My Old and Only Reloading Scale

[AJ]

I have four beam type scales and three electronic scales. The one I use most is my old Redding No.1 that my father used in the 1950's. He gave it to me when I started reloading.

Just added pictures of the scale. It is about 64+ years old.

 

[jake1945]

I prefer a beam scale over all those electronic gizmos. My RCBS 505 has performed flawlessly for years.

 

[stu1ritter]

My Redding 1 started getting a little glitchy but I thought it would be nice to have a bit of statuary in the loading area so I bought a new one with the magnetic damping. Ahhhh, such a nice scale.

Stu

 

[HarpHack]

I use an RCBS 5-0-2 but I keep my Dad's old Webster WR-1 scale on the bench for sentimental reasons. It was purchased about the time I was born in '62 and of all the toddler-mesmerising gadgets on his bench I remember liking that scale best.

The info sheet makes great emphasis of the "hydraulic damping" feature, which involves a paddle that dangles into a small jar of oil (this was before magnetic dampening). It was missing the pan when bought used but Dad expertly crafted one that looks great. It is still as accurate as my RCBS and I'd use it except I know I would be spilling that oil jar at least twice a month.

Dean in Arkansas

 

[Westie1]

I've got 2 scales, with both over 20yrs old. 1st one is an Ohaus/Rcbs 505 that I purchased in '87. 2nd one is a Dillon digital, bought around '97. Found that when loading for my 6.5 Creedmoor, I could get SD's in the 7-9 range while using the Dillon SD's were around the low 20's.

 

[monsai52]

I started reloading around 1975, and the powder scale I started with, and still use today is an old Redding beam scale that my dad bought in the mid '50s. It worked great 65+ years ago and still works great today. I never saw a need to update.

Best regards,

 

[AJ]

I started reloading around 1975, and the powder scale I started with, and still use today is an old Redding beam scale that my dad bought in the mid '50s. It worked great 65+ years ago and still works great today. I never saw a need to update.

Best regards,

Look sort of like the one that I posted Post#21. Works good, lasts a long time.........

 

[chief38]

My RCBS 10-10 scale is 35 years old and works perfectly fine. The KEY to having a mechanical scale last a long time is to NEVER leave it set up when you are not using it.

 

[glenwolde]

I started loading in 1968, my group of family deer hunters wanted to load all our 3006 deer guns for less pay at the store, so we bought a complete set of reloading stuff from Herters. Somewhere in the early 1970s I bought an Ohaus 10-10 scale. Wow at the loads it has weighed over the years. I have never bought into the digital scale idea, using the old 10-10 for everything. They bring huge money today, because they appear to be still at the top of the heap in 2021. I think I sold our joint ownership old Herters scale decades ago. I have not shot factory ammo in anything in the past 40-50 years. The guys that are wining at the rifle precison long range stuff do not use digital scales, only beam scales. That is a huge statement for those that want to listen.

Or maybe they just realize that super-precision is pointless in handgun and hunting ammo. That's like putting a race-tune on your Smart Car.

I've used both. I can't tell the difference on paper. Digital is much easier to use.

 

[monsai52]

Look sort of like the one that I posted Post#21. Works good, lasts a long time.........

Yep, looks just like it except that the pan is a little different.

Best regards,

 

[dla]

I started reloading in 1964 with a Lyman Ammo-Maker kit (310 tool, casting pot, dipper, and mould). The caliber was .38 Special/.357 Magnum and my revolver was a Colt .357 that I bought used for $60. My next purchase was a can of Bullseye powder, 200 primers, and a Redding powder and bullet scale. I now reload 15 different cartridges from .25 ACP to .454 Casull. The 310 tool lasted about 1 year before I traded up to a Lyman Spar-T turret press.

