[Reference Info] What would you NOT buy again ? [Archive]

Glooooock

06-30-2009, 11:33 PM

cheap scopes

small tumblers

cheap scales

cheap 45 Mags

single cavity molds

bore sighter / scope

Lee challenger press , ( aluminum pot metal )

low quality -low production - inaccurate .... ya don't know till you try it .

BigSlick

06-30-2009, 11:37 PM

I would not buy the Lee Safety Scale, I would buy the Dillon digital version instead

Glooooock

06-30-2009, 11:42 PM

I would not buy the Lee Safety Scale, I would buy the Dillon digital version instead

I have / had both ,,,, the first aint bad till you buy the second . unlike guns -scopes - bullets ,, your first look at it might be outa the UPS box for reloading gear .

creophus

06-30-2009, 11:45 PM

I wouldn't buy the Lee Safety Scale and I wouldn't buy the laser boresighter kit I have.

JLarsson

07-01-2009, 12:27 AM

CH4D primer pocket swager. In order to get enough swage, it'll bend the rims on some cases.

Lyman adjustable inside/outside case neck deburrer/chamferer. Hard to make fine adjustments and then doesn't chamfer the inside very well or quickly.

Large pellet ground corn cob to use as tumbling media. Very difficult to remove from some kinds of cases and primer pockets.

I'm sure I'll think of other things later.

mbradst

07-01-2009, 12:46 PM

I would not buy a large quantity lead bullets from a caster that I have not bought from before. You have no idea if their alloy is what they say it is, you don't know if they send the bullets with lube dripping off of them, and you don't know if they size their bullets to what they say. Overall, you don't know if you can trust their quality and their word until you have tried them. I would buy in smaller quantity for a first order.

Oh, and I would not buy the Lee scale if you have no patience. It works well if you have patience and do not mind waiting for the beam to settle.

Steve Koski

07-01-2009, 12:50 PM

50 round Midway pistol ammo boxes, I prefer the 100's.
Lee FCD for .40 - it drags on the cases, makes it harder to work the press.
RCBS Rangemaster 750 digital scale. Mine worked perfectly for almost 3 years then died, 2 year warranty. $100 down the tube.

JW6108

07-01-2009, 01:09 PM

1. Lee Auto-Prime (don't get me started); went with RCBS Universal, ain't looked back

2. Forster hollow pointer for rifle cartridges, (no need to HP cast for rifle and I think it's too small anyway); one for pistol is OK

3. Trim dies for .38 Special, assorted Lee trim thingies for everything. (Forster does it all.)

4. Mica case mouth lube. Messy and doesn't even lube that well.

5. Any case lube that's not Imperial sizing wax; there's just nothing better for my use.

6. Pot and dipper casting method. That way served me a lot of years, but if I had known that bottom release pots worked as well as mine does I would have gone with that a long time ago.

That's all I can think of right now.

RustyFN

07-01-2009, 02:53 PM

I wouldn't buy the,
Lee safety scale
cheap Walmart plastic rifle case
factory ammo

Steviewonder1

07-01-2009, 07:19 PM

Any brand of a single stage press. Have had (past tense) Green Brand single stage with primer press and lots of problems. Own two Blue Dillons that beat the crap out of my other stuff long gone. Working and loading 2-3 days a week, and shooting 3-4 days a week.

craig110

07-01-2009, 07:30 PM

MakeMineaP99

07-01-2009, 07:34 PM

Aluminum moulds.

thorn

07-01-2009, 10:18 PM

- Powder check die. It performs as advertised, but it's just as easy for me to look into the case as I place a bullet.

- Sand-grain sized walnut media. Gets trapped in the flash holes.

- Vance lead bullets. Only good if you have no other option and don't mind globs of waxy lube all over the place.

- Cleaners/lubricants made for something other than what i need to clean/lubricate... ie, OneShot is much better to degrease dies than brake cleaner.

