Its All About The Powder?

M

Muleskinner

Guest
Howdy;

Can someone please recommend a good solid powder measure for me? I have been using the old $19.00 LEE plastic deal for years and though its accuracy is "ok" it is not something i would trust with benchrest loads. I am just getting started with benchrest, and have little equipment. I have seen the powder measures for $100.00 and the ones for $250.00. Are these measures worth the extra cash?

I would like to keep the expense down as much as possible, as like many these days cash is not that easy to come by. Please share with me what some of you guys are using, and if you believe they are worth the price.

Thank You

Muleskinner
 
Muleskinner,

I have a $19 Lee as well as a Harrell's and an RFD. The last two are much easier to adjust, and I think the RFD might be a little better at not tossing that occasional "flyer", ..... but I would not bet much money that they are significantly more accurate/repeatable than the $19 Lee.

JMO,

Mark
 
I love my Harrell's measure, but if you are trying to measure to a degree of precision that no measure can achieve, and don't want to spring for a Chargemaster, you might consider what a couple of very good shooters are doing. While loading at the range, they throw a little light, and add a little while the charge is on a portable electronic scale. Various methods are used to grab and dispense a few particles of powder, to bring it up to the desired weight. One fellow speaks highly of his Hornady electronic scale for this use. I think that it is within your budget. You could keep your current measure. Just a thought.....BTW both of the fellows that I am referring to were on the USA WBC team, so they seem to know a little something about the sport.;)
 
no answer

Muleskinner said:
Howdy;

Can someone please recommend a good solid powder measure for me? I have been using the old $19.00 LEE plastic deal for years and though its accuracy is "ok" it is not something i would trust with benchrest loads. I am just getting started with benchrest, and have little equipment. I have seen the powder measures for $100.00 and the ones for $250.00. Are these measures worth the extra cash?

I would like to keep the expense down as much as possible, as like many these days cash is not that easy to come by. Please share with me what some of you guys are using, and if you believe they are worth the price.

Thank You

Muleskinner
Click to expand...

There really is no answer to your question without knowing more about your equipment. But if you are just getting started and have a limited budget then here is my advice.
Do some testing. Drop a hundred loads of powder and weigh each on a balance. Check your technique and make sure it's repeatable. Then, with what ever equipment you have get set up to load at the range. Have a set of good wind flags. Don't worry about trying to find the perfect day just shoot. Change one variable at a time until you can see the effect on paper. After a while of this you can start to get the answer for yourself and you will feel more confident about any changes you might make in new tools.
 
Del Martin said:
There really is no answer to your question without knowing more about your equipment. But if you are just getting started and have a limited budget then here is my advice.
Do some testing. Drop a hundred loads of powder and weigh each on a balance. Check your technique and make sure it's repeatable. Then, with what ever equipment you have get set up to load at the range. Have a set of good wind flags. Don't worry about trying to find the perfect day just shoot. Change one variable at a time until you can see the effect on paper. After a while of this you can start to get the answer for yourself and you will feel more confident about any changes you might make in new tools.
Click to expand...

I am just getting started with BR, and at this point have no equipment which is made for loading at the range yet. My $19.00 LEE powder measure is very difficult to use, and when i loosen the screw a little to make it not so rough it starts kicking powder out the side when i throw a charge, so i need to get "something". I have found that when i have equipment that is easy to use I will use it more often, and this $19.00 measure is making me not want to reload at all.
 
Muleskinner,
What are mule hides used for ? What do you do with the rest of the mule?
The RCBS uniflow is a good measure for about 80 bucks as is the Lyman 55,same money. The Redding BR-30 is great for $150. You could probably pick these up used for about half.With so many guys going to the electronic digital deals, lots of good Harrells,Dodd and Neal Jones measures are turning up on the used market.Good for you.
Joel
 
If you seriously think you are going to do the Benchrest thing then get a nice smooth measure. You are going to load by "weight" but ALL powder measures except the new electronic ones, throw by "volumn". That said then you want to look at an easy to use adjustment system and a smooth operating measure. I used an old Pacific measure which is pretty much like the RCBS, etc for years. Lots of minor adjustments to get a load just right. Then I went with a modified Lyman 55. A little better but hard to repeat loads. Then I got the Harrells 90. The lowest priced one they make. I think it is about $180-190. I am sure it is not as smooth as the ones with needle bearings but it is fine for me. And they guarantee it to be as accurate as their highest priced ones. Comes with a built in clamp too. JMO.

Donald
 
Or

when you find a tune use vials and pre-weigh your powder.
 
Send me a PM.

I have a used Harrel measure you can have for $120 shipped.
 
I have an RCBS that is older than I am. It throws within a couple of 10ths. I set it that much low and trickle the rest in. It's then better than any straight powder measure there is. Since I preload, that's all I need.

With that said, I probably end up with a ChargeMaster or the new Hornady AutoCharge.

Greg J.
 
I often do

SGJennings said:
I have an RCBS that is older than I am. It throws within a couple of 10ths. I set it that much low and trickle the rest in. It's then better than any straight powder measure there is. Since I preload, that's all I need.

With that said, I probably end up with a ChargeMaster or the new Hornady AutoCharge.

Greg J.
Click to expand...



the same as you Greg. I have two of the old RCBS' and leave them set for the powders I use. Throw lite and trickle by thumb & finger. Not a bad way to go and fast.
 
I've got a Harrell's that I use for my 30BR and 4 Lyman 55's, I leave 3 of them set, one for 223/N-133, one for 22-250/H380, one for 7mmSTW/H4831SC the 4th one is my all purpose unit,,,,,,,,,,,,,,you can pick them up on E-Bay used for $25.00-45.00 if you watch it site and shop hard,,,,,,,,,,,,

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

DD
 
also gonna retire the lee soon

i am also ready to retire my lee powder mesure, i preload b4 a match so i have gotten quite efficent setting it low then tapping the last few 10th's into the pan while its sitting on the scale. This still seems tedious and there has got to be a better way. ive been looking at the better mesures like the hornady br and the redding 30br, but looking at the prices im wondering if its worth just bitting the bullet and getting one of the digital mesre/scale combos.

Has any one used them, how is there accuracy. is the speed any better or worse than hand trickling after a light mesure charge.
 
when trickling into a pan on a beam scale:move the beam. it has a tendancy to stay where it was...if you just trickle till it move up..its probably over....

trickle, touch, let it settle.

do a seasrch on electronic scales and accuracy.........


mike in co
 
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