Is this worth messing with?

[Slow Hand]

That's fine. Personally, I'll verify my load with the chrono and another electronic scale and I'll be at the range shooting while you're at home reloading.

Talking about a thousandth of a pound or whatever might sound scary to someone who has not loaded much, but to someone who loads thousands of rounds a year, I realized long ago that I'm not reinventing the wheel here. I nearly always load only from published data. I have a log of everything I load.

Not to mention that most of my loading is for a gun that costs thousands, not a few hundred.

I recognized in my post that others have different loading procedures. But for me personally, so long as the scale has a 5% tolerance or so, it's perfectly safe.

So, you're shooting a gun costing "thousands" and you're not willing to spend $125 on a quality scale? Shows where your priorities are, I guess.

I've been loading for over ten years and haven't had a mishap due to an over/underload and I'd like to keep it that way. I do load on a progressive some times and a single stage others, but I always verify the importian details with quality equipment.

Doug K

 

[Fixer]

I picked up an RCBS beam scale for $40 new off ebay. Best scale I have owned. I was looking into a digital but there are too many mixed reviews on them drifting and needing calibrated often. I reload all my pistol and .223 with a progressive so I just double check the charge with my beam scale. My 7mm Mag gets every charge weighed out on the beam for consistency. I still use my single stage press for the rifle and all sizing work. Hand prime the cases and finish on the progressive.

 

[mjones]

fall creeek valley conservation club offers a handloading class i took it a few years ago great info in you are looking to start reloading for sure a great learning experience

 

[Reloader]

I agree..$100.00 is a little high for that setup. I would recommend a Lee Breech Lock kit to start on and I have a new one if you are interested. I also agree that a reloading class would be of benefit. I am a NRA certified reloading instructor and would be happy to help you find someone in your area that offers classes. I think you will find this hobby rewarding and their are lot's of folks on this forum that can help get you pointed in the right direction

 

[Counselor1977]

I agree with the rest, single stage press is the way to start out reloading. It allows you to learn each stage of the process, to get a feel of when you get all the measurments correctly, and you can always find a use for a single stage press (once you buy a progressive later, you can still use the single stage if you ever reload rifle rounds).

The price is a bit high given the condition and you'll still need to invest about another 50-75 dollars for a powder dispenser and a primer tool. Offer 50 and see where it goes. Either way, I would suggest getting into the hobby of reloading. Once you do, you never have to worry about ammo availability. Good luck.