Bench-top powder dispensers have been a staple in reloading rooms for decades. There are certainly good uses for this piece of equipment. That said, there are times you shouldn’t use them.

So let’s touch on that before I show you how to use a powder measure. – 4 easy steps

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they are not as consistent as companies would lead you to believe unless you decide to lay down a short stack of cash for the high-end units. (Harrells)

Powder measures/throwers are designed to produce large volumes of ammo at weights that are more or less in the ballpark. And they are fast! I can quickly pour 200 cases in under an hour.

Suppose you are a competition shooter; you might want to steer clear of one, depending on your discipline.

However, they are incredibly effective if you combine them with a balance beam scale and powder trickler, but it is slow.

I employed that combination successfully for several seasons, but that article is for another day.

A potential problem is a possibility of overcharging a case.

Suppose you are threading the needle between safe Vs. Unsafe, you can easily cross into the danger zone, and I don’t need to explain the potential consequences.

Here is how to use a powder measure? 4 easy steps

Step One
Get rid of static.

Most powder measures are made of material that static loves to hang out with, and it would be best to rub it down with a dryer sheet before use. The better units go so far as having glass drop tubs to help reduce the static issue.

Step Two

Fill the hopper with your desired gunpowder. Be sure to fill it to the top (more on the reason for this later).

Tip: Write what type of powder you put into the hopper on a label and stick it on the outside. In this way, you don’t accidentally mix powders.

Tip

When manually operating the handle, it is best to do it consistently. After dumping the charge, I raised the handle about 1/4 and gave it a tap down to ensure a little powder didn’t hang up on the inside.

Step three
Adjust the powder weight.

I could detail how to adjust the powder meter on my equipment, but every manufacturer’s product is different. It should be pretty self-explanatory about how to accomplish that task.

I advise using a balance beam or some external scale to achieve the perfect amount of freedom powder. Adjust the meter until you reach your target.

Tip
Please don’t use one of those small cheap digital scales that are all over the internet because they are absolute pieces of junk. You can never go wrong with a good balance beam.

Step Four
Load away.

Periodically check your charge weights and keep the hopper filled at a consistent level/volume.

I say this because when you weigh a full hopper vs. a low one, you will get two different numbers. Please don’t take my word for it; try it yourself.

Tip

Try not to leave powder in the hopper when not in use. Hoppers are by no means airtight, and you could end up with humidity in the powder.

I hope this article on how to use a powder measure? 4 easy steps. has pointed you in the right direction. I also added some tips to shorten the learning curve.

Don’t take this article the wrong way. I do like this piece of equipment. Hell, I only have three of them, and they’re never far from my reach.

Disclaimer: Reloading/handloading can be hazardous to your health like many things in life. You take full responsibility when performing these procedures. 5 Gun Nation is not liable for your decisions. Don’t be an idiot, and if you are, it is not our problem.

5 Gun Nations How-To series