juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
The lee scale is like 10$ or something and works fine get one of those...works for me.
Got my Lee Handload kit and I have a few questions
- Thread starter cereal83
- Start date
Where is a $10 lee scale?
I was bidding on a RCBS 505 Scale yesterday on ebay but I just didn't win. I am going to get a digital caliper as soon as I found out where I can buy them.
I checked EE and this guy has a old scale from the 80's for sale but he said it is super accurate. I have no idea if stuff from the 80's is still good today or if buying new would be better.
I wish I could afford a nice digital auto scale but they are like expensive as hell.
I am taking Katz up on is offer, I just have to agree to a date and time to meet him.
I was bidding on a RCBS 505 Scale yesterday on ebay but I just didn't win. I am going to get a digital caliper as soon as I found out where I can buy them.
I checked EE and this guy has a old scale from the 80's for sale but he said it is super accurate. I have no idea if stuff from the 80's is still good today or if buying new would be better.
I wish I could afford a nice digital auto scale but they are like expensive as hell.
I am taking Katz up on is offer, I just have to agree to a date and time to meet him.
a scale is a scale- get some check weights ( verified as to weights or a known weight-say 1oz verified) put it on the scale and if the numbers match, you're good to go- i've been using a bonanza scale( that's a pacific for those who don't know) for years now and it's fine- as long is the arm isn't broke or something, any of the makers make a good scale- the only reason i mention the arm is i had the pointer break off on a 505 and couldn't fix/replace it- as far as a digital, go with a good balance beam for now - again, you're not there yet- the calipers can be got at princess auto on sale, canadian tire , and a couple of other places like house of tools-any place that sells precision measuring tools- just ask for a vernier or dial caliper- with this stuff , beginning, digital is not the way to go- it's expensive, and what happens when your batteries fail ( and they will) and you're stuck- or you can get the lee trimmer and nut kit which is already set for factory length - stick the cartrge in that, give it a couple of turns, and you're at factory - if you watch e-bay you can get a good digital for about 30 bucks us ( does oz, grains, carats, and grams) -just be sure to get one that goes to at least 1/10th of a grain-cereal83 said:
stubblejumper said:
Ditto X 100000000000000
To the dude who started this thread.
What kind of "kit" did you get with no scale, or powder measure, or instructions?
Dude, you need to call higginsons and get a scale, Lee is $35, Hornady is $60 and much better. Get the Modern Reloading manual by Richard Lee while you are at it, has lots of tips and tricks for using their dies and equipment if that's what you have. Get the Powder measure and funnel if you don't have one already.
Reloading is pretty serious business and not something to take lightly. It's not something you should try and tackle half assed when just starting out.
t-star said:
Thanks for the tips.
The scale from the 80's is a RCBS and it looks to be in great condition I just don't know. I would prefer to have something 20 years newer.
The calipers are selling on e-bay for pretty cheap. If I can get a digital one then I will but if not a normal one.
I am also watching ebay for scales as I said before the RCBS 505, well I was outbid at the last second.
I have the trimmer kit but I never got the sizing peice with the kit at SIR was on backorder but they just shipped it out now so I will have it in a few days.
Thanks again for your tips.
Hitzy said:
I got The Lee Handloading kit. It came with a little scoop that is set at a certain grain and I want to be able to go lots of loads. The kit was only $60 and I like it as I don't have to screw anything to a table. It's just something I hold in my hands. It might be slower but it still works.
I got this kit
but it also came with the die set and I also got the stuff to trim the casings.
I know I didn't buy the best but it atleast works.
I already have 2 loading books, The Lyman one and another one that is like a magazine. I am looking to buy atleast 1 more.
I am keeping my eyes open and realoding alot on the net so don't think I am slacking!
I ordered my digital calipers thru cabelas.com out of the states. Its 20 bucks for the regular or 27 for the digital. You can try ordering a scale thru them but most likely it will show up as they cannot ship to a Canadian address for the scale when you are doing your checkout, (restrictions on exporting reloading goods from the USA) But the calipers won't be a problem.
once you've verified your scale, age doesn't matter- you move the pointers over the numbers, and balance the beam- been the same way since the beginning of time- like i said my original was an ohaus 505, which had a pot metal beam and broke- about 1975/6 or so- i've been using a bonanza for quite a while which has a bit finer teeth in the beam than the ohaus, so it doesn't move the weights quite so easily- once it's set, it ends to stay that way-my digtal i got from a place called digital snail on line- i use it to ck to see whether i've got a double charge or no charge at all - it happens- esp with a progressive- but for weighing powder, i've used a balance beam for about 30 years- just wipe the dust off , make sure the pan is empty( and that means no dust too) and don't try to zero it without the pan- it was designed to work that way
PerversPépère
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Shawinigan (Quebec)
Just ask!
