I'm in the market for a new power measure. Anyone have any idea for a good one? Digital electronic, manual? Any pros and cons of each?

Thanks.

Well what a good question scott. I resisted the digital for years until my shooting buddy plopped his RCBS dispenser and scale on my shooting bench. They have an upgraded model now, but this is the most accurate powder system I've ever used.

Prior to that and I still have two that I like. An RCBS measure and one of Lee's little perfect measures did most of the measuring duty for the last ten years.

Bottom line is how much are you willing to pay? The digital systems are a little over 200 bucks. Both the Lyman and the RCBS/PACT seem to work very well.

The old stand bys like Lee and RCBS are easy to use and rock solid measures that require no electricity. Try to get your mechanical measures and scales up where they are easy to see and use. The electronics just have to set on a bench.

Well, thanks for the info. That is what I was looking for. I'm not affraid to spend 200 bucks on a scale and disp combo. When you add it all up, $200 is not that much.

My equipment
Dillon RL550
Dillon balance beam scale
Stoney point OAL gauge
Stoney point modified case, 7mm-08, 270 win, 7mm x 57.
Stoney point bullet comparators
Many dies
Lyman 1200 pro tumbler
Digital calipers
RCBS rock chucker
Bullet puller
RCBS 500 balance beam scale
Lee Little Perfect
RCBS trickler
All the little extras, tool heads, tool head stands, caliber conv kits, primer pick up tubes,

I am reloading for a 44 mag, 40 s&w, 3 ea - 7 x 57, 2 ea - 270 win, 7mm-08.
I always look to buy quality equipment. I have always been that way.
I will keep your advice in mind, though I have been leaning toward the 1500 charge master.
There is very little that I do, that is not family oriented. An auto disp would be nice and having my sons getting into reloading with me.

I was fortunate to be able to buy a Belding&Mull powder mwasure.It has a seperate loading chamber below the hopper that holds the powder .It also has a large sliding horozontal block thaat cuts the power charge.It is great for long graim]n IMR powders.
I also have a pair of RCBS rotary (drum) powder measures One has a drum for large (rifle) charges and the other for small(pistol) charges.I'm happy as a clam with these tools.
Frank

I have the RCBS Chargemaster and all I can say is I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner. I used to weigh out all my charges individually and it was fairly time consuming. Now I have this thing and I can load up some rounds in a jiffy. I'd recommend one in a heartbeat. If you have the money, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for the info. I know that in the past, automatic powder dispensors did not do all that well. But as with everything they improve. I am glad to hear that the Charge master is doing good. I have a good feeling, that is the one that I will go with. I know that RCBS makes some decent equipment and I have come to trust them. Most reloaders are pretty pickey. That is why they reload. It would be hard for a company to fool many a reloader with crappy stuff. I know that some do. Most of my equipment is Dillon and RCBS. I did wind up with a bunch of stuff from a guy that was in need of some money and sold me over $1000 worth of powder, dies, Rock chucker press, powder measure, just to name some of the stuff. I couldn't pass that box up for $50.

The old version RCBS was made by PACT and the newer one is made elsewhere. The PACT, meanwhile, has been upgraded and now claims to dispense three times faster and to beat all the others for speed. The drawback is that it seems to be using some kind of autotuning PID control algorithm to achieve the speed, so it has to learn the overshoot for your powder once it slams on the brakes. This takes it several tries at dispensing the powder, then it throws accurately. I find the scale drifts, so mine sits on a big piece of aluminum surrounded by a combinaiton draft and Farady shield to stabilize it. I have been recommending that instead of aluminum, people buy a cheap Chinese-made granite surface plate, like this one on sale for $15 (http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=223&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=640-0100). That gives you both a thermal mass and a vibration resistant weight as well as a flat surface. This will help all scales stabilize.

If you want a straight mechanical measure, try Tim Johnson's Quck Measure (http://www.quick-measure.com/). They make an adapter for using it with the Dillon 550B or other progressive presses for standard dies. It won't cut grains at all on stick powder and is more consistent than most other measures I've compared it to. Unlike the electronic measure, it won't exceed your $200 suggested budget unless you get the adapter system. The main reasons I have for owning a good mechanical measure is progressive loading and to be able to take it to the range without bringing AC power and temperature regulation along for an electronic dispenser. Also, theoretically, a perfect volumetric measurement is more consistent in the chamber pressures it produces because it isn't influenced by water weight changes in the powder that result from varying humidity.

