.303 British and IMR 4064

[351 WINCHESTER]

I recentely loaded some w/w new brass with 125 gr. sierra pro hunter .311 bullet behind 45.6 grs. IMR 4064.

Would this be a safe load in my no5 enfield or should I pull the bullets? It was published as a max load that I downloaded from Hogdon's website. I used a lee dipper 3.4 cc.

 

[Steve C]

Its a bad idea to bypass the standard safety rules of reloading and load at maximum without first starting at a 10% reduction and working up.

If you are going to use data from manuals or on line you need to get a powder scale and not rely on the chart that comes with the powder dippers. The cart is a simple guide and without using a scale you don't know what you are really getting. In reality the dippers rarely throw as much powder as the chart says and that in itself will save many a foolish handloader from over pressure trouble.

If your rifle is in good condition and the dipper is throwing typically 1 to 2 grains light then the loads are likely safe to fire. How well the load works is another thing.

Personally I'd buy a good powder scale first to see what the dipper actually throws and then decide to shoot them or not.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Could you recommend a good scale (digital). Nothing fancy, just accurate.

 

[Steve C]

I'm not really sold on digital scales, they have issues with interference from other electircal devices. A good balance will last a lifetime but may be a bit more involved in learning how to use it.

Midway has this digital one for sale at under $30 Digital Scale from Midway but I don't have any personal experience to make a recommendation.

They sell Lee's powder scale for udner $30 and it does work OK but not as easy as a $75 RCBS 5-0-5.

 

[faire bien de...!]

I've been using the RCBS Rangemaster 750 digital scale for almost four years. It's simple to use, quick and accurate. I've never experienced any problems with any kind of interference or otherwise, but be sure to let it warm up a while. I've weighed thousands and thousands of charges on it so far, so that would be my recommendation. I think they go for around $100 here and there.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I use the RCBS Rangermaster 750 as well and love it. You do have to let it warn up for a few minutes. I turn it on, pull together my reloading supplies, then calibrate it and use it. I have had trouble with trying to use it immediately after being turned on, and it would weigh 0.2 grains off at first, then 0.1 grains, and then it was dead on. By the time I have all my stuff out and ready to roll, the scale is stable too. I paid $100 for it at MidWay.

 

[NotSoFast]

I like the RCBS RangeMaster 750. It's been accurate for me. I do calibrate it about once a week though, just to make sure.

 

[Matt Dillon]

RCBS or Ohaus 10-10