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Chronograph

RCBS Case Master

Lee Neck Dies






Trystan


Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field
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I'd say the best investment I ever made was my Dillon 650. The check was a real big investment at the time....it opened up a whole new world of cranking out consistent quality ammunition at such a rate that I literally spend more time shooting the stuff than making it. For me, that was huge. I could run a batch, and months later, run another identical batch with maybe five minutes of set up and a few seconds with the record book and calipers. I've had that thing for maybe 20 years now, it's melted a number of rifle barrels. Kept lubed and clean, it's still tight and smooth as it was new -- it will probably outlast whoever gets it after I croak.


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Originally Posted by JSTUART
In all honesty the best value for loading and mucking about with forearms has been a 6" mitutoyo digital caliper.


Yes, that's a good one. It's one of those tools people take for granted and don't think much about, until you don't have one.

Along with the caliper, my best reloading investments were:

Dillon 550
Dillon digital scale
drill press (for case prep) and Lee trimmer pilots
ProChrono chronograph (boy was I pleased to upgrade from that Shooting Chrony!)
House with a yard where I can shoot

We could have a whole 'nother thread on bullet casting investments.

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Originally Posted by Yondering
Originally Posted by JSTUART
In all honesty the best value for loading and mucking about with forearms has been a 6" mitutoyo digital caliper.


Yes, that's a good one. It's one of those tools people take for granted and don't think much about, until you don't have one.

Along with the caliper, my best reloading investments were:

Dillon 550
Dillon digital scale
drill press (for case prep) and Lee trimmer pilots
ProChrono chronograph (boy was I pleased to upgrade from that Shooting Chrony!)
House with a yard where I can shoot

We could have a whole 'nother thread on bullet casting investments.

Dillon 650 is faster, the 550 is better if you're gonna be changing rounds frequently, IMO.

I have a 550 and around a dozen tool heads on stands, set up with dies for various rounds.

Dillon has stellar CS, will send parts, etc. after a phone call. Good products, good folks.

I also like the Sinclair Concentricity tool and TruAngle tool. I check most rounds, correct runout.

I'm a big fan of Lee Collet neck sizers, used with a body die. Redding body die is great, I've made body dies from Lee FL dies by grinding out the neck with a Dremel.

I like the Redding Big Boss press, like the primer collection system, hole thru the ram, spent primers falling into a tube. Beats the Rockchucker system. I have and like the Rockchucker. Just use it for seating, the Big Boss for sizing/decapping.

I like the RCBS bench primer tool and have a Uniflow with quick change metering assemblies. I have a wooden block, holes cut for a half dozen metering assemblies, pre set for various charge ranges. That saves time.

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I hate these threads... they always result in charges to my credit card cry

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Here are the things that don't help and aren't needed

Listed in order of most useless

1) Electronic powder scale/dispenser

2) Powder trickler

3) Stoney point/Hornady, whomever, bullet comparator


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Forgot one

4) Case prep 'centers'


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Originally Posted by Steelhead
Forgot one

4) Case prep 'centers'



Been thinking about ordering one of those, I loath trimming brass.


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Originally Posted by gunner500
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Forgot one

4) Case prep 'centers'



Been thinking about ordering one of those, I loath trimming brass.


No, Case prep centers are #4 on my most USELESS list of stuff to have.


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Originally Posted by Steelhead
Here are the things that don't help and aren't needed

Listed in order of most useless

1) Electronic powder scale/dispenser

2) Powder trickler

3) Stoney point/Hornady, whomever, bullet comparator


I find a Sinclair "nut" quite handy for setting cartridge length via head to ogive instead of highly variable bullet tips.

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Damnit, I need to slow read posts.


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Without a doubt reloading manuals. Kept me from "sploding" myself all these years. Lee loader original for $10 I was hooked and have probably only shot about six twelve boxes of factory stuff in the last 50 years. Garage sale RCBS A2 press was a good snag too.


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gunner,

A Gracey or Giraud trimmer is a LOT faster than the "case prep centers" I've seen, since they both trim and chamfer at the same time. They're more expensive, of course. I can trim/chamfer 20 cases a minutes in my Gracey. All you need is case holders for specific rounds, which are relatively inexpensive.

If you're just trimming a lot of one or two specific cases, a World's Finest Trimmer (WFT) works very well and costs less. It doesn't chamfer at the same time, but used according to the directions, it trims so cleanly cases won't need chamfering. It's designed to fit in a drill motor and costs around $70, but each model is more limited in the rounds it can trim.


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A used Lyman 310 tool. Kept me reloading while my bench was tied up with non-reloading stuff stored "temporarily" on, around, and under it.

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I bought neck reamers for various calibers and when cases get too long I just lengthen the neck of the chamber accordingly.

Saves tons of time trimming....... wink


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Originally Posted by gunner500
Originally Posted by Steelhead
Forgot one

4) Case prep 'centers'



Been thinking about ordering one of those, I loath trimming brass.

I thought you had your wifey trained to trim brass... wink

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Originally Posted by bangeye
But probably the best value for the $$ bought a set of Lee powder scoops 2nd hand for $4. Very handy and I got rid of my powder measure. Once you get the hang of it you can scoop very consistent charges certainly as consistent as a powder measure probably better..


MAYBE that depends on the powders you use. My experience was just the opposite. I use more 'large extruded' powders than any other.

I threw my Lee dippers in the trash.

Jerry


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Originally Posted by jwall
Originally Posted by bangeye
But probably the best value for the $$ bought a set of Lee powder scoops 2nd hand for $4. Very handy and I got rid of my powder measure. Once you get the hang of it you can scoop very consistent charges certainly as consistent as a powder measure probably better..


MAYBE that depends on the powders you use. My experience was just the opposite. I use more 'large extruded' powders than any other.

I threw my Lee dippers in the trash.

Jerry

I have never used or trusted scoops.

Just me.

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Jerry[/quote]
I have never used or trusted scoops.

Just me.

DF[/quote]

Work great for fire forming loads scoop 15 gr. Red dot, 15 gr. cream of wheat, toilet pepper & done. Good for load work up too verified on the scale. If you get methodical about it they are almost as accurate as a dropper.


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As you said, press & dies are a must.. i began w/RCBS Jr and used it 15-20 yrs w/o any hitches. After I got my 8mm RM and was playing with the 375 HH, I needed a press with more internal height. I found a Rock Chucker on sale and still use it.

There's nothing wrong w/the Jr, my son has it now.

Differing from some, I value an electronic powder scale very much. I used a Pact II for yrs. till it became erratic. I immediately replaced it, no questions asked. I definitely use a balance beam scale as check/balance.

The other thing I find invaluable is a SS caliper, either dial or digital. I have more confidence in the dial --just me.

As far as trimming, the cheap Lee case trimming cutter w/pilots and a drill is quick and easy.

What price do you put on a 'good' chronograph ? The best you can afford..

To me these are the most important.

Jerry


jwall- *** 3100 guy***

A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap

Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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