Thoughts about the Lee Breechlock and Hornady Lock-n-Load Bushing Schemes

[jumpinjoe]

Very true. I find a lot of entertainment value in trying to keep it all sorted out and staying as current as I can on "all the stuff." But, I'm retired and have a "little extra time" on my hands....

For what its worth, the RCBS Rockchuckers have been a favorite of mine for a long time. I currently own a couple: one is my "original" purchased in the early '70s, the other is a relatively recent purchase, a Rockchucker Supreme (aka Rockchucker IV). Both are solid presses and do yeoman's work on anything that I ask of them. My only regret is that my bench space is very limited and I can't keep them both mounted and ready along with whatever other flavor of the week I'm tinkering with...

How limited is my bench space? It's 24" x 24"... So, VERY limited.

I'm impressed with some of the ways we re-loaders can 'make do' with what we have to do with like your 24"x24" table. Back when I started reloading, I lived in a 3 bedroom house with lots of room for just me and the Mrs. So I had an entire bedroom for my hobbies, office, man cave or whatever you call it. When we moved into the retirement community (I still refer to it as the institution ) about 7 yrs ago, I had to scale down on everything I had, including my hunting gear, fishing gear, tools and welding equipment, airboat, stock car, trailers, etc. So I gave most of my firearms and all my reloading equipment to my yard son who lives in N Dakota. Well, it didn't take too long before I realized that was a bad move, so I started replacing my loading stuff so I could keep shooting. But the problem was we now lived in an 1100sq' apartment with 1 bedroom, a den, a living/dining room combo, kitchen and 1 1/2 baths and not too much closet space. To make do I HAD to keep my loading space confined to a small space. If you don't believe me, just ask the Mrs. So I first bought another single stage breechlock Challenger press, mounted it on a shelf mounted to the side of my gun safe, used a stool to work from and used our bed and a small folding TV table to lay out all my loading tools like powder measure, scale, box of bullets, cases, etc where I could reach them as I worked. That worked pretty well but as my assortment of tools grew, the space grew too small and limiting. So my final solution was a roll around cart about 16"x40" that I mounted a piece of plywood on a piano hinge on one end with a "LEE" mounting plate. That gave me much more room to work and to expand, but the best part is I can roll it anywhere in my apartment where I might want to work. I have storage space in the cart itself, under the piece of plywood, in the drawer, and the shelf under the cart. I keep all my loading equipment there now except a few things I keep in my safe. It's worked very well for me, even though I've added quite a bit more equipment over time, it makes the Mrs happy that I'm not using the bed to put things on, and most of all I'm not interrupting her late at night if she's gone to bed and I decide to do some loading. I'm including a few pictures of where I started using the small shelf on the side of my safe, and of the cart I eventually moved to and use now. Most of my extra equipment, like additional presses, jar of crushed shells for cleaning brass, extra dies, other assorted re-loading stuff is kept on the bottom shelf of the cart. Components, bullets, primers, etc, are kept primarily in the drawer. Powders are kept in the safe. The layout of the cart has changed a little since the beginning, but the basics are there for you to see. I'll be happy to answer any questions or concerns anyone might have. I hope you like it and maybe get some ides for your own use.

 

[RedGoat]

