There’s no denying it; handloading involves a lot of work. While experts often argue over which specific task takes the most time, most will agree that nothing eats away at the clock like powder management. Weighing each charge by hand is a daunting task, making high-volume precision shooting with handloaded ammunition less of a reality. The alternative has always been to deploy a volumetric powder measure, but that typically came with some degree of inconsistency. These devices work by mechanically filling a cavity, then dumping it directly into a primed case.

Powders Measurers

Anybody who has opened a few bags of potato chips can understand why there are variances in this style of measurement. However, recent developments in both powder and cartridge design have made small variances less important, all while advancements in machining have made powder measures more consistent. Adding these factors theoretically brings us back to the possibility of using them for precision use. As with anything theoretical, I always prefer the “trust but verify” approach, which is why I decided to grab five of the most popular and run an analysis to see how accurate they can truly be.

To ensure that no single measure had a wear disadvantage, I went with brand-new products across the board. Before getting started, I disassembled and degreased every internal component to ensure that oil-induced clumping didn’t work its way into my data. Once reassembled, I would give each measure an identical break-in period of 100 powder throws before adjusting for a charge of 25.0 grains and dispensing ten consecutive charges “for score.”

Once data was collected, I would tabulate the standard deviation as well as the extreme spread. When considering these two values, I consider SD to be a good representation of the typical swing in charge weight, which is valuable for pairing measures with cartridges that are on the picky side. Extreme spread is a good guideline of how often you might see an erratic throw and will help with matching a thrower to a shooting activity. A high ES might reserve a measure to practice sessions or hunting loads, as these seldom notice a difference. 

Precision-Loading

Since my goal was precision loading, I chose two powders that are very popular for cartridges associated with accurate shooting. Powder measures work best with ball powder, so I selected Winchester’s StaBALL Match. One of its latest products, this spherical powder, flows like liquid through the devices that I planned on testing. I’ve personally had terrific success with it in 6 ARC and .223 Remington and would be interested in expanding on its use.

Alongside the StaBALL, I went with an old favorite among 6.5 Creedmoor shooters, Hodgdon 4350. This was to challenge each unit, as the extruded kernels typically do not meter well in powder measures. Users can expect more throw-to-throw deviation as well as rough operation when using powders of this style. In other words, I wanted to see what, if any, utility these measures would have for those who enjoy the stability and case-filling properties of stick powders.

Hornady Lock-N-Load

One of the things I enjoy most about working with Hornady’s products is spotting the manufacturing DNA that runs through them. Although the company got its start with projectiles, it grew to its current size by understanding what it takes to balance quality with output. One of the ways to do this is to minimize or eliminate downtime, specifically due to changeover. The LnL powder measure displays this concept with its interchangeable powder stems. After you’ve spent time dialing in the correct charge, you can pop the stem out and replace it with another, retaining your setting and all of your hard work.

There is also the option of upgrading to a micrometer stem, which makes quantifying and recalling measurements an easy task. There is also an optional linkage to make it case-activated, which makes it an excellent choice for progressive presses. In my testing, I found it produced the second lowest SD and ES with the StaBALL powder, which is impressive when you consider its price point when compared to the measure that beat it. It wasn’t a fan of the H 4350, which was to be expected, although it would serve CMP shooters using powders like Varget or IMR 4064 just fine in cartridges like .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield. (hornady.com)

Lee Pro Auto Disk

One problem inherent to all powder measures is charge walking. Since the cavity that determines the charge weight is typically adjustable, it has a tendency to change during elongated loading sessions, therefore requiring periodic QC checks. The Lee Pro Auto Disk eliminates this issue through an interchangeable disc system, which is also, without question, the most repeatable method for recalling a charge. As it’s primarily intended for smaller pistol cartridges, Lee sells a rifle kit that includes a second set of disks and the hardware to run them in a stack for larger charges and a wider variety of weights. A chart is provided to offer a rough idea of what cavities need to be aligned to create certain powder charges.