- Lyman powder scale. Not a *bad* scale, but there are much better scales for only $10 more.

thorn

yammerschooner

07-02-2009, 07:01 AM

case gauges
Lee FCD in 38
Lee Safety Scale
Prepackaged tumbling media marketed to reloaders
Caliber specific load books

ETA: almost forgot - 2 cavity pistol caliber molds that were to be used for handcasting.

Brass Nazi

07-05-2009, 04:24 PM

Cheap laser bore sighter
Lee factory crimp dies
Cheap plastic powder trickler such as the Hornady model (The Redding is much nicer and the cost difference is small)
Cheap riflescopes
Cheap cleaning kits ( I recommend tipton rods and jags)
Cheap rifle rests

creophus

07-06-2009, 07:17 AM

I feel like I can tell you guys this because we're all friends.

I put a scope on an AK. There I said it.

I wouldn't do that again.

Glooooock

07-06-2009, 07:46 AM

I feel like I can tell you guys this because we're all friends.

I put a scope on an AK. There I said it.

I wouldn't do that again.

WOW , I thought this was a throw down on the lee safety scale . But now a scope on an AK ,,,, DANG ,,

creophus

07-06-2009, 08:47 AM

WOW , I thought this was a throw down on the lee safety scale . But now a scope on an AK ,,,, DANG ,,
I know, I know.

I was young and foolish.

A scope on an AK is like lipstick on a pig.

JW6108

07-09-2009, 03:24 PM

I know, I know.

I was young and foolish.

A scope on an AK is like lipstick on a pig.

Maybe so.....but it had to help the accuracy (a little).

BigSlick

07-09-2009, 11:04 PM

Ummm... no... it won't :rofl:

creophus

07-10-2009, 12:12 AM

Maybe so.....but it had to help the accuracy (a little).
Not that I could really tell. It didn't help the trigger slap either. It does make it look meaner though.

Don't even ask what kind of scope I put on it.

jawjaboy

07-10-2009, 01:55 AM

Powder dippers.

JW6108

07-10-2009, 08:08 AM

Not that I could really tell. It didn't help the trigger slap either. It does make it look meaner though.

Don't even ask what kind of scope I put on it.

Meaner is good. :30::57:

selzbytes

07-10-2009, 06:50 PM

Second the Lee Challenger combo set - ties together the sub optimal aluminum framed press, AND the Lee Safety scale. That said, I'm still using the safety scale from my LCT combo set and getting by fine - ignorance is bliss I guess.

Fiddle farting around with alternate tumble media like rice, or corn cob not made specifically for reloading. Arghh - picking out primer holes is heck.

And of course the Mini 14 even though I made darned good money on it's sale.

Jerry Snyder

07-13-2009, 08:59 AM

Here are few of my un-favorite things....

Used AR-15 mags unseen from someone I don't know just to help them out a bit.

Dillon Powder check system. I had 4 of them at one time and sold them all. Just too easy to look inside the case with a light.

Small amounts of bullets and then finding out that I like them, but can't get them any more.

Cheap batteries for my C-More. After two matches they will need to be replaced.

Cheap range bags that tear, rip, the strap falls off and collapses where it should not.

Dillon small tumbler. Get the big one and never look back.

Cheap tools of any type.

Anything from the AS SEEN ON TV aisle at Wal Mart.

ANYTHING FROM A BILLY MAYS COMMERCIAL. RIP Billy.

Purchasing 9mm/40sw/45acp brass, there is just too much of it for free on the ground. Even in todays environment.

Amerc .223 ammo. Shoots like a .223 bullet out of a mayonnaise jar.

BBQ from a 3rd world strip mall store who doesn't speak english and worships elephants.

I guess I should stop. This is a good thread, keep em coming.

JS

chewy

07-13-2009, 10:16 AM

I can only think of factory ammo. Everything else I have I research pretty well before throwin' down some cabbage for. If it breaks, I'll try and fix it. If not.....it goes to the shooting range. I have a bunch of LFC, useless, but I can probably figure somethin' yo do with them, grind 'em down to where they just crimp and not swag the bullet. The rifle and 357 Sig FCD work good as they pinch and don't swag the bullet.

