I use a Lee Safety Powder Scale. It is slow, and has to be re-adjusted to zero each time I use it. Are these considered to be accurate? Is this normal?
Are there any reasonably priced digital scales out there that are good?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, Bob

A lot of us consider the Lee scale....junk...... and would never use it. Due to the problems you encountered. I use an RCBS(ohaus) 10-10 scale.........For over 30 years this scale has never been a problem.......My $0.02. Lee makes some good stuff and some stuff that is not up to par.

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S&W Accumulator

I have an old Ohaus 505 balance beam scale that I use. I zero it everytime I use it. And yes it is a bit slow to use.

I also have a inexpensive MTM digital scale. It is much faster to use. I use it mostly to check bullet and brass weight when I'm checking several and want to do it in a hurry.
But, mine doesn't work right when the temps. drop below about 60 - 65 degrees. Plus sometimes I get a bit of difference between the digital and the balance beam. So, I just don't trust the digital that much.

I also have a small set of calibration weights that I use to check both..

A friend has a digital scale from Dillon. When you start it up and verify it against the check weights, it's accurate enough. But then - without fail - the zero starts to shift around and the readings change.

He wound up getting a Hornandy powder scale/measure combo and checks the two against each other.

I know it's old school, but I still like my RCBS 5-10.

Spend the money on a good balance beam scale,the electronics at that same price aren't that good.Ebay should have some deals.

I've been using a Hornady L&L digital bench scale for about 2 or 3 years. Works great! Spot on with test weights and has never wandered off zero. They list for $129 now. I think I paid $75 on sale. Have a little MTM digital I think I paid $20 for. It too is spot on with test weights, but starts to wonder if you let the batteries get to low. Evidently cheap stain gauges for digital scales have gotten quite good over time. Also have a new in the box Lyman M5 beam. Hardly use it.

Thanks, for the responses! I never had a set of test weights. Maybe that is the first thing to do. The digital scales I have used (not reloading) can weigh the same item, different when placed on the tray multiple times. Bob

I have a Hornady GS 1500 digital scale. Seems plenty accurate to me. The same charge will repeatedly weigh within 1-2 hundredths of a grain. You can throw it off by breathing on it - but the same thing can also be said for a good beam scale too.
Works for me, but as always YMMV...

Another vote for the RCBS 10-10. I also started with the Lee, which was accurate enough, just difficult to adjust. Since the charging operation is the most critical part of reloading, at least in terms of safety, this is no place to skimp. The RCBS was a major upgrade.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

A few years ago I happened to come across a state "weights and measures" man and struck up a conversation with him. Part of his job is to ensure that the scales used by merchants are accurate. He told me that as long as a balance beam scale will zero properly it will be accurate. I don't know that for a fact but my old RCBS balance beam scale still works just fine.

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Stay safe people!

A part of the problem with scales is cheap quality or damage, and the rest is improper use.
I learned to use triple balance beam precision scales in chemistry lab (scales enclosed in a glass case). A medium-quality balance beam with a good clean knife edge that will zero is generally accurate enough for gunpowder charges.
Set one under the heating or ac vent and it will blow all over the place. Chip the knife edge, and it should be thrown away.

I use the PACT electronic dead weight scale now, and it too requires some care in use. Dead weight pressure scales vary with both pressure and temperature, so they should be kept at constant temp if you want them to hold zero in use. Again, a breeze will blow them way off.

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Science plus Art

I too started with the Lee Safety balance scale that came in my first reloading kit. It was slow and sometimes temperamental but accurate enough to keep me out of trouble unless I went looking for it. A few years later I snagged a used RCBS 5-10 balance scale for $40 off Ebay. It was a significant step up and inspired confidence when I was getting close to max loads. Then just a few years ago, I purchased a Frankfort Armory (DS750) electronic scale from Midway on sale for $30. I'm still in awe each time I use it on how instantaneous , accurate and repeatable the darn thing is. It also came with a test weight so I can check calibration. Best $30 I ever spent in reloading. I still use that RCBS scale now and then but mostly to verify what the electronic scale is telling me when I need to split hairs.

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Dave

I learned on a Mettler beam balance scale in a chem lab. Mettler was, and probably still is, the gold standard of scales. You still had to zero it each and every time you used it. They are accurate enough that you can measure water evaporating.

Beam scale and digital here. I hardly ever use my beam scale as it is slower. I think it is more reliable though. I have weights I can check them both with and do on occasion. They always match each other within a few grains so I'm sure they both function pretty well.

I have an old RCBS beam scale and a PACT digital. Their DPP is a nice one for the bucks. I'm not sure what else is out there as I haven't looked in awhile.

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That's just somebody talkin.

A few grains is way too much off for me

What's wrong with 1-2 tenths of a grain.

