Worst thing you have purchased for reloading

[Remmy700]

So we have had a few threads to help out new guys over the last few weeks. Thread on best piece of equipment, thread on sharing your reloading bench setup. So how about we share what was the worst/biggest waste of money you purchased for reloading! This will take me a little bit of thinking as I have wasted a lot of money lol.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Hornady brass

 

[Rick Richard]

Hornady brass[/QUOT

I was going to say that, but I saw it more as a consumable and not a tool.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

EDIT: I really need to slow down with my reading comprehension.

 

[Remmy700]

My worst was probably a Lyman T-Mag press few years back. I liked the idea of having several turret tops setup with dies. You could visually see the turret top flex during F/L sizing. This is with imperial and only bumping shoulders .0015. From calibers from 243-338. It quickly got replaced with a rock chucker! Never had a press that flexed so bad. Maybe it was just a bad one but it turned me off from Lyman presses.

 

[lancetkenyon]

GemPro 250. Have had two. Both lasted less than 6 months before they started drifting. ***.

 

[J E Custom]

Some will probably disagree but that's what makes the world go round.

Mine was to different powder auto dispensers (The RCBS Charge master) I realy thought these would improve my loading time and accuracy, They did not. I bought one and found that half the time was spent dumping error charges. So based on other peoples recommendations I bought another one to speed up the process (Some had as many as 3).

The second one was no better at dropping consistent charges than the first. and only complicated the process. so I set out on a mission to evaluate the powder charging process altogether.

I found that with a very good powder measure and beam scale, speed and accuracy was better than using the charge masters. I loaded 50 rounds with one system and 50 more with the other and it wasn't even close.

I checked each load individually and found the measure and scale came out on top with almost 100 % accuracy. the charge master was close to 20% rejected. Curious as to why, I started dumping more loads and If i waited long enough it would give me an error message and the charge had to be dumped.

Once I got the powder measure calibrated and got my rhythm down there were almost no rejects. I also checked these loads with a digital scale that measures to 0.01 g so there would be no human factor. this confirmed that the beam scale was being read correctly and accurately.

Some feel that this level of accuracy is not necessary and I don't disagree, but when I load, I don't want or need any excuses for poor accuracy and except the human factor as the problem.

So I have reverted back to a simple and time proven method that gets me the most consistent loads in less time with less problems.

I sold both of my Charge masters and have never looked back. and of all the poor choices I have made for reloading this has been the most costly one.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Randy Tidwell]

JE, sorry you had trouble with your CM, mine works pretty well.

I don't use it for loads below 40 grains. A 40 grain load that varies .1 grain is only 0.25% variation, for anything but BR shooting, I consider that acceptable.

I check mine often with a Ohaus 304 scale.

Regarding the worse thing, would have the to be the Pac Scale/dispenser I bought about 5 years ago. Was supposed to be the newest and greatest thing. What a piece of junk. Extremely slow, and varied .3-.5 grains every charge.

They wouldn't stand behind it, so I put on Ebay for half price with note in all caps stating "it is not accurate!" Some guy jumped on it. Before I sent it to him, I made sure he understood what he was getting.

I consider myself lucky to have sold it, rather than trash it.

 

[ruby76]

Cheap digital scale thinking it would be faster. After a major overpressure round went off and had smoke coming out around my bolt I tested it vs a good 'ol RCBC beam scale. I now take it slow and precise using a beam scale.

 

[Remmy700]

I was going to say chargemaster first but it has a place now on my bench. I use it to throw my initial charge before trickling up with dandy trickler on A&D Fx120i.

 

[Dosh]

My son bought a used Lyman powder thrower. That thing went out the door fast. My electronic charge thrower is in the closet, I only use it for AR ammo which isn't very often.

 

[tbrice23]

ELD-X bullets. Tried them in several barrels, calibers and weights. Tried sorting them several different ways. Tried numerous seating depths and powders. What irritates me is I'd get a very good 5 shot group once and HORRIBLE groups thereafter.
These bullets are why I bring at least two rifles to the range. To verify if I'm having an off day or the load really is inconsistent.

 

[Remmy700]

Same experience with them. Never had a rifle that would shoot them as good as the eldm.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I hear you on electric charge throwers. Not consistent for finished charges. I always set mine to .3gr below target weight, then transfer to my RCBS 5-0-5 and trickle to the individual kernel. Exactly.

As for ELD-X/ELD-M......yeah. Not my cup of tea either. 3 out of 12 rifles have LOVED them. The other 9 were mediocre at best. Give me a green or orange/yellow box, and I am a happy man.