It seems that alot of people rave about this powder and it seems quite versatile, but after taking a look at it the other day i had to ask myself something...how the heck does something with grains that long meter? So...how well does it meter for you and what kind of measure are you using? I ask because i can get a pound of the stuff for 15 bucks and is a bit cheaper than varget(19.99) which has been my main rifle powder.

It doesn't :D

You've cracked the code on IMR powders. Most of them work great, don't meter worth a darn.

Finally gave up on 4064 as I got tired of trickling charges (it's not even the worst offender in that regard) even though it shoots great. Went to Varget and haven't regretted it.

I sure was wondering...it looks like uncle bens rice!! :eek:

I'm using an old Lyman #55 powder measure and an RCBS scale for measuring rifle powders. I use IMR 4064 for 308 and 45-70, IMR 4198 for 405 and 45-70, IMR 4895 for 405, 30-06 and 308. Since I'm working in relatively small lots, a hundred to two hundred rounds per evening's reloading, I don't find the IMR powders to be much of a handicap.
Now if the IMR powders worked like H-110 in the metering I'd have bunkers of ammo and not enough lifetime left to shoot it.
Jim

I finally gave up with trying to meter some IMR powders, so now I just hand measure and weigh all loads. Some of the cartridges that are charged with these powders don't get a lot of use; I really don't mind the slow process of loading them.

Well, now I know I'm old! I remember when Ball powders from Winchester were just becoming available. We didn’t give much thought to large stick powders, that’s just the way it was. Today, extruded powders from IMR and Hodgdon still have a significant place in my reloading. When working with cartridges that are new to me extruded powders are my first choice. A handloader would be hard pressed to make a better first powder selection when working with a wildcat for which there is no published loading data. Extruded powders release energy in a very predictable manner. This characteristic far outweighs any inconvenience in metering qualities.
For many years THE LOAD for the .30-30 Winchester was any 170-grain bullet and 30.0 grains of IMR 3031. This load is now considered over-maximum - (new pressure measuring technology making handloading safer by the day). In its day we naively thought this load gave us acceptable accuracy and high velocity, with reasonable pressure indications.
Some of the .270 shooters may want to chime in with Jack O'Conners load…
Newer powders like Hodgdon's 322, Benchmark, Varget and Alliant's Reloader 15 now supplant some of the extruded powders for maximum loads. For loads just under maximum, or cast bullet loads I just don’t know how you can beat IMR and Hodgdons extruded powders.

EDIT- Jeff, as I said old guy, I forgot to answer your question! I use an old brown Redding and the newer Lee Perfect powder measures. Both perform okay with extruded powders. There is some catching on the grains. Hodgdon now makes a short cut version of most of their powders which are also more tempurature tolerant.

A confirmed stick powder man, myself - just never cottoned to the ball powders that much.

Been using the VithaVuori powders of late, having great consistency and clean burning.

IMR 4350 and 4831 are my favorite IMR powders. Varget, H335 and 4831SC in the Hodgdon field. Now that Hodgdon owns IMR, don't know if they will continue offering the IMR line.

The Unique, RL15, RL22 and RL25 of Alliant work for me in certain cartridges.

Volume loading works pretty well...pluse or miuns a few 1/10ths isn't a big deal, it's pretty much the LEAST important variable in relaoding.

But when trying to get rid of all the variables to the best of your ability, will thrown a charge a few 1/10ths short and trickle in the little bit that it takes to get la perfect reading. Will do that with ball powders as well.

Ball powders do meter more uniformly, but if "prefection" is the goal, will either go the electronic route or the same tricking route as with the stick powders.

Got to ask...how else would you KNOW every powder charge is the same if you don't measure them? Could measure each charge and just toss back the ones that don't balance out exactly on the money...but setting low and "evening up" each seems more productive.

I seem to be luckier then most;I load a lot of IMR powders,and i have a Belding&Mull powder measure.
The B&M handles stick powders pretty well,and is dedicated to them.
I have two RCBS measures for the "odd'powders.
Frank