Lee Safety Powder Scale....Garbage or Good ??

Fozy said:
The stuff that comes in the LEE kit is crap. I replaced everything but the press
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Crap is a pretty subjective word. :stirthepot2: I went from Lee Loaders to the 50th Kit, and I use all the "stuff". Powder thrower works fine, and so does the scale. I have not had to replace any of it, but have since spent money on more dies and case prep equipment.

By the way, for all you guys sitting and waiting for your beam scales to quit bobbing up and down, I just lay my finger across the top of the casting at the pointer end. It doesn't cycle more than twice if you only let it bounce down. Also, if you are trickling up to a charge (I use a 30-30 shell for this, just lay it over and roll it between thumb and forefinger), you can stop the swing by trickling at the right time. Just takes a certain touch.

In short, take the extra money and buy powder and bullets. You can always upgrade later on. The scale works fine and is plenty accurate. Just my .02:)
 
I use one. The lee safety scale is allegedly accurate within .2 grains. If you remove the little plastic pin that locks the slider in place you can align the lines in the notches on the slider however you wish. It's usually closer than that. I've checked on a small digital scale that measures to .01 grains (I don't use it to reload though as it's tiny and a pain in the arse!). Its good enough for my plinking needs. A wise man once told me that most guys don't shoot well enough for .1 grains to make much of a difference :)



There might be some time down the road tat you decide you want to get something better. i'm considering an rcbs 505 scale and quick change powder measure as my next reloading upgrade.
 
I used the Lee scale for years with excellent results. I recently upgraded to an RCBS, I must say I like the rcbs better, but the Lee works perfectly fine, especially as a starter.


As for check weights dont bother. just grab any bullet and weigh that....should be pretty darn close.

As long as you start low on powder, follow manuals and look for pressure signs you will be fine......as an example 19.0 gr of h110 on my scale may show as 19.1 on yours and 18.9 on joebobs.....the key is consistency, so long as you keep it at 19.1 you will be fine. now if it is out more than a few .1's out, you have problems, esp with certain powders. thats why we start low and work up..........
 
this is the one im using
w ww.dealextreme.com/p/digital-precision-scale-20g-max-0-001g-resolution-10515
but definitely use another calibration weight to check again before u use it
mine is accurate at least
 
leverboy said:
By the way, for all you guys sitting and waiting for your beam scales to quit bobbing up and down, I just lay my finger across the top of the casting at the pointer end. It doesn't cycle more than twice if you only let it bounce down.
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My new RCBS 5-0-5 doesn't bob at all. no messing around. it comes to a stop very quickly. the Lee would go for ever if I didn't stop it as you say. Night and day difference between the two.
 
I use Lee and found that it worked well for what I paid for it. I also have a RCBS chargemaster combo but I think the new Hornady is just as good for a lot less money. If you decide to go to a digital scale then you should still have a beam scale to check your throws once in awhile.
 
blueflash said:
Ive heard that unless you spend several hundred dollars, then its best not to buy a digital scale, so I'm going to stick with a beam scale.
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I got two el-cheapo scales from eBay, less than $20 each. I only use the one anymore as it's got a better platform. So far it hasn't failed me, but I always periodically check it with reference weights, and still use a little beam scale. I'm not convinced you need to spend big bucks to get a reliable and accurate electronic scale.

Look on the bottom of the lymann or rcbs scale, I'd bet money it says made in china.
 
The only two LEE products I have EVER been disappointed with were the powder measure and the scale. If you are buying separately, buy a different scale.
Looking right now at WSS scales. RCBS 5-0-5 $114. You said check weights are another $60. That makes the cost of the scale $175. The RCBS Rangemaster 750 digital scale (I bought one last year and love it) is $159 and comes with the check weights.
 
lee works fine but is a pain[mine is in a drawer somewhere] 505 or other similar are the way, when you've got everything you NEED, & realy need a new toy, then get a digital but keep your balance so you can check it
 
junkdude said:
I got two el-cheapo scales from eBay, less than $20 each. I only use the one anymore as it's got a better platform. So far it hasn't failed me, but I always periodically check it with reference weights, and still use a little beam scale. I'm not convinced you need to spend big bucks to get a reliable and accurate electronic scale.

Look on the bottom of the lymann or rcbs scale, I'd bet money it says made in china.
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I use the lee kit and everything works fine, yes the scale does bounce around while weighing charges but I don't let it bother me.

And yes most of the stuff is made in china:D
 
I find the scale will stay in tune just fine for several loads, but if you bump it at all then it would be a good idea to zero it in again as the weight dial may potentially move a bit if bumped. I use a set of lee dippers along with the scale and find it is quite accurate.
 
I've used an old Lee scale for several years with good results. Last winter I picked up a nearly new RCBS electronic scale. I found the two gave pretty much identical results.

However, I noticed that on cold days (I reload in my basement, where it can get pretty "cool" ;)) the electronic scale refused to work. It would wander, which meant that I went back to the Lee scale on those occasions. When it's warm - like today - the two scales are in agreement.
 
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