Update - got one! What a difference RCBS 502 Scale

R

RonR

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I've got an opportunity to purchase a used 502 scale, appearing as new in original box etc. I know it's a discontinued model and the only information I found so far is on amazon with the standard write up. 505's seem to have been quite popular.

To be truthful I don't actually mind the lee safety scale once its set...weird to most I know...but making .1 grain adjustments for load development is a PITA. (I use a digital scale to audit and the lee scale appears accurate for my needs.) I get into a good rhythm throwing powder and completing other tasks and am quite happy continuing on.

To note
- year 3 of reloading
- digital scale/dispenser can't be justified at this time based on the volume of reloading...but someday :d
- hunting application but have incorporated some other precision related operations to solve some process inconsistencies and am aiming to see how accurate our current rigs can get
- if there are other mechanical scales that I should consider, and inversely, some to stay away from please share.
- oh yeah, the 502 has .1 gr resolution?

Regards
Ronr
 
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kamlooky said:
Taws the Lee thing in the garrbage, then it's safe.
The RCBS scale is a far better improvement.

Just mho.........
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:redface: ...then it's safe... I get it...looky. Seems to be the only thing I've used from Lee that I think could be a lot better for adjustment.

The 502 will measure and adjust .1 gr easily?

Ronr
 
I don't hate my Lee scale, and have had good luck using it. It's maximum limits meant I couldn't weigh most of my bullets. (had a few I didn't know the weight of) So acquired a 505 from a fellow CGNer.

I still have both, but the RCBS is what gets the most use. As suggested, for making minute adjustments it is far more user friendly.
 
When I first got into reloading I bought a lee scale due to the cost.
I never really trusted it and kept away from the hot loads in the book. The scale just looked and felt cheap and flimsy.
I later got a 505 and more recently a digital scale.
Out of curiosity for my old loads, one day I checked different powder drops and bullet weights Comparing the scales to each other.
All 3 scales were bang on at every weight.
The Lee scale may seem like crap but if I had to go back I would trust it without a doubt.

Jody
 
I started with a Lee scale and I sure dint have nice werds for it.
Found a used Ohaus 5-0-5 and have been using it for a bunch of years.
No issues.
Just recently purchased an RCBS 10-10 and wishing to give it a go.
Maybe it will only kawnfuse me if they don't way in harmmunies.........................:runaway:

Don't furgitt whut yer dewn.................that be weighing ker-pow flewid ......... :wave:
 
camster said:
I still have both, but the RCBS is what gets the most use. As suggested, for making minute adjustments it is far more user friendly.
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That's what I believe will happen here Camster.

Sleeper said:
Out of curiosity for my old loads, one day I checked different powder drops and bullet weights Comparing the scales to each other. All 3 scales were bang on at every weight. The Lee scale may seem like crap but if I had to go back I would trust it without a doubt. Jody
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Certainly no mistrust here on the accuracy of the Lee scale, just the quick adjustment for load development is what I'm looking to improve on. Thanks Jody.

kamlooky said:
I started with a Lee scale and I sure dint have nice werds for it.:
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Me too, truthfully at first.

kamlooky said:
Maybe it will only kawnfuse me if they don't way in harmmunies.........................:runaway: :
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I think you'll be alright ;) I believe you have your stuff in order rather well.

kamlooky said:
Don't furgitt whut yer dewn.................that be weighing ker-pow flewid ......... :wave:
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Yup. Noted. I'll be comparing and hopefully no discrepancies from one to the other will be found.

Regards
Ronr
 
I use a Lyman 500 that I bought new a few years back, because it was identical to the Lyman scale that I had owned back in the 70s.

Both highly accurate, have fixed agate bearings, and the beam rests on the bearings with knife edges.
Always returns to zero and dampens well.

I store it carefully in the styrofoam box that it came in when not in use, to prevent any possible damage.
 
I have the 505 scale it is very similar to the 502 the difference being the 505 is a three poise system & the 502 is two poise. I find it to be an excellent piece of equipment, I prefer it to my digital scale.

I have used the Lee scale & have no complaint with the accuracy but it takes forever for the poise to stabilize. The 505 is much faster.
 
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Lonesome Donkey said:
I use a Lyman 500 that I bought new a few years back, because it was identical to the Lyman scale that I had owned back in the 70s.

Both highly accurate, have fixed agate bearings, and the beam rests on the bearings with knife edges.
Always returns to zero and dampens well.

I store it carefully in the styrofoam box that it came in when not in use, to prevent any possible damage.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Good to know.

