Its time for a better powder throw.

The mechanicals all work on the same theory. A measured drop by volume. The Lee is all plastic except the screws. Redding (made in USA) is cast iron and the meter is solid.

I found the Lee to be pretty accurate, yet chintzy. So is the Redding while being solid.

That being said, I found the Lee to accurately dispense Varget and the like a lot better that the Redding. For flake or small ball, I have found the Redding easy to use and is accurate to about 3 flakes. As I was told by Redding, the key is a consistent motion on the throw for accuracy.

Whatever you purchase, please examine the warranty beforehand. You might be unpleasantly surprised by some of them.

Good luck.
 
So I have a lee precision and it is ok I frequently double check against a digital and a balance beam... few/ lots of out of tolerance (for me) inconsistent drops... OK when I am going slow, but a royal pain when I am jazzed and zooming

and based on this thread looked into the Lyman 55 and the RCBS

Can some one help me evaluate the Midway reviews

are all the 3 star and below reviews just incompetent re-loaders?

I buy 90% of every thing on line due to my rural existence ---and rely a lot on customer reviews... and I think I do a good job of ferreting out the dummies from the well informed and smart guys

I especially like reviews that might note a problem or flaw--- but either the reviewer OR some other reviewer acknowledges the problem but also includes the fix or better way to set up or use the product

The so called precision $200 Quick measure is out of budget and not needed as I shy away from stick powders ...so not concerned with cut powder loads
 
I don't get a lot from online reviews HOSTED at the place of sale. Obviously, some decent info can be found, but I prefer a venue like right here for better reviews. Often on a sales site you find reviews written 60 minutes after the first use. Even worse are the jacked-up buyers so thrilled with their purchase that they review it before they even receive it.

Also, in my opinion, the most helpful reviews tend to be the ones with constructive criticism. When an astute user can love a product AND also detail precisely which parts they would improve, that's where I find the most help.

In the spirit of that, here is my most constructive criticisms of the Lyman 55 -- up above, mine was post #11 and it details how much I love and rely on my 55's. On the bad side I can say that I have had two different friends in the last 5 years that both ordered brand new 55's and had trouble with them. In each instance, a trip back to Lyman returned a replacement. One of those guys sold his replacement to fund a Hornady, the other swapped his replacement to me for a Hornady.

I hope that's just bad luck. Mine are fantastic.

One way to judge a measure (IMO) is to report on what it will & will not do well...
The two lowest charges I frequently dish out is 2.8gr Bullseye (to feed Model 52's!) and 1.6gr Titegroup (a Walther GSP in .32 Wadcutter) and my 55's do these in expert fashion.

What they don't do well? Unique and IMR-800X, two that are notorious for being hell to meter.

Hope my reviews help.
 
Lyman 55. Good basic design, no frills , no do-dahs , not computer compatible, they are the 1911 45acp of powder measures.
Now....you have to adjust it correctly and use it with a consistent motion to get consistent charges.
Most newbies fail here, do not set the slides correctly, have inconsistent operating motions then whine about how bad the 55 is. It's not .
The thing I love about the Lyman 55 is it will measure anything....Unique, IMR4895 , Rice Crispies ... any large flake or stick powder the 55 will handle , ball powders are easy as pie. Cost ....about $70.00 brand new . Not bad for a good measure.
My first dates to 1967...I have three now. 5 star rating from me.
I tend to buy the older orange 55's off Ebay, look carefully and you can find some good ones.
Gary
 
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