Lee also boasts an elastomer wiper that offers smoother operation with stick powder and produces more consistent charges. I agree with this claim, as it outperformed every other measure when it came time to dispense the H 4350. It did, however, struggle with the finer StaBALL powder. Overall performance was still fine for most precision work, but the downside to its consistency might be a small modification to your load data, as we found we couldn’t hit our 25.0-grain target weight and had to settle for 25.1 for the StaBALL and 25.2 for the H 4350. This isn’t a deal breaker, as few cartridges will notice such a difference, particularly when it is this consistent. (leeprecision.com)

Lyman Brass-Smith

My neighbors across the Long Island Sound were able to furnish me with one of their newer Brass-Smith measures, which turned out to be quite compact indeed. The smallest conventional measure in this test, this is an excellent choice if you are working on a tight bench. This also couples well with its low price point, should you wish to keep a few of them on hand. Its lighter price tag doesn’t mean it’s less precise either, as it hung right in there with Hornady’s measure, nearly matching its performance with both powders.

I enjoyed the multiple positions in which you could configure the handle, as well as the ability to swap it over for a lefty or, again, a tight workspace. This measure meters via a two-way adjustable stem, which uses a push rod for the course adjustment and a dial drum for the finer work. In practice, i found the best accuracy obtained by screwing in the drum as tight as possible, using solely the push rod to arrive at the charge weight I sought. The main reason behind this was that when the drum is tight to the rotor, it’s less likely to loosen up, thus altering the cavity capacity and resultant charge weight. (lymanproducts.com)

Mark 7 Mechanical

Known for its fully automated progressive presses, Mark 7 offers its Mechanical powder measure a la cart for those already invested in another press and seeking an upgrade. This measure was the most advanced of all of the measures, as it features a ball-bearing rotor for smoother operation, which leads to better consistency. Its interchangeable funnel system also helps it better align with specific cases to stave off spilling, which is a common issue with high-speed loaders.

Mark 7’s measure features a filtering screen, which breaks up any clumped powder, catches any foreign material, and ensures a consistent packing of kernels. In my testing, it edged out all of the others in dispensing uniform charges of StaBALL but took a backseat to Lee’s Auto Pro Auto Disc when it came to the extruded powder. The only downside is its cost, as the unit is roughly 3-4 times more expensive than the others on the list. (mark7reloading.com)

RCBS Uniflow III

Last on our alphabetical list is RCBS’s classic Uniflow, which is now in its third generation. Many of us learned how to reload with this measure, and it’s nice to see that it continues to see revisions to keep pace with the ever-changing reloading landscape. One of the best features of this thrower is that the hopper threads into the base. Press-fit hoppers either work loose over time or put up a fight when it’s time to remove them for cleaning. Four hash marks on the dial drum make for an easy setup, and the sliding micrometer-style rod quantifies changes as you dial in. Another measure that remembers lefties, the handle enables switching to the other side and reattaches to rest in either the up or down position.

Lastly, RCBS offers a case-activated linkage system to add it to any press for high-volume work. Its performance was admirable, as it was one of the better measures for dispensing extruded rod powder, but it didn’t quite agree with the StaBALL. Cleanout, on the other hand, was at the top of its class, as attaching the included drain tube allows you to empty its contents directly into the powder container without having to remove the measure from the stand or press. (rcbs.com)

Final Thoughts

This test gave me a broad perspective of what is on the market, as well as what you can expect from your typical powder measure. In conclusion, all of these will be suitable for high-quality ammunition, save maybe the tiniest, pickiest cartridges. I suggest that you only use the below values to decide if the thrower would dispense charges within an acceptable range for your given load. When doing so, keep in mind this will vary greatly from cartridge to cartridge and especially powder to powder. Also, consider each measure’s unique feature set as loads and cartridges change to keep workbench and preferences more consistent. The good news is that there are at least five excellent candidates out there, and nobody ever said you can only have one.