chadp

Hi. Has anyone purchased a Sartorius GD503 and received it in the "legal for trade" mode? I got a good deal on one from a Jewelry tool shop, but didn't know anything about this particular certification. Apparently, there's a switch under a tamper-sealed door that will allow it to be user calibrated, but this voids the certification. My problem is that it will only read in grams and carats, as those are the only units allowed under the certification. I've read the manual, found where I'd normally go to change it, but the options simply aren't available to select in the menu. I'm betting that flipping that switch will allow it, but I'd hate to void the certification, then be unable to return it. The worrisome part is that the Sartorius website states: "Can be toggled at the touch of a key between any 2 of 16 mass units, such as g and ozt or dwt and ct, etc. (legal-for-trade models may only be toggled between ct and g as required by legal metrology standards)" It says "models," not just units that are switched into that mode. I'll call the place Monday to see what the deal is, but I was really stoked to receive it the same day I found out it shipped, and my other scale quit working, too. If anyone knows or has run into this before, I'd sure appreciate any light you can shed on it. Thanks!

Exactly. I'd like to have a better idea of the risk involved under the circumstances I normally operate in. The consequences are fairly high, though. I kinda like my hands, face, eyes... But if it's 1 in 500,000 or a matter of just cutting out the Lemi-Shine, then it would be worth sacrificing 30-40 cases to find out. Mark, I believe you also mentioned hot water being a factor. Is that due to the mineral deposits normally found in hot water heaters and their acidity, or something to do with the heat itself? Thank you very much for your input.

For you guys using a seperate toolhead for the 1200B trimmer, how do you have the toolhead set up? Thanks!

Mark, would you be willing to test a few samples of brass that have had various amounts of firings and wet tumbling? I'd really like to know if what I've been doing is breaking it down. How many pieces of each group are needed to have a valid test? Thanks!

I've had great results with Shooter, also. Plug in DA, and it's spot-on.

Density altitude is the ONE number that takes into account: pressure, temperature, and water vapor in the atmosphere. It is the number pilots use when taking off from higher elevation sites. It is the number drag racers use when setting up their fuel mix and tire pressure. And, it's what long range shooters use when the distance is 1000 yards and beyond. While water vapor doesn't affect bullet flight significantly at 500 yards, it can be the difference in minute of torso accuracy at 1200 yards. Ignore it at your own peril. +1 I've been using Shooter for a little while now, and I love that all I have to do is plug in DA, and it's spot-on. Furthermore, I don't even bother with a chronograph--confirm 100yd zero, then use MV tool to match up the dope at the farthest distance I can go to. Best 10 bucks I've spent on an app.

I'll throw another vote in for Surgeon. I love the placement of the mag release, and the lip that hangs down on the front edge. It makes it very easy to find while indexing a magazine, and you can ram that sucker into a barricade for a little additional support without it interferring with your magazine or causing feeding issues. I've got three Surgeon setups right now, and one from APA. The APA is an extremely nice DBM, and a lot of thought went into it. If you like your rifle to look more traditional, this is the perfect choice. All the corners have been beveled, it's been relieved around the trigger where units like the Badger routinely run into fitment issues, and the release is easy to find and use, but I will guarantee it will never snag on anything. They are truly top-notch. Here's a link: https://www.americanprecisionarms.com/products-page/triggerguards/redesigned-trigger-guard-rtg-sa-rtg-sa/

Hey, if it's not too late, Pact now sells their chronos with IR screens for indoor shooting, as well as for outdoor. I'm getting a set for mine because I'm tired of getting errors in the evenings when the sun goes behind the trees and there isn't enough light on the regular screens (and because I put a rifle round through both sensors because I set up in a hurry to avoid aforementioned problem). Have fun loading! It is a rewarding art.

Hey, how many of you are going to use handloads for the longer stuff this year? I've handloaded for a long time for my bolt guns, but hadn't done anything yet for the AR until today. Just curious how many people do this or just go with something commercially available. Also, those who don't have easy access to longer ranges can check out www.exteriorballistics.com for Sierra's basic tables. According to that, even at 3000fps (and that's very ambitious) with 69 SMKs, we're looking at an 86" holdover and 47" wind drift/10mph for the 600 yard paper that's been mentioned... Now, where did I leave that chronograph...