What is your thought on the RCBS Uniflow

[jj805]

Please tell me what the drawbacks are? I don't have any other rifle powder thrower except for the Lee Perfect Powder measure, so I don't know what I'm missing?

The other ones might be better at falling 15ft or getting whacked with a hammer, but maybe not. I seriously just think they all do the same thing.

Ball Powder = confident enough to check every 10th charge for plinking ammo.

Extruded Powder = check every charge and trickle to exactness for target loads.

I have the Lee Perfect powder measure, and the Hornady LNL powder measure. I'm also the president of VC reloading club, and the club has a large assortment of measures that I have had the chance to try out. I don't think there is one measure that is any better than the other.

The main complaints I hear, and have experienced with the Lee PPM are that it "sheds" powder out from in between the rotor and the measure body, and that the throwing action isn't smooth like the metal throwers. The best thing about the Lee PPM that I have found is that it seems to throw Varget within +/-0.1 grain. Maybe it's just me, but I have tried Varget with two different Lee PPMs, and both were that consistent for 150 throws each.

[chknlyps2]

I have the Lee Perfect powder measure, and the Hornady LNL powder measure. I'm also the president of VC reloading club, and the club has a large assortment of measures that I have had the chance to try out. I don't think there is one measure that is any better than the other.

The main complaints I hear, and have experienced with the Lee PPM are that it "sheds" powder out from in between the rotor and the measure body, and that the throwing action isn't smooth like the metal throwers. The best thing about the Lee PPM that I have found is that it seems to throw Varget within +/-0.1 grain. Maybe it's just me, but I have tried Varget with two different Lee PPMs, and both were that consistent for 150 throws each.

I have the same good results with the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and stick powder... but I took mine apart, hand lapped the cone of the rotor into the body with some valve grinding paste, cleaned with alcohol and then sprayed with some graphite dry lube and it does not "shed" near as much now when using fine grain powder. I also have a couple Hornady LnL's, Uniflows and a Lyman 55, I like them in that same order.

[Grunt81]

I've had a similar experience with Varget and the Lee PPM. I've used it for Varget x3lbs, AR Comp x2lbs, Reloader 15 x1lb, IMR 4064 x2lbs, CFE223 x 3lbs, H335 x2lb, and W748x1lb for .223 and .308.

None of the extruded powders have any issues measuring within reason. The measure never gets "grindy" because the sticks are too large to fit in the gaps beween the reservoir and handle.

The ball powders are pretty much exact every time. I've learned that it takes about 2lbs of ball for enough of those tiny little spheres/flakes to get caught up in the gaps. I know when it happens because I'll feel a grinding in the handle and the throws will be off.

If you take your time, it's a two minute fix. One philips head screw allows you to take off the handle and brush the ball powder out with an old toothbrush. At 1/3 the cost, and the fact I only use ball powders for cheap plinking, I can easily live with that.

[Grunt81]

Top 2 choices would be the rcbs universal hand primer if you need to add for the rebate.

Or, my personal choice. old style Lee auto prime (round tray) . You would need to buy this off of eBay. They average about 25 dollars. They have great feel and are easily disassembled should you encounter a problem.

The new Lee hand primers suck. I personally don't like the design of the Lyman. I own the standard rcbs hand primer. It's not bad, but you have to constantly take not apart for large and small primers. You also need to use your shell holder. If you buy this one, consider buying a second shell holder.

I own the Lee Auto Prime (square tray) and the Lyman EZEE Prime hand priming tools.

LEE AUTO PRIME:

PROS: Good design. It has that column that puts the primers in a straight line.

It also operates two primers at the same time so the next one is always on deck. It's easier to not get primers jammed up in there.

CONS: It's not too durable. I was teaching my brother to reload and his clumsy self broke the thin plastic cover.

Kind of a pain to switch between between large and small rifle primers.

You need to buy proprietary shell holders for the Lee Auto Prime.

LYMAN EZEE PRIME:

Pros: Very durable. I don't see how I can break it.

Has a "lock" or a little bar that slides in front of the primers. You can leave it set up for as long as you want without worrying about primers falling out if you accidentally flip it.

You can use any standard shell holder.

Cons: Doesn't have the column that puts the primers in a straight row. This can be alleviated by closing th lock half way. Then, only one primer can get in at once.

Both can prime large and small primers and both get the job done.

MY CHOICE: Lyman EZEE Prime.

[Grunt81]

I have calipers and the deburring/chamfering tool. They were donated, I do need a tumbler/media separator, etc.

If you haven't already got a tumbler, I highly highly highly recommend going with a wet tumbler over a vibratory tumbler. I can give a long list of Pros and maybe half of one Con if you like.

[Grunt81]

As a rule of thumb, I always get three shell holders for every caliber I reload. One is for the press. One is for the Lyman Ezee Prime, and one is for the Lyman Ezee case trim.

It might sound redundant but I can tell you, I have absolutely no idea how it feels to want to reload but I can't because I lost my one shell holder for a caliber I haven't loaded in 3 months.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I have the old style Uniflow with both the rifle and pistol cylinders and the RCBS stand. I've used it since the 1970's. I've never felt the need for another until I got my Dillon 650. I clamp the stand to my work bench so it's easy to remove and empty quickly (I'm with Stilly on that one; never leave powder in the hopper, only one bottle of powder on the bench at a time)

I also use the RCBS hand primer, the older type that uses the shell holder. That is a fairly recent addition and I love it. Should have bought it years ago. I recently found that the Lyman shell holder, although it looks very much like the RCBS, will not fit in the hand primer.

I have also gotten into the habit of storing the shell holder in the box with the dies so I always know where it is. That means I have multiple shell holders in the same size for cartridges which use the same size shell holder. Not a big deal but it sure is handy.

[Grunt81]

Do Lee shell holders fit in there?

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I don't know. I've never tried one.

[Danodog]

Thanks all, I went with the RCBS quick change Uniflow with powder baffle.

[stilly]

Thanks all, I went with the RCBS quick change Uniflow with powder baffle.

Do you have them yet?

Did the QC come with the pistol and rifle tubes as well as a drain?

[Danodog]

Do you have them yet?

Did the QC come with the pistol and rifle tubes as well as a drain?

No, It will come sometime next week. I can open the package and let you know.

[Danodog]

Do you have them yet?

Did the QC come with the pistol and rifle tubes as well as a drain?

It comes with the small metering assembly .5 to .40 grains AND large metering assembly, 10 to 110 grains, as well as two threaded drop tubes. One for .22 to 7mm calibers and another for large hole, .30 caliber and up.

[stilly]

Do the metering assemblies both fit into a single drum? Or do you need to change out the drums?

[Danodog]

It appears to be just one heavy cylinder/drum. The documentation detailed how you can change the assemblies while still having powder in the hopper. I hope this helps. I don't have it it with me as I am visiting family in AZ. But I can check it out tomorrow.