I'm impressed with some of the ways we re-loaders can 'make do' with what we have to do with like your 24"x24" table. Back when I started reloading, I lived in a 3 bedroom house with lots of room for just me and the Mrs. So I had an entire bedroom for my hobbies, office, man cave or whatever you call it. When we moved into the retirement community (I still refer to it as the institution ) about 7 yrs ago, I had to scale down on everything I had, including my hunting gear, fishing gear, tools and welding equipment, airboat, stock car, trailers, etc. So I gave most of my firearms and all my reloading equipment to my yard son who lives in N Dakota. Well, it didn't take too long before I realized that was a bad move, so I started replacing my loading stuff so I could keep shooting. But the problem was we now lived in an 1100sq' apartment with 1 bedroom, a den, a living/dining room combo, kitchen and 1 1/2 baths and not too much closet space. To make do I HAD to keep my loading space confined to a small space. If you don't believe me, just ask the Mrs. So I first bought another single stage breechlock Challenger press, mounted it on a shelf mounted to the side of my gun safe, used a stool to work from and used our bed and a small folding TV table to lay out all my loading tools like powder measure, scale, box of bullets, cases, etc where I could reach them as I worked. That worked pretty well but as my assortment of tools grew, the space grew too small and limiting. So my final solution was a roll around cart about 16"x40" that I mounted a piece of plywood on a piano hinge on one end with a "LEE" mounting plate. That gave me much more room to work and to expand, but the best part is I can roll it anywhere in my apartment where I might want to work. I have storage space in the cart itself, under the piece of plywood, in the drawer, and the shelf under the cart. I keep all my loading equipment there now except a few things I keep in my safe. It's worked very well for me, even though I've added quite a bit more equipment over time, it makes the Mrs happy that I'm not using the bed to put things on, and most of all I'm not interrupting her late at night if she's gone to bed and I decide to do some loading. I'm including a few pictures of where I started using the small shelf on the side of my safe, and of the cart I eventually moved to and use now. Most of my extra equipment, like additional presses, jar of crushed shells for cleaning brass, extra dies, other assorted re-loading stuff is kept on the bottom shelf of the cart. Components, bullets, primers, etc, are kept primarily in the drawer. Powders are kept in the safe. The layout of the cart has changed a little since the beginning, but the basics are there for you to see. I'll be happy to answer any questions or concerns anyone might have. I hope you like it and maybe get some ides for your own use.
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That is a pretty neat and sweet setup for a limited space. I like it, it is genius!

I have a lot of my stuff stashed in an "environmentally controlled" storage unit. I've managed somehow to keep vital tools, extra dies and all of my extra gimcracks, presses not in use, etc. accessible within that unit. I basically treat it like a large closet, except that it is a couple of miles drive to fetch or stash anything.

But my basic workspace is a 24"x24" heavy wood bench. I keep all of my handgun bullets stashed on a shelf that is attached underneath it just above floor level, so it is solid. There's less wobble and jump when I'm running my press than you see in most "how to" YouTube reloading videos. The bench top(s) are swappable and I have several to accommodate my various presses and gear. I keep the extra tops in my storage unit along with the presses not in use.

 

[jumpinjoe]

That is a pretty neat and sweet setup for a limited space. I like it, it is genius!

I have a lot of my stuff stashed in an "environmentally controlled" storage unit. I've managed somehow to keep vital tools, extra dies and all of my extra gimcracks, presses not in use, etc. accessible within that unit. I basically treat it like a large closet, except that it is a couple of miles drive to fetch or stash anything.

But my basic workspace is a 24"x24" heavy wood bench. I keep all of my handgun bullets stashed on a shelf that is attached underneath it just above floor level, so it is solid. There's less wobble and jump when I'm running my press than you see in most "how to" YouTube reloading videos. The bench top(s) are swappable and I have several to accommodate my various presses and gear. I keep the extra tops in my storage unit along with the presses not in use.

Well, it sounds like you've pretty much learned to 'make do with what you have to do with' as well. I guess in almost every way where there's a will, there's a way. Those pictures of my cart are several years old and my assortment of tools, dies, etc, has grown considerably. I'm still using the same cart, but have redesigned it a little bit. More power to you and keep up the good work and good loading.

 

[RedGoat]

Well, it sounds like you've pretty much learned to 'make do with what you have to do with' as well. I guess in almost every way where there's a will, there's a way. Those pictures of my cart are several years old and my assortment of tools, dies, etc, has grown considerably. I'm still using the same cart, but have redesigned it a little bit. More power to you and keep up the good work and good loading.

Well, I wouldn't call what I do "making do with WHAT I have." It's more like "making do with the SPACE that I have." I expect (and hope for) a better situation Real Soon Now (like within this year). I've been living scrunched into my daughter's home for a bit over two years now. I love being here and watching my young grandsons grow, but I'm ready to once again get a little more space that I can call my own. I think my son-in-law is ready for me to also, even though he's been very patient and gracious during my "extended stay". But yes, I've had to learn to do as much as I can with as little elbow room as possible. Hence the constant "storage unit to the house / house to the storage unit" shuffle. I can't really complain. I have a roof over my head, I see my grandchildren each and every day, and I get three square meals daily. It's far more than I deserve.

