Please recommend a powder measure that's accurate with small charges

[Triggerhappy]

Here's my problem, I usually use a Dillon machine to reload my pistol cases but I just started working with .380's and found that the Dillon powder measure isn't accurate enough to do it. With a small charge it's always off .2-.3 grains up or down, a little wider spread than I like to see when the whole charge is around 3 grains.

Who makes an accurate measure that I can put on a stand or even better mount to the Dillon that would be more accurate. In this case I was measuring .231 which is pretty easy.

Thanks for the input, TH

[codgerville@zianet.com]

I ran into the same problem. I have a Redding, RCBS Little Dandy, and a Lyman 55. The RCBS Little Dandy will do what you are asking, with the correct rotor, BUT the rotors don't always drop what RCBS says they will. The Lyman 55 is my favorite, and that is what I use for 231, with charges varying a tenth of a grain. Hope this helps.

[DCP]

Are you using

Dillon X-Small Powder Bar
Stock Number: 20780

[mike in co]

and what powder are you using....consider a powder that will measure well/flow well...

the lee perfect is a very accurate powder..and i believe the dillon use the same design with lee's permision($$$)

mike in co

[jeff423]

I've been very happy with this:http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1267

I use it for .32 S&W long at about 1.5 - 1.9 gr.

Jeff

[gpsbylleh]

might give this a look...

http://www.quick-measure.com/

[Triggerhappy]

Thanks guys, I'll check them out.

[RobS]

I know not what you asked however, AA#5 is a bit slower and is a very fine powder (like beach sand) and should run through like water and give consistent throws.

Zip and AA#2 are also a bit finer than 231 and should work better in the powder measure.

[Changeling]

and what powder are you using....consider a powder that will measure well/flow well...

the lee perfect is a very accurate powder..and i believe the dillon use the same design with lee's permision($$$)

mike in co

Right on! Some might also like to know that there are a heck of them in use by the benchrest crowd.

[1hole]

"the lee perfect is a very accurate powder..and i believe the dillon use the same design with lee's permision($$$)"

"Right on! Some might also like to know that there are a heck of them in use by the benchrest crowd."

Aw man, don't say that! Don't you realise the agony you gonna cause the Lee bashers?

:D

[cheese1566]

My Hornady with the pistol micrometer (standard before the Lock'N'Load style) drops 4.7 of WIN 231 (HP38) all day long for my 9mm.
My Uniflow with standard meter drops very consistent 5.5 grains of the same on my RCBS AmmoMasterII with the old style auto powder drop, but this is the least I'll go in this configuration. I still need to change the Uniflow over to a small pistol rotor. Once I change this over, I'll bet it will do smaller charges pretty good like my Hornady.

[EMC45]

Lee PPM! I also have a Pacific hopper I got from MGD45 that has a huge tube resivoir on it that is quite accurate with pistol charges.

[noylj]

I found the Lee Pro Auto-Disk with the micro disk worked very well.
The small charge bar for your Dillon measure may work (I have never tried it—I haven't had any problems with the regular Dillon or Hornady charge bar/rotors until I get down to about 2.5grains. At that point, I don't trust any measure and use my RCBS ChargeMaster.

[Changeling]

Just for your information:

Most (practically all) powder dispensers can't be trusted when dispensing large/long extruded powder granules like 4350/4831 and slower extruded powders (witch get larger/longer basically), especially when using near max loads.
To stay on the safe side when loading these type powders I weigh "ALL" charges and calibrate my scale before every use.
Just a reminder.

[GP100man]

I`ve never had a problem with my lee autodiscs with 231 !!!! NEVER

[noylj]

1) Select a powder that meters well (AA2 and others)
2) Lee Pro Auto-Disk and micro-disk
3) Dillon extra-small charge bar
4) RCBS ChargeMaster and a powder-through expander die

[HangFireW8]

I used to reload for the 380, with an emphasis on the "used to".

I remember I switched to a slower ball powder than 231, just to increase the throw size so it would meter better. Sorry, I don't remember which powder, but Winchester/Olin lists all their loads for free.

-HF

[tonyjones]

Harrell's Precision makes a Pistol/Schuetzen powder measure that is quite accurate and repeatable. Depending on the grain size of the powder each click is about .03 grain. It is designed to be bench mounted. I don't know if it could be adapted to a progressive press.
Tony

[August]

I have found the Hornady measure, with pistol rotor installed, to be excellent with light (3.2 grain) loads of Titegroup. The charges have been extremely consistent.

[Gee_Wizz01]

I reload a lot of 380 using 231 and I have good luck with the Lee Pro Auto Disc with the micro disc installed. To date, I have never been more than .1 gr off. When I get ready to load 380, I take the powder measure apart and wash everything in with warm water and Dawn (just a few drops in a quart of water). When every thing is dry I wipe everything down with an anti-static dryer sheet. This procedure really helps keep the charge variation down small. I also use my RCBS Uniflow when loading small batches of 380, and always gives great reliability and very small variations. I use AA #5 with my 9mm Mak loads, and it measures like water, with almost no variation in either powder measure. I have used #5 in 380, but it takes about 1.5 gr more to achieve the same velocity as 231. If you are having .2 to .3 gr variation with your Dillon, I would try cleaning it to see if static build up could be causing the problem. I live in Florida, and I didn't think I could ever have a static problem, but it turns out that I do, and the cleaning solved the problem. Anyway, its just a thought.

G

[jsizemore]

I have the Harrell's pistol/schutzen measure and it does well with pistol powders. I didn't mention it cuz it ain't cheap and I'm doubtful anybody would want to buy a $200 measure and have to "adapt" it to work on their progressive.

I used mine to throw charges of universal clays and vvn-110 for my 22 hornet and it was within a .1 grain with practice.

[rcbarry]

:Fire:Keep your thrower and add a baffle. I did it and it works great! See my other post to download a pattern to make your own baffle.http://http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=1047755#post1047755 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=1047755#post1047755):Fire: