The RCBS “Little Dandy” Powder Measure

The RCBS Little Dandy measure uses interchangeable, drums or rotors to throw a fixed powder charge. The proper drum is selected in accordance with a table, which lists the nominal charge weight thrown by each numbered rotor, using various powders. Selection of the proper drum or rotor should always be done by consulting current published sources of load data. You should then check the charge weight of YOUR drum against a reliable powder scale. I drop TEN charges onto the scale pan and mentally move the decimal. The drums are usually spot-on to the stated charge weight, or not more than 0.1 grain under, but I have never found one which threw more than its stated charge weight.

Once the charge weight thrown by your particular measure has been vefrified, many users leave theirs set up, or package the specific drum in the die box of the caliber in which it is suited. I tend to use the same drums in multiple applications. Therefore, I post a charge table in my loading area, shown below:

These are the rotors I use with my RCBS Little Dandy powder measure and the loads they are used for:

#1 = 2.5 Bullseye, standard load for .32 S&W Long with 98-gr. SWC or .32 ACP with 74-gr. LFN

#3 = 3.0 Bullseye, standard load for .32 H&R Mag and .32-20 115 LFN, and .38 Spl.148 HBWC flush seated.
#5 = 3.5 Bullseye for standard pressure 38 Special cast 146 DEWC or 160LFN
#7 = 4.0 Bullseye for +P .38 Spl. 158 Lead, and as 146 DEWC “full charge wadcutter”
#8 = 4.5 Bullseye for. 45 ACP with H&G68 wadcutter, and .38 +P equivalent in .357 Mag. brass with 150 to 180 grain LFN.
#9 = 5.0 Bullseye . 45 ACP hardball, full charge DEWC for .357 brass, “:cat sneeze” for any .30 cal. rifle 7.62x39 to .30-’06
#12 = 6.5 Bullseye standard load for. 45 Colt 250 lead, 200-grain .44-40, .44 Mag 240-gr. Lead 900 fps “medium” velocity.
#13 = 7.2 Bullseye, full charge .45 Colt 230-gr., also 10 grs.#2400 .38 Spl +P 158-gr. Subsonic gallery load in 30-’06.
#15 = 8.4 Bullseye, 1100 fps with 240 JHP in. 44 Mag revolver, 100-yd. target in .30-'06 plainbased 150 to 205 grains.

Also throws 12 grs. #2400, .for plainbased bullets 150 to 205 grains in any. 30 cal case from. 30-30 to. 30-'06
#18 = 14.5 #2400, standard load for .357 magnum 158 to 160 grain lead SWC or FN,
#19 = 15.4 #2400, full charge .357 Mag. 158 jacketed, 200-yard target gascheck load in any. 30 cal. from 7.62x39 to. 30-'06

Using bullets from 150 to 205 grains. Also very good in. 30-30 and. 32-40!
#22 = 12.7 of Bullseye! Small game and gallery load for belted cases of .300 H&H and larger only! Approximates .38-55 Winchester in .375 H&H with #375449, also throws 17.9 #2400, good load in .303 Brit., Krag, .308 Win with 150-200gr GC.

#25 = 20.8 #2400, Standard charge 44 Mag. for 240-270-grain LFN and . 30-30 with 170-LFN. Good in. 30-'06, with either GC cast or jacketed bullets weighing from 150 to 200 grains.

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