i have just started to collecting some things for reloading thanks to two members i have a press and primer feeds. now i will need a scale . so beam scale vs digital scale i have no clue. i see on ebay some lyman #55 powder dispensers whats your opinion on them ? im looking for used equipment over time but not sure about buying used dies seems new and used about same price.
newbie questions
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Joined
·
14,549 Posts
Lee dies are fine and less expensive than some used ones that may not be as good, owing to dirt scratching and whatnot. I would get new dies unless you get a really exceptional bargain.
Electronic scales settle faster, but are sometimes not as precise as beams. Beams settle slower, but last forever if you take care of them. It is easier to make a mistake setting up the weights on a beam than it is to read a digital incorrectly.
#55's are fine, but you haven't said what powder you will be using? Some measures do better with some powders than others. The Lyman 55 with Culver modification has a benchrest following.
Electronic scales settle faster, but are sometimes not as precise as beams. Beams settle slower, but last forever if you take care of them. It is easier to make a mistake setting up the weights on a beam than it is to read a digital incorrectly.
#55's are fine, but you haven't said what powder you will be using? Some measures do better with some powders than others. The Lyman 55 with Culver modification has a benchrest following.
Joined
·
5,449 Posts
I'd second Unclenick's suggestion all around.
I have a RCBS beam balance scale that has to be every day of 30years old, and might be closer to 40. I check it from time to time with my calibration kit, it has never changed.
I bought my RCBS powder measure at the same time, and have charged some unknown number of rifle/handgun/shotgun shells, yep, even shotgun shells with it, using extruded, ball, and flake powders. Still works just fine. I take it a part and clean it every few years, not sure that's necessary.
Powders? Think ball powders. My 7mm Mag shoots the very best with R22, and IMR 7828. Shot lousy with H-1000 and WMR. But most of my rifles and handguns like W-231, W296, BL-C2, & H-414. They are the very best for uniform charges. Flake powders are nearly as good.
Lee Dies are very good, and for the ones I've purchased, every bit as good as the RCBS dies I've accumulated over the years. Get new dies, and clean them from time to time. The dies I purchased when I set up my own bench are still working just fine. I know guys who own dies from different makers, and some have more features than others. I don't think you can find a bad set for any dollar.
I have a RCBS beam balance scale that has to be every day of 30years old, and might be closer to 40. I check it from time to time with my calibration kit, it has never changed.
I bought my RCBS powder measure at the same time, and have charged some unknown number of rifle/handgun/shotgun shells, yep, even shotgun shells with it, using extruded, ball, and flake powders. Still works just fine. I take it a part and clean it every few years, not sure that's necessary.
Powders? Think ball powders. My 7mm Mag shoots the very best with R22, and IMR 7828. Shot lousy with H-1000 and WMR. But most of my rifles and handguns like W-231, W296, BL-C2, & H-414. They are the very best for uniform charges. Flake powders are nearly as good.
Lee Dies are very good, and for the ones I've purchased, every bit as good as the RCBS dies I've accumulated over the years. Get new dies, and clean them from time to time. The dies I purchased when I set up my own bench are still working just fine. I know guys who own dies from different makers, and some have more features than others. I don't think you can find a bad set for any dollar.
Joined
·
135 Posts
Most choose to prime off the press, i'm one of them, I use a RCBS hand primer but also have the Lee hand prime when I'm in a hurry, the primer tray sure is handy, a bit hard on the hands with large rifle primers but some gaffa tape on the lever and it's all good.
The Lyman 505 Accuscale is the one, The Lee Safety scale are complete rubbish, the electronic scales are expensive and really not worth the expense.
Powder throwers are handy for loading hundreds at a time, but the only thing to using them is user repeatability for each throw, the rest is simple, but weigh the 10th - 15th toss just to be always sure, especially on cases or hot loads where a tenth really matters, or when topping up powder or doing anything different.
The Lyman 505 Accuscale is the one, The Lee Safety scale are complete rubbish, the electronic scales are expensive and really not worth the expense.
Powder throwers are handy for loading hundreds at a time, but the only thing to using them is user repeatability for each throw, the rest is simple, but weigh the 10th - 15th toss just to be always sure, especially on cases or hot loads where a tenth really matters, or when topping up powder or doing anything different.
Joined
·
24 Posts
You are speaking of the balance scale? Seems pretty straightforward to use (if slow), other than the tenths of a grain. I am guessing that beginning to show a little white under the tenth you want constitutes having weighed to that tenth?
In any case, I don't intend to stay on the high end of loads for anything, so the Lee Auto Disk powder measure should do me fine with some judicious testing of charge weights. I have the two disk stacking kit coming so I can refine the loads a bit better.
Joined
·
928 Posts
The Lyman 55 has been around for many-many years and is well used by many. Cast iron and brass construction.
Of the plastic constructed powder measures, the fit of the parts is of concern, as some will leak fine grained powders.
Of the plastic constructed powder measures, the fit of the parts is of concern, as some will leak fine grained powders.
Joined
·
4,735 Posts
Used equipment (depending on condition) is a great way to accumulate quality gear at low cost. Approximately 50% of my reloading equipment and 80% of my bullet casting equipment were purchased used. All high end stuff.
In the case of dies, would second nick's suggestion to buy new. No telling how previous owners treated their dies.
The Lyman 55 has been around a long time and will probably be still used for decades to come. Have been using my RCBS Uniflow since 1963 which is another one of the old classics that I would recommend without hesitation. Prefer the powder measure to the scoop system as it provides far finer adjustments to the powder charge.
I like my digital scale. Takes some getting used to but once learned, it is both fast and accurate. No waiting for an oscillating beam to slow things down with a digital. Not knocking balanced bean scales as I still have mine as a backup.
Just my dos centavos YMMV
In the case of dies, would second nick's suggestion to buy new. No telling how previous owners treated their dies.
The Lyman 55 has been around a long time and will probably be still used for decades to come. Have been using my RCBS Uniflow since 1963 which is another one of the old classics that I would recommend without hesitation. Prefer the powder measure to the scoop system as it provides far finer adjustments to the powder charge.
I like my digital scale. Takes some getting used to but once learned, it is both fast and accurate. No waiting for an oscillating beam to slow things down with a digital. Not knocking balanced bean scales as I still have mine as a backup.
Just my dos centavos YMMV
I was skeptical of digital scales, but after confirming their accuracy with quite a few loads, of varying weight, I am satisfied that they are just as accurate as my beam scale. The digital scales have come down in price quite a bit and there is no denying that they're faster.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