If anyone is interested, I will post a pic or two of my "small space" setup. If everyone is getting bored with this thread, I'll just move on without. Up to y'all.

 

[LDB]

Well, I wouldn't call what I do "making do with WHAT I have." It's more like "making do with the SPACE that I have." I expect (and hope for) a better situation Real Soon Now (like within this year). I've been living scrunched into my daughter's home for a bit over two years now. I love being here and watching my young grandsons grow, but I'm ready to once again get a little more space that I can call my own. I think my son-in-law is ready for me to also, even though he's been very patient and gracious during my "extended stay". But yes, I've had to learn to do as much as I can with as little elbow room as possible. Hence the constant "storage unit to the house / house to the storage unit" shuffle. I can't really complain. I have a roof over my head, I see my grandchildren each and every day, and I get three square meals daily. It's far more than I deserve.

If anyone is interested, I will post a pic or two of my "small space" setup. If everyone is getting bored with this thread, I'll just move on without. Up to y'all.

I'd love to see pics. I'm a horrible accumulator and have junk everywhere and probably literally less space to set up than you are using.

 

[RedGoat]

I'd love to see pics. I'm a horrible accumulator and have junk everywhere and probably literally less space to set up than you are using.

Alrighty. Keep your eyes peeled. I'll post a few pics here in this thread. Get ready to be underwhelmed.

 

[RedGoat]

OK. Here are the pics of my "incredible shrinking reloading bench." I built it from some of my son-in-law's leftover lumber from one of his projects. The top is exactly 24" x 24" and is a double-thickness of 3/4" plywood bonded by copious quantities of wood glue and a few deck screws "just in case". The front edge (and the back edge too, if it were accessible) has space for a single "wide" press or for a couple of "skinny" presses. As you can tell, there's only about a max of 2/3 of the width useable for press mounting. If one gets too close to or in front of one of the legs, the press toggle links collide with the leg. If you look closely, you can observe my big stack of handgun bullets stacked below.

The bench is plenty heavy all by itself. With all that lead added, it is immovable and unshakeable. The bench top is attached with four bolts running through the top and connecting to the front-to-rear braces. Everything else just "slides into place." Remove the four bolts attaching the top and the whole thing is can be disassembled. I have several "tops" so that I can attach presses with differing bolt patterns. This particular top looks like it has been attacked by a woodpecker and can accommodate five or six different presses (one at a time, obviously).

This rig doesn't provide much in the way of storage. I keep the dies, tools, components, etc. at hand for whatever I'm working on at any given time. The rest gets stored in containers in the garage or migrated to/from my storage unit. Awkward, but I have more time than anything else right now. It works for me under the circumstances.

 

[LDB]

Wow, not underwhelming at all. That is very nice work. Well thought out and laid out. Other than not being able to line a few presses up in a row it looks like there isn't anything you couldn't accomplish using it.

 

[RedGoat]

Wow, not underwhelming at all. That is very nice work. Well thought out and laid out. Other than not being able to line a few presses up in a row it looks like there isn't anything you couldn't accomplish using it.

Thank you. It's actually the most solid reloading bench that I've ever built / owned, including one I had in my garage that was affixed to the wall. I guess that all of my previous experiences kinda funneled into this attempt. It's been finished and in use for almost two years now, and I'm still pretty happy with it.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Wow, not underwhelming at all. That is very nice work. Well thought out and laid out. Other than not being able to line a few presses up in a row it looks like there isn't anything you couldn't accomplish using it.

I can't agree more!

 

[jumpinjoe]

Thank you. It's actually the most solid reloading bench that I've ever built / owned, including one I had in my garage that was affixed to the wall. I guess that all of my previous experiences kinda funneled into this attempt. It's been finished and in use for almost two years now, and I'm still pretty happy with it.

You should be happy with that bench. A great idea and design ... maybe time to look into a patent??? The knock down feature would be a real boon to some like us who have very limited space. And as far as the pictures show, you must have some wood working experience.