Based on the information I have received on this forum. I have ordered the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. Thanks guys.

Has anyone done any business with Midway USA? It may be my computer, but that site is terrible. Hangs up, won't load.

I always look to buy quality equipment. I have always been that way.

SOOO satisfying to hear ANYONE say that! :)

Based on the information I have received on this forum. I have ordered the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. Thanks guys.

Has anyone done any business with Midway USA? It may be my computer, but that site is terrible. Hangs up, won't load.

Before I got a cable modem, it seemed to take a while to load so maybe something with their server. I've no problems with my high speed now. I've ordered quite a bit from them and nothing but good experiences. Let me know how you like that thing, I don't think I could go without now.

I have high speed internet, but sometimes with Midway, it just loads so slow.

I do hope that I made the right choice with the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. It is a good bit of money. I was going to buy a new scale and powder measure. When I got to looking at the prices, for just a little more, I could go auto. Lets face it, 15 years ago, we ordered through a cataloge by phone or mail. We spend a grand on a computer to order online. Times change and I am a fan of technology.
The computers just make it way to easy to spend your hard earned money. When you can't do anything outside, you can always spend some money online.

I do hope that I made the right choice with the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. . .

I think you will probably be satisfied. The appealing thing about that design over the PACT is the integral wind screen. The only negative I've heard came in a post about having to return two of them for failure to function at all. In that instance the poster got his from a retail store, so the units may have been sold to and returned by people who messed them up and didn't tell the store? In any event, RCBS has super-duper customer service and may be counted upon to correct any problem you might encounter.

The PACT scales, from reading other posts, sometimes are very stable and sometimes you get one like mine that just isn't terrifically stable. The steps I recommended for a stable platform will help any scale or system be more stable. The PACT I have works well in its shielded box, free from drafts and electrical interference (I have an electrically noisy environment), which is why I haven't tried their customer service on the issue. The PACT's main claim to fame is its speed, once it learns a powder.


. . . The computers just make it way to easy to spend your hard earned money. When you can't do anything outside, you can always spend some money online. . .

Or spend it all reading and posting on this forum. But you raise an interesting point. I wonder how much of the current economic recovery has been due to increased ease of sales over the Internet?

Midway's web site has lots of pages, and I expect there are certain times of day (right after work) when they may lack server capacity. If that's the case, they will likely upgrade it at some point to avoid discouraging customers. High speed Internet is wonderful, but when they sell it to you they don't mention that it is only as super fast as the servers you log into. If they have a traffic jam, nobody gets speed. You might give Midway a buzz on their 800 number and inquire when the peak hours are, then avoid them? I don't usually have a problem with their site. Be sure whatever security software you use allows them full clearances.

I do hope that I made the right choice with the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. It is a good bit of money. I was going to buy a new scale and powder measure. When I got to looking at the prices, for just a little more, I could go auto.

I think you'll be very happy. I used to weigh out all my charges on a beam scale and it was time consuming. Now I'll have all my cases prepped and just program in the charge, dispense. After putting the charge in the case, I'll hit the dispense button again and by the time I put the cartridge in the shellholder, put the bullet on and seat it, a new charge is ready.

Midway is nice, they have the stuff that you want.

My wife gets on my tail all the time, because I sit hare at work and shop online. I can't wait to get home and try out the new toys. My first project is going to be checking the OAL on my 7 x 57 mauser. I really need to get that gun grouping good. I am 99% sure that my problem lies in the chamber and distance to lands. My wife needs some more .40 S&W loads to practice with. I bought her a Beretta PX4 Storm for Christmas, but she needs more practice. Katrina killed my shop and my reloading place. I have a new shop and now I am able to go back to reloading.

Happy New Year.