The Lee Safety Scale was my first scale and it is accurate. It is also the most inconvenient scale on the planet to use and that brass zeroing wheel will shift position if you have the scale on the same bench you have your press mounted to. Ever have to dump the powder in 45 cases because you found the reason your powder measure seemed to be drifting was because it was the zero on you Lee "safety" scale? I have and I am still surprised I didn't drop kick the darned thing.

After that incident I purchased a cheap Frankfort Arsenal digital scale. It works well for about a minute when you first turn it one then the zero starts to drift in a behavior that seems to be sinusoidal. Turn it on and after about two minutes it will be reading -0.2 when it should read zero and in another 2 more minutes it will read +0.2. I now only use it to check bullet weights and to confirm I've set my RCBS 502 up correctly. Because it is accurate when you first turn it on.

Yeah, my primary scale is an RCBS branded Ohaus scale, similar to that recommended by so many of the previous posts. However the 502 is a two Poise scale so it's ?? 33% ?? simpler to set up than a 3 poise scale. IIRC the cost for one of these scales is about 60-70 dollars so they won't break the bank and they do hold zero and do work very well. However, the notches for the heavy poise are wide enough and gentle enough that it is possible to get that poise set a bit off center in the notch. Do that and your weight can be off as much as 2 or 3 grains. The solution is to tap on the poise lightly with a wooden pencil to settle it into the notch on center and to use a cheap digital scale to confirm your setting.

Finally, take note that I ALWAYS use a secondary scale to confirm I have my primary scale set correctly. IMO anyone who does this is "flying without a net or parachute". Because I've learned that if you do a routine task often enough you WILL misread a setting at some point and if you misread heavy on a powder charge the result may be a bit beyond "uncomfortable".

You ALWAYS have to check the the balance beam is moving freely because it hangs up a lot. Get better if you can afford it. I use it because I pride myself on running a minimalist operation.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

To clarify what he meant: As long as the scale will return to Zero exactly if you manually move it off zero, both + and -, it will weigh accurately.

If it does not perfectly return to zero then the beam knives are dull or damaged and need to be serviced or the beam replaced. The knives can be sharpened if you are capable.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Get a RCBS 10-10 calibrated by Scott Parker........

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

OK, be it right or wrong, I bought a Hornady GS 1500 digital scale. It was priced right! So, I have 2 scales I can check against each other if need be (Lee). I never load any HEAVY loads, but want to know what I am shooting.
Thanks for all of your input! Bob

Did you get a test weight set? Good thing to have.

I started out with an RCBS 505 and am now using their 10-10 model. The 10-10 is easy to use and pouring powder gradually causes the needle to move up without the bounce you sometimes experience with other scales that suddenly fly past the mark causing you to have to dump out powder and start over. I'm all about quality as well as safety and weight each charge I pour beneath a bullet. The only bad thing about the 10-10 is their dwindling availability and rising price. But to load with such a fine scale is well worth it. Buy the older ones made in the U.S. A.

x2 Investing in a good test weight set is an often overlooked must and not just the one that comes with the scale, a whole range.

If you shoot jacketed ammo, you have boxes full of test / check weights. I use 223 or 308 diameter bullets for check weights. I also set my powder measure by throwing 10 charges ( 2.5 grains AA #2) or 3 charges ( 43.5 grains IMR 4895). 55 gr FMJ or 150 GMJ bullets work fine. If in doubt weigh 3 or 4 one at a time.

At some point you just have to get powder in the case, and continue the reloading process.

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S&WHF 366

Tenths, I meant tenths. Grains I would have a huge problem.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I went a different route. Went after a medical scale, used Ebay. Quick to read, easy to zero out so I check weights more often during loading. I will check powder dumps on the little tray pictured from my Lee balance scale then after I am where I need to be I will randomly and frequently weigh a case after my powder charge to verify.

This scale came with the checker weights too.
This is a Acculab Vicon model VIC-2MG



Karl


Karl

I am still using my RCBS 10-10 scale that I bought 30+ years ago! Still works perfectly and s dead nuts accurate.

HINT: as per RCBS (spoke to them years ago) NEVER leave the scale in the set-up position. This causes the pivot points to take a set and become inaccurate and non repeatable. Always disassemble after use and store it away from dust & dirt. If this is followed, a quality scale should last just about forever.

I have many friends who use digital scales but I still like and trust my mechanical RCBS 10-10 over digital. Age I suppose........

I was sure hoping that that was what you meant.

I have an old RCBS 505 that has been dropped, knocked over and been thought over 40 years of hard use.

It will hang up every now and then but it just means that is time for me to give it some love and mess over it a little.
A Q-tip, Koil and soft rag will usually fix tings to where the beam is moving freely, once again.

So you set it one time...........?

Heck, some times in a short session I check out "Zero" 3-4 times with my accuracy or chrony loads, when moving from bullet weights or powders.

