My odd spot I got good reloading items,

[bugsbunny45]

My tumbler came from Harbour freight, My media also came from there,
I picked up a large and small scale
Better prices than the gun shops,

 

[7mmsavage]

I've just started to collect hand loading supplies, and am totally new to the subject, so pardon my ignorance. Are those scales ok for measuring powder? Isn't it measured in grains as apposed to grams or however most small scales are made?

If they work well I'd be interested, do you have part #'s of the two you got. Good idea on the tumbler too. I think I see a trip to Harbour freight in my near future.

 

[LiveLife]

I picked up a large and small scale

For accurate and safe reloading, especially for near max/max loads, you really NEED reloading scales that are accurate to 0.1 or 1/10th of a GRAIN and not GRAM (1 gram = 15.4 grains).

Larger kitchen scales maybe fine for weighing brass cases of several pounds but not suitable for weighing small powder charges of 4.0-6.0 grains. Some small cheaper digital "jewelry" scales may work, but often they are only accurate to .2 gr and/or not very consistent.

A good check for reloading scale sensitivity is weighing 1/4"x1/4" piece of copy paper. My Ohaus 10-10 and Lee scale will detect 1/4"x1/4" piece of paper consistently. If your scale won't, it is probably accurate only to .2 gr or more.

I do like Harbor Freight digital calipers but their dial calipers is another story. For several years, I have repeatedly checked many random samples and I could not get a consistent reading to .001". How to check caliper consistency? Take some brand name jacketed bullets with you and they should be sized .355" for 9mm, .400" for 40S&W and .451" for 45ACP.

I also like HF walnut media but the fine 24 grit blasting media that won't get stuck in flash holes/primer pockets. At $24 for 25 lbs, it is a good price and comes clean for dust-free tumbling.

 

[SlowFuse]

I bought a "utility caliper" from HF for $2 that now gets used more than my nice digital caliper. If you're ok with converting fractions to decimals (like 2.25 = 2 1/4") it works fine.

 

[kerreckt]

I too, like the HF 6" digital calipers. Right now they are $9.99( includes battery) with a coupon out of SGN. I went out this past Sunday and bought 3 more for back up (nothing lasts forever). These calipers are as accurate as a pair, I've had for years, costing four times as much that recently went crazy and could no longer be trusted.

 

[Springfield0612]

Also Harbor Freight has the same Ultrasonic cleaners that Lymann slaps their name on the side of. for almost 50% less when on sale and a coupon. I use their little digital scales to weight check rounds once loaded to ensure no squibs, weigh out 50-100 empty brass for sort and storage. I too use the $9.99 digital caliper, the best part is you can buy a big multipack of replacement batteries at HF for like $1.99 vice $5.99 for two at WalMart.

 

[Reefinmike]

ive been using their smaller vibratory tumbler and walnut media for almost a year now. only complaint is you NEED to tighten down the wingnut as hard as your fingers will allow. If you dont, it will shake loose and eventually tear up the threading on the threaded rod. I kept using washers to up the wing nut but eventually it all stripped. I was about to junk it but I spent a half hour taking the sucker apart and just flipped the rod revealing fresh threads. we will see how long this go lasts.