Loader choices

I'm still in the sponge mode. Reading all I can in the forums and starting to delve into ABC's book.

Can anyone clarify something for me?

Cartridges are loaded with powder by weight, right?

Are all of the different brands of loaders, with the exception of the digital scale ones, throwing charges based on volume?

I'm currently leaning toward a Lee classic turret as my first press. I'm waffling back and forth between the Lee and a Rock Chucker.

The RCB powder loader looks to be infinitely adjustable, while the Lee uses a fixed volume plate. Is the fixed volume a hindrance in dialing in the exact charge?

Being ignorant of the subject, are all powders the same weight per volume?

I figure I have plenty of time to research and learn. I think I'll sit on the fence until the frenzy dies down a bit and dealers have stock, or all of those that panicked and bought everything in sight start unloading the gear on ebay.

All powders have different densities-->different volumes.

The Lee disks will get you close, and on occasion spot on.

I've altered a couple disks by usign a drill bit, by hand, to carve out a bit of plastic.


Sent from my CZ85 Combat

Best reloading item ever made for its cost. PERIOD!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit

I prefer the RCBS powder measure. However, whatever measure you buy, you still have to adjust it until it drops the correct charge based on weighing it on a scale.

hueyville YA! you need a couple sets so you have one set to modify to custom spec's, There is the other old sets red,black that have some different volumes.
joatman 66 Lyman's reloading handbook is really what you need, that is the best reading for the beginner

Your "loader" is called a powder measure, and yes, they measure volume. You'll adjust the powder measure to "throw" an amount of powder that consistently weighs what you want.
So yes, cartridges are loaded by weight; you'll find the desired weights in loading manuals.

I make my own scoops from old brass casings by cutting to length or filling with epoxy and adding a wire handle to meet my needs. I also have three sets of Lee powder scoops and two balance beam scales. The way to measure into casings with speed is to use an adjustable type of dispenser and there are many types available. I have the Lee Perfect Powder measure, the Lyman 55, a pacific similar to the Hornaday one, and an old Herters one. As you learn and collect there will be lots of opportunities to improve what you use to reload with.

What's your end game? Rifle or Pistol. If for pistol the lee will get you close enough. Add a double disk kit and you can adjust a little better. Get an adjustable charge bar and you have infinite. For my loading needs I have no problem with it. Keep the hopper filled and it will throw near perfect charges every time. For the money, a classic turret is the way to go. If you find you need another powder measure you're out nothing and have an excellent press that will let you pound out 200+ finished rounds an hour.

Initial need is to load .45ACP. Probably pick up .40 & 9mm down the road. No rifle at this point.

Lee Classic Turret press has good reviews (http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm) from users (including myself) and while I do keep extra disks to make custom holes, Lee makes an adjustable charge bar for the Auto Disk powder measure that is infinitely adjustable - https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-adj-charge-bar-90792.html

It is worth noting that ball powders, Like Win 231/HP-38 tend to meter a bit better than flake or extruded type powders.

Those classifications refer to the actual shape of the powder. Ball is either quite round or a flattened disk, extruded looks like little round sticks, flake looks like....well....flakes. lol

Cartridges are loaded with powder by weight, right? Are all of the different brands of loaders, with the exception of the digital scale ones, throwing charges based on volume?

Yes, that's correct. That means that powder density (within the hopper) has to be highly consistent or you won't get consistent powder weights to drop from the PM.

Consistent density depends on steady operation, static avoidance, use of a powder baffle, and other tricks. The all-plastic Lee is more prone to static than the metal UniFlow.

I'm currently leaning toward a Lee classic turret as my first press. I'm waffling back and forth between the Lee and a Rock Chucker.

Choice of a press depends mainly upon the job. The Rock Chucker is better at rifle, while the Lee Classic Turret is better at pistol ammo. Think about where your volumes lie. If you own 3 rifles and one pistol, but you shoot 1000 pistol rounds for every rifle round, then the Lee Turret is the way to go.

The RCBS powder loader looks to be infinitely adjustable, while the Lee uses a fixed volume plate. Is the fixed volume a hindrance in dialing in the exact charge?

I wouldn't use the word "hindrance", it's more like a "nuisance". It seems you always want 0.1gr more or less than what the fixed Lee bushings will dispense. So you have to modify existing, or order more new bushings. On the other hand, bushings don't come out of adjustment halfway through a loading session.

So again it's the job that determines the correct choice. Are you going to load thousands of one caliber with one powder, or are you going to experiment with 100 of this and 50 of that? There's a lot to be said for flexibility. Personally I never load the same pistol cartridge twice. It's too much fun to try new bullet/powder combinations. On the other hand, 200 yd rifle matches may mandate a choice of only 2 powders and 2 bullets. There's just not a lot of flexibility needed there.

Being ignorant of the subject, are all powders the same weight per volume?
No, they vary widely. This is why accurate scales are needed.

http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/AD3398.pdf

Look at page 2 of the instructions at the above site.

Yes, the Lee disks throw what they throw, usually a little short of what the chart shows. However, it says that at the very first line. No other measure that I am aware of gets you this close to a starting point. And as has been said above, you can ream or fill up or sometimes use one of their adjustable charge bars, if you can't live with what the disk actually throws.

During my reloading I have had a Lyman 55, an Ohaus Duo-measure, an RCBS, and the Pro Auto Disk. MY experience has been that the PAD is the easiest to use and most consistent of those. Also by far the lowest price. I also have a Hornady that came with my LnL AP that I haven't even unwrapped yet because the Lee 4-die sets and PAD work so well for me on the LnL.
I am sure you will get all sorts of answers from lots of users. This is just my experience. You will actually have to use several before you know what you like.

Thanks for all of the input. Much appreciated.

"I'm still in the sponge mode. Reading all I can in the forums and starting to delve into ABC's book. (A)

Can anyone clarify something for me? (B)

Cartridges are loaded with powder by weight, right? (C)

Are all of the different brands of loaders, with the exception of the digital scale ones, throwing charges based on volume? (D)

I'm currently leaning toward a Lee classic turret as my first press. I'm waffling back and forth between the Lee and a Rock Chucker. (E)

The RCB powder loader looks to be infinitely adjustable, while the Lee uses a fixed volume plate. Is the fixed volume a hindrance in dialing in the exact charge? (F)

Being ignorant of the subject, are all powders the same weight per volume?" (G)


(A) Very good, studying is always better than not knowing.
(B) Yes, some one will know the answers and many will respond.
(C) Yes, sort of. Explanation to follow.
(D) Yes, volume is quicker than weighing.
(E) Both will do the job. It comes down to personnel likes and dislikes.
(F) Lee also has a unit that slips in that is fully adjustable. It works well but doesn't have a very large max adjustment.
(G) All powders have bulk. Some are very dense and others are fluffy. For near perfection, metering by weight is going to be the best. Powders are loose granules. They will settle and fill voids giving more actual propellant in a given volume. However, measuring by volume is much, much faster and with the use of baffles and not shaking to settle, extremely uniform weights are obtained by volume measurements.

Accuracy is better served by greater consistency. Pushing the envelope of charge/pressures is seldom going to product the best of anything other than greater wear to the weapon and components (brass).
Ideally, we would produce loads that have the greatest degree of accuracy with suitable velocities/energies to meet the needs and all using the least amounts of disposables (cost) and wear.