If a new reloader such as I wants to upgrade a "Lee" kit, what would you, or others, say are the BEST TWO of each type with regards to accuracy, ease of use, and value?
- #1 and #2 Beam Balances?
- #1 and #2 Digital scales?
In my limited experience, unless you are purchasing one of the automated scales that dispenses your powder for you, the cheap digital scales from various manufacturers offered by Midway and Brownells all seem to work well enough and are good bargains. Those expensive automated rigs probably deserve some research.
The cheap scales are so inexpensive you can even experiment yourself. I have two.
One is branded "Frankford Arsenal" and cost about what I sold the beam scale that came with my Lee kit for. It reads to 0.1 grains reasonably repeatably while weighing individual 30-06 powder charges for my Garand. But, it occasionally seemed to "drift" enough to make me wonder.
So, I bought the second scale on eBay that is labeled "Horizon" model "PRO-10A". It reads to 0.01 grains. That is less than a single particle of IMR 4064 and makes sneaking up on a specific charge weight easier.
I often use both scales together to check a charge on one after weighing on the other. Overkill I am sure for my Garand, but did I mention I am retired?
Oh, and when shopping for cheap digital scales, limit yourself to those that include a check weight for calibration. The check weights really are essential.
However, for me, the single item that makes weighing each charge easier is not the scale used but a "Lyman Electronic Scale Powder Funnel Pan". They are cheap. So, I bought two to make life easy. Mine are both almost exactly the same tare weight, making checking charges on two scales easier.
One final suggestion for using a digital scale: Believe it or not, they are sensitive enough that you might have to eliminate static charges. You'll know when a charge is present because the scale will drift as you move your had closer and then away. That was a "head scratcher" for me until I realized that misting the bench area with 70% rubbing alcohol from a tiny spray bottle to eliminate the static charge stopped the drifting.
In retrospect, I might not have purchased the second scale if I had understood the effects of the static charge more quickly. But, hey, having two scales is fun. The less sensitive scale can even weigh bullets or charged cases for endless fun pondering the mysteries of reloading.
Admittedly, my "bench" is an oak desk with a piece of plexiglass on top to provide a smooth surface. If yours is plain wood or metal topped, you may not experience this phenomenon.
Best of luck, sir!
