Lee Classic Reloader for 243, and powder advice

[FlattyHunter]

Hello Everyone,

Just giving you all the heads up that I'm a newbie in the sport of shooting, so I wanted to get your advice on powders.

I've wanted to get into reloading, so I've decided to start at the very beginning with a Lee Classic Reloader for 243.

It arrived in the mail today when I read through the powder loads when using the measure scoop provided. It states that for an 87 grain projectile, you should use Ramshot Hunter Powder. I've looked online and it doesnt appear to be available here in AUS.

Just wondering if there is an equivalent powder here in Australia which I could use as I would prefer to start out using the measure. Just would feel more comfortable at this point using the scoop instead of weighing it with scales.

[marksman]

a few guys on the forum use the scoop without weighing powder charges reliably
IMHO you need to check weights with a good set of scales eg the 505 ohaus scales sold by rcbs for safety
you dont want to blow up your 243
here is a link to ADI powders for you to have a look at http://www.adi-powders.com.au/ I used adi 2208 when I was reloading 243 ammo

[JimTom]

Get a set of scales. Use the link for ADI powders that marksman provided and start from there mate. Most use ADI powder, myself included. Plenty of people to answer any questions you have on this forum as you progress.

[FlattyHunter]

Thanks for your advice guys. I'll invest in a set of scales this week and start looking at some ADI powders.

I wanted to make sure I did it the right way from the very beginning, cause yeah Marksman I definately don't want to blow up my new Tikka T3x Hunter and myself included.

Been watching youtube and not one of the demonstrations posted on reloading with the Lee Loader that I watched, shows them weighing the powder charge before loading their ammo. Maybe someone should do so.

Thanks again fellas and I'll keep you updated with how I go with my first ever loads

[SCJ429]

I have used 2209, 2213 short cut, 2217 and 2225 with projectiles 90 to 107 grains. Slower powders are kinder to your throat and produce more velocity in the main.

You definitely need some scales, I also use RCBS balance beam scales.

[deanp100]

There is nothing wrong with scoops. They work on the same theory as powder droppers , fill up a hole with powder and swipe it off as you turn the handle. If you use a consistent technique scoops can be extremely accurate and unless you use the wrong scoop it won’t be the cause of anything blowing up.

[SCJ429]

A fairly primitive way to select a powder charge and you are stuck with only one not particularly accurate load all for the sake of a powder scale.

If you get some scales you can adjust the powder charge, which is were the advantage of reloading begins.

[Oldbloke]

2208 or 2206h are both good choices. Perhaps check out the reloading face book page for used scales. I used scoops for years. If you are consistent they do the job. But you definitely should check what they are throwing with some scales. Can you borrow some.?

[Bruiser64]

I use AR2209 ADI powder with my 243. Like others have said, invest in a scale. I would also get a powder trickler. The scoops are ok to get you close, but you use the trickler to get it precise. In case your not aware, the trickler is a device you place powder in and can precisely drop individual grains of powder into the scale pan to load a really precise charge. Here is a video that shows how they work. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl-FuWWHyo8

I would suggest a powder charge in the low to mid range recommended by ADI. They have a link to their reloading data on their website.

[Oldbloke]

You can use an empty case as a trickle if need be.

[FlattyHunter]

All good advice guys, thanks...

Yeah Bruiser64, I have seen the tricklers and I will buy one of those for sure.

I've been looking online today, thinking about getting the Hornady Electronic Bench Scales. Definately worth the investment for getting myself set up

[SCJ429]

Are you going to try 87 grain Hornady Vmax?

[bladeracer]

Hello Everyone,

Just giving you all the heads up that I'm a newbie in the sport of shooting, so I wanted to get your advice on powders.

I've wanted to get into reloading, so I've decided to start at the very beginning with a Lee Classic Reloader for 243.

It arrived in the mail today when I read through the powder loads when using the measure scoop provided. It states that for an 87 grain projectile, you should use Ramshot Hunter Powder. I've looked online and it doesnt appear to be available here in AUS.

Just wondering if there is an equivalent powder here in Australia which I could use as I would prefer to start out using the measure. Just would feel more comfortable at this point using the scoop instead of weighing it with scales.

Can you post a photo of the load data sheet?
I'm looking online but not finding it.
My brother uses the Lee Loader for .243 but I got him to buy the full set of dippers, and I sat here and checked each dipper's actual capacity.

[SCJ429]

How close was the actual capacity? Wouldn't it change with different powders?

[FlattyHunter]

Hi SCJ429, not too sure at this point. Bloke at the local gun shop said it would be a good size projectile to start off with.

Bladeracer, here is a photo of the load data card. I have seen those dippers for sale, how does your brother find them?

