Powder Scale Recommendations

[Empe]

Looking for recommendations for a beam powder scale....something accurate , reliable , reasonably priced and of good quality .

[leadhead2]

Any good beam scale made by Ohaus will be a very accurate
scale. I have 3 extra scales that I have in reserve that just
sit on the shelf. An RCBS 502, A Redding #2 and a Lyman
D5. Where in Pa. are you located?

[OKFC05]

I prefer RCBS for both beam type and digital (I have Rangemaster).
Beam type is $100.
Rangemaster digital is $150.
Pocket digital is $40.
Not sure how familiar you are with scales; be aware that air flow
control is key to accurate use with any type. Unless put in a clear
box to protect from drafts, any will vary readings when the ECU comes on.

[rockquarry]

I doubt there are any balance beam scales on the market that aren't of good quality and accurate. I've used a Redding and an RCBS 10-10 for years but wouldn't hesitate to try others if necessary. You're on the right track going with simple and reliable non-electronic.

[DWalt]

I have used a Redding balance for many years. No idea if they are still made. I think digital is better, I have one but I still use the Redding more often. Mainly because there is a 10 minute warmup period needed before using the (Lyman) digital. I also have a quad beam Ohaus centigram Lab balance which goes up to 500 grams (not grains). It could be used for powder but I use it mainly for weight-matching cases and bullets for which it is much better suited than the Redding. Its precision is +/- 0.01 grams, about 0.15 grains.

I started reloading using an ancient drugstore apothecary two-pan balance a very long time ago and still have it. It works fine but it is much larger and slower to use than the Redding. So it is mainly a decorator item.

[TheTinMan]

I used an RCBS 5-0-5 for years. May have bought it used. Somehow I managed to chip one of the knives the beam balances on. I paid to ship it back to RCBS. They fixed it, re-calibrated it and returned it to me quickly.

P.S. get check weights no matter what scale you’re using, and use them every time you use the scale.

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by TheTinMan

I used an RCBS 5-0-5 for years. May have bought it used. Somehow I managed to chip one of the knives the beam balances on. I paid to ship it back to RCBS. They fixed it, re-calibrated it and returned it to me quickly.

P.S. get check weights no matter what scale you’re using, and use them every time you use the scale.

Good point - check weights are inexpensive and essential. I don't use them as often as I should, but it doesn't hurt to use them regularly.

[DWalt]

You can use uncirculated coins as check weights. Their weights are very consistent and precise. Look up coin weights. They will be given in grams, multiply grams by 15.432 to get weight in grains. See: Coin Specifications | U.S. Mint

[Skeet 028]

Look on ebay.. If you can find a RCBS 510 scale you will have the best scale for the money you can find. I buy them eery chance I can usually for under 25 dollars. I sell them on ebay for usually the 50-60 dollar range. Quick easy 505 on steroids. And with check weights...easy to recalibrate...I have an electronic scale or two but do not really trust them exclusively

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not sure about the new RCBS scales but their older line were very good.

I have an Ohaus/RCBS 5-0-5 scale and their 10-10 scale. I would get one of those if you can on the used market. All are good, the 5-0-2, 5-0-5, 5-10 and 10-10 are all outstanding depending upon how much range you need.

[Ivan the Butcher]

About 15 years ago I evicted a dead-beat. In the piles of junk left behind were 3 AA electronic scales he used to sell drugs. At the time they were $10-15 at shops that cater to such people! $5 more at shops that cater to coin and gold dealers. They measure in 1/100th grams, 1/10 grains, Penny weight, and Troy ounces.

I installed an Eveready Lithium AA battery when I found it and it's still measuring accurately! You will need a pan, I use Lyman's with the built in reverse funnel. This is a great set up for field reloading. I knew a guy that reloaded the same 87 brass every knight on a 5-day Prairie Dog hunt using this set up with Wilson Arbor press dies.

Ivan

[Skeet 028]

I use either/or a 510 a 10-10 a 304 by RCBS or a triple Beam Ohaus...I also have a Dial O gram Ohaus for weighing cases...or an old 1st generation Dillon electronic for cases too

[jculloden]

try to find a RCBS 10-10 tuned by Scott Parker..outstanding

[IAM Rand]

Look on Ebay for reloading scales. You can usually get a good deal there. You might be able to get weights there as well. Get a couple of different weights. Good to see if everything is good at different weights.

I have an old Redding that was my father's. I also picked up a RCBS scale at an estate sale/auction. I am now using a Frankford Arsenal electronic scale. Blue tooth and all that. I still double check it with a beam scale.

[Skeet 028]

I recently picked up a 510 at an auction...25 dollars in the box

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by jculloden

try to find a RCBS 10-10 tuned by Scott Parker..outstanding

I've had a 10-10 for forty or more years, but I've never heard of one being "tuned" and don't know who Scott Parker is. If check weights show the scale displays accurate readings, is there some advantage (unknown to me) for having a scale tuned?