A neat tool that may interest you if you don't have one already is the Stoney Point OAL Gauge:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0003125210732a&type=product&cmCat=Search_Results_NYR&returnPage=search-results2.jsp&Ne=2510&noImage=0&Ntt=Stoney+Point&Ntk=Products&QueryText=Stoney+Point&Ntx=matchall&N=3729&trueNum=25

I bought one and it works well with whatever bullets you are loading to get an accurate measurement.

Thanks for the info, I have already ordered one and the modified cases for my calibers. I also ordered the bullet comparitors and the digital calipers. I have been reloading for my 44 mag and bullet seating depth is not that criticle for that round in a pistol. This will be my first round at loading for my rifles.

When you spend a couple grand on reloading equipment, it is hard to recoop the cost. I didn't have a problem with the factory ammo price or killing power. I have a problem with accuracy.

I use a hands free shooting vise for sighting in. This removes all shooter error. Then I will hone my skill once I know that my rifle is dead on. I just can't seem to get the accuracy that I am looking for in factory ammo. I like the CXP2 and Core Lokt for my 270 win. The CXP2 shoot ok and the Rem don't shoot very well. I like the performance of the Core Lokt, so I will load some that my gun likes. I know that my Ruger MKII M77 is capable of MOA. I just have not been able to acheive that yet. Hopefully I will in the near future.

Thanks for the advice and input.

Are you looking for a good load for your 270? I've been tinkering with loads for mine in my Rem M700 for 10+ years. I've tried nearly every bullet except the Swift A-Frames and Barnes MRX. I just can't justify their price for deer. Ironically I've found the best combination of velocity and accuracy in some of the least expensive bullets. I've also chrony'd most of them so if you're interested in any of the info, may save you some time and money.

M1, I am interested in all of the information that I can get my hands on. I would like see what kind of loads that you have, I have not done any for my 270, so I am still new to the game. I did find a site that has a bunch of loads for different calibers, but I have not tried any of them.

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/loadlist.asp

Check them out and see what you think.

I was fortunate to be able to buy a Belding&Mull powder mwasure.It has a seperate loading chamber below the hopper that holds the powder .It also has a large sliding horozontal block thaat cuts the power charge.It is great for long graim]n IMR powders.
I also have a pair of RCBS rotary (drum) powder measures One has a drum for large (rifle) charges and the other for small(pistol) charges.I'm happy as a clam with these tools.
Frank
I also


How does this measure actually work?
I understand, it has a second powder chamber, thus eliminating charge variation through variaton of the powder hight in the main hopper, and I also understand that there is a horizontal slide to cut the charge desired.
What I do not understand is the way the charge comes out of the measure, or must one take for every charge the powder tube out of the measure and empty its content either in the case or in the pan of the powder scale?
Regards,
Paul Tummers.

Paul,

Welcome to the forum. Rules are to play nice and not post anything you wouldn't want an eight-year-old to see. We have some young readers.

I don't have that particular one, but have other slidebar measures. This is the general principle:

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6184/slidebarchargerschematiop5.gif

Paul,

Welcome to the forum. Rules are to play nice and not post anything you wouldn't want an eight-year-old to see. We have some young readers.

I don't have that particular one, but have other slidebar measures. This is the general principle:

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/629/slidebarchargerschematiug9.gif

First to your remark:Did I send/attach something like that?
Thank you for your drawing, I alreadu understood, it had to work like that basically, but as I do not see any adjustment beeing made at the side of the horizontal slide, the only way it works to me , as I see it,is with a fixed throwing volume everytime the handle is moved, and then moving the handle several times if there is a bigger powder volume as the fixed volume is desired.
Since I cannot find any other powder tube apart from the measuring tube, I think that it mainly is a matter of filling the powder measure tube which has to be taken for every charge from the measure.
Please correct me if I am wrong!
Regards,
Paul Tummers.

So what's wrong with the powder meashurer on the Dillon RL550B?, it uses the type of meashurer in the drawings posted, and the slide bar is ajustable, here are photos of the top and bottom of the Dillon charge bar

So what's wrong with the powder meashurer on the Dillon RL550B?, it uses the type of meashurer in the drawings posted, and the slide bar is ajustable, here are photos of the top and bottom of the Dillon charge bar
Up to me the Idea is good,However looks the way of adjusting somewhat "Basic"to me,as is the finishing of the slide bar
I should be possible to build a similar adjustment like that on the Lyman 55 measures, or even the micro-click adjustment of the sinclair measures, and than you have a very good measure!
Regards,
Paul Tummers

I'm late chiming in here, and too late to help scottg (who made a great choice).

