Best Powder Measure for Pistols??

[nicholst55]

I have something of an unusual situation; most of my reloading equipment and guns are still in Maryland, while I live in Arizona full time. I brought a bit of equipment with me, and have accumulated more since I arrived. While I have at least six powder measures in Maryland, I only have one here in AZ - an RCBS Uniflow with the large (rifle) drum. Problem is, I load and shoot a lot of pistol ammo.

It appears that RCBS has stopped making the old style Uniflow powder measure and parts for same. They have 'new-and-improved' it into the 'Quick Change' powder measure. Parts are interchangeable, so I could buy the small/pistol QC drum (and whatever else is needed) to change my Uniflow over. I'm just wondering if that's the best way to go.

I'm looking at perhaps buying a dedicated pistol powder measure, and I'm looking for recommendations. I'm really NOT interested in having to buy and keep track of a bunch of rotors, so that pretty much eliminates the Little Dandy and similar measures.

Recommendations? Can the Lee Auto Disk be used as a stand-alone measure? Or does it need to be used with a powder-thru-expander die?

[pull the trigger]

I used the lee dipper spoons for a long time

[dragon813gt]

I would buy the Lee Auto Disk and appropriate powder through expanders. With everything done on press it will be infinitely faster than using a measure. Mine drops to w/in .1 grain every time so it's spot on.

[Bullshop Junior]

I hate most lee products and and a sworn and bonded RCBS man. I use RCBS for the same reason I drive a Chevy...dependable. I would spend the little extra to make the RCBS do what I needed it to do.

[Char-Gar]

If a man does not want a Little Dandy, he should not have one. But I have one and like it a bunch for pistol reloading.

[Riverpigusmc]

I have a Little Dandy and bought the adjustable rotor from Bailey Boats. Even comes with the adjustment tool

[detox]

MY simple RCBS pistol version will load from small pistol up to .223 size cases. I also drive a Chevrolet

[Lead Fred]

I was using a 1966 Bonanza beam scale, just took too long.
Switched to Lee dippers, a lot faster, and you can make custom ones for your needs
I took a 1.0cc and filed it down to drop 7 grains, which is .2 grain from max.
The next size down 6.5cc is the minimum charge for my load

[handyman25]

My uniflow needed a part, none available. RCBS said send us your old uniflow and we will send you a NEW measure which they did.

[Green Frog]

nicholst55,

It isn't cheap, but you asked for the best. Buy the Harrell Pistol Measure (see website below.) It isn't cheap, but it is the best... you'll never need another.

www.harrellsprec.com/

You won't be sorry.

Froggie

[seagiant]

Hi,
Here's the best advice I can give. Go on our favorite auction site and get a vintage SAECO Powder Measure! No rotors to change out,VERY accurate,comes with it's own stand and good for rifle and pistol!

http://www.castpics.net/subsite/Manuals/SaecoMeasure.pdf

[bigtee]

I use the Hornady Lock N Load, it is excellent with WIN 231 and 296.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Many different people have successfully used several different brands and models of measures over the years. If what you are using has and is doing what you require then stick with it. For some the Lee dippers or even home-made ones do very well. Fixed cavity measures also can be accurate. I have used with success RCBS Uniflows over the years as well as Redding, Hornady and Lyman (55's). All of these are capable of reliable and close accuracy, but it is always advisable to keep close tabs on any measure with a reliable, accurate, and trustworthy scale that itself is always checked with a good set of check-weights. When dealing with powder, trust no one, nothing and be sure of what your equipment does...all the time. LLS

[Vinne]

Can't go worng there!!!

[nicholst55]

Thanks for all the ideas, guys! I really like the concept of the adjustable rotor for the Little Dandy. Unfortunately, I'm too poor to afford a Harrell's measure. I already have a Lyman #55 and a Uniflow with the small drum - in Maryland. I see a coast-to-coast (almost) trip in my future, hauling all of my additional reloading gear here to AZ!

[DougGuy]

You know, there -is- such as thing as UPS, USPS, FEDEX, they would be glad to bring one of your powder measures to AZ!

[Kevin Rohrer]

If cost is not important, consider the Quick-Measure. It is fast and works with any powder.

85771

85772

[novalty]

I've found my RCBS Uniflow to be as good with small charge pistol loads, as my Harrell's Precision BR measure is with rifle loads.

