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I was thinking about purchasing a competition powder measure from rcbs,comes with rifle and pistol drums and micromiter adjusters for each with a baffle too.If you were to upgrade a uniflow it would cost just as much.Are these measurers worth the $150.A forster coax cost about $80 dollars more than a rockchucker,part of that cost diferance is because you don't use shell holders with a coax.How about the rcbs precision mic.Is it better than or easier to use than hornadys comperator.As far as dies,trimmers and scales all of the manufacturers seem to be pretty close in price for the good stuff.What do you all think,good bad or a waste of money for the higher end stuff.
 
Posts: 16 | Registered: 26 March 2008Reply With Quote
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I don't think higher end stuff is a waste of money but...

1. Since I weigh all of my powder charges, a competition powder measure wouldn't benefit me. If I were reloading 500 cartridges a week, I would probably rethink this.

2. I used a RCBS (actually still use it) Rockchucker for years and it works fine. I love my Redding T-7 turret press since it's very well made and I can keep up to 7 dies on it. Most of the holes are full most of the time.

3. I use Sinclair bullet comparitors with a dial indicator to measure total cartridge length.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.
 
Posts: 2911 | Location: Ohio, U.S.A. | Registered: 31 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Thank you guys much for your your help.I can see what you mean buy using a comp powder measure could be a waste of money.I would be measuring on a scale for my rifle loads,hand gun I plan on using a turret press with a measure on it.As far as measuring tools I don't know enough about them,more research here would help.I was under the impresion they pretty much do the same thing,maybe one is better or easier.Thank you guys again.
 
Posts: 16 | Registered: 26 March 2008Reply With Quote
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All the micrometer stems do is make getting back to a known setting repeatably easier.

I have the small micrometer stem.

If I had paid full price I'd be kinda ticked off, I got mine out of the bargain cave at Cabela's... basically someone else paid full price and didn't like it...

the rub is that those repeatable settings are less than exact.

To be honest I weigh ALL varmint and hunting powder charges so all that an "exact" measure does is save me a bit of twirling of the stem of my RCBS powder trickler.



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Posts: 4601 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 21 March 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by jdel:
Thank you guys much for your your help.I can see what you mean buy using a comp powder measure could be a waste of money.I would be measuring on a scale for my rifle loads,hand gun I plan on using a turret press with a measure on it.As far as measuring tools I don't know enough about them,more research here would help.I was under the impresion they pretty much do the same thing,maybe one is better or easier.Thank you guys again.

Welcome to the forum.

Jdel,

One thing that might sway you from one piece of equipment or another is that some devices measure particular powders more reliably than others. I don't know the particulars of what each type of powder each brand or type of throwers prefer, have heard pretty consistently that flake powders are harder to measure accurately than spherical ball powders. Also, you don't want a measure that will crush or cut the granules. Not a big issue unless you are trying to wring every last bit of variability out or your loads.

Anyhow, your preference in propellant may affect your choice of powder thrower.


Lost Sheep (Larry)

Incidentally, I use a Lee Auto Disk for 9mm and 45ACP, but if I want real accuracy, I measure with the Lee scoops (taking great care to maintain consistency) and sometimes measure each charge individually.
 
Posts: 312 | Registered: 02 February 2008Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by jdel:
A forster coax cost about $80 dollars more than a rockchucker,part of that cost diferance is because you don't use shell holders with a coax.

It would be false a premise to choose a CoAx over a Rock Chucker based on perceived savings of shellholders. Either press has its advantages and disadvantages. If you have tried to operate the CoAx - the "Mercedes" of presses - you'll know why a lot of people go this route. No, it does not do anything the Rock Chucker does not, but it is just sooooo smooth to operate!

In general, is it worth spending extra $$$ on "better quality" reloading gear?? I don't think there is a general answer to that. After all an Indian manufactured Tata car will get you from A to B just as a Bentley will. Some of us appreciate the better features of the higher end stuff, though.

- mike


*********************
The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
 
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002Reply With Quote
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There are instances where you get what you pay for. The Forster co-ax is a good example, but not for the shell holder savings.

There are exceptions: Lee Collet dies. Wilson case trimmer.

I would not recommend blindly following one brand for all equipment. They all have turkeys (look at the reviews for the Redding case trimming lathe on Midway), but most have a few to several tools that are fantastic and among the industry leaders. I'm not trying to pick on Redding; most of their equipment has an excellent reputation.

Andy
 
Posts: 315 | Location: Arlington TX | Registered: 21 October 2005Reply With Quote
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I can strongly recommend the Redding BR3 powder measure. It is expensive, but excellent. It throws charges so consistently that I use it even for small batches including workups....I can set the measure, throw 5 charges, bump it up a grain, set, throw 5 etc. faster and more consistantly than weighing each charge.

It was one purchases that really made a difference in my reloading.

Cheers,

Dan
 
Posts: 430 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 02 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Heres how I buy my reloading stuff LEE dies and then I find some old duffer who is getting out of it and buy cheap and use what ever I have. It is amazing how much good reloading equipment one can buy cheaply. I have bought thousands of dollars of stuff for a couple of hundred.

I then part out what a I dont want sometimes up grading the stuff I have adding dies ect then selling other stuff most of the time coming out ahead.
 
Posts: 19711 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001Reply With Quote
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Reloading equipment is an excellent working example of the term diminishing returns. Often you can pay twice the price for an item and get an item that is not even remotely better much less twice as good as the next cheaper item. Also, you must beware of endorsements from the "I'll bet I spent more for my stuff than you did" crowd where everything boils down to cost.
My set-up for precision loading is a Ohaus 10/10 scale with a powder trickler. I've had my powder measure so long I can't remember what it is but I think it's a Redding. I think you'll find the precision of the powder measure has a great deal to do with how consistant your motions are in operating the measure. That means, if I had to make a choice, I spend more for my scale and less for my measure as most measures will work well with good operating techniques. I have a Lyman 1200 now so the Ohaus is used to occassionally proof the Lyman. If you're gonna spend enough money to by a BR measure, you might want to consider one of the electronic scale/dispencers.
Finally, what level of reloading do you plan on doing? What are your reloading goals? Hunting? Varmint hunting? Plinking? Informal target shooting? Not to be a smart ass but you don't need a Farrai to drive to and from work. And too, at one time the Bench Rest shooters set records using equipment quite like the Lee Loaders down to the scoops and plastic mallets.
 
Posts: 1287 | Registered: 11 January 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Winchester 69:
Where's the problem?

quote:
Reviews displayed for:
Redding 2400 Match Precision Case Trimmer


Actually, the Wilson trimmer is more highly regarded, but the suggestion was for the inquirer to gather information on his own rather than submit himself to a democratic process.


Check out their reviews for the Redding 1400 trimmer (hardly an economy version for $70). Much less flattering, with lots of 1 and 2 star ratings.

I agree, any user should do their own research, including from this decidedly democratic source we call a forum, instead of relying on a specific brand name to always provide the best tool in every category they offer.

I am just as opposed to blindly choosing Redding (or Forster or anyone else's) products as I am to blindly avoiding Lee products.

Andy
 
Posts: 315 | Location: Arlington TX | Registered: 21 October 2005Reply With Quote
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