MullahElRon

07-13-2009, 10:40 AM

Eagle 10/22 mags suck!

MullahElRon

07-13-2009, 10:41 AM

Amerc .223 ammo. Shoots like a .223 bullet out of a mayonnaise jar.

Eww...

yammerschooner

07-13-2009, 07:10 PM

Eagle 10/22 mags suck!

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

unclebob

07-18-2009, 01:27 PM

Wal-Mart walnut lizard bedding for tumbling. Too dusty. Pet Smart is better.
EGW Lee undersize die.
Arredondo powder drop slide.

GLShooter

07-26-2009, 04:11 PM

Cheap range bags mostly and Lee dies. I have now become I die snob and am buying all Redding dies.:57:

Greg L.

blueline541

07-26-2009, 07:58 PM

Too small a range bag, although it was a Christmas gift.
RCBS dies. Deep down I know there is nothing wrong with their dies, but the set I had in .40 cal went bad or something and I'll never buy another set.

wwdavis427

05-21-2010, 07:41 PM

You guys are right, The Lee (whatever it was) in the kit is not much. Aluminum just don't get it. I have one, and it's getting a little more slop in it every time I use it. Good for decapping. Keeps your other press clean. My next purchase is a Redding Ultra Mag press. The Lee safety scale is a real piece of junk. I bought a Dillon Eliminator, and it works pretty good.

I bought some new media for my tumbler because the guy at the store said it works really well. It does, but it turns everything that gets near it purple. That includes the brass, your hands, and on and on. Got to wear latex gloves.

I will say that the Lee Classic turret press works well for me, but I'm still gonna get the Redding.

wwdavis427

05-26-2010, 10:30 PM

Rollis

05-28-2010, 09:57 AM

The Lee scale, as far as the ball handle on the press go's just put a little Garella Glue on it, it wont come back off.

Jerry Snyder

05-28-2010, 03:50 PM

I was using my fabulous Lee aliuminum press tonight, and the #@% ball came off the handle. This is after loading some three hundred rounds with it. That makes it JUNK in my book, and I been working on that book for 40 years, or so.

Man... where is that picture of the Lee reloader with the ball - gay looking dude - etc.... I lost the ad that had this theme going....

JS

jawjaboy

05-28-2010, 03:54 PM

.... I lost the ad that had this theme going....

JS

I'm glad. :holiday:

MullahElRon

05-28-2010, 04:49 PM

:whistling1:

Brass Nazi

06-03-2010, 06:16 AM

Lee Dippper. What is that thing supposed to be used for? Casting .17 caliber bullets?

MullahElRon

06-03-2010, 10:43 AM

So you can still reload when the lights go out.

Hornady

06-05-2010, 02:15 PM

Tumble lube bullet molds, A couple years back I thought I would try one, I have always used a Lube / sizer, Beyond the mess of putting them on wax paper to dry, no matter how much I cut the Alox with mineral spirits, It still gummed the Dies up with alox, you are constantly checking OAL and cleaning the dies, I had even heard of dusting them with talcum powder, all that did was add to the problem, I know others have had better luck, but thank god for Sleaze Bay, that mold is somebody else’s problem now.

Charly

06-06-2010, 08:39 AM

super swage tool (not using it)
case trimmer (got an electric Lyman and an electric Grimaud, didn't use either yet in 4 yrs reloading)

Slim Chance

06-07-2010, 08:09 PM

Slip 2000 carbon cleaner. Expensive and doesn't work.

happy1

06-10-2010, 12:18 PM

Slip 2000 carbon cleaner. Expensive and doesn't work.
Ya got to shake it up first, works great for me.

Paul

myg30

06-13-2010, 12:57 PM

Pro mag Mini 14 polymer [plastic] 20rd mags. But they did exchange them for steel ones. Even after shaving off the top with several breakin rounds.
Soft greasy boolit lubes, never again. Harder is better.

