Need Powder Scale Recommendation
12-26-2010, 06:59 PM
#11
Spike
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
12-27-2010, 05:05 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WY
Posts: 2,056
Oh, this does sound familiar.
For volume reloading of extruded powder, I finally went to the RCBS combo. I still check it against my original 5.0.5 and also against a set of RCBS accessory check weights.
The lowest cost, lowest volume solution I found along the way involved my standard RCBS Uniflow with a baffle (also an RCBS accessory) dialed back a tenth or two, finishing up with a trickler on the beam scale. Tedious, yes. But, the time spent in case prep and measuring powder reduced significantly the shot-to-shot differences that can only be found using a chronograph and, in turn, promoted very consistent accuracy once I found a load my rifle liked.
I know you've already gone a different route, that's okay. Anyone else who might be thinking the same thing or is just starting out reloading would be well served by the basic "Rockchucker Combo" or similar package as their base setup, accessorize with a powder baffle, a manual case trimmer and caliper, check weights for the scale, and a powder trickler - all fairly low-cost additions. Strongly consider a good chronograph as your next major purchase. A chrono will open a whole new world of exterior ballistics. If you get to a point where you're going through a lot of ammunition, particularly plinking or varminting, it might make some sense to add a digital scale/dispenser combo. Otherwise, you can save a LOT of money and really begin to capitalize on the performance of reloaded ammunition by purchasing the RIGHT accessories.
JMO - the chrono is the least understood, most intimidating (financially and mathematically) accessory that many average reloaders next to rule out. They're not that expensive (less than a digital scale combo), and they're not all that complicated (you might need a tripod and be able to follow directions). All of which are well within most reloaders' abilities. If you reload now without a chronograph, how do you know - beyond what a book says that load did in THEIR rifle - how your reload is performing in YOUR rifle?
For volume reloading of extruded powder, I finally went to the RCBS combo. I still check it against my original 5.0.5 and also against a set of RCBS accessory check weights.
The lowest cost, lowest volume solution I found along the way involved my standard RCBS Uniflow with a baffle (also an RCBS accessory) dialed back a tenth or two, finishing up with a trickler on the beam scale. Tedious, yes. But, the time spent in case prep and measuring powder reduced significantly the shot-to-shot differences that can only be found using a chronograph and, in turn, promoted very consistent accuracy once I found a load my rifle liked.
I know you've already gone a different route, that's okay. Anyone else who might be thinking the same thing or is just starting out reloading would be well served by the basic "Rockchucker Combo" or similar package as their base setup, accessorize with a powder baffle, a manual case trimmer and caliper, check weights for the scale, and a powder trickler - all fairly low-cost additions. Strongly consider a good chronograph as your next major purchase. A chrono will open a whole new world of exterior ballistics. If you get to a point where you're going through a lot of ammunition, particularly plinking or varminting, it might make some sense to add a digital scale/dispenser combo. Otherwise, you can save a LOT of money and really begin to capitalize on the performance of reloaded ammunition by purchasing the RIGHT accessories.
JMO - the chrono is the least understood, most intimidating (financially and mathematically) accessory that many average reloaders next to rule out. They're not that expensive (less than a digital scale combo), and they're not all that complicated (you might need a tripod and be able to follow directions). All of which are well within most reloaders' abilities. If you reload now without a chronograph, how do you know - beyond what a book says that load did in THEIR rifle - how your reload is performing in YOUR rifle?
Last edited by homers brother; 12-27-2010 at 05:10 AM.
12-29-2010, 08:23 AM
#13
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: orygun
Posts: 379
ive got the rcbs rangemaster,excellent scale and is very accurate,i use a trickler and i cant complain.mite take a few seconds longer but it was in my price range.i use it for my rifles only as i dont load pistol ammo
01-07-2011, 03:57 AM
#15
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 287
"JMO - the chrono is the least understood, most intimidating (financially and mathematically) accessory that many average reloaders next to rule out. They're not that expensive (less than a digital scale combo), and they're not all that complicated (you might need a tripod and be able to follow directions). All of which are well within most reloaders' abilities. If you reload now without a chronograph, how do you know - beyond what a book says that load did in THEIR rifle - how your reload is performing in YOUR rifle?"
+1. A few years ago, I bought a used ProChrony at a gun show for $90. It was a great investment. No more guessing about MV's and trajectory.
+1. A few years ago, I bought a used ProChrony at a gun show for $90. It was a great investment. No more guessing about MV's and trajectory.
