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Post by dovehunter on Mar 24, 2016 9:20:35 GMT -5
My old Lyman/Ohaus balance beam type powder scale has been giving me troubles for some time now. I throw a powder charge just under the weight I need with one of the cups and then trickle the remaining powder into the spoon until the beam centers on the mark. The problem is that the beam usually doesn't move and, when I touch the other end, it will come up too much and I have to dump some of the powder out of the spoon and start over. It took me forever the other day to charge 20 rounds because of the balance beam problem. My question is should I look into getting another scale and should I get another balance beam model or go with one of the electronic models? I don't want to spend a fortune on another scale (if possible).  |
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Post by Jack on Apr 22, 2016 5:17:55 GMT -5
That's a tough question. The new electronic scales seem to be really popular now, but, not cheap. My old Redding does the same thing yours does at times, but not so badly I won't put up with it - and I'm cheap.  You might try cleaning the knife edge the beam rest on, and if it has an oil damper, putting in clean oil. Mine has an oil damping chamber, and it works better when I remember to put oil in it. |
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Post by dovehunter on Apr 22, 2016 8:59:36 GMT -5
...if it has an oil damper, putting in clean oil. Mine has an oil damping chamber, and it works better when I remember to put oil in it. Mine has a magnetic damper. I will, however, try cleaning the knife edge and maybe the cradle in which the beam lays. Jack, you seem to be man after my own heart: if it ain't broke (at least too bad), don't fix it. Seriously though I have been using that scale for so long now that I'd hate to have to replace it if I don't have to.  |
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Post by Jack on Apr 22, 2016 16:22:52 GMT -5
I truly know what you mean about not wanting to replace your scale. Mine dates to the late 1960's, and I'd hate to try to calculate how many powder charges it has weighed. I have a newer RCBS, too, but I never use it. And an old Belding and Mull that's probably near qualifying as an antique.
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Post by bullseye on Mar 6, 2017 18:37:43 GMT -5
I ended up getting an electronic one this year. I would knock the old one off center and it caused some problems. It was only about $30 bucks so not bad. Cheaper than dirt.
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Post by dovehunter on Mar 7, 2017 10:17:32 GMT -5
I haven't done any reloading in quite a while. If I have problems during my next session I will probably get another scale, probably an electronic one.
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Post by dovehunter on Jan 2, 2018 9:33:48 GMT -5
Well, Santa Claus brought me a new Hornady electronic for Christmas. I'm looking forward to trying it out. I will report on how it does and how well I like it.
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Post by jmarriott on Jan 2, 2018 18:15:12 GMT -5
Very nice of old Santa to bring a new scale err toy to you this year.
I thought I was having an issue with mine one year but I had moved the bench toward the center of the wall and before it had been at the corner. Seem the ceiling fan was causing issues even with the blades pushing up to the ceiling not down to the floor. Live and learn.
Of late all 9mm and 45 acp is getting the Dillion 650 treatment. Friend I shoot with has the setup and since these rounds are mainly just practice and some light “Friday night steel” loads I have been very happy with what they have been kicking out.
The only think the old rock chucked has been kicking out of late is triple deuce rounds and I just finished off 35 7-30 waters and 100 7mmTCU rounds. But the 44 mag brass is stacked very high and the 38 special and 357 mag rounds are setting at about only one ammo box. I might look at doing the 38’s on the 650.
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Post by jmarriott on Jan 2, 2018 18:15:37 GMT -5
double post angry bear issues
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Post by dovehunter on Jan 3, 2018 9:42:51 GMT -5
I have thought for years now about getting a progressive loader. However, aside from the cost, the progressive doesn't let you check for case length or clean the primer pockets. I am retired now and semi-crippled, so the time it takes to load using a single stage is not a problem. Regarding ceiling fans, like you, I learned that you can't use them (or window air conditioners) when weighing powder charges. |
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Post by jmarriott on Jan 5, 2018 5:23:08 GMT -5
I do enjoy a nice single stage press and the task of reloading one at a time. My issue is the wife and the limited amount of space she allows me to have in the house at this time. The stuff can not be out in the open for very long before I hear about it. Add in kids needing rides man chores work and the concentration needed to reload correctly it seems to always get put on the back burner.
I will miss the next three Friday night steel matches so that well help on the 9mm ammo. The third one is rimfires only but I doubt I can attend that one. Using the progressive I can get a few months worth of 9mm in a night. Better yet I normally get fed a nice meal and a glass of quality bourbon when I go over to his house. ( his wife is quit the cook)
My 44 mag reloads are down to around 20. Must be 1000 brass waiting. Have several hundred 38’s and some 357 left. Hopefully with the football games taking over the next few weekends I can get all my brass ready and primed. then after super bowl weekend I can get everything setup and start making some rounds. I need 308’s and 223’s also but I could use my Greek surplus nato 308 in a pinch.
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Post by dovehunter on Jan 5, 2018 10:07:04 GMT -5
I load in an unheated garage and it has been so brutally cold around here (since before Christmas) that, even with two kerosene heaters, it takes forever for the place to heat up enough to work. Hopefully next week I can get some reloading done and check out my new powder scale. I haven't paid my shooting club dues yet for 2018 so I guess there's no rush. However I do have quite a backlog.  |
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