Mike

Clicker

06-25-2010, 05:12 PM

The RCBS primer pocket swager. What a waste, gave up on that thing and now use a 100° countersink bit in the drill press.

bello

11-29-2010, 04:58 PM

lol lee press single stage

gokyo

11-29-2010, 05:39 PM

-Aluminium bullet mold
-Tumble bullet mold
-Low temp melt bullet lube (above 115 or forget it)
-Redding dies everytime I buy one I get a case stuck in it and no power on earth seems to be able get them out.
-ingot mold (use a muffin tin)
-Liquid bullet lube

That is about it regarding reloading and casting materials

MaineShooter

12-01-2010, 06:48 PM

++ on powder dippers

Won't ever buy a balance beam scale again but only because I REALLY like purty digital ones

++ on "economy" 1911 mags

MS

Hornady

12-15-2010, 06:37 AM

This list is great in that it looks like many of us have mad the same mistake, but I have a new one to add, a couple months back I needed some 45LC brass, the only thing I could find in stock was Mag-tech. This was my first and last buy of that junk. May have only been the 45LC, I have never shot any off there other brass, but this stuff was pure crap. Glad I only bought one bag.

bigboremaico

02-20-2011, 02:13 AM

At this point, I won't buy anything that says Lee "precision" on it. Because it isn't (precision).

nitesite

02-20-2011, 03:21 AM

bigboremaico

02-20-2011, 09:23 AM

A 10-week old Chocolate Lab female pup named Bailey who now weighs 90-lbs and is the most impossible dog I have ever owned. Rambunctious doesn't even begin to describe her.....

My home and yard and personal property will never ever be the same again.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/nitesite9/Bailey_web.jpg

Yeah, but how can you NOT love that face?? Looks like a sweetheart. My brother has about a 3 year old lab...he is just now (barely) starting to lose his puppy stage ( that dog will rough house w/my dog until she quits...then bites her tail to start the battle again.

Pretty fun stuff to watch since there is much wailing and nashing of teeth (but no blood obviously...we ain't the Vick family).

gokyo

02-20-2011, 05:26 PM

super swage tool (not using it)
case trimmer (got an electric Lyman and an electric Grimaud, didn't use either yet in 4 yrs reloading)

You have a giraud trimmer? That you are not using
?

Those things cost a lot. Wanna ship it to me? I will pay shipping.

sdelam

02-20-2012, 09:51 AM

RCBS primer pocket swedging die. It was a PITA and super slow.

BoltNut

02-20-2012, 11:32 AM

I'd have to agree on the Coco Lab...My coco, Jake, was a good hunting dog in training, but he was a destructive bugger in the house (eating holes through the drywall, etc.). He met his match at about 8-10 months old when a rattlesnake bit him and killed'em. My black, Ruger, replaced him and I never looked back.

Dark Horse

02-20-2012, 09:34 PM

When do Labs loose the Puppy stage? My Yellow Lab is going on 4 and still has more energy than a Jack Russell. She did the drywall chewing. Thankfully we got her to stop, or she grew out of it. I really couldn't say which.

BoltNut

02-21-2012, 07:34 AM

My black lab started to "mellow" slightly at about 6-7 y/o, but was still incredibly athletic into his 10-11 y/o stage. After about 12 y/o he slowed down significantly, but was still so healthy from the prior 11 years, he lasted until almost his 15th bday. He was a 1-2 times daily Frisbee player, which kept him in incredible shape without killing me.

Dark Horse

02-21-2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks. I'm used to GSDs. Labs are an entirely different exp. High energy I expect, the Whats this?, Whats this?, Whats this?, Whats this?........takes a bit of getting used to. Playing fetch, tug-O-war etc.. keeps her entertained and calmed down for about 5 minutes afterwords.

BoltNut

02-22-2012, 07:22 AM

Yep, mine would fall on the floor in front of his water dish...totally spent...and drink 1-2 bowls full of water laying there with the bowl between his front legs, and laying in whatever water he could splash out while drinking. A few minutes later...LET'S PLAY FRISBEE!!!

creophus

02-22-2012, 07:43 AM

Yet another reason for me NOT to have a dog.

