AZL from United States, AZ Public Profile

I am a real fan of the 45 long colt, but unfortunately the risk of leading with lead bullets exists. I have a couple of moulds and stumbled across this one with a gas check. I am very familiar with gas checks and have had excellent performance and life with the 357 gas checked loads. Seeing this one on Optics Planet at the price offered along with the current deals I decided to add it to my collection of moulds. I cast up about 500 rounds and they look good, a little heavy with the gas check but that's ok. My 45 colt likes heavy bullets. I haven't shot any yet, but I don't anticipate any problems. My cast bullets came out on average around 262 gr with the gas check which weighs around 8 gr. Wish I had bought this one in the beginning. Gas checks are a little pricey if you can find them but well worth it to me.

I Ordered this to replace my traditional balance beam scale that I have been using for 40 years. Sadly, this scale will not hold a zero. I followed the instructions to the letter repeatedly across multiple attempts. Once it said "pass" on its zero routine I placed the pan on the scale to arrive at the pan weight. I zeroed the scale then proceeded with measuring powder at a desired 5.5 grains. Upon removing the pan, I noted that the original pan weight was different and fluctuating by varied tenths of a grain. Both up and down. I spent probably 2 hours through trial and error in establishing a common pan weight with the scale then proceeded with my powder weight mentally adding or subtracting the weight difference of the pan. When you remove the pan the scale displays the pan weight as a negative number. I found variances as much as 8 tenths of a grain. Using fast burning powder this can result in a problem if unchecked. I used the scale over multiple loading sessions with the same result. Not only frustrating and time consuming to arrive at a usable number, but potentially dangerous. I have had good luck with the Lyman products until now. Maybe this was a one off, but I give up. I returned it to Optics at my return shipping expense, in spite of it being a defect.

My past experience prompted me to include the debris shield with my DLX order. The shield is tough but being the fussy guy I am I had to modify it so simplify the use. I simply cut the front off and hinged it. I also shorted both lengths for a snug fit in the box the DLX came in. Keeps it all as a simple package without having to buy the special case while at the same time improving access to the DLX screen and option buttons. A must have though as your shooting will destroy the display over time. I rated at 4 stars only because it appears to scratch easily and "I" think the front should come hinged and the unit should fit in the DLX box.

I have been a long time owner of a Shooting Chrony for probably 30 years and only had to send it back once for "shot crony" repair. I finally realized that in current times I could save huge amount of time if I finally upgrade. After some research and consistency with the reviews on the ProChrono DLX, I purchased. I have used Optics Planet a number of times with good success, not to mention their pricing is typically best or close. I spent some time learning to use it with bow. The Digital Link app works very well. One tip, follow the set up instructions to the letter. The app provides most all the data you will need for working up loads or testing factory. I was glad to see they added energy. I am trying to balance back to their calculation on standard deviation. So far I am not matching with the formulas I have found. I Went out earlier this week and test number of loads I worked up for various handguns. I put about 150 test shots across 5 calibers. I had but only one single odd or off shot which may have been the load. Otherwise not issues at all expect for me remembering to turn my phone back on. I had three test groups that I have to do the old fashion way, my bad. Anyway excellent piece of equipment so far. And yes, a real time save compared to old walking back and forth and writing down the details. Would be nice if it were more compact, but I am fine with it. I also order the debris shield, this is a must, especially for rifles. I usually set my chrono about 15 feet f