Why should I homeload?

[Turnup]

sorry but .
no factory ammo is charged by weight. None, they are all done by volume

Every single final load I produced for four calibres across .222, .243. .270 and .308 loaded only with scoops shot well under MOA
some shot in the 0.2-0.3's
I have the targets

unless you have done it don't discount it
if you have tried it and failed ask someone who can

I started checking scoops mainly down to niggling thoughts from comments like this
my scoop technique throws charges with less than +/-0.1gr
most electronic scales cant measure that and you will get more inaccuracies through poor sizing and inconsistent neck tension than you ever will with +/-0.1gr charge

add to that the fact that most people can't replicate the accuracy of their own rifle when in the field and the scoops are not the first place to look

Yup, which is why homeloads can be more consistent than factory. And I'll bet that the factory routinely samples those loads and weighs them.

With no scales how can you (the OP) possibly verify this?

[kennyc]

Yup, which is why homeloads can be more consistent than factory. And I'll bet that the factory routinely samples those loads and weighs them.

With no scales how can you (the OP) possibly verify this?

shoot the bloody things out of a rifle and see how they group FFS ! no need to make it more difficult than it has to be the poor sod is only looking to make a few rounds here and there for Stalking
seriously sometimes I think Ackley was a moderate

[Turnup]

shoot the bloody things out of a rifle and see how they group FFS ! no need to make it more difficult than it has to be the poor sod is only looking to make a few rounds here and there for Stalking
seriously sometimes I think Ackley was a moderate

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.....

[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?

[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]

Yup, which is why homeloads can be more consistent than factory. And I'll bet that the factory routinely samples those loads and weighs them.

I bet they bloody don't!.
that would be like suddenly checking the length of a 12" subway sandwich in CM just for the hell of it
or weighing a litre of milk just in case.....

With no scales how can you (the OP) possibly verify this?

That's the point! he doesn't need to
I only did this in the beginning because...below

sorry but .
I started checking scoops mainly down to niggling thoughts from comments like this
my scoop technique throws charges with less than +/-0.1gr
most electronic scales cant measure that and you will get more inaccuracies through poor sizing and inconsistent neck tension than you ever will with +/-0.1gr charge

[phil384]

Still reading with interest.

just waiting for my case trimmer to arrive from Kranks then it's go go go....

[223AI]

I have a lee .7 Cc scoop and a home made scoop made out of a piece of wire and a used .22 case. I can use them to dip 12.8 grains of lil gun 9 times out of 10 so scoops can and do work you just need to be consistent

[Randy Bohannon]

I bet they bloody don't!.
that would be like suddenly checking the length of a 12" subway sandwich in CM just for the hell of it
or weighing a litre of milk just in case.....




That's the point! he doesn't need to
I only did this in the beginning because...below

Aye, but how does he work up loads mate?

I couldn't see it posted yet and so post the table that gives charge weight for various powders using the dippers:

http://www.castpics.net/subsite/Manuals/Dippers.pdf

Dippers work but the sake of under a hundred quid, why be without a good balance beam that will outlast you?