What is the most reliable/accurate scale for under $350

Which scale for under $350 is the best in your opinion?

  • Lyman balance

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Lyman didital

    Votes: 1 1.7%

  • RCBS balance

    Votes: 23 39.0%

  • RCBS digital

    Votes: 13 22.0%

  • Hornady balance

    Votes: 2 3.4%

  • Hornady digital

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Dillon

    Votes: 4 6.8%

  • Gempro

    Votes: 5 8.5%

  • Lee

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Other, please explain

    Votes: 5 8.5%
  • Total voters
    59
  • Poll closed .
07blackwater

07blackwater

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I've been on the hunt for a reliable, fast and accurate scale that won't break the bank.

I don't have the luxury of a dedicated vibration free space for a scale like many digitals seem to need so I thought I'd ask you all what you think the best balance between accuracy, speed of setup and cost is.

This isn't, by all means, a comprehensive list so feel fee to add your input.
 
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I like the RCBS Rangemaster 750. I have had the Lyman 1000XP, and it was too sensitive - cellphones, fluorescent lighting, static, solar flares, could put you off a couple grains, and remeasuring the same charge, I rarely got the same measurement twice. Rangemaster 750 is fast, reliable, and compatible with all the bumping and jarring that goes on during a reloading process :)
 
I'll keep it in mind. My scale is always on the same bench as I'm loading (so it's shaking) and there's railroad tracks at the end of the street so if a heavy freight is going by the house shakes a little. From what I've read that will cause havoc with some!
 
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It sure would with my Lyman. Those things like cellphones, static and lights? I didn't make that up - they actually warn against having any of those near their scale!

Pact is a name I've heard rarely, but always good too. I think you're likely to find PACT in Chemistry labs...
 
I would say it's hard to beat a balance beam... And they are way under $350.

My 505 is more accurate than the scale that comes with my chargemaster.
 
A quality balance beam can't be beat for reliability and accuracy, especially if it is taken care of. That being said, I have had great success with my Chargemaster, although I still double check it frequently against check weights or my balance beam. It has yet to lie to me.
 
RCBS 10 10 - bought it over 15 years ago - built like a tank - no waiting for it to settle down - awesome scale. Was at a buddies house and he has a lee balance scale, what a pain as it won't stop moving up and down-add a couple grains and its up and down and wait - it's usable but takes 5 times as long if you want a accurate powder charge without the " its close enough" statement. RCBS 10 10 all the way for a beam scale
 
I've been plenty happy with the RCBS Rangemaster 750, as an upgrade from my Lee safety scale. Done quite well for me, but don't have much to compare to.
 
BTW I voted 'other' so I could see the results without having to actually vote .

Don't be surprised if there's a WTB add for an RCBS in the EE soon.

I had a sneaking suspicion the 10-10 would be the winner but I'm just not sure if the newer ones are as good as the old ones. Again, any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
07blackwater said:
I've been on the hunt for a reliable, fast and accurate scale that won't break the bank.

I don't have the luxury of a dedicated vibration free space for a scale like many digitals seem to need so I thought I'd ask you all what you think the best balance between accuracy, speed of setup and cost is.

This isn't, by all means, a comprehensive list so feel fee to add your input.
Click to expand...

Bearing in mind that in reloading consistency/repeatability , more than empirical precision is generally the goal, you are right IMHO to consider balance beam scales as the best bang for your buck. If you're chasing shot accuracy/consistency, trickling powder into a BB scale pan is as good as it gets. For volume loading, you'll find a quality powder measure (Hornady, RCBS, Redding) throws consistently enough to enable you to employ your BB scale only as a spot check. "Drift" with a BB scale is easy to spot as it simply doesn't return to zero, so you adjust. You can get a quality scale, powder measure & stand, and trickler for less than 350. With any reasonable degree of care this stuff will last you a lifetime or two. By not buying electronic gadgetry for charge weighing, you'll have $$ to put toward a chronograph which will be more valuable to you than an electric powder pump by far.
 
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