However, I still use the original Redding balance beam 325 grain scale for all my reloading. It's still in the original box or out on my bench. When I got the scale I was a graduate student in chemistry and used some of the finest Mettler analytical balances. I used one of these to make a set of 5 check weights from lengths of copper wire. They weigh between 3.11 and 14.75 grains, which pretty much covered my powder weights at the time with Bullseye, Unique, and 2400. I use the check weights periodically and they are always spot on, which amazes me. I just used them and that's what prompted this thread.

Yes and my ancestors used a Sears catalog at the outhouse - but times have changed.

I moved away from my Pacific balance beam at least a decade ago and went digital. I can't imagine going back.

Lyman sells a nice check weight set (60 grains total) that covers all my needs.

 

[DWalt]

This is my Ohaus 311 (311 grams) quad-beam balance. While powder can be weighed with it accurately (precision is 0.01 grams = 0.1543 grains), it is more useful for weighing bullets and cases. Of course, you must convert grams to grains, but that is not really necessary if you are grouping bullets and cases by weight. Note the magnetic dampener.

 

[old tanker]

I use the 5-0-5 for setting up the powder measure. I have a digital scale and I find it best suited for sorting cast bullets.

 

[The Norseman]

Go Green

1978 RCBS/Ohaus beam scale. Reliable, Simple, and
Easy to use.

 

[rockquarry]

Yes and my ancestors used a Sears catalog at the outhouse - but times have changed.

I moved away from my Pacific balance beam at least a decade ago and went digital. I can't imagine going back.

Lyman sells a nice check weight set (60 grains total) that covers all my needs.

Maybe a poor comparison with the outhouse, though newer often doesn't mean better. It may mean nothing more than different, quite to the alarm of the upgraders. However, with scales, like anything else, there are always exceptions.

If your digital scale is as accurate as a balance beam scale, doesn't have to be frequently checked for such accuracy, and is not temperamental, your unit is far better than most, except for the very expensive models that few handloaders buy. You're fortunate.

 

[dla]

Maybe a poor comparison with the outhouse, though newer often doesn't mean better. It may mean nothing more than different, quite to the alarm of the upgraders. However, with scales, like anything else, there are always exceptions.

If your digital scale is as accurate as a balance beam scale, doesn't have to be frequently checked for such accuracy, and is not temperamental, your unit is far better than most, except for the very expensive models that few handloaders buy. You're fortunate.

$35 for a digital scale that:

• takes up 1/4 the bench space
• sets up in 1/10th the time of my balance beam
• Is quickly verified accurate with check weights
• is 10x faster at settling a measurement
• offers measurement conversions

And mine has lasted 8 years so far.

When it comes to reloading, digital is the way to go - IMHO. I've been reloading since 1970 and I'm still learning new things.

 

[DWalt]

No complaint about digital scales. While I have not abandoned my Ohaus and my Redding by any means, I do have a Lyman digital scale/dispenser I use for some rifle calibers. Have been using it for over 10 years with no serious problems. Only problem is the setup time is fairly long if you don't leave it out on your workspace and plugged in all the time.

 

[GSP Fan]

When I started reloading I bought a RCBS Rock chucker unit which came with 505 scale a set of dies and some other stuff I don't remember. It wasn't long before I added a Uniflow powder measure and not long after that I figured the time to get the powder measure adjusted I could have loaded several shells. When I started shooting prairie dogs I bought a RCBS electronic measure and scale. It also takes some time to regulate to the powder and needs to be recalibrated several times. Now if I have less than 100 cases to load I use a bowl, spoon and my 505 scale
It's fast and accurate.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

All I use now are electronic scales. I use a chargemaster for rifle loading.
I have a Harrels measure set up to drop on a electronic scale. I weigh each charge. Both scales have calibration weights.
Usually I can find a bullet that weighs close to my charge weight. With the Harrels for pistols. I use a paper clip. It weighs 6.5 grains.
I check when I start and several times during a loadind session.

 

[DWalt]

Coins can make good check weights - specifically mint-new. New uncirculated coins are very consistent in their weights. 1 gram = 15.43 grains.
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