Why should I homeload?

[kennyc]

Kenny, help me to understand:

I have already stated that the OP has what he needs to make functional ammo, and can proceed on that basis.

It is claimed by others that scoops can deliver loads consistent within 0.1 gn. I asked how he could verify that his scoop technique was that good without scales. You now advise that he should shoot some and see how they group. We all know that it would be a miracle if his first efforts produced good groups. Let's say that they will most likely group less well than the best possible homeload. What do you now recommend he does? Go back and use a different scoop technique in the hope that he has accidentally found consistency, make some, shoot them, see how they group? This is groping in the dark (bear in mind that there are other variables which can also affect group size) and unlikely to home in on a good homeload in any reasonable time.

To reinforce - HE HAS WHAT HE NEEDS TO START MAKING FUNCTIONAL AMMO. HE DOES NOT HAVE WHAT HE NEEDS TO FIND THE MOST ACCURATE LOAD FOR HIS RIFLE - but that might be fine with him.....

go back to the original post, the initial impetus towards home loading was to reduce the cost of ammunition,not to make bench rest quality ammo, if you really want to make the OP squirm ,then suggest he invest in a chrono as that will tell you more than a set of scales will as to verifying, I think you will find Bewsh has done that with scales to satisfy himself, the OP doesn't have to do that, he has to make ammo that is cheaper than factory that shoots satisfactory for HIM, and the Lee loader has a history of doing just that. which brings us back to my point, shoot the damn stuff and see

[phil384]

Boys boys boys

Some people seem to get acceptable results using a scoop. As stated, this isn't benchrest target shooting it's stalking. A previous poster suggested I am willing to put up with less accurate ammo as it is only for stalking (I am paraphrasing but that's the suggestion).

I am not daft. I have been shooting S1 for a long time and would never take a shot I am not confident of a humane kill but let's face it, a kill zone on a fox/deer is several inches in diameter. I don't want this to go off onto another tangent but if I am not happy I can hit this I won't take the shot.

I will use the scoop method to start with firing at targets. If I am happy I will crack on with live quarry. If not, I will invest in scales and look at how I am making the stuff to see how it can be improved.

No need for arguments, it's all good stuff and we all have our own ways of doing things.

[Randy Bohannon]

Boys boys boys

Some people seem to get acceptable results using a scoop. As stated, this isn't benchrest target shooting it's stalking. A previous poster suggested I am willing to put up with less accurate ammo as it is only for stalking (I am paraphrasing but that's the suggestion).

I am not daft. I have been shooting S1 for a long time and would never take a shot I am not confident of a humane kill but let's face it, a kill zone on a fox/deer is several inches in diameter. I don't want this to go off onto another tangent but if I am not happy I can hit this I won't take the shot.

I will use the scoop method to start with firing at targets. If I am happy I will crack on with live quarry. If not, I will invest in scales and look at how I am making the stuff to see how it can be improved.

No need for arguments, it's all good stuff and we all have our own ways of doing things.

That's fighting talk, that is!

[Mod]

I will use the scoop method to start with firing at targets. If I am happy I will crack on with live quarry. If not, I will invest in scales and look at how I am making the stuff to see how it can be improved.

No need for arguments, it's all good stuff and we all have our own ways of doing things.

For the love of Allah (peace be upon his name) £5.39

Bay item# 121509266897

Likely to be somewhat more consistent, gives an readout in gn (grains) per every reloading manual, and may just make your life easier!

Please - think of the children!

Mod

[phil384]

God (or Allah) I'm weak

Scales purchased from Amazon.

Happy Now?

[Mod]

Your camel will thank you...

[223AI]

For the love of Allah (peace be upon his name) £5.39

Bay item# 121509266897

Likely to be somewhat more consistent, gives an readout in gn (grains) per every reloading manual, and may just make your life easier!

Please - think of the children!

Mod

Hmmmm the worry is that cheap electronic scales can be less accurate and less repeatable than a scoop! I have a cheap £12 set and a secondhand hornady set. If I weight the same case 3 times in a row I'll often ge 3 different weights!

To the OP, find someone with some beam scales just to check the accuracy of your electronic scales, that way you can have faith and avoid a lot of frustration if they turn out to be inconsistent.

[bewsh]

^ This

They lie! crap scales are worse than no scales!

[Randy Bohannon]

Hmmmm the worry is that cheap electronic scales can be less accurate and less repeatable than a scoop! I have a cheap £12 set and a secondhand hornady set. If I weight the same case 3 times in a row I'll often ge 3 different weights!

To the OP, find someone with some beam scales just to check the accuracy of your electronic scales, that way you can have faith and avoid a lot of frustration if they turn out to be inconsistent.

These are the same scales that Mod recommended to me when I first started.

They are pretty accuarte when weighing a discrete charge but no good for trickling to a weight as they don't register little changes.


For a fiver I now use them to batch weigh cases.

A good balance beam is the best first scale purchase.

My camel thanked me for it.