[jsheyn]

I dont think you could beat a Lyman 55

[Riverpigusmc]

Thanks for all the ideas, guys! I really like the concept of the adjustable rotor for the Little Dandy. Unfortunately, I'm too poor to afford a Harrell's measure. I already have a Lyman #55 and a Uniflow with the small drum - in Maryland. I see a coast-to-coast (almost) trip in my future, hauling all of my additional reloading gear here to AZ!

I think I paid like 40 dollars for the adjustable rotor from the guy who goes by Bailey Boats...stainless, and comes with directions and the adjustment tool. Paid like 35 for the Little Dandy new, and took an old Redding powder measure stand and ground it down on a bench grinder so I could mount the Little Dandy on it. Works like a champ

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

While I have at least six powder measures in Maryland, I only have one here in AZ - an RCBS Uniflow with the large (rifle) drum. Problem is, I load and shoot a lot of pistol ammo.A pistol drum with the micrometer insert will make that a very nice setup and will work great with many pistol powders. You'll want to get a baffle or make one if you don't have one.

It appears that RCBS has stopped making the old style Uniflow powder measure and parts for same. They have 'new-and-improved' it into the 'Quick Change' powder measure. Parts are interchangeable, so I could buy the small/pistol QC drum (and whatever else is needed) to change my Uniflow over. I'm just wondering if that's the best way to go.Save yourself some money and buy a used pistol drum and add a micrometer to it would be the way I'd go.

I'm looking at perhaps buying a dedicated pistol powder measure, and I'm looking for recommendations. I'm really NOT interested in having to buy and keep track of a bunch of rotors, so that pretty much eliminates the Little Dandy and similar measures.

Recommendations? Can the Lee Auto Disk be used as a stand-alone measure?Yes it can. You'll need to use the Lee powder through/expanding die for that caliber and you'll have case activated powder dispensing. I'd spend a couple bucks more and get the Lee Pro Auto Disk with the micrometer disk and micrometer insert. Or does it need to be used with a powder-thru-expander die? Much easier and convenient to use that way and not very expensive to do so. If I were you, it's so inexpensive, I'd go that way. Case activation of powder measures is sooo much faster, even on a single stage. More reliable as far as accurate loading most times. Been lots of arguments on the net about volume versus weight, but in pistols, I've never been able in over a decade of reloading to tell any difference.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[soldierbilly1]

Nicholst55:
Leave all that stuff in MD!
I believe in reliability and I drive a Toyota.
Go and buy a Lee turret with different set ups for your calibers. get the Lee auto disk with the microadjust. you will be happy. the microadjust runs to within 0.1 gr variability.
You will be slower with the rotor. trust me.
billy boy

[skeet028]

Alright..I need a link to the adjustable rotor for the Lil Dandy. A great idea.. By the way..Nicholst55..ain't it sooo much easier living in Aridzona than it was in Md?? I find Wyoming to be such a refreshing change from Md. People here just naturally carry a gun..take care of themselves..and are law abiding. Course where I lived in Md(Eastern Shore near Chestertown) it was nowhere near as bad as city living. But we still had terrible taxes. I still have some reloading stuff back there..including 2 tons of lead and 35 guns. Will bring 'em back here next time I HAVE to go back....not all the lead though..LOL!

[Riverpigusmc]

Alright..I need a link to the adjustable rotor for the Lil Dandy. A great idea.. By the way..Nicholst55..ain't it sooo much easier living in Aridzona than it was in Md?? I find Wyoming to be such a refreshing change from Md. People here just naturally carry a gun..take care of themselves..and are law abiding. Course where I lived in Md(Eastern Shore near Chestertown) it was nowhere near as bad as city living. But we still had terrible taxes. I still have some reloading stuff back there..including 2 tons of lead and 35 guns. Will bring 'em back here next time I HAVE to go back....not all the lead though..LOL!

Just do a search here and at Handloaders Bench for a guy named Bailey Boats. He makes 'em

[Lee S. Forsberg]

Hard to beat a Little Dandy for handgun. But it can be done with a Redding.

[nicholst55]

Alright..I need a link to the adjustable rotor for the Lil Dandy. A great idea.. By the way..Nicholst55..ain't it sooo much easier living in Aridzona than it was in Md?? I find Wyoming to be such a refreshing change from Md. People here just naturally carry a gun..take care of themselves..and are law abiding. Course where I lived in Md(Eastern Shore near Chestertown) it was nowhere near as bad as city living. But we still had terrible taxes. I still have some reloading stuff back there..including 2 tons of lead and 35 guns. Will bring 'em back here next time I HAVE to go back....not all the lead though..LOL!

Absolutely! Maryland is a good place to be from... far, far away from! Now, if I could just sell my house in Harford County.