jewelers scale that measures to the .001 grain to top up. this is for my precision LR target loads in 300WM. 223 and 243 i drop the charge to the desired number, adjust with trickle or tweezers. Same with all my handgun

I just bought a new electronic chargemaster that measures to the .01 grain, haven't broken it out yet. With the whole family home its difficult to get the alone time i need to reload these days, unless i stay up late and get some rounds done.

 

[repete]

View attachment 96438

So, looks like for pistol loading, this should be adequate?

Now the question is Hornady, Lee, Dillon or RCBS? Everybody has their favorites. What experience/recommendations do you guys have?

I have one and it works great, came with two adjustable inserts (large and small) it's easy to adjust to whatever charge and locks in place to keep charge consistent, and came with two sizes of powder funnels. It can be hand held and placed over top of brass in a loading tray or bench mounted. The only draw back is the clear plastic hopper will stain and darken if certain powders are left in it. I use mostly ball powder (H335) in mine as I love the way it meters, it works well with flake powders too and I've never found any measure that well with stick powders like IMR3031
hope this helps

 

[cgrutt]

Here are some of the drawbacks of electronic scales. They need to be recalibrated before every use. Most of them drift and flipflop. They can be effected by things like fluorescent lights and spikes in the power line. When you go to your doctor for an annual check up which type of scale do you see there?

Hospital I just got out of had a a traditional looking beam scale with a digital readout lol...