Author Topic: Time to upgrade powder equipment?  (Read 549 times)

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Offline Carphunter

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« on: June 26, 2005, 05:27:29 PM »
I started reloading using a Dillon 550, Blue Dot Powder, and 10mm.

Over time, I picked up the dies to do 6.5x55 Swedish, 30-06, and 7.5x55 Swiss.

For the pistol, I would throw charges with the press, and hand check them if I were trying to find max and accurate loads.

Once I found a load that worked, I checked every 5th or 10th charge to see that what I was throwing was where i wanted it.

With my rifles and Hogdon H4350, i found myself weighing every charge because A. I was making up my test loads, and B. after testing, I wanted to be damn sure my hunting loads were spot on.

Well... after spending x amount of time doing this, I'm thinking now about alternative methods for dispensing/weighing my loads.

At first I figured I'd sell off my Pact electronic scale and order a Pact Precision dispenser/scale.  But I've seen some people griping about them.  Then I saw the RCBS 1500 which people seem to like.

But then, the skinflint in me kicked in.  I started to think, do I need the thing to automatically throw charges....or would I be happy enough hand throwing most of the load, and then trying one of the little Franklin electric tricklers to bring the loads to spec.

Anyone want to chime in with opinions?  I know I don't shoot probably more than 150 of any rifle round in a year ('cept .223...but I don't reload that because my HK 630 makes a mess of the brass).

I generally make up 5 each test powder weight for a particular bullet, and probably 12-15 sets like that to find accurate and max loads.  Once I've got the load, I probably put together20 to 40 shells at spec (of which 3 may find their way through deer :)

Offline quickdtoo

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2005, 06:26:34 PM »
I'm really loving the Lyman 1200 DPS II, it's been within .1 gr every time I've checked a load. Cleaning it after use seemed a hassle the first time I used it, but after that it's been real quick and easy. The half hour warm up time is a drag, but I usually have other stuff to do for prep work anyway......lest I forget to turn it on first!!! :oops:

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Mark whiz

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2005, 06:42:34 PM »
I have the older (i.e. slower) pact dispenser/scale setup and I like it. :grin:

And for the reloading pattern you describe - it, or any of the dispenser systems would serve you well.
"Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3)
Aim small.........miss small.
Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

Offline ricciardelli

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2005, 07:53:37 PM »
Damn!

How have I managed to reload for the past 40-some years using an old Lyman 55 dispenser and a coupel of beat-up RCBS balance scales?

Offline Jack Crevalle

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2005, 01:42:01 AM »
My conclusion after using both the Lyman and RCBS dispenser/scale combos as well as volumetric powder measures is that the electronic dispenser/scale combos are good for working up loads when you are making up many cases with varying amounts of powder. They are also good when using extruded powders that get crushed in volumetric measures. Volumetric measures are better when in "production" mode throwing multiple charges of the same weight and are better with small grain powders such as W296 which can gum up the works of eletronic dispensers.

Offline KN

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2005, 12:48:18 PM »
I second quickdtoo on this one. My Lyman 1200 DPS II is one piece of equipment I dearly love.  KN

Offline Tom W.

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2005, 05:56:42 AM »
Steve, you're getting old, remember? :wink:  I've used the Lee dippers with a Lee balance beam scales untill the day the scales went bad. I then bought ---you guessed it--- and electric, of all things, Pact BBK II scale. Still using the dippers, though.
Tom
Alabama Hunter and firearms safety instructor

I really like my handguns!

Offline ricciardelli

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2005, 09:44:24 AM »
No doubt about me getting old...62 is a couple of weeks!

However...

I tried a couple of dem der new gadgits...and I didn't like 'em at all!

First of all, I have flourescent shop lamps over my reloading benches, and it was impossible to read the fancy, dancy, little displays on 'em!

Secondly, they take ferever to dump a load!  I kin tak my old "55", slam the handle up and down one time, and rap with da der little peter thing hangin' in front twice and I have my charge.

Throw dat der charge on a scale (one o' dem old man type scales), twist the little titty on my dribbler (not THAT dribbler, the one on my reloadin' bench), an' I'm all set!

Meanwhile dat durn electrical thingy is still tryin' ta figure out what the hell it is 'posed ta be doin'!

Offline quickdtoo

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2005, 09:49:27 AM »
Heh heh, we can always figure out ways to justify our methods.....different strokes.....er scales..er.....powder systems!!! :-D  :-D  :-D In the end, all that matters is we enjoy what we're doing!!

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline smalstuf

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Time to upgrade powder equipment?
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2005, 10:21:23 AM »
Put a JDS Quick Measure on your 550 and all your problims will go away. Acurate to within .1 grains with 4350 and their bridge breaking device will not allow the powder to bridge. This device will mount on any progresive with 7/8-14 threaded holes
www.quick-measure.com