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Posted: 2/7/2009 6:38:59 AM EDT
| Ok, I've been reading posts and checking websites for the past month or so, trying to settle on a set-up that best suits me. I work overseas, and only get home about 4 times a year, so at this point my volume doesn't justify a high capacity set-up. (That is, unless the voice whispering in my ear opposite of my Better Judgment ultimately wins the day!) I'm leaning toward a single stage press, probably a Lee Breech Lock Challenger, with Lee dies for .223 and .38 Special. The biggest question in my mind right now involves powder measuring. I've read quite a few complaints about Lee Perfect Powder Measurers leaking spherical powders, so I am inclined to stay away from a Lee single stage kit. Looking at potential alternatives, it sounds like with every powder measurer regardless of manufacturer you need to develop a certain "feel" and rhythm to throw consistent quantities, and every 10th one or so needs to be checked on a scale. My basic question, then, is this. For a single stage set up, does it make just as much sense to just use dippers? It seems to me like once you get the "dip not scoop" process down, a dipper should be awfully consistent, at least for all round shooting. What am I missing here? |
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Dippers are a waste of time. They are extremely inconsistent.
Since you want to stay on the cheaper side of things at least for now here is what I suggest. I would get either an RCBS Quick Change or the Hornady LNL measure. Both allow for quick change metering stems. These allow you to preset stems and interchange them at will. My preference is with the Hornady because I have one and metering stems are cheap (~$10). I do have an older RCBS that is not a Quick Change and have been considering converting it. Another good accessory would be an RCBS powder baffle. If you use it in a Hornady it will need fitted as the reservoir is slightly smaller diameter than the RCBS. It will help with consistency by removing powder column weight and changes from column height. |
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Quoted:
Ok, I've been reading posts and checking websites for the past month or so, trying to settle on a set-up that best suits me. I work overseas, and only get home about 4 times a year, so at this point my volume doesn't justify a high capacity set-up. (That is, unless the voice whispering in my ear opposite of my Better Judgment ultimately wins the day!) I'm leaning toward a single stage press, probably a Lee Breech Lock Challenger, with Lee dies for .223 and .38 Special. The biggest question in my mind right now involves powder measuring. I've read quite a few complaints about Lee Perfect Powder Measure's leaking spherical powders, so I am inclined to stay away from a Lee single stage kit. Looking at potential alternatives, it sounds like with every powder measure regardless of manufacturer you need to develop a certain "feel" and rhythm to throw consistent quantities, and every 10th one or so needs to be checked on a scale. My basic question, then, is this. For a single stage set up, does it make just as much sense to just use dippers? It seems to me like once you get the "dip not scoop" process down, a dipper should be awfully consistent, at least for all round shooting. What am I missing here? Forget dippers. Yes you have to learn a new skill to use a powder measure. If you pay attention to consistency, you will learn this skill fairly fast. (it's not hard) The choice of powders makes a big difference with how they measure. Best is ball powder, next is flake, then the log type. I have the Hornaday measure that works just fine for me. It has a scale on the adjustment stem. Once charge for powder X is adjusted, write down the number. Next time you want this charge of powder X, adjust PM to the number and check it. It will be close, will need fine adjustment. Doesn't take long. |
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