gonna get myself a reloading press soon. what's a good affordable scale to use? digital or beam? is the Lee good enough? gonna be reloading only pistol calibers, 38/357 and 40. maybe eventually 44 / 454. i don't wanna spend too much - just good and simple and easy to read.
good affordable scale?
- Thread starter BP7
- Start date
redddogg69
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Burlington/ON
Here is one of 150 threads on this topic i found using dun dun daaaaa the search feature.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=488419&highlight=scale
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=488419&highlight=scale
thx! hmm, i didn't know that a digital with 0.001g would be that affordable - good to know and thanks for the pointer!
do you (reloaders in general) prefer digital scales or the balance beam type? i'd probably prefer a digital one (direct readout, accurate enough), but is there somethnig specific that's uniquely better about the beam type?
do you (reloaders in general) prefer digital scales or the balance beam type? i'd probably prefer a digital one (direct readout, accurate enough), but is there somethnig specific that's uniquely better about the beam type?
I have one of the small RCBS digital scales; I'm not 100% in love with it. The zero floats sometimes, you have to be very wary of how you sit the dish on the pad. Oh and it won't run on batteries, only if it's plugged into the wall.
I'm going to have to contact them and see if they can replace it. Who knows, maybe they're really great and I just got a lemon.
I'm going to have to contact them and see if they can replace it. Who knows, maybe they're really great and I just got a lemon.
Got Juice?
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Frankford arsenal pocket digital scale.
mine would show +/- .2grains while weighting the calibration weight repeatedly.
before I returned it for a refund that is.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
mine would show +/- .2grains while weighting the calibration weight repeatedly.
before I returned it for a refund that is.
Damn. Mine works like a champ. Did you calibrate it using the provided weight and reset the zero correctly as per the instructions?
I know... those damn instructions... sometimes need to be read! It compares quite favourably to my neighbors dillon scale.
Mine has been very good, and I run it exclusively on batteries. I've heard nothing but good about RCBS customer service, I say give them a call.
Go digital if you can afford, but avoid the Lyman 1000XP - I got that to replace the Lee Safety (beam) scale. After having no end of calibration problems (drifts up to half a grain), I called Lyman. They said:
- wipe it down with Windex to get the static off it,
- absolutely no breeze in the area
- firm, flat surface
- do not jar it (so don't have it on the reloading bench that the press is on, unless the bench is completely solid
- no florescent lights nearby (dang, my work light has a CF bulb)
- no cellphones or radio equipment in the room.
- plug in only, no battery
Listen, if this scale was capable of accurately measuring a ten-thousandth of a grain, these measures would be perfectly acceptable, but way too much effort for 0.1gr.
To give you an idea how infuriating this scale was, here's a typical example:
- remove the tray
- zero the scale
- press and hold Calibrate until display reads "CAL"
- place the 20gram mass on the scale
- wait 5-7 seconds, then press and release Calibrate button.
- Remove mass, press Zero.
- Place back on scale
Any guesses what the scale should read? Would you believe anywhere between 19.995 and 20.015? (by the way, the final digit will always be a "0" or "5").
So if I cannot trust it to read the proper amount, then what I have to focus on is using one reference load, to ensure all charges weigh the same, even if I don't know exactly what that amount would be:
- Dispense a load (yep, looks to be about the right amount of powder)
- Weigh the powder on the freshly nearly-calibrated scale (yep, looks about right)
- get the grams measurement of the charge on the tray (more accurate)
- put that powder back in your reference casing, and dispense another charge to match that weight - pour into a new casing
- re-weigh the reference charge. If the reference, the new charge, and the reference again all weigh the same, your new charge is valid. If the first and second references don't match, the &%$ scale drifted again, re-weigh the ref, new charge (and adjust quantity), and ref again, in an endless loop until all three have the same number.
Check the reviews for all the scales on Midway, Cabelas, etc. I hear good things about the PACT, and pretty good things about the RCBS. In fact, Frontier has an Ad selling the RCBS for $20 less than I usually see it:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492005
Good luck!
- wipe it down with Windex to get the static off it,
- absolutely no breeze in the area
- firm, flat surface
- do not jar it (so don't have it on the reloading bench that the press is on, unless the bench is completely solid
- no florescent lights nearby (dang, my work light has a CF bulb)
- no cellphones or radio equipment in the room.
- plug in only, no battery
Listen, if this scale was capable of accurately measuring a ten-thousandth of a grain, these measures would be perfectly acceptable, but way too much effort for 0.1gr.
To give you an idea how infuriating this scale was, here's a typical example:
- remove the tray
- zero the scale
- press and hold Calibrate until display reads "CAL"
- place the 20gram mass on the scale
- wait 5-7 seconds, then press and release Calibrate button.
- Remove mass, press Zero.
- Place back on scale
Any guesses what the scale should read? Would you believe anywhere between 19.995 and 20.015? (by the way, the final digit will always be a "0" or "5").
So if I cannot trust it to read the proper amount, then what I have to focus on is using one reference load, to ensure all charges weigh the same, even if I don't know exactly what that amount would be:
- Dispense a load (yep, looks to be about the right amount of powder)
- Weigh the powder on the freshly nearly-calibrated scale (yep, looks about right)
- get the grams measurement of the charge on the tray (more accurate)
- put that powder back in your reference casing, and dispense another charge to match that weight - pour into a new casing
- re-weigh the reference charge. If the reference, the new charge, and the reference again all weigh the same, your new charge is valid. If the first and second references don't match, the &%$ scale drifted again, re-weigh the ref, new charge (and adjust quantity), and ref again, in an endless loop until all three have the same number.
