I need/want some more reloading equipment, but I want to stay with USA made or at least from free/friendly countries. I will stick with Lee for most stuff but I want a larger balance scale next and hopefully a chronograph eventually. I want a scale that will weigh more than 100 grains and be a "second opinion". The scales I have been looking at mostly are the Redding and RCBS scales that weigh up to 505 grains, both are about 70$ on Midway. I have also been looking at dial calipers, 45$ RCBS vs S&W, lyman and Hornady. Next up would be chronographs, whats made where? A few weeks ago I needed a good pair of pliers and spent more on some really nice blue Channellocks that will probably outlast me instead of cheapys, I would like to do the same with reloading equipment but surfing the web I can't look for the MADE IN printing on the box. Any help/opinions would be appreciated- thanks
USA made reloading scales and other equipment
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
Joined
·
16,963 Posts
You can try Ebay, some here do it some don't. You want American...I think Herters' is ALL American out of Minnesota and heavy duty, also no longer in production. I have one and still use it quite a bit even after getting the Lee 4 hole turret loader. Mr fixit
http://cgi.ebay.com/HERTERS-SUPER-M...647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf5bc6377
all they have for Herters' reloading:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=he...herters&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
http://cgi.ebay.com/HERTERS-SUPER-M...647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf5bc6377
all they have for Herters' reloading:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=he...herters&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Joined
·
9,438 Posts
AFAIK Redding is 100% USA made.
"We also took time to further our commitment to being 100% American Made by replacing our previous caps with an American made product. "
http://www.redding-reloading.com/total-quality-since-1946
That's pretty serious.
Their scale is made in the USA, says so right on their webpage.
I seriously doubt that the RCBS 10-10 or 5-0-5 is made in China. The new ones look identical to my old Lyman M5, which is a 10-10 (they are all just relabeled Ohaus scales). Also, they haven't reduced their prices any time recently. You can figure if they switched production to China anytime recently they would've had to lower the prices on their 10-10 a little from the $150 street price that they're asking these days.
Still, you can save some money by going used, here. These Ohaus scales are pretty sturdy. I saved $100 here by going used, and my old one works just great (I verified it with certified scientific check weights).
"We also took time to further our commitment to being 100% American Made by replacing our previous caps with an American made product. "
http://www.redding-reloading.com/total-quality-since-1946
That's pretty serious.
Their scale is made in the USA, says so right on their webpage.
I seriously doubt that the RCBS 10-10 or 5-0-5 is made in China. The new ones look identical to my old Lyman M5, which is a 10-10 (they are all just relabeled Ohaus scales). Also, they haven't reduced their prices any time recently. You can figure if they switched production to China anytime recently they would've had to lower the prices on their 10-10 a little from the $150 street price that they're asking these days.
Still, you can save some money by going used, here. These Ohaus scales are pretty sturdy. I saved $100 here by going used, and my old one works just great (I verified it with certified scientific check weights).
Joined
·
3,391 Posts
I've wondered where the Ohaus scales (5-0-5 or 10-10, specifically) were made, here or abroad. No, I don't think they are made in China.
...and it's hard to get the whole story. Where the parts are made and where they are assembled may be two different places these days.
...and it's hard to get the whole story. Where the parts are made and where they are assembled may be two different places these days.
Joined
·
9,438 Posts
Another thing to consider is that while lower end consumer products may have migrated to Chinese production en masse, production of precision scientific instruments used in research and such have not, and are almost all manufactured in the US or Germany. Most of the expensive equipment you see around my workplace is made in the US (except for the computers).
As long as there are buyers for American made products, and we can make 'em, they won't go to China. You won't meet too many people that are willing to bet their careers on Chinese made precision instruments when precision and accuracy can be the difference between success and failure.
I just mention that because Ohaus is one of those companies in particular that makes high end, high precision analytical balances and electronic scales for research and such. As far as I know they don't even have any manufacturing facilities in Asia.
As long as there are buyers for American made products, and we can make 'em, they won't go to China. You won't meet too many people that are willing to bet their careers on Chinese made precision instruments when precision and accuracy can be the difference between success and failure.
