Getting back a bit closer to the topic, I seem to recall somewhere that a plug gage could be dropped gently into a partially filled case to get approximately the same effect as a drop tube. Any particular reason not to do that?
aka pin gage, or plain cylindrical plug gage? Go-No-Go? You know, those things wrapped in cheap greased paper that come from China and say Vermont American on them?
Pit a finger over the end of the case so powder doesn't spill and gently tap edge of rim on bench. It will let the powder settle and give you a little more space.
The Ruger came in. Mightly purty, and somebody spent a lot of time getting the action tuned to what I would have said was an impossible degree for a transfer bar. Pics when it's out of jail. Well, okay, a pic from the seller: