What scale to upgrade to

slushee

slushee

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I stopped handloading in 2012 and now i'm getting back into it 4 years later.

I am still using my Lee Anniversary Kit and I do love using it with no problems. The only thing that really stresses me out is the Lee Balance Beam scale. I hate it.

I want to upgrade, and small $50-$100 digital scales are very enticing however it seems all the reviews on the internet say they drift and arn't very accurate or their accuracy isn't repeatable; with many claiming they trust their balance beam only.

Now I'm only shooting out to 3-500 meters but I don't want to sacrifice ease of use for accuracy.

What do you all suggest I move up to? Maybe Hornady's Lock and Load balance beam or maybe the G2-1500 digital?

I'm really at a loss on this one, and I'm looking to buy a new scale in 3 days.

Thanks for the help
 
Gempro 250 at least and if budget allows it get a fx120i
That pretty much sums up all the posts on the internet....
Use the electronic scale in a controlled temp room and have it on the day before you want to use it.
It drifts muuuuch less when on for a long time and temp does not move.

Still, the gempro drifts and I need to zero it every load, plus you need to use your left finger to press the pan when trickling to reset the reading every time you trickle kernels.
On you get used to it, you can do it pretty fast and accurately, but the fx120i would just be easier to use with no need of zeroing and pushing the plate all the time, plus it reads faster.
But its 3x the cost...
 
I appreciate your quick reply's. I've done some more reading and the RCBS 505 and 1010 scales seem to be the beam scales that set the bar. I was also looking at the Horndy Beam Scale here:

http://www.thegunroom.ca/index.php?route=product/product&path=17_300&product_id=1668&limit=100

I was curious if you all think it is just as good as the RCBS as I can purchase this one locally, however I can't seem to find an RCBS in stock anywhere close. Also, it looks like RCBS has changed to the M500 from the 505. curious if the M500 is as good as the older 505 that doesn't seem to be available anymore.

EDIT

I think i've settled on the RCBS M500 scale. I will have to just find one available locally or drive to Toronto to pick up one at Bass Pro Shop. Thanks for all your advice, I think this little M500 will be the best scale money can buy.
 
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I bought a more expensive electronic scale from a member here on the forums, not a gempro but still cost me $125 and it doesn't work. At all. I've tried everything humanly possible and it just sits on my bench. My $30 Hornady scale works amazing, no drift, 100% repeatable, when I take the pan off it always reads exactly what the tare weight is.

I know the scale has its own inaccuracies, but I only shoot out to 300m and I have no problem getting under 1/2 MOA loads with my .223

I'll be looking at upgrading to a fx120i next year. From everything I've read I'm going to skip the gempro250.
 
I have a lee scale, and have had pretty good luck with consistent loads from it (I keep a magnet under the pan to improve dampening). I had to upgrade as I have mystery bullets that are all over the max. of the Lee. Acquired a 5-0-5 from the EE (you know who you are and thanks!), and I love the thing...dead easy to zero, and doesn't suffer the same hangups the Lee would occasionally have.
 
dastt said:
I bought a more expensive electronic scale from a member here on the forums, not a gempro but still cost me $125 and it doesn't work. At all. I've tried everything humanly possible and it just sits on my bench.

I know the scale has its own inaccuracies, but I only shoot out to 300m and I have no problem getting under 1/2 MOA loads with my .223

I'll be looking at upgrading to a fx120i next year. From everything I've read I'm going to skip the gempro250.
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Anything under the gempro is kind of junk....
The gempro is barely decent imo, but it requires a lot of fooling around.
Seriously, I would either keep it to a good beam scale, or get the fx120i
The cheaper electronic scales in between are not worth the cost.
Or get the gempro if thats what your budget will allow
 
Kryogen said:
Oh yeah, so you can waste a lot of money on a machine that does +- .1 and regret it forever until you sell it at a loss...
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I don't know about that. I have two Chargemasters, and I have no trouble with 0.0 accuracy with a small mod I do.

You cannot convince me that accuracy to .01 grains is necessary for about 95% of all reloaders, and I've been at it for 50 years.
Why encourage budding reloaders to spend serious coin for something that they do not really need to produce quality ammo?

Regards, Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
I don't know about that. I have two Chargemasters, and I have no trouble with 0.0 accuracy with a small mod I do.

You cannot convince me that accuracy to .01 grains is necessary for about 95% of all reloaders, and I've been at it for 50 years.
Why encourage budding reloaders to spend serious coin for something that they do not really need to produce quality ammo?

Regards, Dave.
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I would suggest that he discovers by himself if he wants ammo to +-.1 or +-.02 before he buys a chargemaster.
It depends what you need/want.

I will agree that 90% of reloaders probably will not bother with .02
I personally don't like the chargemaster because of the +-.1
 
Eagleye said:
I don't know about that. I have two Chargemasters, and I have no trouble with 0.0 accuracy with a small mod I do.

You cannot convince me that accuracy to .01 grains is necessary for about 95% of all reloaders, and I've been at it for 50 years.
Why encourage budding reloaders to spend serious coin for something that they do not really need to produce quality ammo?

Regards, Dave.
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Nicely said Eagleye I really like my Chargemaster and it's accurate enough for my needs
 
Yeah. No complaints here. CM1500 is more then good enough especially when add the brass upgrade.

BUT... I been really playing with the idea of picking up A&D Fx or Sar and adding the automatic powder trickler to it. :) :) :) :)

The never ending reloading money black hole! Heh.

Cheers,


silverfoxdj said:
Nicely said Eagleye I really like my Chargemaster and it's accurate enough for my needs
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