Check the reviews for all the scales on Midway, Cabelas, etc. I hear good things about the PACT, and pretty good things about the RCBS. In fact, Frontier has an Ad selling the RCBS for $20 less than I usually see it:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492005
Good luck!
i read a review of one scale, a $150 digital, may have been the PACT. it was less than good - something about it not even including a pan, the power cable being in the way, etc.
do you guys typically use the scale for a precise load to ensure accuracy, or do you just use it to be "more power than a wet fart, less power than a stick of dynamite shoved in the pipe"
do you guys typically use the scale for a precise load to ensure accuracy, or do you just use it to be "more power than a wet fart, less power than a stick of dynamite shoved in the pipe"
BP7:
When I use a scale, typically I'm looking for serious accuracy. So, typically, I use a beam-type scale (actually, it's a balance, not a scale and it measures mass, not weight).
The Lee balance is an excellent value for the level of precision and accuracy it offers. The drawback to the Lee is that it has a very limited range (the max weight is 100 grains IIRC), so one can only weigh small bullets and cases, for instance.
I also bought one of the MTM electronic scales from Sinclair Int'l. Even though it's not terribly accurate or precise, it makes repetitive tasks like sorting bullets or weight-checking loaded rounds a dream, compared to doing it on a balance.
Properly maintained, a good balance will last for generations, with very little fall-off in accuracy. And should it ever be necessary, the fact that a balance measures mass means that even in an environment where weights are unreliable, a balance will still work flawlessly.
When I use a scale, typically I'm looking for serious accuracy. So, typically, I use a beam-type scale (actually, it's a balance, not a scale and it measures mass, not weight).
The Lee balance is an excellent value for the level of precision and accuracy it offers. The drawback to the Lee is that it has a very limited range (the max weight is 100 grains IIRC), so one can only weigh small bullets and cases, for instance.
I also bought one of the MTM electronic scales from Sinclair Int'l. Even though it's not terribly accurate or precise, it makes repetitive tasks like sorting bullets or weight-checking loaded rounds a dream, compared to doing it on a balance.
Properly maintained, a good balance will last for generations, with very little fall-off in accuracy. And should it ever be necessary, the fact that a balance measures mass means that even in an environment where weights are unreliable, a balance will still work flawlessly.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
for HG ammo, odds are you will quickly move to a powder measure or a progressive press. Loading lots of ammo by weighing charges is some pain I will only do for my rifle match ammo
the Lee scale will do what you want and I have used them for years. With proper setup and cleaning, they will hold a tenth. When I started making my match ammo for the 223, I needed to get under that so I went with a 'gem' style digi scale.
the Jennings MACK 20 has served me very well.
HG ammo has light charges so any scale with a huge top end is actually not going to be ideal. A scale with say 50 to 100gr range will be more precise with loads weighing a few grains.
If you are interested in a used Lee beam in great condition, send me a PM.
Just pay the postage and its yours.
Jerry
the Lee scale will do what you want and I have used them for years. With proper setup and cleaning, they will hold a tenth. When I started making my match ammo for the 223, I needed to get under that so I went with a 'gem' style digi scale.
the Jennings MACK 20 has served me very well.
HG ammo has light charges so any scale with a huge top end is actually not going to be ideal. A scale with say 50 to 100gr range will be more precise with loads weighing a few grains.
If you are interested in a used Lee beam in great condition, send me a PM.
Just pay the postage and its yours.
Jerry
I'm definitely going for a progressive press, most likely the Lee Pro 1000. I've used a friend's turret a little bit and a beam cuz we had to redo about 25 rounds of .40S&W so it was easy but slow.
I guess I'd be using a scale to double-check the press' powder charging repeatability but for mostly IDPA loads I don't think I'd be tweaking it - as long as I make enough power but don't blow myself up. Right? Or am I overlooking something?
Oh, I think I'd be dumping between 4 and 10 grains at a time into the brass, probably using Tightgroup or 700X or Clays or something along those lines. Ya know, stuff that doesn't call for a large charge.
I guess I'd be using a scale to double-check the press' powder charging repeatability but for mostly IDPA loads I don't think I'd be tweaking it - as long as I make enough power but don't blow myself up. Right? Or am I overlooking something?
Oh, I think I'd be dumping between 4 and 10 grains at a time into the brass, probably using Tightgroup or 700X or Clays or something along those lines. Ya know, stuff that doesn't call for a large charge.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
that's pretty much it.
I use the Lee and with a flake or ball powder, the dispenser does a really good job. I load titegroup in my 40S&W and wouldn't ever want to load HG ammo on a single stage again.
I am also now loading 223 for my Norc M4 which gobbles large quantities of ammo.
A progressive may not make top match quality ammo but it will certainly make ammo plenty accurate for alot of plinking fun.
Check the dispenser for the first 10 pulls, then every whatever. Keep an eye on the powder level in the dispenser and put a line say 1" from the bottom so you know there will always powder enough to fill the bushing.
Enjoy...
Jerry
I use the Lee and with a flake or ball powder, the dispenser does a really good job. I load titegroup in my 40S&W and wouldn't ever want to load HG ammo on a single stage again.
I am also now loading 223 for my Norc M4 which gobbles large quantities of ammo.
A progressive may not make top match quality ammo but it will certainly make ammo plenty accurate for alot of plinking fun.
Check the dispenser for the first 10 pulls, then every whatever. Keep an eye on the powder level in the dispenser and put a line say 1" from the bottom so you know there will always powder enough to fill the bushing.
Enjoy...
Jerry