Cereal83, where are you situated?
I have here a Lee Safety Powder Scale that I do not use because I inherited a bigger model RCBS scale.
It is every bit as sensitive as any other safety scale, just a bit more difficult to set, but once you got the knack, it's real good.
I made many great reloads with it and if you need one, I'll send it to you for the price of the shipping if you say you want it AND promise to give it to another fledgling reloader once you graduate to a more expensive one.
Deal?
PP.
Cereal83, where are you situated?
I have here a Lee Safety Powder Scale that I do not use because I inherited a bigger model RCBS scale.
It is every bit as sensitive as any other safety scale, just a bit more difficult to set, but once you got the knack, it's real good.
I made many great reloads with it and if you need one, I'll send it to you for the price of the shipping if you say you want it AND promise to give it to another fledgling reloader once you graduate to a more expensive one.
Deal?
PP.
PerversPépère said:Cereal83, where are you situated?
I have here a Lee Safety Powder Scale that I do not use because I inherited a bigger model RCBS scale.
It is every bit as sensitive as any other safety scale, just a bit more difficult to set, but once you got the knack, it's real good.
I made many great reloads with it and if you need one, I'll send it to you for the price of the shipping if you say you want it AND promise to give it to another fledgling reloader once you graduate to a more expensive one.
Deal?
PP.
PP you are a real gentleman.
cereal, take PP up on his offer, I use the Lee scale and its pretty good.... its even better when you get one for the cost of shipping
Craig
PerversPépère said:Cereal83, where are you situated?
I have here a Lee Safety Powder Scale that I do not use because I inherited a bigger model RCBS scale.
It is every bit as sensitive as any other safety scale, just a bit more difficult to set, but once you got the knack, it's real good.
I made many great reloads with it and if you need one, I'll send it to you for the price of the shipping if you say you want it AND promise to give it to another fledgling reloader once you graduate to a more expensive one.
Deal?
PP.
PM sent
Cereal - How about another promise to take 2Katz up on his offer to show you the ropes? Otherwise, you may be the first candidate to be nominated for the CGN Darwin awards. (Its the action of your rifle that can really blow if you screw up your reloads....)
Failing that, I would suggest you apply your modest financial resources to women and beer, and stick with factory ammo.
Failing that, I would suggest you apply your modest financial resources to women and beer, and stick with factory ammo.
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smacdonald
Supporting Dealer
- Location
- Ontario 905 area
I just got the same hand kit to take to the range. I will still take a scale with me. As I recall one of the first manuals I read strictly stated that you should never measure smokless powder by volume. Even with a powder measure I still weigh each charge.
Glad to hear you are taking 2katz's offer. It will speed up your learning process in a safe manner.
Glad to hear you are taking 2katz's offer. It will speed up your learning process in a safe manner.
Yes, I am waiting for a scale then I will start making my loads. I also have to wait for one more part for my case trimming thingy. Then I should be good to go. I got a digital caliper off of ebay and should have that tomorrow so I think I am really close to making my own loads
Is it ok to trim a case with the primer in it?
Is it ok to trim a case with the primer in it?
Cereal - You're just making everybodies blood pressure go through the roof with these inane questions! If you're using a Lee Trimmer you cant trim after priming... And more fundamentally, why would you want to trim virgin brass?
Dude - Hook up with 2katz, before you hurt yourself.
Dude - Hook up with 2katz, before you hurt yourself.
My brass has been once fired since I saved all the cases from everything I shot. In my Lyman book it says the case usually doesn't stretch until it has been fired a few times.
If I do have to trim, I will take the primer out. I just wanted to make sure I had to do it.
It never hurts to ask questions.
If I do have to trim, I will take the primer out. I just wanted to make sure I had to do it.
It never hurts to ask questions.
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
You won't need to trim on once fired. When you deprime either fire the casings off with no powder and no bullet or spray them with some type of oil to deactivate or they could go off in your press.
