Scale suggestions?

Rick65Cat

Rick65Cat

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First off, this is not a dis at Lee.
I'm just getting into reloading and bought all the equipment needed (Mostly Lee). The scale I got was the Lee "Safety Power Scale", a balance beam setup. Either I'm missing something in the intial set up or its defective. The slide for the single grains/1 tenth grains doesn't lock. theres a pin that doesn't do anything.
I'm going to return it and get a digital scale. Can anyone give the pros and cons of their particular scale?
I was looking online at the Hornady GS1000 and the RCBS 750. Thoughts?
 
My one experience with the Lee powder scale was abysmal. Unless they improved the product, I had one of the early ones, they are seldom repeatable. Both Hornady and RCBS make a good scale, I'm partial to RCBS, but that's just me.
 
Boomer said:
Both Hornady and RCBS make a good scale, I'm partial to RCBS, but that's just me.
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X2. I've been gradually upgrading my reloading equipment and recently picked up an RCBS ChargeMaster Combo, it's GREAT!! Prior to that, almost since I started reloading, I've been using a Lyman model D-5 and no complaints. However, while it has worked well, it was time to move on.
 
my wife bought me an RCBS balance beam Scale last christmass and works great im looking for a digital scale. next but id next give up the balance beam Scale
 
Hi

I used RCBS beam scales for a lot of years. I now use their digital scales. The beam scales never gave me a problem, but the digitals do a lot more. They are a very nice thing to have.

If you want to save some money PACT also makes digital scales. I do not use one, but people claim they work pretty well. I happen to like the support from RCBS better than PACT's support ....

Bob
 
Go for the best get an RCBS Chargemaster Combo. It'll last forever unless you use it to hold pencils. Like the bugger who filled up my Couisinart......
 
my first scale was a 505 - by ohaus at the time, then i got a bonanza and never went to anything else- the ohaus had a pot metal beam and it fell and broke the pointer off- do a LOT of research BEFORE you buy a digital, as a lot of them don't do GRAINS or the capacity is short- and get a set of calibration weights and check the calibration often- if it's off , change the batteries-
 
Hi

Good point - don't get one with batteries, get one with an AC adapter. It saves a *lot* of hassle. That of course assumes you have AC to your reloading area. I once set up in a barn that did not meet that particular requirement.

Bob
 
Hi

Good choice - they work as well as anything out there selling for less than about $400. To get something that is significantly better you are going to go up to about $800.

Bob
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:eek: No no...you don't understand...I am getting into reloading to try to SAVE money!
Seriously tho..$800? Ouch. Looks like the RCBS 750 then.

Cabellas has it for $99, But I can pick it up right at Wholesale here in Edm for $149. Hmmm... I wonder if it would get damaged in the mail coming from the States? You know, delicate electronic item and all.
 
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Rick65Cat said:
:eek: No no...you don't understand...I am getting into reloading to try to SAVE money!
Seriously tho..$800? Ouch. Looks like the RCBS 750 then
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Hi

You can get scientific scales that claim to do a bit better for around $300. To get one that is honest to goodness accurate at 10X better than the 0.1 grain on the RCBS you are looking at $800.

Bob
 
Powder scales

I started out, many years ago, with an RCBC 505 beam scale and that actually works fine but last year, after quite a bit of research, decided to go digital. I purchased the RCBS Powder Pro scale and subsequently an RCBS electronic powder trickler. They work together via infra red, similar to the combo units but I find this works just as good and it worked out cheaper than going with a combo unit. You simply throw a charge into the pan and the trickler automatically kicks in and delivers the desired weight. I find it very accurate and quicker than the beam units.
 
I have one of these and they're great!

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I started with the Lee Safety Scale and while mine's OK, it's sloooww. With the digital, throw the charge, trickle up and dump.

(E) :cool:
 
Starting out

Some 45 years ago I started out reloading. Purchased a Redding scale and a Lyman 55 powder measure to go along with the heavy duty C-H press. Many thousands of rounds of various shapes and sizes of ammo has come out of that combination and I have not upgraded any of it!
I would recommend any one starting out today to get a beam scale. I like the great simplicity of the beam scale. To check it, just look at it. If it sits there in its undamaged condition, and shows zero where it should show zero, what else is there to check? You know it will be correct. OK, if you are pickety, put a factory bullet on it once in a while. And please, don't some one tell me there is a slight difference in some bullet weights.
I used to have a powder trickler, but used it so seldom that I gave it away. The only time I would need a trickler is when loading just a few rounds, and don't bother to set the powder measure. I have the Lee set of dippers and use them for this purpose. To balance up the scale I find it easier to just tap a dipper with my finger, than it was to bother with a trickler.
 
I was looking for a bottom end scientific scale, something like an Acculab VIC-123 [120g x 0.001g] for about $270 in the US. This scale will measure to 0.02 grains.

Well, I just scored a real deal on eBay, a Denver Instruments P-203 (a new model), which is a 200g x 0.001g resolution, and sells for around $1,600. I just got a slightly used one for $205 US.

There are deals out there if you keep your eyes open.....

This is to replace my 30 year old Bonanza beam scale. Accurate, but without magnetic dampening it needs a delicate touch of a finger to slow it down a bit to get a good reading.
 
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first scale I bought was an entry level Redding...to slow took forever to settle down. Finally settled on a rcbs 1010 at the time was the cadillac of scales...still in use never looked back. That automatic rcbs thing that automatically dispences and weight looks interestint though!
 
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