Which addition for reloading

[fguffey]

I know Doug Giraud has to be at the very least irritated by all the knockoffs of his idea.
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???? Are you saying that Doug invented annealing? Or that he invented an annealing machine? Please explain.

Cody, that was rude. Cody is big on name dripping/dropping, years ago I suggested reloaders make a list of rules and then decide what factors apply to reloading, that did not happen, I did a little research I decided on a few rules and what factors applied. After that I made an annealing system. I do not have to worry about someone in the claims department claiming they invented annealing because after all these years they still do not have rules and they have no clue what a factor is.

F. Guffey

 

[Eddie Harren]

I believe that factors are like little datums, only harder to find. There was a guy on this site that claimed he made datums. I asked for some but, he never sent them.

 

[DirtySteve]

I have all 3 pieces of equipment you are considering. IMO, I would recommend you first replace your scale. The MXX-123 is not a very good scale. And rather than the Sartorius, I would recommend you consider the A&D FX-120i for about 1/2 the cost.

After that, it's a tougher call. While I believe consistent annealing is critical to repeatable precision, the AMP unit, as great as it is, is a VERY significant investment. People continue to sell quality annealers, like a BenchSource, for less than $400. If you don't mind the setup/safety issues with propane torches, they work pretty well and there will always be a resale market for a quality machine like the BenchSource.

Chronographs are helpful but holes on paper really tell the story. The Oehler is good enough for your needs.

Good luck!

I agree whole heartedly. Consistent annealing will improve neck tension and extend brass life. A chronograph will let you know your velocities, ES and SD's but testing at 300 plus yards would also point out these problems. If you are a volume shooter (lots of rounds down range) I would choose a machine that would save time but add to the consistency of the heat treatment.

 

[alb]

I always wanted a chronograph but was turned off by the technology involved. Skyscreens, light sensors, equipment out in front of the rifle to get blasted, did not add up to anything I wanted to mess with.

I've been wrestling with this, and your post pretty much sums up my thinking in this regard; I have a Chrony, and never use it, as it's just too much of a PITA to deal with at the range that I frequent. The Labradar sure looks like the answer to that; I'd be curious if it's usable at a public range, or if the proximity to other shooters is a difficulty for it.

 

[people]

The lab radar when they first started talking about it was a great idea. Then the gov got involved and it is a lackluster product with many issues. I would love to get one but they are not that great. Before you buy one read reviews and watch videos of them in use. Many missed shots.

 

[expiper]

The lab radar when they first started talking about it was a great idea. Then the gov got involved and it is a lackluster product with many issues. I would love to get one but they are not that great. Before you buy one read reviews and watch videos of them in use. Many missed shots.

I can speak from first hand experience,,,the lab radar is terrific,,,I dont know about govenment involvement,,,but mine works perfect,,,if it misses a shot you dont have it aimed down range properly,,,once you learn how to use it you will wonder how you lived without it,,,,they work in low light (even dark) situations and can be used while other people are shooting beside you ,,,if there is another lab radar on the line and nearby it is best if you are on a different frequency (It has six differnet settings at least) ,,,I hear lots of bad about them but it is always by someone who doesnt have one or doesnt know how to use one ,,,Roger

 

[people]

I can speak from first hand experience,,,the lab radar is terrific,,,I dont know about govenment involvement,,,but mine works perfect,,,if it misses a shot you dont have it aimed down range properly,,,once you learn how to use it you will wonder how you lived without it,,,,they work in low light (even dark) situations and can be used while other people are shooting beside you ,,,if there is another lab radar on the line and nearby it is best if you are on a different frequency (It has six differnet settings at least) ,,,I hear lots of bad about them but it is always by someone who doesnt have one or doesnt know how to use one ,,,Roger

After watching literally over a hundred videos about them they always miss a shot here or there. maybe they don't know how to properly set them up.

 

[people]

You've expressed your opinion of a product that you don't have or use. Now you're sounding like someone with an ulterior motive and all you're doing is looking foolish. Give it a rest.

Regards,
A satisfied Labradar owner and user

You like it that is fine. Since you will not let it go I truly wonder if you are blinded by how much you have spent on it? All I am saying is before anyone parts with their hard earned cash to do research and decide for them self. I have done much research about this product and in my opinion it is not the greatest product or even one as good as advertised.

When I buy a product once I have used it for a while I am able to point out its good features the poor features and what I just do not like. My pickup the radio turns off when any door opens with the key pulled. I have a AIAX and it just kills me they sell it with such a low moa scope base. Then keyslot! Let's leave it at that. I have not drug into as many bad locations as my AW but it is far more usable than the AW.

 

[people]

Thank God the new software has the "Ignore" filter.

If only it would automatically add your name when you add mine. That would be a great feature. Fyi the old software had the ability to block a person. It was just not as easy. Your response tells me I struck a nerve and there is something you don't like about it.

 

[bcott]

Lots of opinions.... I have only used mine on three outings, so far. 6mmBR, 6.5x55 and 9.3x62 ammo "chrono'd. Worked perfect for me. I like the Lab Radar. It is replacing my Oehler 35P, which is another outstanding chronograph system. The Oehler 35P will be placed in a safe corner of my loading room. The Labradar, for me at least, is just easier to set up.

Carl L.

 

[eric n]

Richard; I shoot around 40 to 60 rounds per week. I have not annealed in the past as I did not feel that I needed that particular benefit. Still not sure I need it. My groups, at 100yds, for my 6mmBR are running 3/8" to 3/4" for 3 shots. Groups are 1 1/4" @ 225yds, again 3 shot groups. Ten shot average velocity over my Oehler 35P is 3812fps, ES 26fps. Not benchrestiffic, but certainly adequate enough for my purposes.

I did notice that my bullet seating pressures are starting to vary. I have a Bonanza Coax press and Redding Comp dies for loading. I started using a Sinclair 6mm expander mandrel to expand the necks to .268" after neck sizing with the Redding .268 titanium bushing. This did away with most of the seating pressure anomalies. I do not turn necks on the Lapua brass which run about .0135" avg. I have a Giraud power trimmer and do trim the cases.

Anyway, I just feel that annealing will make the cases last longer and perhaps improve my accuracy a little.
I should add that I am shooting 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free bullets in front of 38.1gr/AA2230 powder and a CCI450 primer. This is my coyote load.

Carl L.

Are you jumping or jamming?
I would bet a .267, .266, or .265 bushing would shrink your groups on the cheap.

 

[bcott]

Eric; I am trying to maintain approx .005" "jump". Problems with seating depth is what prompted me to purchase the AMP system. I could feel the differences in seating effort from round to round. I have 280 of the 6mmBR rounds to shoot before I start to reload annealed cases. I have annealed the other 200+ rounds, but have not started to reload those. I started off with 500 Lapua (gold box) 6mmBR cases that I purchased about 10 years ago and then was shooting them in various 6mmBR rifles over the years. I ran them all through my Giraud trimmer before I started load development. In retrospect perhaps I should have waited until I purchased the AMP unit. But that decision had not been made. I tell you, sometimes I feel like a squirrel chasing his tail....but still having fun.

Carl L.