Seeing this causes me to tell you about my very 1st loading bench. Picture a Class III receiver hitch on the back of a truck, just the receiver but not the rest of the hitch mountings under that truck. Then picture that receiver turned vertically and attached directly to a wall inside a bedroom of a frame built house. This receiver, basically a simple piece of 2" X 2" X 3/16" sq. tubing (2"ID) was built with 'stand offs' and was held about 10" out from the wall and about 30" off the floor to the opening. Then an 18" X 18" X 1/4" sq plate, with a 8" long 2" X 2" piece of sq tubing welded to the underside and center of that plate. When that 8" piece is inserted into the receiver, there is a 1/2" hex bolt that screws into the side of the receiver through a welded 1/2" hex nut on the side about 6" down from the top and the plate sits parallel to floor and square to the wall, securely locked into the receiver by the 'set bolt'. I could loosen the bolt (think of a set screw, only bigger), lift the 18" X 18" plate and turn it to either of the four sides as needed. I had some tool/press mounted on each of the 4 corners of that plate ... originally a Challenger single stage press, an original 1970's vintage 3 position "Lee" turret press, a MEC shotshell loader, and the last corner was drilled for several different tools, and only used as necessary. Sometimes a powder measure, sometimes a case lengthen-er, maybe a bullet puller, etc. At some point I installed 1 of the "Lee" quick mount plates and could then attach or move all my tools to any other corner of the plate. You have to picture each of the corner mountings were at the right end of the plate as I sat in front of it, and perpendicular to the wall behind the plate. I used it like that for many years, even took it with me when we moved to another home and reinstalled it to the wall, this time a CBS construction. But both times, this thing was as solid as a house ... literally. I used that setup basically for more than 40 yrs and right up until we sold out and moved into the 'institution' where we are now. Nobody cared about my mounting method since I owned the homes, but then at the institution all bets were off. I do have an exterior wall but I'm not allowed to penetrate it in any way. And as space was so limited I chose the roller cart situation. My yard son took all of my loading tools/equipment and the steel loading table with him to N. Dakota when we moved to the 'institution; and is still using it today. I'm sure that's probably gobbly-**** to read, but I tried to make it understandable. BTW, I'm a 3 times certified welder and that's the reason for the use of steel. I can't drive a nail straight with a sledge hammer.

 

[LDB]

You should be happy with that bench. A great idea and design ... maybe time to look into a patent??? The knock down feature would be a real boon to some like us who have very limited space. And as far as the pictures show, you must have some wood working experience.

Seeing this causes me to tell you about my very 1st loading bench. Picture a Class III receiver hitch on the back of a truck, just the receiver but not the rest of the hitch mountings under that truck. Then picture that receiver turned vertically and attached directly to a wall inside a bedroom of a frame built house. This receiver, basically a simple piece of 2" X 2" X 3/16" sq. tubing (2"ID) was built with 'stand offs' and was held about 10" out from the wall and about 30" off the floor to the opening. Then an 18" X 18" X 1/4" sq plate, with a 8" long 2" X 2" piece of sq tubing welded to the underside and center of that plate. When that 8" piece is inserted into the receiver, there is a 1/2" hex bolt that screws into the side of the receiver through a welded 1/2" hex nut on the side about 6" down from the top and the plate sits parallel to floor and square to the wall, securely locked into the receiver by the 'set bolt'. I could loosen the bolt (think of a set screw, only bigger), lift the 18" X 18" plate and turn it to either of the four sides as needed. I had some tool/press mounted on each of the 4 corners of that plate ... originally a Challenger single stage press, an original 1970's vintage 3 position "Lee" turret press, a MEC shotshell loader, and the last corner was drilled for several different tools, and only used as necessary. Sometimes a powder measure, sometimes a case lengthen-er, maybe a bullet puller, etc. At some point I installed 1 of the "Lee" quick mount plates and could then attach or move all my tools to any other corner of the plate. You have to picture each of the corner mountings were at the right end of the plate as I sat in front of it, and perpendicular to the wall behind the plate. I used it like that for many years, even took it with me when we moved to another home and reinstalled it to the wall, this time a CBS construction. But both times, this thing was as solid as a house ... literally. I used that setup basically for more than 40 yrs and right up until we sold out and moved into the 'institution' where we are now. Nobody cared about my mounting method since I owned the homes, but then at the institution all bets were off. I do have an exterior wall but I'm not allowed to penetrate it in any way. And as space was so limited I chose the roller cart situation. My yard son took all of my loading tools/equipment and the steel loading table with him to N. Dakota when we moved to the 'institution; and is still using it today. I'm sure that's probably gobbly-**** to read, but I tried to make it understandable. BTW, I'm a 3 times certified welder and that's the reason for the use of steel. I can't drive a nail straight with a sledge hammer.