I just mention that because Ohaus is one of those companies in particular that makes high end, high precision analytical balances and electronic scales for research and such. As far as I know they don't even have any manufacturing facilities in Asia.
Joined
·
9,438 Posts
Anytime.
It'll be worth it ;D You are light years better off "only" being able to shoot one .30-30 a whole lot rather than not to be able to shoot two .30-30s very much at all. You'll shoot more and get to know one rifle very well, both of which are aids to improved marksmanship.
It'll be worth it ;D You are light years better off "only" being able to shoot one .30-30 a whole lot rather than not to be able to shoot two .30-30s very much at all. You'll shoot more and get to know one rifle very well, both of which are aids to improved marksmanship.
You will never regret buying good quality reloading equipment. You can expect to use it literally for the rest of your life, and then leave it to your kids or grand kids. I have a number of items I bought when I was 17 that I still use regularly, and I'm 56.
Joined
·
486 Posts
As far as chronographs, the Oehler 35P is back in limited production according to my recent issue of Handloader. I bought my 35 a while ago, and have never regretted it. I figured if an Oehler was good enough for some ammo companies, it was good enough for me.
Joined
·
9,428 Posts
Just looked at my reloading scales,
RCBS was made by Ohaus Scale Corp in Florham Park, NJ, USA 8)
Herters model 5 was made in Waseca, Minn. "USA" 8)
I also have a digital scale from Cabela's and it says nothing on it about where it was made. The AC/DC adapter says made in china
which is probably where the main scale came from which I do not doubt. I use the digital scale but really do not trust it like the balance beam scales, the only advantage it has is that it might be a tad quicker.
RCBS was made by Ohaus Scale Corp in Florham Park, NJ, USA 8)
Herters model 5 was made in Waseca, Minn. "USA" 8)
I also have a digital scale from Cabela's and it says nothing on it about where it was made. The AC/DC adapter says made in china
which is probably where the main scale came from which I do not doubt. I use the digital scale but really do not trust it like the balance beam scales, the only advantage it has is that it might be a tad quicker.
Joined
·
9,428 Posts
Here are some more reloading tools made in America and the Ideal powder measure/throw is over 100 years old and is in new condition.
The Lyman #55 powder measure, powder throw is what Lyman made after the Ideal powder measure. I have several of these and like them the best of all powder measures made and RCBS Uniflow in my opinion is #2 The Lyman #55 is still made today but this particular one is also from the 1940's and is complete in the original box.
The Herters press is a #3 and this one came from a good friend and it is probably the first reloading press he ever owned, Not sure when it came on the market but he probably purchased it in the early 1940's It has been used a lot and I have replaced some parts that were worn, I still use this press with my RCBS Rockchucker presses.
The Lyman #55 powder measure, powder throw is what Lyman made after the Ideal powder measure. I have several of these and like them the best of all powder measures made and RCBS Uniflow in my opinion is #2 The Lyman #55 is still made today but this particular one is also from the 1940's and is complete in the original box.
The Herters press is a #3 and this one came from a good friend and it is probably the first reloading press he ever owned, Not sure when it came on the market but he probably purchased it in the early 1940's It has been used a lot and I have replaced some parts that were worn, I still use this press with my RCBS Rockchucker presses.
Thanks for all the pictures and responses guys. I had never really looked at e-bay reloading stuff and some of the "old school" stuff looks much beefier than my new Lee equipment. RCBS scales will have to be on the wish list also. Competition Electronics prochrono says made in the USA on its website so that is on the list. The oehler 35p looks a little to expensive at this point but is good to see also. The Lee equipment I have seems to work very well for me starting out and is made relatively close to home,but it does seem light-duty which is fine for me. I do not see why they don't make a bigger scale though, I would like to weigh brass and bullets for consistency/curiosity. This reloading really isn't going to save me any money but I have never shot my 30-30 as much as I have in the last 5 months, also more accurately. 42 cents per shot for pointy 30-30 is a lot more fun than 1.10$ per shot.
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
