Recommend me a powder measure for loading pistol.

coyoteking

coyoteking

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I’ve been using my RCBS uniflow to load light charges in 45acp and it will throw some charges 0.3 grains in either direction. On a load with 4.2 gr of Titegroup, a 0.6 gr variance is quite large.

Should I get a second uniflow with the smaller cylinder or is there a better thrower I should try? I’d like to keep it under $150.00 if possible.
 
I use the Lee automatic powder measure with adjustable charge bar and it works great with light loads. It generally throws +0 / -0.1 grain of what I have it set for so it's operating in a 0.1gr window. Most digital scales are +/- 0.1gr so it's within the reading error anyway.

To be honest though, the very light-charge nature of Titegroup caused me to move away from it. I was getting significantly larger extreme spreads for velocity than with any other powder I've tried because it uses so little. The same variation in charge weight compared to other pistol powders causes a much larger swing in velocity. It's the cheapest powder to use because you can use so little but personally I don't care if I'm getting 20% less rounds out of a pound if it means more consistent ammo. The difference in price of other more user-friendly powders is insignificant compared to all the other components. I've had excellent experiences with dense, hard-grained powders as they tend to flow better anyway. Powders like HS-6, Longshot, and CFE Pistol.
 
coyoteking said:
I’ve been using my RCBS uniflow to load light charges in 45acp and it will throw some charges 0.3 grains in either direction. On a load with 4.2 gr of Titegroup, a 0.6 gr variance is quite large.

Should I get a second uniflow with the smaller cylinder or is there a better thrower I should try? I’d like to keep it under $150.00 if possible.
Click to expand...

You need the smaller cylinder. I have several powder throwers one of them being a Uniflow and it is very accurate when using the right cylinder.
 
The Redding match grade powder measure with the pistol insert is extremely accurate. Not cheap though. Large flake powders like Titegroup/Red Dot, etc. inherently meter less accurately than finer powders such as Bullseye and 231/HP38.

Surprisingly the Lee Auto Drum powder measure which only costs about $60-70 throws very consistent powder charges with nearly all powders. Changing powder weights is a little more subjective but once you find the sweet spot it will throw the same charge repeatedly.
 
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You can get the small cylinder way cheaper than buying another measure.

htt ps://x-reload.com/rcbs-powder-measure-small-cylinder-assembly.html

Also on amazon .ca as well
 
The price is right on the Lee measure.

The little dandy requires a different rotor for different charge weights which all have to be purchased separately, correct? It seems overly complicated for my needs, and I don’t want to have to change the rotor every time I try a new powder or charge weight.
 
Reeferman said:
You can get the small cylinder way cheaper than buying another measure.

htt ps://x-reload.com/rcbs-powder-measure-small-cylinder-assembly.html

Also on amazon .ca as well
Click to expand...

I’m considering that but I’m not sure I want to change out the cylinder every time I switch from pistol to rifle loads.

Does RCBS sell the Uniflow with the small cylinder? My google-fu can’t seem to find one...
 
Prometheus Powder measure
coyoteking said:
I’m considering that but I’m not sure I want to change out the cylinder every time I switch from pistol to rifle loads.

Does RCBS sell the Uniflow with the small cylinder? My google-fu can’t seem to find one...
Click to expand...


Yes they do. Go to RCBS site under powder measures, Uniflow then size.
 
No powder measure works great with Titegroup or Unique in smaller doses because of the grain size/shape. The LEE autodrum with adjustable charge bar is the best I've tried and has worked close enough for my needs but never perfect. The only way to improve would be switching powder to something that meters better.
 
LUTNIT said:
I use the Lee automatic powder measure with adjustable charge bar and it works great with light loads. It generally throws +0 / -0.1 grain of what I have it set for so it's operating in a 0.1gr window. Most digital scales are +/- 0.1gr so it's within the reading error anyway.
Click to expand...

+1 on the Lee with the adjustable charge bar. I have been using these for years and have never had an issue. It is very accurate.
 
Check out my Post, #7
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?287197-Anyone-use-a-hornady-micrometer-powder-measure

Or here on CGN.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ighlight=Found+one+in+my+reloading+tool+chest


I use two hornady powder measures. One with Pistol rotor and micrometer thimble for pistol on my LNL AP and other for rifle with original rotor for rifle.

I have two other smaller measures for the odd jobs.
Forster Bench Rest Powder Measure
And an ancient small Pacific measure that uses different brass insert for power volume.
 
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Interesting; My UNIFLOW came from the factory with TWO diameter rotors. But that having been said I use the little dandy with rotors. Drop 4.1 of tightgroup with rotor #4. Never more then .1 off the target load. HP 38 works well also. Flake powder with rotors 1 to 11 can be inconsistent due to the small hole. Rotors 12 to 26 have large diameter hole and work fine for flake powder, UNIQUE, red dot and like that.
 
I have the small cylinder for my RCBS uniflow. Works just fine with titegroup. Doesn't take to long to change out, maybe 3-5 minutes, and I dont rush.
 
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