I finally did it

[Feldhege]

Well Guys, I took the plunge and finally decided to get a press. I have been using my Lee Hand Press to make my 44 Mag rounds but after making my first 200 rounds and having to constantly switch dies, I decided a bench press was what I wanted. Today I ordered the Lee Classic 4 hole turret press, Pro Auto disk powder throw, Saftey prime kit, and a factory crimp die. It probably is not the perfect setup but I think it will work for me. I only really reload 44 mag right now but I am thinking in the future of doing more. I really wanted a progressive press (like my brother's Dillion 550B) but just can't swing it right now. I have a digital scale, powder trickler, carbide dies, and reloading books already so I think I am set.

(I will take any advice of course that anyone wants to give.)

Robb

[DDelle338]

  Feldhege;
  Glad to hear you took the plunge and are on your way. Sounds like you have the bases covered with your set up. I think you will be happy with what you have. For a while, at least.
  Now you will have to remember one thing (if you're married), your wife. When I first got my setup, I didn't see her for a week. I spent all my time at the reloading bench until one day she reminded me that she was still there.
  One piece of advice,,, if you do get into reloading for high-pressure cartridges or chasing the accuracy bug. You should probably get a good Beam Scale. I've had, and others have also had digital scales that are not quite true. I had one that even though I'd calibrate it with the calibration weights it would sometimes be off enough to make a difference in my loads. Mine was not a very expensive model, and I don't know what you have, but I'd just think about it. I still use it for some things, but not for weighing my rifle loads.
  Maybe someone that has one of proven accuracy could say what kind they have. Might be the same as yours.
   Be safe and have fun.

[Feldhege]

Thanks for the advice. I am planning on getting one eventually even if I only use it to check my loads once in a while. I did buy the micrometer attachment for the Pro Auto disk dispenser because I read in an article or two (I know dangerous) that they got much more consistent results with those. Right now I only load 22.5 - 23.5 gr of H110 behind a 240gr magtech JSP. They seem to shoot pretty well in my 8" DW 44. From the articles I read (using the loads they tested) the spread with the Micrometer adjustment bar were only .2 spread. Both also recommended that I not use a powder throw if I was going to do full power loads.

I would like to hear what kind of beam scales most people are using. I was going to purchase the LEE with my stuff but did not want to break the $200 mark right now. I cam close with 194.00! Just got the UPS tracking info, should be here on Tuesday!

Robb

[goodconcretecolor]

Let me start out by saying that I love Lee Precision. I have used nothing but Lee presses for 20 years and use a Lee perfect powder measure(Love it) and have only 1 die that is not Lee. When I first started reloading, my wife gave me a Lyman beam scale for my birthday.(Did I marry great woman or what?) At the time, Lee did not make a scale. I am still using that scale.About 2 years ago I bought a Lee safety scale to use at the range. But my aging eyes could not read the scale except with reading glasses and then the light had to be at just the right angle.. I accidentally dropped the beam on a hardwood floor a distance of about 3 feet and it broke in two. This is the only piece of Lee equipment I have not been delighted with. I will not be buying a digital scale. I maintain and calibrate scales where I work as part of my job and I have learned that conductive powders and the resulting dust can play hob with electronics. At work, I deal with magnetic iron oxide powders and many smokeless powders are coated with graphite.
I would have to recommend a Lyman or maybe RCBS beam scale. If accuracy, reliability and durability are important, My Lyman 505 scale is a champ.

[sherpa]

i do NOT recommend the lee powder scale. much more difficult to use. JMHO

[warrior1]

good choice for a press. i've had mine for about 1 year and it is just right speed for my feeble mind.they are a popular press and to date i have not heard a bad word about one. recenlt i added the powder measure and that has made the operation more efficient. the only thing i caution here is use to check the measure with a scale to make sure
loads are throwing the desired charge. once mine is throwing the correct amount i'll fly with the measure throws checking every 6Th or 7th load to be sure it's consistent. it's not a dillon but it serves my purpose.

lastly, be sure to keep it lubed. i'm sure you'll enjoy it. dan

[Hairtrigger]

Why do you guys feel the need to apologize for not buying a dillon? It seems the blue guys are so vocal and obnoxious that you feel insecure in your own buying decisions.
The press you bought is every bit the value for the dollar spent.
Lee makes a good product and supports their products well.

