I'm looking for a siutable powder dispenser to handle fine ball powders while reloading small quanties (30 or less) of cartridges. I have
a Lyman 1200 DPS that is OK if you are doing large quantities but the start up, running time, and clean up really preclude it for ues on small quantities.
a Redding that I've used for 49 yrs. but it is a little worn and the drum jams up on ball powder. It is still great on extruded powder.
a Little Lee I bought to use at the range that does a so-so job with ball powders. It does ,however leak powder while in use and is an iritant to me.( Old grotch).
Lee dippers and trickler when doing precision work. As you know this is slow.
In your experience,( not just opinion ) what should I buy and why? roger
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
The one an only powder measure I've owned my entire reloading career is the Belding & Mull. It even cuts course tube powder accurately, even though I know you said ball powder. It's a darn accurate measure, especially so with ball powders. Easy to set up and empty out too. Just my two cents.
You can 't beat the RCBS 1500 scale and dispenser, fast set up fast clean up and easy to change powder weights..All I use my Pacific dispenser for is the 223 , and I do them by the thousand.
Posts: 1072 | Location: Pine Haven, Wyo | Registered: 14 February 2005
Lyman 55's handle ball powder like a champ. I don't have too much trouble with stick powders either, but I've gone to ball or short grain extruded where possible.
Roger, I have the Forster/Bonanza BR, Lee "Perfect," Lyman #55, and Ohaus Du-O-Matic powder measures and all will handle [some] ball powders very well. However, all have problems with the very fine ball powders, e.g., AA #9/WC 820. Btw, you can adjust the Lee so that it doesn't leak as much by tightening the screw on the handle, but then it will be stiffer to operate. The Forster & Ohaus are fairly simple to clean, the Lyman less so, but by no means difficult.
Posts: 480 | Location: N.Y. | Registered: 09 January 2003
Roger I have a couple of RCBS Uniflows with the Micrometer adjustment on them they work pretty good with the ball powders. They have the listed on Ebay often at a fair price.