But for anyone else contemplating a new powder dispenser and not going electronic, I strongly second unclenick's recommendation on the Johnson Quick Measure. I reviewed one several years ago, and Tim Johnson has improved on even that sterling model. He eliminated even the minor quibbles I had - and then some. It's a fabulous measure, at least or more accurate than "benchrest" models, fast and it absolutely cannot cut a kernel of powder, ever.

. . .I strongly second unclenick's recommendation on the Johnson Quick Measure. . .

I think you crossed up a post of mine in another thread, but you are right. I do recommend that measure strongly.

Paul,

Most of the measures like the Dillon or the Quick Measure (a kind of vertical slidebar design) use a screw adjustment. In the case of the Dillon, you could pull the screw and replace it with a micrometer thimble or extend it and add a calibrated knob if you have some machining skills. The Quick Measure has an optional accessory available to let you use a dial indicator to repeat its charge tube settings to within 0.001". The main advantage to drum measures with micrometers is being able to record the settings to repeat them if you change powders or charges frequently. Even if you record such a reading, you still have to double-check on a scale after making a changeover to be sure you didn't miss your setting by a turn.

There are also slidebar measures that use inserts to change the charge, rather than a continous adjustment. MEC Shotshell reloaders, for example.

The main advantage of slidebar measures is their adaptability to progressive loading machines. Both the Dillon and the Quick Measure are operated by the cartridge case pushing up against the powder drop tube which acts as an operating rod to move the slidebar, which is then returned by spring pressure. If you are loading singly in a tray, the Quick Measure still has the advantage that it doesn't cut stick grains, and so is more consistent with them. Even a precision Harrel or my Redding BR 30 with their micrometer adjustments will not beat the Quick Measure's extreme spread with stick powders. They will let you make fine adjustments a bit more conveniently for throwing ball powder, however.

How to post images is in a sticky in the General Discussion form. Download the PDF file linked in Post #26 to read how to do it:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=34239&page=2&pp=15

"The main advantage to drum measures with micrometers is being able to record the settings to repeat them if you change powders or charges frequently. Even if you record such a reading, you still have to double-check on a scale after making a changeover to be sure you didn't miss your setting by a turn."

Or the lot of powder as well!, I never saw ANY advantage to these type of screws, it takes the SAME trial and error to get it right, you still have to dump fifty loads to get it right.
The Dillon meashuer does cut the stick powders, it's usualy within about .2grn and is easy enough to trickle to exactly. It's dead nuts on the ball powders.

Or the lot of powder as well!, I never saw ANY advantage to these type of screws, it takes the SAME trial and error to get it right, you still have to dump fifty loads to get it right.


Not with a Harrell measure it doesn't. If returning to a previously determined setting it repeats exactly. When setting up for a different charge it is easy to figure how the setting on the measure relates to grains of a particular powder.

I can usually get it set on any charge I want in less than a minute. 15 seconds if it is a charge I have used before.

Not with a Harrell measure it doesn't. If returning to a previously determined setting it repeats exactly. When setting up for a different charge it is easy to figure how the setting on the measure relates to grains of a particular powder.

I can usually get it set on any charge I want in less than a minute. 15 seconds if it is a charge I have used before.
I do have 2 Harrell's and one Bruno measure,almost equal in quality, at least for what the micro-adjustments concerns, fo the rest I think, the Bruno ist the best of them, and I can readily reproduce a once made setting which I always meticulously write down in a special booklet for the purpose of settings of powder measures and micrometer adjusted seating dies, that is to say, with powder from the same lot of course.
They vary in thrown charge weight plus/minus 0.2 grain with the Vhitavuori powder I use-have to use because over here there is not very much to choose from- which is definetely too much of variation, certainly in the loads for my .222Rem.
This is, why I am looking for a different system of powder dispensing.
Regards,
Paul Tummers.