Advice on reloading equipment

[Old krow]

I'm looking to replace some equipment on a reloading kit that I purchased last year. I bought one of the economy starter kits. I've upgraded some of it already, but I have a couple questions on a couple of items. I am primarily reloading rifle and some handgun and using a single stage press.

Balance scale. I'm looking for a good solid balance scale. I've looked at the RCBS 5-0-5 and it seems to get good reviews. Does anybody have any experience with them or something comparable?

Powder Dispenser. I currently use an Lyman 1200 DPS 3 for powder. It's supposed to be accurate to .1 grain, and so far it has been. I like it, but sometimes it takes longer to warm up than what it takes to load what I needed. I was considering something like the RCBS Uniflow. Any suggestions?

 

[mbruce]

I have a 5-0-5 ...never use it because I have a rcbs 750 digital.... but no one can have a serious complaint about the 5-0-5

I have a uniflow, stand, and baffle... sitting in their boxes in my closet... I got it because I read the horible reviews on the Lee Auto Disk.....maybe I followed the directions and use it as intended--but my Auto Disk drops accurate charges for the powders I use....some powders supposedly don't drop too well but i bet those same powders don't drop well in other brands either. My auto disk is on a turret -- so guess that doesn't help you one way or another -- definately don't spend more money than what you can get the uniflow for --

beam scale -- that's up to you -- I regret having mine because the digital scales are accurrate, fast...and if it doesnt work then i'll wait on the replacement. I don't need the beams...but good to have i guess -- adds to the picture you post here when you get your reloading bench set up!

 

[rfwobbly]

Balance scale. I'm looking for a good solid balance scale. I've looked at the RCBS 5-0-5 and it seems to get good reviews. Does anybody have any experience with them or something comparable?

No doubt about it, the RCBS 505 ($74) has long been the standard. However the 505 is made by Ohaus Scale Co and they sell very nearly the exact same scale though many outlets. The one I would suggest is the Dillon Eliminator ($54) which uses the exact same beam on a slightly different body.

Powder Dispenser. I currently use an Lyman 1200 DPS 3 for powder. It's supposed to be accurate to .1 grain, and so far it has been. I like it, but sometimes it takes longer to warm up than what it takes to load what I needed. I was considering something like the RCBS Uniflow. Any suggestions?

The Lyman 1200 is a scale/dispenser combo. The RCBS Uniflow is a pure "powder measure". You do understand that they are different, and being different the setup procedure is completely different?

To setup a Uniflow, first you install the correct rotor (small for pistol, large for rifle). Then you pour in your powder and run 10 dumps through the PM. This settles the powder. Then you dump a load onto your scale and see where you're at. Repeat until you get really close. Then dump 10 times into the scale pan (to dial in 11gr you'll be weighing 110gr) for fine adjustment. Repeat until you get right smack dab on top of your number. This procedure is the same for any PM on the market. I'm not sure how you think that might be faster than the Lyman 1200.

If I needed only 10 powder loads, I'd scoop with a spoon to get close and then use a "trickler" to get to the mark. Tricklers are fast, easy to use, and usually well under $20. Don't skimp on a cheap plastic one. A trickler needs to be heavy so it doesn't jump around, and doesn't fall over spilling your powder everywhere. However, even that might not be quicker than the Lyman 1200.

Hope this helps.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I also have a 505 scale. It is a good scale, but I haven't used it in over 15 years because I have a Pact BBK digital scale that has spoiled me.

I have a RCBS Uniflow and a Hornady Powder measure that came with my LNL AP press. The Hornady is more consistent and much easier to fine tune.

 

[Old krow]

The Lyman 1200 is a scale/dispenser combo. The RCBS Uniflow is a pure "powder measure". You do understand that they are different, and being different the setup procedure is completely different?

Yes, I understand the difference. The reason for using the Uniflow is that it would be dedicated to one caliber, so there wouldn't necessarily be much to change between uses. Given the warm-up time on the Lyman is 30 minutes, I'd think that it'd be a little faster? If there isn't going to be a significant benefit I'll just using the Lyman 1200, I have no complaints with it.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

The 5-0-5 is a great scale. I didn't know the Dillon Eliminator was the same but I googled it and it surely is. Good to know.
The Uniflow is a good powder measure, but like ColtPythonElite, I have experienced some frustrations getting it fine tuned when switching powders or calibers.

 

[Lost Sheep]

My thoughts (prejudices?) on the question of Mechanical vs Electronic

The nice thing about mechanical devices like balance beam scales is that there is no warm-up time. Another is that they reliably exhibit symptoms of failure if they are going bad. Not so certain with electronic scales.

I understand mechanical things. Not so much with electronic devices. I trust what I understand.

There was a study several years ago (sorry, I don't have a citation). People performing arithmetic calculations self-divided into two groups.

One group did calculations using an electronic calculators, then double-check with pencil and paper. The other group did calculations on pencil and paper and double-checked with electronic calculators.

It pretty much divided along the lines of what they grew up with.

Lost Sheep

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, I understand the difference. The reason for using the Uniflow is that it would be dedicated to one caliber, so there wouldn't necessarily be much to change between uses. Given the warm-up time on the Lyman is 30 minutes, I'd think that it'd be a little faster? If there isn't going to be a significant benefit I'll just using the Lyman 1200, I have no complaints with it.

Even if you dedicate the Uniflow to one powder charge, you should check the weight of the charge it is throwing at each reloading session. It is vital if you are operating near maximum, but it is a good habit to get into.

I like using an electronic scale for dialing in my powder measures. I weigh a charge and see what it weighs then make the an appropriate adjustment on the measure. I prefer micrometer adjusters on my powder measures and i can interpolate the information and get the measure dialed in in only a few tries.

I could weigh the charge on a beam scale and the data would be accurate, but it takes time to move the weights on the scale until I find the weight of the charge. Not a biggy either way.

When I regularly used a beam scale, I would set the scale for the charge weight I wanted then guessed at how high or low the measure was throwing while getting the powder measure adjusted.

Wind currents in the room probably affect electronic scales more than the typical reloading beam scales and the electronic scale tare weights need to be rezeroed frequently. Electronic scales do drift.

When I reload, the first thing I do is plug my scale in. It is warming up while I prepare the other things. I calibrate the scale just before I need to weigh powder charges which gives the scale time to stabilize.

 

[rfwobbly]

Given the warm-up time on the Lyman is 30 minutes, I'd think that it'd be a little faster?

Wow! That would make me want to put the thing on an automatic timer. I had no idea.

 

[USSR]

I have had and used the Ohaus 5-0-5 scale (same scale as the RCBS 5-0-5)for more years than I care to remember. It's a great scale and will last you a lifetime.

Don

 

[Old krow]

Wow! That would make me want to put the thing on an automatic timer. I had no idea.

Yes, it takes a while. Still, it's a good scale and I like it. Maybe an automatic timer would be the way to go. The system I have works, I'd just like to upgrade a couple of pieces, or make an addition. It sort of sounds like the powder measure might not be worth the trouble. I'll probably hold off and if later on I decide that I can't live without I'll look back into it.

Thank for the heads-up on the scales. I looked at the Dillon Eliminator and that's probably what I'll get. I didn't realize that the scales were so similar.

Thanks for the inputs, now I'm off to order a scale