Regards
Ronr
 
Rod B said:
I have the 505 scale it is very similar to the 502 the difference being the 505 is a three poise system & the 502 is two poise. I find it to be an excellent piece of equipment, I prefer it to my digital scale.

I have used the Lee scale & have no complaint with the accuracy but it takes forever for the poise to stabilize. The 505 is much faster.
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Thank you Rod for taking the time to explain the differences between models and for the note about dampening time. That will be an improvement as well.

Regards
Ronr
 
I have a RCBS 505 scale, made by Ohaus, I bought a long time ago. . Used it over the years with no complaints but quite a few years ago I managed to buy used, at a gunshow, a RCBS 5 - 10 scale. . Been using this 5 - 10 scale ever since and prefer over it over the RCBS 505 scale. . I believe the RCBS 5 - 10 is no longer available but if you run across a used one it's worth consideration.

youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaUaL3Upq30
 
The RCBS 5-10 & 10-10 scales have magnetic dampening which helps them to steady a lot quicker than the LEE scale.

With any scale make sure you read the instructions and zero them properly before you use them.


For me the quickest way to use any mechanical scale is to dip the majority of the charge into the pan with a LEE scoop, or similar spoon, and then trickle up to final weight. Not a lot slower than using an electronic powder measure.
 
'Boo said:
The RCBS 5-10 & 10-10 scales have magnetic dampening which helps them to steady a lot quicker than the LEE scale.

With any scale make sure you read the instructions and zero them properly before you use them.


For me the quickest way to use any mechanical scale is to dip the majority of the charge into the pan with a LEE scoop, or similar spoon, and then trickle up to final weight. Not a lot slower than using an electronic powder measure.
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Lee scales have magnetic dampening too. You can speed your settling/improve dampening by changing the magnets. I put a magnet under the bowl/scoop, and it really sped things up. It's the incremental changing of charges for load development that slow the Lee down.

I wouldn't have needed to upgrade to the RCBS if everything I weighed was less than 100gr. That said, I'm glad I did. It is very easy to adjust.
 
Rod said:
I have a RCBS 505 scale, made by Ohaus, I bought a long time ago. . Used it over the years with no complaints but quite a few years ago I managed to buy used, at a gunshow, a RCBS 5 - 10 scale. . Been using this 5 - 10 scale ever since and prefer over it over the RCBS 505 scale. . I believe the RCBS 5 - 10 is no longer available but if you run across a used one it's worth consideration.
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There's a gun shown in Saskatoon next month...this is a consideration if I can find a reasonably priced one. Thanks!

'Boo said:
Not a lot slower than using an electronic powder measure.
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That's what I am hoping for. I have an inexpensive electronic scale that drifts and with enough regularity that I don't trust it. I could tare it and calibrate it frequently during sessions to maintain accuracy however that's where the good old mechanical scale comes in. Obviously you get what you pay for however I'm after a magnetospeed first before a reliable digital scale. Ergo this post for some more insight from guys that use the beam scales.


camster said:
I wouldn't have needed to upgrade to the RCBS if everything I weighed was less than 100gr. That said, I'm glad I did. It is very easy to adjust.
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That's exactly what I am after at this stage. Quicker adjustment and if it dampens quicker than the Lee then I'm ahead by a lot, at least where I am in the game.

kamlooky said:
Olie fruck.............RawnArrr.......Boo............Rawd.........RawdBee...................kawnfewzsing................:runaway:..............:sok2
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lol...I don't think you're confused at all. I move slowly at first to get a handle on things. A new to me scale will get the same treatment.

Thanks all for the responses.

Rgards
Ronr
 
Damn...what an impressive difference! The accuracy matches between the 502 and the lee safety scale but OMG the dampening is incredible compared to the lee!

Almost no oscillation at all. Beam teeters once up once and then it stops. Never would have believed it could be that good. This plus the far easier adjustment and it's a slam dunk improvement.

I am having trouble computing the time I've waited...f:P: just wow.

Regards
Ronr
 
Watch the RCBS scale.
I prefer it to stop on the way up, not on the way down.
I lightly bump the scale pan with me tweezers on the down side and
wait for the rebound on the way up.
My OCD might be kicking in but I find it reads more consistently coming up
than stopping on it's way down.
Wartch this teeter tawter with impunity.
There will come a time when things don't looky right.
The consistency will vary.
This means there is dust, grime, chit on the knives edges of the
beam scale and saddles.
It can alter/vary your weight by a bit.

Ohhhhh, the funds to find for an 'lectrick cawmbow unit.................:runaway:
 
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