Who makes the best powder measure for small quantities like 5 grains of Unique? I am having trouble getting consistent measures with my ole Lyman and it takes longer than I like with the new 1200 Lyman. What do you guys use for small amounts?

Thanks and God Bless, Louis

I've been using a Redding BR30 for 20 years. I like it fine. There are better throwers/measures available, however. I am thinking about getting one of those automatic dispensers from RCBS or one of the other brands. I think Lyman makes one too.

In the FWIW dept: I'm not sure the 1200 is actually that slow. I think because you're just pushing a button and waiting instead of dumping the powder, and then trickling up to the charge, it just seems slow.

When I rigged up my bench I bought the RCBS auto which is great for everything. BUT I also bought Reddings Match Grade 3BR really just to throw Win231 etc for 38 special. With the small handgun mic and a steady rythm it really is the way to go for the small charges and even more so with powders that run good. You make a little calibration chart etc but truthfully mine is dead on after I lock that mic. Maybe 0.1 grain maybe less. I throw a few off of it and onto a RCBS digital to check both as I go.

It will throw 100 quick even checking every 5 or 10. And it goes right in the case so no changing pans etc. You can see it go in but you can always look as you transfer the case to the block. In a way it even helps prevent a double charge as you only work once.

After what I have seen I would put in the bigger mic and throw rifle charges but that is what I bought the RCBS 1500 for.

So in the age old AR fashion the answer is BOTH .

quote:

Originally posted by youngoutdoors:
Who makes the best powder measure for small quantities like 5 grains of Unique? Louis

This!
http://harrellsprec.com/index....8&action=show_detail

I'm told that the Harrell mentioned by steve4102 above is an excellent machine, however it is rather pricey. I sincerely doubt that it will beat the Redding using its available small drum, and the Redding, though not cheap, is much more affordable.

I've used the Redding for decades. It won't wear out and it will drop ball and flake powders more accurately than you can weigh them. It does just fine with shorter cut stick powders like 4895 and the new Super Short Cut versions of powders like 4831 and 7828.

No one's powder measure will drop the old, course 4831's and similar "logs" accurately enough to suit me so I always drop them a tenth-grain light into the powder pan and trickle them up to the desired weight. My information is that the automatic electronic tricklers won't cut it if you are particular about your charge weights.

either my redding BR or the RCBS uniflow works well for me with the small chambers

I have used the RCBS Uniflow for as little as 3.5g of Unique and 2.7g Bullseye in 380ACP with good results.

I have the Harrell pistol measure I posted the link for. It is extremily accurate and I can safely and accurately dump even the smallest of charges even for my 25 ACP, 1.5gr 231.

You might look at the RCBS Little Dandy.
https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConne...d=2968&route=C07J030

Well a few days ago I set up and loaded some 380 ACP on my Dillon 550. I used the small powder bar. I was curious on just how accurate the measure was. I was loading 3.0 gr of Bullesye. I ran a little test. I weighed 25 in a row charges and had all of them weigh 3.0 exactly on my Pact digital scale. I always check randomly and always after 100 rounds when I have to add more primers.
Bill