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

I've had a 10-10 for forty or more years, but I've never heard of one being "tuned" and don't know who Scott Parker is. If check weights show the scale displays accurate readings, is there some advantage (unknown to me) for having a scale tuned?

Something to waste your money on. Tune it to one (1) kernel of powder.


Tuning Balance-Beam Scales For Precision and Repeatability << Daily Bulletin

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by Rule3

Something to waste your money on. Tune it to one (1) kernel of powder.


Tuning Balance-Beam Scales For Precision and Repeatability << Daily Bulletin

Your response is likely correct. If check weights show your balance beam scale reads as it should, then going beyond that, or attempting to do so, if it's even possible, may be indicative of abnormal or obsessive behavior.

[gwpercle]

Redding and RCBS 5-0-5 are good bets .
Make sure it has magnetic dampening ... old oil dampeners work , but the oil is messy .
I like the ones with triple poise settings ... easier to set the scale precisely (RCBS 5-0-5 is a triple poise )

Redding Number 1 ... is a two poise , oil dampned... it works but magnetic beats oil dampening Seven Ways to Sunday and then some ... but they can be found cheap on E-Bay .
Gary

[ggibson511960]

All of the RCBS scales private label manufactured by Ohaus are excellent. Gravitational attraction and mass do not vary. My ancient 5-10 scale still checks dead on with check weights despite suffering abuse from dust from being left uncovered for years. The knife edge bearings fill up with goo, easily cleaned. You can pay for better scales with covers and oil damping, but I find it unnecessary for a scale called upon to weigh within 0.1 grain. More expensive scales have oil damped dashpots, but the magnetic dampers on the cheap units work just fine. I keep my scale on a separate table from my loading operation to isolate vibration and accidental bumping. Extreme air currents will oscillate the beam, but if it's oscillating around the balance point, it's O.K. and reassures that the beam is free to move. I see vintage RCBS (Ohaus) scales on Ebay for $20-$30. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. They are far more dependable than cheap electronic drug dealer scales.

[GunsandCoffee]

New production - Dillon Eliminator beam scale.

Older models - I prefer the RCBS 304 Dial O Grain. Pricey, but accurate and easy to use.

[H Richard]

I bought a slightly used RCBS 10-10 in the early 80's and still using it. Only scale I have ever used. You can make up a set of weight checks. Just get several small items and get weighed on an accurate scale and record what each weigh's. There's your check weights.

[Eddie Southgate]

Any but the Lee.

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by Eddie Southgate

Any but the Lee.

I've had a variety of scales since the mid-1960s including a Lee about thirty or more years ago. I've sold or traded off everything except a Redding and an RCBS 10-10, both of which I've had many years. I use the Redding almost exclusively.

The Lee looked cheap (probably why I sold it) but it worked fine as I recall. Based on your experience with the Lee, what was wrong with it?

[leadhead2]

I'm still using a old Ohaus 505 beam scale that's dead nuts
accurate. It has the 3 poise system. Not to much difference
between the different beam scales as most of them were
made by Ohaus.

[DWalt]

My Redding and Ohaus scales use magnetic damping. I would not want the additional complication and expense of an oil-damped scale. Magnetic works fine for me. Actually, gravitational attraction varies by where you are located on the Earth. Something on the equator will weigh slightly less (by about 1%) than it does at the poles due mainly to the centrifugal force of Earth’s rotation on its axis. But an object’s mass is always constant anywhere in the universe. Weight and mass are not the same thing.

[tlawler]

I’ve got an RCBS/Ohaus 5-0-5 that I bought used a few years ago. It’s my go-to scale. I also have a Dillon electronic that’s good for quickly checking powder charges when changing to a new cartridge or powder, but I always double check with the beam scale. I attended two different gun shows this past weekend and saw at least 3 used Ohaus beam scales for sale, all in the $25-$30 range. I’ve had great luck finding gently used and new/never used reloading items at gun shows, but you have to get there early…it gets snapped up fast.

[rhodesengr]

I am just curious, why the fixation on a beam balance scale? I have two electronic ones. The first was a Lyman Pocket Scale for about $35. It has .1gr resolution. Then, just for fun I bought a $16 one on Amazon that came with a calibration weight and several powder pan/funnels. It has .02gr resolution. What I really like about the electronic ones is the Tare function and the lack of any need to pour powder to/from a powder pan. I zero out the scale with a case or hull, drop the powder into that case/hull and put it back on the scale. You get the weight directly and no errors due to moving the powder to/from a pan. Unless you don't believe electronic ones aren't accurate, I don't see the advantage of a balance beam. Both my scales came with calibration weights and I have an independent set. The scales seem remarkably accurate.

