powder etc. question from a reloading newbie

[louthepou]

Hi everyone,

Quick question, from a half-equiped, glad to learn reloading newbie.

I have a Lee classic loader for .303 british.

Only bullets I could find this weekend was 180gr., round nose from Speer.

The powders I currently have are Hodgdon's H4895 and H322.

I have a scale coming soon, and a couple of reloading manuals, but at this present time I only have the little scoop (2.8cc) that comes with the Lee classic loader kit to deal with the powder.

Question: Is there any chance I can use either of these powders to reload a few rounds with the equipment I have. In other words, is there a way to see if 2.8cc of one of these powders equal the weight that'd correspond to the minimum charge or close to it, for the bullets I have?

Thanks for any tip (and yup, rest assured I won't do anything before I'm very sure I'm ok doing it.)

Lou

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

I got the Lee classic loader kit and with it comes the book. i looked up the info listed for H4895 powder...For the 180 gr bullet you need 37 grains of powder which is equal to 2.69 ccs of powder . If your dipper is 2.8 cc then you are at the high end of loading pressure. which is 40 grains. Without a proper scale, you would be guessing . Better than the balance scales, it is well worth it to buy a digital scale as they tend to be more accurate and much faster to read. You can buy a kit which has many dippers of varying sizes and guess again or invest in an expeniture for a scale.

 

[louthepou]

Thanks WT, just the advice I required, much appreciated!

And since I wasn't set on my scale choice, you've help there too.

Lou

 

[theDuck]

I've weighed out those scooper loads and found them to be inconsistant by a grain or so. Try it when you get your scale. Beam scales have their place as there is not much to go wrong with them. I actually use my beam cheap RCBS scale to verify my digital.
Many of us all started out with the Lee Loader and upgraded as we prospered. You will too.