I need a new powder scale. My 5-0-5 is not repeatable and I don't trust the little Lyman pocket digital scale I have. What should I look into for a high quality, repeatable powder scale? Any suggestions? 95% of my ammo is intended for paper at the range through various target rifles. I very rarely reload for pistols if that makes much difference.
I need a new quality scale
- Thread starter Markus
- Start date
Markus,
Have you cleaned your 505?
Take the beam off and clean "knives" with rubbing alcohol and then do the same thing with the seats. Use Qtips to get into places where you can't reach.
If you are going to buy anything I would suggest you do it today - tons of Labor sales.
If you like the look, specs and the price of the GemPro, get in touch with FastToys sponsor (click here)
Natchezss has a 10% off sale on RCBS ChargeMasters ($300 u.s) and ChargeMaster Light ($200 u.s) minus 10%. Make sure if you order from them to ask it to be shipped USPS or you are going to get tax-rapped. (link: htt**://www.natchezss.com)
Keep us posted what you decide to go with.
Cheers,
Reviews:
Gempro (click here)
RCBS ChargeMaster, Lyman 1200 DPS II, etc (click here)
Have you cleaned your 505?
Take the beam off and clean "knives" with rubbing alcohol and then do the same thing with the seats. Use Qtips to get into places where you can't reach.
If you are going to buy anything I would suggest you do it today - tons of Labor sales.
If you like the look, specs and the price of the GemPro, get in touch with FastToys sponsor (click here)
Natchezss has a 10% off sale on RCBS ChargeMasters ($300 u.s) and ChargeMaster Light ($200 u.s) minus 10%. Make sure if you order from them to ask it to be shipped USPS or you are going to get tax-rapped. (link: htt**://www.natchezss.com)
Keep us posted what you decide to go with.
Cheers,
Reviews:
Gempro (click here)
RCBS ChargeMaster, Lyman 1200 DPS II, etc (click here)
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My 505 (bought well- used) has been trouble- free since I've owned it. I have a 502 (also used) that gave me a little trouble at first. On close inspection there was a film of rust on the knives. I cleaned that off with 0000 steel wool and wiped them with a rag with a few drops of oil. After cleaning the agate pivots it still was slightly sticky. I removed and re- installed the damping magnets and it was somehow cured. I have no idea what that did but it fixed it.. possibly one of the magnets wasn't in the proper alignment.
I prefer the 505, the 502 is a back up if necessary.
I prefer the 505, the 502 is a back up if necessary.
What kamlooky said.
I bought my used Bair balance beam scale, which is similar to Hornady's newer Lock-N-Load version, in about 1980 and it's still accurate against check weights, but I regularly (gently) clean it.
The Gem-Pro's are quite good and in my opinion worth the $211 to your door. (Can't remember the name of the Canadian dealer that quoted me that price in March, sorry)
The only issue I've had is as you add powder to the pan, it will not show the increase immediately. You have to lift the pan slightly and reset it on the scale. Takes about an extra 2 seconds. If you're weighing bullets, just place it on the scale and it shows the weight very accurately, within .02 gr. Also you can't, or shouldn't use it under fluorescent light.
The FX120-i is quite a step up but it costs more than 3X what the GEM-pro does. Worth it, in my opinion, if you weigh out a few hundred rounds at a sitting.
I've also used an RCBS 10-10 scale for about 40+ years. If you're shooting out to 300 metres it does the job very well, beyond 300 and I think you need the extra accuracy of a Gem-pro or the Fx120-i. Just my 2 cents.
The only issue I've had is as you add powder to the pan, it will not show the increase immediately. You have to lift the pan slightly and reset it on the scale. Takes about an extra 2 seconds. If you're weighing bullets, just place it on the scale and it shows the weight very accurately, within .02 gr. Also you can't, or shouldn't use it under fluorescent light.
The FX120-i is quite a step up but it costs more than 3X what the GEM-pro does. Worth it, in my opinion, if you weigh out a few hundred rounds at a sitting.
I've also used an RCBS 10-10 scale for about 40+ years. If you're shooting out to 300 metres it does the job very well, beyond 300 and I think you need the extra accuracy of a Gem-pro or the Fx120-i. Just my 2 cents.
I do most of my shooting at 100 or 300 meters these days and have the rifles dialed in to the point I think I can step out further. However I am now seeing the limitations of some of my equipment as well as my own inadequacy in technique. I will need to upgrade a few items however I don't really think I'll be stepping into true competition shooting. We just don't have the facilities in the area to the best of my knowledge. But to get moving in that direction I'll have to do some cleaning of what I already have and research the gempro and fx120i to see if that fx120i is more flash than I need or if I will see the benefit from what I do.
This is a sign of dirty bearings. If I'm ever unsure I'll push ever so gently on the beam to oscillate the scale and watch the movement. It should be very fluid and steadily slow down without any sudden deceleration. If it seems to "hit the brakes" and come to a halt near the end of its oscillation I know its dirty. Cleaning and rezeroing fixes it 100% of the time for me.
Also to add, once you trickle up to a charge weight, oscillate the scale. If it returns to zero smoothly its good. If it doesn't (will settle higher than where it stopped after trickling) this is a dead giveaway for dirty bearings.
