[captain-03]

Had a pleasant experience today. When I first started reloading some 30 years ago, I purchased a Lyman 55 powder measure. Used it a couple years and then packed it up for most all of my reloading stuff -- work, family, no money!! When I got back into reloading heavy, I unpacked all my stuff and the Lyman 55 was there; with a little rust. Tore it down and cleaned it up really well and it seemed to work OK ... Got a deal on a new Lyman 55 several years ago (like free) and started using it.

About a year ago, Midway had the Lee Perfect Powder Measure on sale for about $25 or so. I decided to pick one up as a back-up. It has been sitting in the box until today. I started on on batch of 1K 38specials using 3gr Bullseye. For some reason neither of my Lymans wanted to work like they should -- after about 100 drops they would start dropping anywhere from .02 to .05 heavy. Pulled out the Lee and read the instructions telling myself this is a real disappointment -- all plastic, light, and looks like it would fall apart after about 50 drops. Got it mounted and set to drop 3.0gr BE. Dropped 500+ drops weighing a drop about every 25 drops or so ... Deviation was almost non-existent. Did make one slight adjustment in the 500+ drops.

Think I am going to pack both the Lyman 55s up and make the Lee my go to measure for awhile. See how long it will last!! Not bad for a cheap measure (1/4 the price of the Lyman 55) ..

I am impressed!

 

[Xd357]

And to think how long it's been setting there waiting.

 

[jbpmidas]

I have one that I will be using, and I hope my experience will be as good as yours has been. I will be loading .223 mostly.

 

[sidroski]

Captain -
Loading 1k at a time would require a lot of boxes. Which brand and source do you use? How do you mark your 25th load you have measured to see if you start getting a deviation from your loads to see if a pattern is starting to develop? I am going to get one of those cheapy label makers from WW in the next couple of days.

 

[captain-03]

being so close to the range ... I rummage through the garbage cans at times and get those plastic ammo trays that are inside commercial ammo boxes ... they work great ... I did not really mark the 25th drop; just sorta guessed at it by the number of charged cases I had sitting in my loading blocks ...

 

[sidroski]

When I get the code, we may be a couple of "dumpster divers".

 

[Hammer]

Yep, Sid. Gotta wait bout 3 weeks to go shooting there!

 

[msredneck]

I have the Lee perfect powder measure as well...but my experience was not as good as yours as I recall...it would be inconsistent especially on rifle loads...

Thus I went back to the Lee Auto disk

I may play with it again today and see if it will throw 2.0 BE for me

Nothing ventured nothing gained

 

[Bones]

I have the Lee Perfect powder measure and I am continually amazed at how consistent it is considering it's plastic, cheap looking construction. What a bargain.

 

[SJ]

I have a Lee's as well but I weigh every load so not sure if it drops accurately or not.