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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,674
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,674 |
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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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,417 |
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.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,755 |
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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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823 |
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. DF
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 762
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 762 |
I hate these threads... they always result in charges to my credit card
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
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
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
Forgot one
4) Case prep 'centers'
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211 |
Forgot one
4) Case prep 'centers' Been thinking about ordering one of those, I loath trimming brass.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
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.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,707
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,707 |
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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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211 |
Damnit, I need to slow read posts.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263 |
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.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,904
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,904 |
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.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 269
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 269 |
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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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,285
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,285 |
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.......
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823 |
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... DF
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
But probably the best value for the $$ bought a set of Lee powder scoops 2nd hand for $4. Very handy and I got rid of my powder measure. Once you get the hang of it you can scoop very consistent charges certainly as consistent as a powder measure probably better.. MAYBE that depends on the powders you use. My experience was just the opposite. I use more 'large extruded' powders than any other. I threw my Lee dippers in the trash. Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,823 |
But probably the best value for the $$ 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. DF
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263 |
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.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179 |
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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