Started purchasing reloading gear

[Coyotefurharvester]

I load for hunting, I try for a 0.5 gr or larger node with less than 1 bullet diameter of vertical. Than my rcbs beam/powder thrower are fine. Almost all my shooting is 22-250 and smaller.

 

[JFrank]

Didn't want to wait and lose the last set of Whiddens, so I ordered them. I found H4350 at the place I was thinking would have it, but $33 is more than I thought it should cost.



You are correct. I completed calculus II in college, so I'm not too worried about the math. However, I am totally new to reloading, so I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible. At this point I have spent all I am going to spend on tools and materials (for now), so hopefully I have everything I need. I'm hoping to grab a broken balance from the lab where I work and repair it (otherwise it's going in the garbage). It's accurate down to 0.1mg. I already have one that is accurate to 0.01g, but why not opt for the one that costs $3,500 to replace and is 100x more precise. If anyone on this forum is an experienced reloader within an hour drive of Pullman, Washington who wants to train a rookie, I would love to hear from you.

I’m pretty sure most any member near you will be more than happy to help out.

There is also a chemist by profession on AS that tunes beam scales accurate to one kernel of powder. very precise , very cool for those with a little patience.
J

 

[clunker]

It sounds like you should be GTG if you can get the more accurate balance working. 7 kernels of Varget is approximately 0.15gr, which would certainly work, but I agree with you that a little better resolution would be an improvement. Hopefully, it won't be too difficult to get it repaired. Good luck.

Should be very easy to repair. I work for the USDA, and the lab people have a very different approach to equipment than I do as a research technician. If it breaks, they just replace it because none of them know how to turn a screwdriver. I personally can't stand wasting tax payers' money when something breaks, especially when all it needs is one piece of sheet metal being bent back into shape. Unfortunately, if the balance was purchased with federal funds, they have to surplus it. But if it was purchased with soft funds, I can take it home.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Should be very easy to repair. I work for the USDA, and the lab people have a very different approach to equipment than I do as a research technician. If it breaks, they just replace it because none of them know how to turn a screwdriver. I personally can't stand wasting tax payers' money when something breaks, especially when all it needs is one piece of sheet metal being bent back into shape. Unfortunately, if the balance was purchased with federal funds, they have to surplus it. But if it was purchased with soft funds, I can take it home.

That's more or less how I got the Mettler, and I totally agree with you on the waste involved in Federally-funded research after many years of working in the laboratory. It's crazy. Anyhow, I hope the balance works out well for you.

 

[Outrider27]

A piece of advice when buying your first reloading gear. My friendly local dealer looked at my shopping list and said it was good to go, but suggested adding a stuck case remover to it because sooner or later I was going to need it, and better to have it on hand from the get-go. I was lucky, lol; it was 15 years down the line, but I sure was glad I had taken his advice when it happened.

 

[clunker]

That's more or less how I got the Mettler, and I totally agree with you on the waste involved in Federally-funded research after many years of working in the laboratory. It's crazy. Anyhow, I hope the balance works out well for you.

I know this thread already fizzled out, but I thought it might be interesting to give some details about the balance. It turns out that the one I proudly brought home from the lab is also a Mettler Toledo (PC 440 to be exact), but I was wrong about its level of precision. I remember it being remarkably consistent in the lab before it broke, but it only reports the nearest mg. Still accurate to less than one kernel, so it's all I need.

Only problem is that the lab people beat the crap out this poor thing. The balance is built like a tank except for one very delicate part that uses thin copper connections. Three of the four points were broken. Can't find a new one online, so I'm remanufacturing the part using aluminum flashing to replace the copper parts. Sounds crazy, but I'll bet it works.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I know this thread already fizzled out, but I thought it might be interesting to give some details about the balance. It turns out that the one I proudly brought home from the lab is also a Mettler Toledo (PC 440 to be exact), but I was wrong about its level of precision. I remember it being remarkably consistent in the lab before it broke, but it only reports the nearest mg. Still accurate to less than one kernel, so it's all I need.

Only problem is that the lab people beat the crap out this poor thing. The balance is built like a tank except for one very delicate part that uses thin copper connections. Three of the four points were broken. Can't find a new one online, so I'm remanufacturing the part using aluminum flashing to replace the copper parts. Sounds crazy, but I'll bet it works.

That's a great find. Mettler makes some of the best analytical balances on the planet. FWIW - if your replacement parts do not pan out for any reason, there are dozens of laboratory equipment repair outfits that specialize in doing exactly what you're trying to accomplish. Their prices are usually very reasonable. Alternatively, I'd think about contacting Mettler-Toledo if you haven't already. I'd hate to lose the use of a good balance for lack a simple replacement part. Good luck!