No pics? Sounds impressive. Born with two left thumbs, I don't do anything creative. I am able to follow some directions and assemble some things provided all required parts/components are present. Some.

 

[RedGoat]

You should be happy with that bench. A great idea and design ... maybe time to look into a patent??? The knock down feature would be a real boon to some like us who have very limited space. And as far as the pictures show, you must have some wood working experience.

Seeing this causes me to tell you about my very 1st loading bench. Picture a Class III receiver hitch on the back of a truck, just the receiver but not the rest of the hitch mountings under that truck. Then picture that receiver turned vertically and attached directly to a wall inside a bedroom of a frame built house. This receiver, basically a simple piece of 2" X 2" X 3/16" sq. tubing (2"ID) was built with 'stand offs' and was held about 10" out from the wall and about 30" off the floor to the opening. Then an 18" X 18" X 1/4" sq plate, with a 8" long 2" X 2" piece of sq tubing welded to the underside and center of that plate. When that 8" piece is inserted into the receiver, there is a 1/2" hex bolt that screws into the side of the receiver through a welded 1/2" hex nut on the side about 6" down from the top and the plate sits parallel to floor and square to the wall, securely locked into the receiver by the 'set bolt'. I could loosen the bolt (think of a set screw, only bigger), lift the 18" X 18" plate and turn it to either of the four sides as needed. I had some tool/press mounted on each of the 4 corners of that plate ... originally a Challenger single stage press, an original 1970's vintage 3 position "Lee" turret press, a MEC shotshell loader, and the last corner was drilled for several different tools, and only used as necessary. Sometimes a powder measure, sometimes a case lengthen-er, maybe a bullet puller, etc. At some point I installed 1 of the "Lee" quick mount plates and could then attach or move all my tools to any other corner of the plate. You have to picture each of the corner mountings were at the right end of the plate as I sat in front of it, and perpendicular to the wall behind the plate. I used it like that for many years, even took it with me when we moved to another home and reinstalled it to the wall, this time a CBS construction. But both times, this thing was as solid as a house ... literally. I used that setup basically for more than 40 yrs and right up until we sold out and moved into the 'institution' where we are now. Nobody cared about my mounting method since I owned the homes, but then at the institution all bets were off. I do have an exterior wall but I'm not allowed to penetrate it in any way. And as space was so limited I chose the roller cart situation. My yard son took all of my loading tools/equipment and the steel loading table with him to N. Dakota when we moved to the 'institution; and is still using it today. I'm sure that's probably gobbly-**** to read, but I tried to make it understandable. BTW, I'm a 3 times certified welder and that's the reason for the use of steel. I can't drive a nail straight with a sledge hammer.

Your description is very good. It sounds like you had an awesome good setup in your former home, sturdy, steady, relatively spacious, and certainly ingenious. I'd also imagine that you'd also have torn up that poor li'l'ol Lee Challenger press before it would've damaged your loading bench. Now you've arrived at an equally awesome setup that works in your new circumstance.

I too prefer metal working to wood work. I find wood to be "capricious" in the sense of how my various projects turn out. Working with metal just feels more "precise and predictable" in its outcomes. Wood just happens to be the material of choice for me when tooling is limited.

 

[jumpinjoe]

No pics? Sounds impressive. Born with two left thumbs, I don't do anything creative. I am able to follow some directions and assemble some things provided all required parts/components are present. Some.