[Oldbloke]

'I made my own dippers.

Dippers-Scoops.png (589.19 KiB) Viewed 6268 times

[FlattyHunter]

Old bloke...nice workmanship. Wouldn't even attempt to make my own. Nice work

[bladeracer]

Hi SCJ429, not too sure at this point. Bloke at the local gun shop said it would be a good size projectile to start off with.

Bladeracer, here is a photo of the load data card. I have seen those dippers for sale, how does your brother find them?

He has no problem using the dippers, but I would always recommend checking actual capacity yourself using a scale and the powder you're using.

Varget is AR2208, H4350 is AR2209, and H4895 is AR2206H.
The chart with the Lee Dippers includes ADI powders, but not the latest ones, like AR2206H.
https://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/DIPPERS.pdf
The 2.5cc dipper is listed as 35gn of AR2209, 34.5gn of AR2208, 34.3gn of H4895 (AR2206H), and 34.2gn of Varget (AR2208).
Both of these AR2208 and AR2209 loads are very light behind the 87gn bullet, as is the H4895 load. You could heap the 2.5cc dipper and still be safe.

[bladeracer]

How close was the actual capacity? Wouldn't it change with different powders?

I'm guessing this was for me?
Close enough for reloading ammunition.
Yes, you have to chart each powder you want to use. Most ADI rifle powders I found are pretty close in density, except Trailboss which is roughly a third as dense.
Lee specifies scraping the powder off level with a card, but I found I got better consistency by simply pushing the dipper through the powder and letting it slump to its own height, then dumping it on the scale. This makes the loads a little hotter, but more precise - for me. I also found that I got more accuracy by using several smaller dippers than one big one, but you add the risk of miscounting. By adding different sized dippers you can load virtually any weight you want, but if you want that level of control you should get a scale. The dippers are more for somebody loading one load in one cartridge.

[bigpete]

'I made my own dippers.

Dippers-Scoops.png

I like the adjustable ones

[Oldbloke]

'I made my own dippers.

Dippers-Scoops.png

I like the adjustable ones

Pretty simple. Just a 1/4 whitworth screw.

[JimTom]

All good advice guys, thanks...

Yeah Bruiser64, I have seen the tricklers and I will buy one of those for sure.

I've been looking online today, thinking about getting the Hornady Electronic Bench Scales. Definately worth the investment for getting myself set up

Mate do a search on this forum as there is a bit of information about the Hornady electronic scales. I had a set and found them to be unreliable. Just my opinion, others may have had success with them.

[FlattyHunter]

Hey JimTom

Thanks mate, I'll do a bit more digging on those scales then. Thanks for the heads up

[Sergeant Hartman]

I think you are looking for a cheap option... possibly the lee scale...bit fiddly but reliable.

Otherwise I have a frankford arsenal digital scale. They are about 80 plus postage. I used it before I got a gempro. Hence I am not using it anymore... well I can sell it for 60 plus postage if you want

[Oldbloke]

"I think you are looking for a cheap option... possibly the lee scale...bit fiddly but reliable.

Yes an option.

[marksman]

There is nothing wrong with scoops. They work on the same theory as powder droppers , fill up a hole with powder and swipe it off as you turn the handle. If you use a consistent technique scoops can be extremely accurate and unless you use the wrong scoop it won’t be the cause of anything blowing up.

blowing up would be an extreme but it can happen, your advise on using a consistent technique is good advice
using a powder scale is for safety and to adjust your loads
years ago I've used them myself and had bolts that would not open without a hammer
I do think the scoops can be used effectively, the scales are for checking

[Oldbloke]

Lee loader
Scales
Empty 243, 308. or 30-06 as a trickler

That's all he needs to produce good hunting loads.

[yoshie]

Ebay has lee perfect powder measures and beam scales for $48 each.

[Oldbloke]

Varget is AR2208. (re-badged)
Soooo, the scoop throws 34.2grains of AR2208

ADI manual list 36.0 grains of AR2208 as a starting load for a 90grain bullet.

Pretty safe to load an 87gr bullet in my book.

[deanp100]

There is nothing wrong with scoops. They work on the same theory as powder droppers , fill up a hole with powder and swipe it off as you turn the handle. If you use a consistent technique scoops can be extremely accurate and unless you use the wrong scoop it won’t be the cause of anything blowing up.

blowing up would be an extreme but it can happen, your advise on using a consistent technique is good advice
using a powder scale is for safety and to adjust your loads
years ago I've used them myself and had bolts that would not open without a hammer
I do think the scoops can be used effectively, the scales are for checking

If that is the case you are using too big of a scoop, but if you were using them correctly it would have been consistenty overcharged at least.