BoltNut

02-22-2012, 12:42 PM

Those are reason TO have a dog...you take the quirky with the overwhelming unconditional love and utility of having a burgler-alarm with teeth and mobility!!!

Pitmaster

02-22-2012, 07:36 PM

Yet another reason for me NOT to have a dog.

Lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car. You will then know the true meaning of love.:yikes2::jawdrop::patriot:

Dark Horse

02-22-2012, 08:03 PM

Creo, after a crappy day sit on the couch to catch your breath. You will have a head dropped on your lap with a tail going a bazillion MPH. They know your mood better than you do. And are especially talented at helping make everything else be not so important.

creophus

02-23-2012, 06:07 AM

Those are reason TO have a dog...you take the quirky with the overwhelming unconditional love and utility of having a burgler-alarm with teeth and mobility!!!

Lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car. You will then know the true meaning of love.:yikes2::jawdrop::patriot:

Creo, after a crappy day sit on the couch to catch your breath. You will have a head dropped on your lap with a tail going a bazillion MPH. They know your mood better than you do. And are especially talented at helping make everything else be not so important.
Did my wife send you???!!!!!

BoltNut

02-23-2012, 09:31 AM

She's been known to try and end-around on this subject...SUBMIT!

creophus

02-23-2012, 09:44 AM

She's been known to try and end-around on this subject...SUBMIT!
Not gonna happen in the next 3-5 years.

As strange as it seems, I wouldn't buy 30-06 reloading setup. Had it for a while and still haven't used it yet.

BoltNut

02-24-2012, 07:46 AM

Because you don't shoot the 30-06 (hardly ever)...now a 6.5x55 press... :-)

creophus

02-24-2012, 09:20 AM

Because you don't shoot the 30-06 (hardly ever)...now a 6.5x55 press... :-)
Good thing about the 30-06 is that I don't need to shoot it often. Now that it is sighted in, one shot takes care of whatever the issue is.

I've loaded a bunch of 6.5 Swede lately and will be loading more real soon.

Don't know if I've mentioned it, but another thing I wouldn't buy again is an impact bullet puller.

metalman

02-24-2012, 07:36 PM

Would not buy again......
Franklin Arsenal bullet cases to hold 100 45ACP.
Why? Holds are bigger than they need to be and the rounds are in there real sloppy, plus they are too big to fit nice in my surplus ammo cans.

I like the green MTM boxes with the real hinges.

creophus

02-24-2012, 09:23 PM

metalman

02-25-2012, 06:19 AM

I made the mistake of buying a bunch of them (10, I think) from Midway.
They may be good for making small ice cubes.

creophus

02-25-2012, 07:38 PM

I made the mistake of buying a bunch of them (10, I think) from Midway.
They may be good for making small ice cubes.
Good thing about them is that you can easily count how much ammo you have in them or are taking to the range.

mbat

02-26-2012, 07:40 PM

Treated walnut media. I think it had jewler's rouge. What a mess

Blackdog

02-26-2012, 07:51 PM

Treated walnut media. I think it had jewler's rouge. What a mess

+1

mbat

02-27-2012, 08:50 AM

Engagement ring.

Sorry, Had to.

creophus

02-27-2012, 10:36 AM

Engagement ring.

Sorry, Had to.
Oh snap!

BoltNut

02-28-2012, 09:37 AM

Daaaaang, Mbat!

mbat

02-28-2012, 02:08 PM

Haha. Actually today is my 8 yr wedding anniversary. My advise- mary a girl with a good sense of humor!

BoltNut

02-29-2012, 07:19 AM

100% true!!!

creophus

05-08-2012, 11:50 AM

Bought some Jerrow's inletting black. Been about a month and still haven't used it, so the jury is still out. I can't put this in the wouldn't buy category, just should have waited a bit.