Well, thanks for the compliment, but you're right, no pics of the steel table, but I can provide more of the cart if needed. I never thought over those 40 some years I used the steel table that I'd ever need pics. And now it's out in N Dakota with my yard son. I might be able to get him to take a couple if it's convenient but he's in the oil business and stays pretty busy. He owns a pretty big/busy company with a whole bunch of equipment and many employees. Splits his time between 3 towns/shops, many well/drill sights and family when he can. But I'll see.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Your description is very good. It sounds like you had an awesome good setup in your former home, sturdy, steady, relatively spacious, and certainly ingenious. I'd also imagine that you'd also have torn up that poor li'l'ol Lee Challenger press before it would've damaged your loading bench. Now you've arrived at an equally awesome setup that works in your new circumstance.

I too prefer metal working to wood work. I find wood to be "capricious" in the sense of how my various projects turn out. Working with metal just feels more "precise and predictable" in its outcomes. Wood just happens to be the material of choice for me when tooling is limited.

I'll say it was as solid as most any table I've ever ran across. Fact is, it was a lot of 'overkill' for sure. But I was advised by the guy who got me started in volume reloading that I needed something "really" solid, and he emphasized 'solid'. So I built one that was 'really' solid. Obviously I was a novice at best, knew very little about reloading, and took him at his word. At that point I had loaded a few hunting calibers with a couple "Lee" hand loading tools and a plastic hammer sitting at the dining table. But during the time I used the steel table, I loaded literally hundreds of thousands of various rounds and it never budged. Lol! During the mid/late 70's, through the 80's, 90's, and into the early 2000's, I shot a great deal of NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette competitions locally and some around the SE typically shooting up to 1,000 rounds on a Sunday. It was pretty common for me to load 1,000-1,500, rounds, maybe more during the week for my wife and I to shoot/practice over an off weekend. She shot comps on/off with me, but in a different class, not against each other ... that would never work if you know what I mean!!!!!.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Mr RedGoat, I've got a couple questions I'd like to ask if you don't mind

1st - Your pic# 7652 shows the 2 most common powder measures "Lee" makes and I have one of each also. I love the 'Deluxe' Perfect powder measure, but I didn't like using the smaller 'Perfect' powder measure when using some very fine ball powders. Unless I was very careful in adjusting the drum, it would sometimes leak a few grains of powder (physical grns, not grns weight). Just enough to be a bother. But then someone told me the secret to fixing that. I carefully sanded the outside of the drum and inside of the housing with very fine sandpaper till I obtained a 'perfect' fit of the two pieces. It didn't take a lot of sanding. The "Deluxe" Perfect measure worked like a dream from the very first load of powder after running 1 load of powder through it to ensure no static cling. Both will measure within 1/10gr time after time regardless of powder. What's your assessment of the two measures? I also have 1 of the "Pro" Auto disc measures and 2 of the "Pro" Auto-drum measures. Actually all mentioned here will consistently measure within 1/10gr of any powder. As will the 'anti-static' dippers if used as directed and a final wipe with a business card. I noticed you had a few at the back of your table.

2nd - Are the clamps with the blue handles shown in pic# 7653 part of the loading bench assembly/construction, or just hanging there for convenience?

3rd - Where/how the devil did you get the name "RedGoat"? I agree it's probably not my business, but you've got to admit it's pretty unusual................... to say the least.

 

[jumpinjoe]

No pics? Sounds impressive. Born with two left thumbs, I don't do anything creative. I am able to follow some directions and assemble some things provided all required parts/components are present. Some.

Mr. LDB, what are you using now for a bench? If you have enough space you can get a pretty impressive work bench that makes a great loading table from Harbor Freight. Not a lot of money but a very functional table. Just wanted to pass that on.

 

[RedGoat]

Mr RedGoat, I've got a couple questions I'd like to ask if you don't mind

1st - Your pic# 7652 shows the 2 most common powder measures "Lee" makes and I have one of each also. I love the 'Deluxe' Perfect powder measure, but I didn't like using the smaller 'Perfect' powder measure when using some very fine ball powders. Unless I was very careful in adjusting the drum, it would sometimes leak a few grains of powder (physical grns, not grns weight). Just enough to be a bother. But then someone told me the secret to fixing that. I carefully sanded the outside of the drum and inside of the housing with very fine sandpaper till I obtained a 'perfect' fit of the two pieces. It didn't take a lot of sanding. The "Deluxe" Perfect measure worked like a dream from the very first load of powder after running 1 load of powder through it to ensure no static cling. Both will measure within 1/10gr time after time regardless of powder. What's your assessment of the two measures? I also have 1 of the "Pro" Auto disc measures and 2 of the "Pro" Auto-drum measures. Actually all mentioned here will consistently measure within 1/10gr of any powder. As will the 'anti-static' dippers if used as directed and a final wipe with a business card. I noticed you had a few at the back of your table.

