SmallCaliberCentral

Curious if any body knows anything about the powder measure being made by Montana Vintage Arms? It would appear to be a modern version of the Belding & Mull measure. Price is $189.00, not cheap but, about the same as the least expensive Harrell. Appreciate any thoughts or information.
http://www.montanavintagearms.com/reloading.html

You are loading black powder? Brass hoppers are usually associated with black powder measures for the anti-static (anti-sparking) qualities, same with aluminum. Black powder is measured by volume, smokeless by weight, although there are conversion tables available.

The MVA measure appears to have a separate brass micrometer adjustment chamber to set the charge, which may point to a volumetric charge determination for black powder cartridge loading. That and the picture of a canister of black powder in the advertisement point to use for vintage B.P. cartridges. You may want to give them a call before ordering to be sure it's for smokeless loading. Great measure for the .40-72 Winchester, .45-70 and .45-90 with black powder though.

Next question: How much accuracy do you need? Charges thrown through my R.C.B.S measures (one about three years old, another dating to the 1970's) will produce charges that zero out with ball powders, and come within .01 of a grain with fine extruded powders such as Reloader 10x, H322 and VV-130 and VV-133. Same with the Hornady and Redding measures. Large kernel powders i.e. H4831 and the 4350's can come within .2 to .3 grains weight, and be thrown light and trickled to weight.

The Harrell measures are a specialty item marketed for benchrester's that want the interchangeable bottles and precision repeatable settings. Some of these load at the bench where such features are needed. If a standard measure holds charges within the tolerance of a scale to weigh, then additional accuracy is unusable and undetectable. I doubt many of us would find the expense of a high-end measure offset by significant accuracy gain.

Consistent operating technique with a measure is important to gain maximum accuracy. This means tapping the same at top and bottom stroke, keeping the powder level topped up, and using a powder baffle. Cycling a little dry graphite through the measure before use also helps with lubrication and static dispersal.

W. John,
Not using black powder at all. I know there are some guys using the Belding & Mull measures for small, smokeless cartridges and love them. I mentioned the MVA measure because it was the first time I had seen a new measure that operated on the same principle. I always try to throw light loads and then "trickle" them to weight on the beam scale. Every charge gets weighed and always will on my bench. My 30 yr old Pacific measure no longer throws 24-30 grains very well. I find myself spending too much time trickling and/or recycling a throw back into the measure hopper. I don't even bother putting the cap on my measure when using it. It is time to replace the measure (not that it owes me anything after so much service). I'm just looking for the best consistancy I can get. I have a soft-spot for tools that are engineered to perform above par. Don't want to spend more for nothing but, don't mind spending more for a superior product that provides superior results. Not looking for complicated or automatic, just precise, whether that means a new design or an old design. I may well end up with a new traditional measure. Just looking to see what other people have experienced with different measures and appreciate your in-put. Powders used most often (and in order) are: RL-10X, Varget, IMR4831. Thanks.

If you are weighing every charge, just about any measure will do. In my case, I prefer a measure with an interchangeable small (pistol) chamber for light charges.

My friend has six of the Harrell Premium BR Measures set up in his loading room each for a different varmint cartridge. That particular measure is designed smaller capacity cartridges. He always buys what he perceives to the best available with great results.

Good luck on making a choice, there's just so many choices it's difficult to choose. Too many choices is a good thing.