Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/28/2012 4:19:02 PM EDT
|
I am new to reloading, I am pretty happy with my current gear, except for my scale and powder measure.
I went thru a couple of cheap scales and ended up buying a Lyman Scale from my LGS. I am useing a RCBS Powder Measure. I have made 300 rounds of .223 and 150 of .40 this week. However I always seem to struggle with my loads due to the measure and scale (or so it seems) Would I be happy if I invest my money in a Electronic Powder Measure Combo Unit? Are they worth the money? Thanks |
|
Quoted:
I am new to reloading, I am pretty happy with my current gear, except for my scale and powder measure. I went thru a couple of cheap scales and ended up buying a Lyman Scale from my LGS. I am useing a RCBS Powder Measure. I have made 300 rounds of .223 and 150 of .40 this week. However I always seem to struggle with my loads due to the measure and scale (or so it seems) Would I be happy if I invest my money in a Electronic Powder Measure Combo Unit? Are they worth the money? Thanks Sir, FWIW I use a Redding 3BR powder measure and a Redding scale mostly but I also have a PACT electronic powder measure and scale combo that I use occasionally. My answer to your question greatly depends on exactly what you mean when you say "I always seem to struggle". Balance beam type scales are actually pretty quick in my experience, most of them have some form of magnetic dampening to reduce pointer oscillations. The old RCBS Uniflow powder measure was somewhat erratic in my experience but the addition of a powder baffle in the feed hopper greatly improved the uniformity of charges or so I've read as I traded my old Uniflow for the Redding many years ago. Operator technique is the real key to uniform powder measure operation but individually weighing of each charge can become quite tedious in my experience. Use of an electronic powder measure and scale is only slightly less tedious and when one considers the possibility of stray grains of powder escaping the measuring pan with increased handling, possibly less accurate. For .223 Rem. cartridges variations in powder charge weight of plus or minus .1gr are generally considered acceptable, and I have conducted experiments with my chronograph to prove it. To some extent it depends on your choice of powder, some measures simply will not consistantly meter some coarse powders such as IMR 4064. My Redding powder measure consistantly throws charges of the powders I use within that tolerance so generally speaking my powder measure is equally as consistant as the electronic scale. Even with an electronic scale the effects of wind currents will have an effect and operation of the scale so an isolated environment is desireable. For pistol powder charges the same charge weight tolerance applies but in my experience is even less critical with most pistol powders. For most pistol powders I'm quite satisfied with the charge weight consistancy of my Dillon powder measuires. Generally speaking an electronic powder measure/scale combination is not more accurate than a good powder measure/balance beam given consistant operator precision. The electronic combo may be a bit less tedious considering most users will trickle the powder charge in a balance beam scale to achieve the desired charge weight where the electronic combo does it automatically. It has been my experience using my PACT combo that even my breath will affect the scale weight display so I know there is some variation in the scale display from charge to charge. The only time I use my PACT measure/scale combo for weighing powder charges is when I'm loading long range rifle cartridges that I will use for 600 and 1K yard competitions. I do weigh each charge, keep the scale isolated from wind currents, and do considerable case prep to make those cartridges as consistant as possible. The other most frequent use of my electronic scale is sorting bullets and cases by weight. Just my humble opinion, 7zero1 out. |
| Don't know about lowering the volume but if you want to mute it. |
|
Quoted:
Yes. I have an RCBS 750. One of the best purchases I ever made. mine was good for a couple of years but then began to drift. i have learned something in the last week or two regsrding electronic scales: let them warm up before you zero them or use them. always. also, if your scales go bad you can ship them back to rcbs and they will replace them for $35. i have to say maybe i ruined mine by not warming them up  .
|
Armory Sponsor