2nd - Are the clamps with the blue handles shown in pic# 7653 part of the loading bench assembly/construction, or just hanging there for convenience?

3rd - Where/how the devil did you get the name "RedGoat"? I agree it's probably not my business, but you've got to admit it's pretty unusual................... to say the least.

Q1 - "What's your assessment of the two measures?"
A1 - I've had and used that inexpensive "Perfect" powder measure for a long time. I just received the "Deluxe Perfect" powder measure and haven't done any more than just play with it. I like the way that its calibration markings are much more visible and adjustments are a bit more positive. Time will tell if it proves as satisfactory as the older non-deluxe one. I've had the same problem as you noted about very fine grained powder sometimes escaping from the older "Perfect" measure (note the white paper underneath to make any powder leakage highly visible. I don't want it getting off the bench and into the carpeting). You also noticed the Lee dippers. When I want the ultimate in simplicity, especially when working up loads, they are my go-to. Use the VMD table value for the given powder times the target charge weight. Select the dipper that is right at that volume or a little under. Dip. Drop onto scale. Trickle up. Simple. And far faster for 10 or less charges (typical of load development) than trying to calibrate one of the powder measures. I also have a Lee AutoDrum powder measure and their AutoDisk powder measures. All are great tools for their intended purpose and work very well. I have a couple of RCBS powder measures too, but I actually prefer Lee's. I can't really explain why, it's a "touchy feely" kind of thing. I didn't show my powder weighing setup. It's on on a desk on the other side of the room. It's not very convenient, but is the best I can do given the space I have to work with. It consists of an old Redding #2 scale, a set of calibration weights, an older RCBS powder trickler, and a newer RCBS electronic scale with a digital readout. I also have my "discarded" cell phone set up on a stand where it shows the scale balance indicator when I'm weighing charges. The phone's zoomed in camera display makes reading the scale and hitting a "perfect" zero very easy without having to bend, crane my neck and squint while the scale settles.

Q2 - "Are the clamps with the blue handles shown in pic# 7653 part of the loading bench assembly/construction ... ?"
A2 - No, they are just a makeshift way to quickly "attach" the powder measures to the bench. I can quickly move the measures around, swap places, etc, and then detach and store them (I use the plastic shoe boxes that one can get at Wally World and many other places to protect the measures when stored). I formerly kept the measures on stands which were affixed to rather bulky (space footprint wise) blocks of wood, but I've now abandoned the wood block attachment method in favor of the small clamps to save on work space.

