Author Topic: New Press and scale (Read 622 times)

stork · « **on:** December 18, 2004, 02:42:10 PM »

I am looking to upgrade to a better scale. I would like to buy an electronic scale. What do you guys recomend?

I also want a better press. Have any of you used that Lee classis press and what are your opinions? Another press I am considering is the Rochchucker. I know the rockchucker has a good reputation, but is there any other press that is of comparible quality to the rockchucker?

I load for a 30-06 if that helps.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2004, 02:55:08 PM »

I have five of the RockChuckers in use in my shop and an Ammomaster progressive. One of the RockChuckers has a PiggyBackII sitting on it, and the others are just used for different things. You really can't go wrong with them. There are others that are high quality but I don't have any reason to change. One of the other brands that I like is Dillon. They make an excellent product.

You didn't mention the scale you want to upgrade from, who know what you would consider an upgrade. The electronic scales seem nice and convenient, but I have a few of the RCBS balance beam design scales and they have been working fine for a long time. Don't really have any reason to change.

stork · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2004, 04:06:45 AM »

My scale is a Redding balance beam scale. It works just fine, but I am lookin for something just a little faster. I also have a fairly cramped reloading area so I think an electronic will be easier to place out of the way when I am not using it.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2004, 05:44:02 AM »

I'm tempted by the Lee Classic just because it addresses the one gripe I have with the Rockchucker. The Rockchucker does not handle spent primers well. It catches some, misses some, and shoots some all over hell and gone. Other than that, it's about perfect.

The Lee Classic has a hollow ram to drop spent primers straight down. Never had a chance to try one, but the idea sure looks good.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2004, 05:59:09 AM »

I cannot believe you have a press of any kind and would actually consider the Lee an upgrade. You can't be serious. :eek:

As to other presses similar to the RCBS Rockchucker yes there are some. The Hornady Classic is pretty much equal. I use one of those for the most part these days. I have a bunch of presses but it gets the most use. Redding has one also. I think it's called the Boss but don't beat the farm on it. Lyman has one I think called the Orange Crush. All of these are fairly massive compound leverage presses more or less the equal of the Rockchucker.

hardertr · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2004, 06:24:36 AM »

I just bought the Lyman 1200 Digital scale and dispenser. Does EVERYTHING! You can even program shortcut keys that will automatically adjust for your favorite load/powder combinations. The ONLY problem I have with this scale is the damned buzzer! You will definitely know when the charge is ready :shock: There is no way to turn it off either. Midwayusa has the best price at $219. It's spendy..but you will never need to upgrade again.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2004, 08:28:08 AM »

I''ve read that the electronic scales are slow as you add powder and wait on the scale to register. Is this true? I've also read that the electronic scales will drift a little during warm up.

I'd like a digital as well, but question how they can possibly be faster than a magnetically dampened beam?

hardertr · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2004, 08:48:15 AM »

They are not any faster. I don't use a progressive, so the scale has plenty of time to get the charge ready for me by the time I need it for the next round.

There is also no problem with "drift", as long as you turn it on and let it warm up before you start using it. I turn mine on first thing, then get the rest of my reloading stuff ready to go.

You will end up waiting on the scale if you use a progressive press. I guess that is another one of the differences between "mass produced" and "hand-made". It shouldn't really be a factor unless you are planning on reloading several boxes of shells at a time.

I used to use the cheap powder thrower that came with my kit. I ended up weighing, then having to top-off or lighten each load to make them all even. Don't know if it mattered all that much, but I just like the idea of knowing the EVERY charge is going to be EXACTLY the same. That way, I know range performance has more to do with my shooting abilities (or lack there-of) and less to do with the ammo I loaded.

mountainview · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2004, 09:13:38 AM »

Stork,

You may want to consider using dippers. I was skeptical at first but now use the Lee Dippers in my standard loads and it has considerably speeded things up while reducing space needed on the bench. I use my scale to qualify the dippers at different times while loading and found them to be very precise wrt individual charges.

Reloader · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2004, 12:24:52 PM »

I got an electronic RCBS scale a couple of years back. I use it on occasion but 90% or more of the time I still use my balance beam. There is no warm up period with the beam. I use Lee dippers or a powder measure to get close and finish up the load with the battery powered trickler from Franford Arsenal available at Midway. I am not into high volume reloading so this system works just fine for loading up a box or two of shells.
I do use the scale for weighing components such as bullets and brass.

Catfish · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2004, 12:38:28 PM »

You might want to look into an AT 500 Dillon and buy one of their powder measures for it. You will be spending about the same money and you can but stuff for the Dillon as you go and end up with a full blown 550. I`ve loaded on a 550 Dillon for alittle over 30 years and have shot alot of groups under 1/2 moa with ammo loaded on it. With ball powder I have nevered wieghted a charge that was .05 gr. form what I sat it at.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2004, 02:25:17 PM »

The new Lee classic is everything a rockchucker is and more they work ecceptionally well. The primer catcher is the best I've ever seen. You wouldn't be wrong looking at one.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2004, 03:29:21 PM »

I'll ditto what Bob said on the Lee Classic. I'm sure the Rockchucker is a 1st class press, but not worth twice the price when the Lee Classic is available. Install some of those Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings and using a single stage has never been easier.
As to the Digital scales, one that I know should be avoided for trickling is the Dillon Deturminator. The software it uses specifically ignores minute changes in weight in an attempt to counteract drift. It's great for weighing set amounts (segregating brass and bullets by weight or weighing thrown charges from measures) but it doesn't work well for trickling those last couple of 10ths of a powder charge. I bought an RCBS 10-10 beam scale and haven't looked back.

Good luck,
Ian