What scale do you like?

[Amp]

Going to buy a new reloading scale but i wonder what brand or style everyone likes.
Beam or electronic?
What brand?
Thanks

 

[D Brown]

Electronic. It doesn't matter what brand as long as it's a quality product and has check weights.

Reloading isn't rocket science and accuracy to 100th of a grain is overkill in my opinion.

Lots of people will disagree with my opinion; hopefully without being disagreeable.

 

[rkittine]

There is a big difference from one Electronic Scale to another. First question is how much measuring do you plan to do? Are you going to set up a powder thrower and check it from time to time or are you going to be weighing every charge? Are you looking for Long Range Rifle Accuracy or short range pistol shooting.

For low check weight count it is hard to beat a quality balance beam scale. A Parker scale will get you to 2 decimal places if you want to set it up right.

A Gem Pro 250 or better scale will work, but you need to make sure you let them really warm up and stabalize and be away from certain types of lighting, electronic equipment etc.

Then you can go to a laboratory level scale, which is what I use for 1,000 yard benchrest. A&D FX 120i. You can go electronic for between $50 and $1,500.

Bob

 

[stansdds]

I have only one scale, the one I bought over 30 years ago, a Lyman 1000. If you want to spend big bucks, Ohaus makes great beam balance scales.

I think beam balance scales have advantages over electronic scales. They have no batteries to replace. They do not require electricity. They last forever.

 

[WR Moore]

I'll also back the beam. At least some electronic scales are subject to some drift in their setting during use. If you're middle of the road on charge weight this might not be a big deal, if not, it can be.

If they're still using the agate bearings for the beam, I'd go with Lyman. Most of the rest just have the pivot of the beam laying in a V groove in the base. The agate bearings are a better design.

You need a set of check weights with any type of scale.

 

[rockquarry]

I've used a balance beam scale since 1965. For the last several decades I've used primarily a Redding and sometimes an RCBS 10-10. These are simple and accurate and have no quirks, but I'm sure other such scales would probably work as well. I've also used Lyman check weights for years. Every serious handloader should have a set of check weights.

I tried an electronic scale once and found it wasn't for me. If you're willing to spend a lot of money for a scientific electronic scale, they may be as reliable and as accurate as a balance beam scale, but few are willing to spend the dollars for the best.

 

[tominboise]

One more vote for the beam scale. Mine is a Redding that I got in 1972. Works great.

 

[SMSgt]

I cannot think of any legitimate reason, short of being dropped and broken, to replace my RCBS 505 scale.

 

[Moe Mentum]

I have a Franklin arms digital scale, inexpensive and accurate enough for government work.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I use a Dillon digital scale. My original Dillon became erratic after 25 years and Dillon replaces it at no charge. I also have a very old RCBS beam scale that my dad had in the 60's.

 

[Leonard]

Ohaus dial beam scale, no longer made but by far the best scale I have used in over 50 years of reloading

 

[gwpercle]

Beam Scale , even if you buy an electronic...keep a beam on hand when the electronics get wonky . Lots of things affect electronic stuff. Lights , motors and compressors in refg, freezer, washer dryer, a/c compressor , heater blower motor...when they cycle on and off the electronic scale can pick up the voltage fluctuations...and go squirrely.

RCBS 5-0-5 or any scale that has triple poise settings ...they are easier to set . Dillion makes a decent scale , triple poise for about $89.00.

Triple poise settings should have : 3 poises
#1 - 0 to 500 grs . in 10.0 gr. increments
#2 - 0 to 10 grs. in 1.0 gr. increments
#3 - 0 to 1 grs. in 0.1 grain increments

Make sure it has Magnetic Dampening.... do not buy an old scale like Redding #1 with only 2 poise settings and OIL dampening ...that technology is old , outdated and a mess to use .

And get a couple check weights...that way you can check em both!

Gary

 

[jjfitch]

I have Ohaus/RCBS 5-0-5 over 40 years old and a 30 year old Dillon . Whatever scale you choose learn how to calibrate using check weights and level the frame. I use a brand new penny for calibration which is close enough for my intents and purposes!

I've heard of more people complain about their electronic scales the balance beams!

Smiles,

 

[cfplinker]

If I want to know how much something (bullet or brass) weighs I will use a digital scale. I zero the scale, put the object on the scale to weigh it, and remove it from the scale to make sure the display returns to zero. This eliminates any error due to drift. Using the check weights I found that my particular scale is right on up to 40 grains. At 50 grains or more it reads about 1/2 percent high so I need to subtract a little from the indicated weight to get the actual weight.

If I want to know how much something (think powder here) deviates from a desired weight I will use the beam scale. I will set it for the desired weight, put the appropriate amount of check weights on it, zero the scale, remove the check weights, and finally put the powder on the scale. My most used scale is an old C-H scale which has 0.1 grain markings at the end of the beam. This tells me how much I am above or below my desired weight. I liked this feature so much that I calibrated my 505 so that it would do the same thing. I was only able to put 0.5 and 1.0 grains above and below on the Lee scale.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

SCALES

Been through a couple or so but for some time I have used A RCBS CHARGEMASTER -- I have two- one used just for shotgun only loading, the other for everything else.

 

[andy52]

I have a beam scale and a RCBS 1500 chargemaster. Most of the time the beam scale just sits in its box but it was I used all the time 45 years ago. However I only use either of the scales to verify my loads at about 1 in 50. For the actual loading I use a Redding meter which will consistently throw to within a 10th of a grain with ball powders. If I'm using flake or extruded powders the RCBS does the whole job.

 

[The Norseman]

Beaming

I have both. I like both.

The RCBS I got when I started Reloading in 1978.

The Hornady got from the neighbor next door when
he was moving last year.

 

[imakmst]

I use a rcbs 5-0-5 for work-ups, load development. Also use a Cabelas electronic scale for double checking tared brass during progressive work

 

[glowe]

I just don't get it. I can see no simpler way to weigh and dispense powder than with an electronic scale. I have one I picked up at Cabelas years ago and it is so accurate that I can load down to a couple grains with great accuracy. I can do 1.1 grains accurately enough even for my 32 S&W. I can weigh up to 1500g and easily sort heavy bullets as well.

I might be a belt and suspenders guy, but I find the right dipper for whatever I am loading and check the weight with the scale. I do not use a powder dispenser, but weigh every load. I have not used a beam balance since college chemistry and they seem clumsy to me, so I wonder why does everyone likes beam balances?. Is it because they have never used an electronic scale, scale is easier to use than an electronic scale with a powder dispenser, or something else? Maybe I need a beam balance?

 

[rockquarry]

I just don't get it. I can see no simpler way to weigh and dispense powder than with an electronic scale. I have one I picked up at Cabelas years ago and it is so accurate that I can load down to a couple grains with great accuracy. I can do 1.1 grains accurately enough even for my 32 S&W. I can weigh up to 1500g and easily sort heavy bullets as well.

I might be a belt and suspenders guy, but I find the right dipper for whatever I am loading and check the weight with the scale. I do not use a powder dispenser, but weigh every load. I have not used a beam balance since college chemistry and they seem clumsy to me, so I wonder why does everyone likes beam balances?. Is it because they have never used an electronic scale, scale is easier to use than an electronic scale with a powder dispenser, or something else? Maybe I need a beam balance?

If it meets your standards, you already have the perfect scale for your use.