Q3 - "Where/how the devil did you get the name "RedGoat?" "
A3 - It is not a "real world" nickname or anything like that. It is just a random moniker that I picked quite a while back when I registered for the first time on a firearms related forum. If I remember correctly, I think that it was a forum centered around primarily the Remington 870 shotguns. I've used it ever since whenever I sign up on a firearms related forum. I am not registered on very many such forums, but I've yet to encounter one where I wanted to sign up only to find the username "RedGoad" rejected it because it was already in use ... I'm only active on less than a handful of forums. I usually just lurk on most forums without signing up, but if I feel that I can contribute AND/OR need to ask questions in order to learn, I will sign up, as I did here. As a side note, I've very much enjoyed my "stay" here in Armory Life. There seems to be a great amount of friendly interaction and kidding around without a lot of trolling. I like that. I hope that my posts and responses are enjoyed by at least some of y'all. I've also learned a few new things here also.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Q1 - "What's your assessment of the two measures?"
A1 - I've had and used that inexpensive "Perfect" powder measure for a long time. I just received the "Deluxe Perfect" powder measure and haven't done any more than just play with it. I like the way that its calibration markings are much more visible and adjustments are a bit more positive. Time will tell if it proves as satisfactory as the older non-deluxe one. I've had the same problem as you noted about very fine grained powder sometimes escaping from the older "Perfect" measure (note the white paper underneath to make any powder leakage highly visible. I don't want it getting off the bench and into the carpeting). You also noticed the Lee dippers. When I want the ultimate in simplicity, especially when working up loads, they are my go-to. Use the VMD table value for the given powder times the target charge weight. Select the dipper that is right at that volume or a little under. Dip. Drop onto scale. Trickle up. Simple. And far faster for 10 or less charges (typical of load development) than trying to calibrate one of the powder measures. I also have a Lee AutoDrum powder measure and their AutoDisk powder measures. All are great tools for their intended purpose and work very well. I have a couple of RCBS powder measures too, but I actually prefer Lee's. I can't really explain why, it's a "touchy feely" kind of thing. I didn't show my powder weighing setup. It's on on a desk on the other side of the room. It's not very convenient, but is the best I can do given the space I have to work with. It consists of an old Redding #2 scale, a set of calibration weights, an older RCBS powder trickler, and a newer RCBS electronic scale with a digital readout. I also have my "discarded" cell phone set up on a stand where it shows the scale balance indicator when I'm weighing charges. The phone's zoomed in camera display makes reading the scale and hitting a "perfect" zero very easy without having to bend, crane my neck and squint while the scale settles.

Q2 - "Are the clamps with the blue handles shown in pic# 7653 part of the loading bench assembly/construction ... ?"
A2 - No, they are just a makeshift way to quickly "attach" the powder measures to the bench. I can quickly move the measures around, swap places, etc, and then detach and store them (I use the plastic shoe boxes that one can get at Wally World and many other places to protect the measures when stored). I formerly kept the measures on stands which were affixed to rather bulky (space footprint wise) blocks of wood, but I've now abandoned the wood block attachment method in favor of the small clamps to save on work space.

Q3 - "Where/how the devil did you get the name "RedGoat?" "
A3 - It is not a "real world" nickname or anything like that. It is just a random moniker that I picked quite a while back when I registered for the first time on a firearms related forum. If I remember correctly, I think that it was a forum centered around primarily the Remington 870 shotguns. I've used it ever since whenever I sign up on a firearms related forum. I am not registered on very many such forums, but I've yet to encounter one where I wanted to sign up only to find the username "RedGoad" rejected it because it was already in use ... I'm only active on less than a handful of forums. I usually just lurk on most forums without signing up, but if I feel that I can contribute AND/OR need to ask questions in order to learn, I will sign up, as I did here. As a side note, I've very much enjoyed my "stay" here in Armory Life. There seems to be a great amount of friendly interaction and kidding around without a lot of trolling. I like that. I hope that my posts and responses are enjoyed by at least some of y'all. I've also learned a few new things here also.

Can't/won't argue with anything said here. And personally, glad to have you on the forum where, as I often say to a newbie: We have about 4 thousand really good and knowledgeable folks here, and one damned ol' grouch. Oh, and from the looks of your stock of bullets, it appears you do a fair amount of loading/shooting. Good on ya'!

 

[RedGoat]

... but I didn't like using the smaller 'Perfect' powder measure when using some very fine ball powders. Unless I was very careful in adjusting the drum, it would sometimes leak a few grains of powder (physical grns, not grns weight). Just enough to be a bother. But then someone told me the secret to fixing that. I carefully sanded the outside of the drum and inside of the housing with very fine sandpaper till I obtained a 'perfect' fit of the two pieces. It didn't take a lot of sanding.

Can you describe in a little more detail how you went about "polishing" the interior surfaces of your "Perfect" powder measure without getting either surface "out of round?" Did you use, for instance, the surface of the drum as the backer for the polishing sandpaper against the interior housing surface and vice-versa? I think that I'd like to give that little tweak a try. I do find the minuscule dribbling of powder granules very annoying, and, although adjusting the tension of the drum-to-housing helps, the tension level that gives a 100% leakproof seal also makes the operation pretty stiff. Unfortunately, Lee's only guidance regarding the issue for years has amounted to, "Just live with it. We've sold you a very good powder measure at a great price and called the arrangement 'perfect' !"