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by rhodesengr

I am just curious, why the fixation on a beam balance scale? I have two electronic ones. The first was a Lyman Pocket Scale for about $35. It has .1gr resolution. Then, just for fun I bought a $16 one on Amazon that came with a calibration weight and several powder pan/funnels. It has .02gr resolution. What I really like about the electronic ones is the Tare function and the lack of any need to pour powder to/from a powder pan. I zero out the scale with a case or hull, drop the powder into that case/hull and put it back on the scale. You get the weight directly and no errors due to moving the powder to/from a pan. Unless you don't believe electronic ones aren't accurate, I don't see the advantage of a balance beam. Both my scales came with calibration weights and I have an independent set. The scales seem remarkably accurate.

There is no fixation, rather a practical matter. Few handloaders would spend the money for a reliable and precise laboratory-type electronic scale that is far more costly than the electronic scales mentioned here. Balance beam scales don't cost much and are reliable and accurate without warmup, tempermental characteristics, inconsistent zero, etc.

If you have inexpensive electronic scales that are as accurate, precise, and are as repeatable as balance beam scales, you are truly fortunate. No argument from me, but the original poster wasn't interested in electronic scales, rather the balance beam type.

[tlawler]

Originally Posted by rhodesengr

I am just curious, why the fixation on a beam balance scale? I have two electronic ones. The first was a Lyman Pocket Scale for about $35. It has .1gr resolution. Then, just for fun I bought a $16 one on Amazon that came with a calibration weight and several powder pan/funnels. It has .02gr resolution. What I really like about the electronic ones is the Tare function and the lack of any need to pour powder to/from a powder pan. I zero out the scale with a case or hull, drop the powder into that case/hull and put it back on the scale. You get the weight directly and no errors due to moving the powder to/from a pan. Unless you don't believe electronic ones aren't accurate, I don't see the advantage of a balance beam. Both my scales came with calibration weights and I have an independent set. The scales seem remarkably accurate.

Same reason I wouldn’t trust an electronic lock where it could be a life or death situation. I have both…electronic scale and electronic locks on some safes for convenience. I just verify weights with the beam and don’t keep quick access firearms in a safe with a keypad.

[DWalt]

As I saidi earlier, I also have a digital scale, but is part of a Lyman automatic charging system. You set the load weight you want and it dribbles the powder charge you selected into a pan, then stops when it gets to the exact desired powder weight. Then you dump the powder into the primed case. I do use it for rifle loads, but not handgun. It is a bit of a hassle to set up and take down, it is slow, and there is a warmup period. It can be used as just a digital scale on its own but I seldom do that due to the setup hassle. It is faster and easier to use the Redding beam scale to set the charge to be thrown by the powder measure.

[e3mrk]

I use the Lee Beam Scale,It has proved accurate.

[Skeet 028]

Originally Posted by rhodesengr

I am just curious, why the fixation on a beam balance scale? I have two electronic ones. The first was a Lyman Pocket Scale for about $35. . Both my scales came with calibration weights and I have an independent set. The scales seem remarkably accurate.

Seem remarkably accurate...until they aren't...which seems remarkably quite often. I've had at least 5or 6 digitals and all but the Dillon have failed. The load cells in them are terribly delicate. I have one of the RCBS powder measure/scales that works well...for a while and then goes haywire. the reason drug dealers use the cheap scales...cheaply replaceable LOL!...oh and small

[ArchAngelCD]

I see some.here are badmouthing the Lee scale. It is inexpensive, it is accurate and it is also na pain to adjust. The adjusting part is what I don't like but it is accurate. (IMO of course)

[Cdog]

I have an RCBS 10-10 that has been and will continue to be my go to scale. I also have one of the current models from RCBS that came with a package deal I couldn’t resist. The new one works fine, seems to quite accurate.

It shares many traits of the Lee scale, both good and bad. Both are very lightweight making keeping it stationary a challenge. Both require good steady hands to fine adjust.

I added weight inside the current RCBS, plus a few drops of blue loctite on the leveling screw to add a bit more friction to better hold adjustment. No it still ain’t anywhere close to being as user friendly as the 10-10, but it does what it’s supposed to competently.

The Ohaus/RCBS 10-10 the scale I use to measure other scales by. They’re that good.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

RCBS for me.

[Empe]

It would seem that Forum members are overwhelmingly in favor of Ohaus/RCBS . Thanks for all the feedback !

[DWalt]

One thing in favor Of Ohaus is that most of their scales are lab-grade. There is probably no industrial, educational, or medical lab in the country that does not use Ohaus scales. But you do pay a higher price for their quality. Much less expensive scales will have a precision of +/- 0.1 grain and will be completely satisfactory for reloading service.