As for a test weight a bullet to a fishing weight will do.......
Log the weight and reset the unit to that weight on each outing.

Later.

I started with the Lee scale 30 years ago. I heard so many reports that it was junk I replaced it. First shot at the range locked the bolt on a 243. There was a gun show in town that week and I bought a set of check weights. The Lee scale was accurate during all ranges the new scale [Lyman] weighed one grain heavy at 44 grains. It got sold and I stuck with the Lee until a Lyman DPS 1200 came along. I still use the Lee to verify charges when I throw from a conventional measure. It is accurate and as easy to set up as it is to read a micrometer.

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Front sight and squeeze

This ... except that I have an RCBS (Ohaus) 5-10 and a 10-10, plus a cheap electronic scale. The 5-10 scale has served me well for 35+ years.

The Lee scale is accurate, but I find it tedious to adjust (with my eyes at least). I've been using an RCBS 505 for many years now and it does the job fine, and needs no batteries. In reality, a good beam scale is fine for all my reloading, as I only use it when setting and checking my powder measures. As others have mentioned, known bullets, coins, and fishing weights can all serve as check weights if needed.

Lots of brands suggested. Let me go to another part of the equation.
I built a shelf, NOT attached to my reloading bench, on the wall. Dead level, extremely stable and secured. My scale is placed on this shelf.
It goes to zero without adjustment every time. Check weights are correct, every time.
Treat your scale like it might save your life.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

^^^ this,right at eye level.

I use a jewelers electronic scale I bought on ebay for cheap years ago. It weighs to .01 grains. It's been a good one.

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Where we go one, we go all

I use a GemPRO digital scale and a Redding balance.

The digital scale is great to confirm the balance. The balance, when used with a Lee scoop and a powder trickler is not much slower than the digital scale. The balance doesn't lose Zero--gravity doesn't vary much in my neighborhood. The digital scale needs to be re-calibrated and zero'd on occasion.

When weighing an unknown weight, the digital scale works fastest.

When trying to weigh out an known measure of powder, the balance seems more effective, and is crazy consistent.

I keep my 1010 on a leveling plate next to my chargemaster, my check weight set is next to my 1010.

If a handloader even thinks about pushing the limits, they need a set of check weights, in my opinion. If nothing else, the weights are a standard to work with.

I had a Gem pro 250, it never weighed the same weight the same twice in a row, and trickling was a real hassle, probably got a bad one. sent it back.

Another vote for Dillon Precision scales...

Personally, I prefer to use my Lee Safety scale over other scales. I recently got a good deal on an RCBS 505 for $40 at Amazon. I checked it against the Lee and both scales agreed dead on with weights ranging from 1 to 60 grains. Unfortunately, the Lee only goes up to 60 grains so the RCBS is used to weigh bullets and other heavier objects.

Some folks have a hard time reading the vernier scale, but I was raised on the tail end of the slide rule generation and the sliding vernier scale is much more convenient than the notched grain and 1/10th grain methods of the RCBS scale.

It's good to know that both work fine and are perfectly adequate for reloading purposes.

I did buy one of those $10 Harbor Freight digital scales and it actually is pretty good for counting bullets. You put one on the scale and calibrate it. I typically count up 10-20 at a time depending on the weight of the bullet.

Well, a lot of you have made comments, after I bought my Hornady 1500. I set it up, and it was very inconsistent with weights. I changed the batteries. It kept giving unstable message on screen. Moving it did not help. It went back. I am looking again. Bob
By the way, thanks for all of your helpful comments!

This may be helpful.
Just remember when looking that G is for grams, GN will be for grains
https://www.digitalscale.net/acculab_vicon_scales.asp
Karl

The Hornady GS 1500 I have has worked really well for what it is. Time will tell how long it will last as it is about 6 months old. It is within the one tenth accuracy they claim. I guess I got one of the good ones as many didn't work so well.
Getting one of their bench digital scales to try out and see how it works.

Not sure about others but it is really dry where I'm at. The numbers on the 1500 did move a little so I took a used drier sheet and wiped it down and also leave it in the hard case. Since doing that it works well.
Also I was told not to leave anything on a cheap digital scale longer than it takes to get a reading. Whether that is true or not I don't know but I have done that from new.

I have an RCBS 304 in mint condition stays zeroed if I do not move it around many consider it the best scale RCBS ever made and was supposedly a favorite of drug dealers.
Tried several electronic scales they were very inconsistent may have been something in reloading room interfering with them?

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Len

Started with one of those real cheap Frankfort Arsenal digital scales. Worked pretty good. Not the best.
Local expert/veteran reloader recommended the scale Brian Enos sells on his website.
Splendid piece of equipment. Extremely consistent. It does not "time-out" and shut down. Lot of these scales are more accurate after a few minutes of power-up.