Back in the dark ages (before digital scales), to adjust our manual powder dispenser we patiently weighed out several charges on balance beam scales, averaged the results and adjusted our powder dispenser accordingly. Then, we repeated the process.

After much trial and error, we got the adjustments correct and began to throw powder charges volumetrically. To be cautious, most reloaders would check every tenth charge on their balance beam scale to verify accuracy. This process worked quite well for the casual shooter and hunter. However, competition target shooters weighed each and every charge to obtain the highest possible accuracy, as they still do today.

Volumetric powder measures, starting with simple dippers, have been around ever since reloading began. There are a lot of manual powder dispensers on the market and virtually all of them can be mounted to a reloading press.

More convenient for mounting is to purchase a dedicated stand for the powder dispenser and mount it to the reloading bench. The Frankford Arsenal Powder Measure comes with two mounting stands, a high clearance bench top and a side-mounting end version, so no extra purchase is necessary.

Why is the Frankford Arsenal powder dispenser superior to so many others on the market? The answer is design and construction.

With respect to its construction, the Frankford measure is machined to extremely tight tolerances, well in excess of what is required to consistently produce accurate charges, and it is very smooth in operation. A tight sealing hopper cap and powder baffle are included.

The advanced powder meter design covers a wide range of charges without sacrificing accuracy and eliminates the need for multiple metering units. The universal meter with its reference marks makes it possible to deliver precise charges from 0.8 grains to 120 grains. This meter tube works equally well with ball, flake, cylinder and extruded powders.

Features and Specifications

• Item number: 909292
• 7/8-14 threads for mounting to a press
• 2 different mounting stands included (high clearance bench top, or mount version)
• Quick disconnect to pour unused powder back into factory canister
• Works with ball, flake, cylinder and extruded powders
• Metal universal meter tube with precise reference marks eliminates the need for multiple metering units/tubes.
• 2018 MSRP: $76.99

We used the Frankford Arsenal Powder Measure to meter Hodgdon's TiteGroup and Hodgdon's H110 powders in loading over 2,000 rounds of .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammo for testing in the new Henry Big Boy rifle. We checked every 20th charge on our RCBS digital Chargemaster scale and found no deviation from our settings. This is saying a lot, as our older powder measurers (not Frankford) were commonly off plus/minus a tenth of a grain after a few dozen rounds.

Note that the reference marks do not represent powder charges in grains. They are intended to allow you to adjust the meter tube for precise charges and record the setting for future use.

We like this unit. Given its construction and precision of operation, the 2018 MSRP of $76.99 is not unreasonable.