Recommendations for a powder measure...

[sjg1966]

Some of you may know, I am a new reloader. Well I'm "seasoned" enough now to know I need a good measure, insteaad of my Lee PPM, which actually works decently, most of the time. It's usually within .1 gr, but pwder just comes out of spots it's not supposed to....is there a fix for that or is it "get what you pay for"?

I was looking at the Lyman No. 55, anyone have some feedback on that one, or what y'all prefer?

Thanks for looking....Steve

[marklyftogt]

Rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

[CalTeacher]

Ive been loading for many years and use the lee pro auto disk for almost everything that doesn't involve H-4198. Its consistent, and with the double disk system its also quite versatile.

[707electrician]

Rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

This. Accuracy and consistency. By the time you spend the money buying a decent powder measure and a good beam or electronic scale you could have gotten a chargemaster. Not to mention it will save time

[damndave]

Absolutely love the RCBS Chargemaster. Worth every penny.

[XDRoX]

I use an RCBS. I think they're around $80 or $90. Very well built. I installed that micrometer on it some time back.

[runway1]

Rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

Just my 2 cents; Problem I have with these designs is you have to wait, and then lift the tray and dump onto the brass with each load, which takes 20/30 seconds each. Heck, it'll take me all day to get through a batch of loading. You know, if they had put a shell holder under a small funnel and fill the case directly (you can tare out -"0"- the case as well), I just might go for it.

At least with the standatd powder measures (handlecranks), I can dial it in...spot check a few as I go....and fill a batch in no time.

[Bill Steele]

My Lee PPM doesn't leak, so I can't help you with fixing yours. Maybe give Lee a call, they might have a few ideas.

The extruded powders I favor when loading my rifle rounds (the only place I use my PPM) I trickle up anyway, so I have hesitated spending more money on one of the better units like RCBS and Hornaday make.

To me, for the way I do rifle reloading, a unit like the Chargemaster has to be the ultimate. If I was shooting a lot of precision rifle, I would probably spend the money and get one.

Good luck, have fun.

[Dark Mod]

My Lee PPM leaks too, and i have not figured a way to stop it. It only leaks with super fine powders like H110, so the only real way to stop it is to use a different powder.

I also have the Hornady powder measure on my progressive, and its a very nice peice of equipment. Its heavy, and all metal. Oddly enough i dont think its any more acurate than my cheap plastic Lee one.

If your not making precision rifle rounds the chargemaster would be an unnecessary chore.

The RCBS and Hornady powder measures are excellent, never even touched the Lyman one

[707electrician]

Just my 2 cents; Problem I have with these designs is you have to wait, and then lift the tray and dump onto the brass with each load, which takes 20/30 seconds each. Heck, it'll take me all day to get through a batch of loading. You know, if they had put a shell holder under a small funnel and fill the case directly (you can tare out -"0"- the case as well), I just might go for it.

At least with the standatd powder measures (handlecranks), I can dial it in...spot check a few as I go....and fill a batch in no time.

The problem comes when you are using extruded powders, regular powder throws aren't very consistent, so you if you are loading for precision you end up having to trickle up to your charge weight and if you add that time to waiting for a beam scale to dampen then the chargemaster will be faster. With the chargemaster you can also go back to doing something else while it is dispensing.

[Bupkus]

I have a Lee PPM and there is a fix. I was having the same problem so I did an internet search and found a guy that took his apart and used lapping compound to lap the conical parts. I didn't have any lapping compound so I used rubbing compound and finished with polishing compound, both of which are found at auto parts stores. In any event your not out much money if you want to try this. Just take it apart, smear some rubbing compound between the two conical parts, rub them together until your hearts content, polish, lube with dry graphite, also available at an auto parts store, clean residue out, and reassemble. Mine still leaks a little but not much and it works a lot smoother. Good luck.

[Darklyte27]

Rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

+100

[Divernhunter]

I have 2 of the RCBS Uniflow measures and when loading large amounts fast with a single stage press I use them. I have one with the smal drum and one with the large drum so I do not have to change them. You can get some good deals on ebay sometimes. I also have the Lyman electronic unit and it is great and quite fast. The RCBS unit is really good also. I do wish I would have bought mine sooner. When looking for speed I use one of the 2 Dillon 650 loaders I have.

[thomashoward]

Rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

+1 Chargemaster

[17+1]

I was looking at the Lyman No. 55, anyone have some feedback on that one, or what y'all prefer?

I have a Lyman 55 I bought used from a friend...it's been a good measure. It looks to be from the 70's judging by the packaging, but it's lightly used and still works great. I run multiple measures that are set up for different loads/calibers, which helps setup time if you're reloading small batches of match ammo.

The 55 drops Varget to .3 grains and ball powders to .1 grains.