[Dand]

Hey I have been reloading since about 1977 and I am thinking of getting one of those new Lee turrets with the auto index features. All I find are good words about it.

I use a Lee Pro Auto on my Lyman turret and like it a lot.  But,  I almost always have to use the disk hole that is 1 or 2 sizes larger than indicated in the manual to get the right powder charge.  Wish I knew why.   

I haven't found the micrometer gizmo easy to set or use so it sits in the bottom of the drawer. Some powders meter more consitently than others.  H110 meters very well.  Flake powders are a little more variable but overall I really like the auto case flare and powder dispensing feature - really speeds up the whole program.

I have a Hornady beam scale and even sent it back to them for a check up after about 15 years.

Keep us posted on your progress. 

[Lloyd Smale]

Im one of the guys that beats the drum for the dillons. Why? because ive used both and know better. Theres absoutely nothing wrong with alot of lee equiptment and i use some myself. I wouldnt hesitate to recomend one of there manual turent presses as a matter of fact there was one on my bench up till last year when a buddy that was starting loading talked me out of it. What i would NEVER recomend to any loader is a pro 1000 or a pro master. Might be usefull if they made them about 20 lbs heavier that way when you were done pulling your hair out of your head you could use it for a boat anchor. Ive found that about 90 percent of the people that are happy with them and brag them up have never loaded on a dillon or hornady progressive. I totaly understand that some people cant afford to step up and some people arent into this hobby as much as me but If moneys short buy a manual turrent because if your that tight on your buget you surely dont have  over a hundred bucks to throw away on JUNK>

Why do you guys feel the need to apologize for not buying a dillon? It seems the blue guys are so vocal and obnoxious that you feel insecure in your own buying decisions.
The press you bought is every bit the value for the dollar spent.
Lee makes a good product and supports their products well.

[Lloyd Smale]

I guess ive got to argue this a little too. I bought a pact scale and dispensor about 15 years ago and it has worked out in my barn (with a dirt floor) through dust the smoke of smelting lead and in temps from  -10 to over a 100. Its even surviived one fire that melted the case on the dispensor that was sitting right next to it.  In 15 years ive had absolutely no problems with it till 2 days ago when it gave up the ghost and wouldnt calibrate. Pact has a no  bs lifetime warantee so it will be fixed for free and returned. I use this scale EVERYDAY and i think thats pretty good reliabilty. They recomend you calibrate it before every use but i think in 15 years i did mine twice. It is never shut off and has never been off when i checked it with check weights. I would have to wonder if the iron oxide you deal with has a magnetic property that screws with electronics. Tell you what. Ive been useing the old balance beem redding scale for a couple days now and im going through withdrawls wanting my pact back!

Let me start out by saying that I love Lee Precision. I have used nothing but Lee presses for 20 years and use a Lee perfect powder measure(Love it) and have only 1 die that is not Lee. When I first started reloading, my wife gave me a Lyman beam scale for my birthday.(Did I marry great woman or what?) At the time, Lee did not make a scale. I am still using that scale.About 2 years ago I bought a Lee safety scale to use at the range. But my aging eyes could not read the scale except with reading glasses and then the light had to be at just the right angle.. I accidentally dropped the beam on a hardwood floor a distance of about 3 feet and it broke in two. This is the only piece of Lee equipment I have not been delighted with. I will not be buying a digital scale. I maintain and calibrate scales where I work as part of my job and I have learned that conductive powders and the resulting dust can play hob with electronics. At work, I deal with magnetic iron oxide powders and many smokeless powders are coated with graphite.
I would have to recommend a Lyman or maybe RCBS beam scale. If accuracy, reliability and durability are important, My Lyman 505 scale is a champ.

[goodconcretecolor]

Loyd,
You are exactly right, some of the iron oxides I dealt with(I've changed jobs) were magnetic. I enjoy replys like yours as they have me considering the Pact scale-dispenser combo. It seems like a sweet way to reload. I just have earned my living for too many years using beam type scales. I'm a chemical engineer and have often had to make lab type tests in harsh plant conditions where the need for ruggedness, accuracy, and no house current made beam types the only choice. If they zero properly and are kept halfway clean, they don't get out of calibration. Does the Pact come with calibrating weights?