Well this is what I got.

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:42:35 PST

Thanks guys for the help.

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (eb in oregon) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:52:17 PST

Dial calipers don't like being dropped either.

Absolutely correct!

Some things however can survive the experience multiple times before they "crap out."

And again, absolutely correct, vernier calipers are a good choice. I have even seen then perish from rough handling. If you make it, somebody will break it.

Dial calipers greatest advantage is that they are easy to use and hard to read incorrectly. Though anything can happen.

Heck, for $8.00 you can buy two and save one for "later."

eb

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:45:30 PST

Huh nothing like the old tools. Mine where made by the Westinghouse plant right down the street from me. My great grandfather used them in the 20's when he came from Slovakia.

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (dutchmills) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:41:30 PST

I've got a set of vernier caliphers i've been using since the 60's, i use them to check my Midway 20.00 set! DM

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:00:19 PST

I do have an old pair of verneir calipers, just can't find them now. When I buy the new ones I will probably find the old good ones .

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (Parashooter) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:43:21 PST

Until I looked at the Hong Kong offer, I thought I had a good deal when the Harbor Freight version was on sale for $13.

Looks like the same thing to me, but Harbor includes a plastic case - and the option to return if you don't like it.

Dial calipers don't like being dropped either. If you need something rugged, look for an old-fashioned vernier at the flea market.

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:53:07 PST

Maybe then I would be better with a pair of dial calipers then. Had no idea they could have that many problems. With my luck they will be broke before I use them.

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (eb in oregon) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:02:52 PST

Parashooters suggestion for the digital calipers is a good one, though I myself don't like them.

The "high end" Brown & Sharp digital I've got has caused me nothing but problems ever since I bought it. Batteries go dead at the most inconvienent times, it has a tendency to go "blank" and I have to turn it off/on, the company looked at it and said "it's perfectly fine," so it stays in the box and I use the dial calipers with no battery.

I've also seen at least three digital calipers break when accidently dropped, one went flying across the shop to dash against the wall when the owner got frustrated at his battery dying all the time (Starrett, considered one of the best) and though advertised differently, they don't like getting wet (coolent, oil, soda pop).

Kind of like Glocks, you either love 'em or hate 'em. I'm in the latter as I've learned through experience that...

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:18:13 PST

Well I am going to go to Harbor Freight tomorrow if I can move to see what I can find there. Just so I can see what I am buying. Thanks for the recommendations though.

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (Parashooter) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:43:54 PST

For under $8, shipped, you can order a "good enough" digital caliper straight from China -

Cheap caliper from Hong Kong.

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (maxima2) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:54:19 PST

For a dial caliper, I'm still using my cheap set I bought from Midway years ago for about $20. I think they went to a new brand, Frankford Arsenal, or something like that. Anyway, if you get on Midway's mailing list they will send you a sale flyer every month and then you can go broke buying stuff on sale that you never knew you needed.

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:45:14 PST

Thanks guys,

eb that is what I am going to do is buy them from harbor freight. I live close to one so I can see them in person before I buy. Or there are flea markets every weekend up the hill from me that I can check to see if one of the tool guys has one. I never knew Bean that there were 7,000 grains in a can. I figured that I can get 175 rounds from a pound and for $20 a pound I think I am in good shape.

Mike

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (beanstrung) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:38:18 PST

As far as the powder, there are 7,000 grains in a pound. Divide 7,000 by the suggested charge, and you'll get an idea of how many rounds per pound you wil get.

-Bean

Re: Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (eb in oregon) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:37:14 PST

A "good set" of dial calipers will set you back at least $100.00. So, while this will be an unpopular suggestion, I would recommend a set from Harbor Freight, or some such business.

While they are not as accurate, or repeatable as a "good set," they are good enough. They will be accurate to plus or minus .002, which is "good enough" and won't cost all that much, $20.00 according to the internet.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=dial+calipers

They will work well enough, and last you long enough, until you need to purchase a better set. And as long as you take care of them, they will last longer than that. I've had a "cheap" set for over 30 years now. I use them for general measuring, and they are plenty accurate enough for reloading, even after 30 years of use.

My suggestion.

eb

Well this is what I got.

feeds@kickapps.com (cujo) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:21:02 PST

Hey All,

With the help of others here from the forums and my own research this is what I ended up buying. After long discussion with my dad on where I would put a press I had to settle with a Lee Classic Loader ( my dad won since he has no room on his work bench and my cheap chinese dresser would not be stable for a press ) in 303 British. So I got that the ABC's of reloading book, case gauge and prep tools. So far this little reloading kit in my opinion is a good buy very sturdy and will suit my purposes of reloading since I would only reload a box or two at a time. So far I am depriming the brass and cleaning it up. But before buying components I am reading the book and the chart supplied with the reloader kit. One thing I would like to know is how many rounds can I expect from a pound of powder? I am looking at IMR 4895 since powder and primers are like gold around here and I can't afford to buy online with hazard charges. Also who makes a good pair of dial...