powder scale
- Thread starter oldiegoldie
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bluetopper
Member
I have bought two jewelers scales off ebay. Cheap, good, and accurate.
STORMINORMAN
Member
A beam scale, and you can make your own specific "powder cups" as well.
I still use the Lee yellow measures to get into the ballpark and trickle into the scale pan for certain powders. With the right powder and the right load it can go very fast...
Cheers!
I still use the Lee yellow measures to get into the ballpark and trickle into the scale pan for certain powders. With the right powder and the right load it can go very fast...
Cheers!
OP
oldiegoldie
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well, one thing for sure, and that's going to EBay to buy used, and it will probably be a beam scale. most likely an electronic in the future. i spent a little time on EBay looking at scales and am hoping to keep my cost < 50% of new. 25% would be better, but that may take more patience than i've got.
i appreciate the input.....alot of different ideas. i had no reference point to start so every suggestion has value.
i appreciate the input.....alot of different ideas. i had no reference point to start so every suggestion has value.
I bought an RCBS electronic scale when I first started reloading, and have never had one problem with it. Check it with the weights once in a while and it's always right on. I found a nice LNIB Olhaus scale on EBay several years ago and it works well, just slower than the electronic scale. YMMV.
I have two Electronic Scales. One (a Dillon) was purchased at least 25 years ago, possibly over 30 years ago; the other one (RCBS) was purchased at least 15 years ago. Both of these Electronic scales are still working perfectly. Maybe it's because I've kept them in a climate controlled environment since Day One.
I have made this statement before, so it's obviously my opinion, and is not intended in any way to offend my fellow Forum Members. Reloading metallic cartridges is not a complicated process, you're not trying to send a rocket to the moon. Electronic Scales are perfectly fine for loading Metallic Cartridges and Shotshells.
In the end, the choice is up to the individual.
I have made this statement before, so it's obviously my opinion, and is not intended in any way to offend my fellow Forum Members. Reloading metallic cartridges is not a complicated process, you're not trying to send a rocket to the moon. Electronic Scales are perfectly fine for loading Metallic Cartridges and Shotshells.
In the end, the choice is up to the individual.
DWalt
Member
I suspect that it is highly unusual for most shotshell handloaders to weigh every load of shot and powder. Most shotshell loading equipment incorporates both shot and powder metering devices which use adjustable measurement cavities. One might use a scale to adjust those cavities to deliver the desired weights from time to time. Most trap and skeet shotshell handloaders usually set their tools once and never change them.
From a performance standpoint, both digital and beam scales are equally satisfactory, the relative costs of each being a primary decision point.
Hi Mr. Walt,
I don't know where you read that I weighed every charge I put into a metallic case or shotshell hull, so let me take this opportunity to clarify what I had assumed that everyone understood in my previous post.
I use a Dillon RL-550 that I purchased around 1985 for almost all of my metallic cartridge reloading. This is a progressive reloading press, I hope I'm not going to be asked to explain what constitutes a progressive reloading press, and is equipped with an adjustable powder measure/dispenser that drops a powder charge every time a case is brought up to the top of the stroke at position two on the press. I use a scale (electronic) to set up the powder dispenser to throw the charge I'll be loading for on this press. I then use the scale to check weigh the powder charges at random points as I load whatever batch of shells I'm working on, and also, always check if I have to open a new container of powder to continue loading.
I have three powder dispensers in use for the Dillon RL-550, and one spare that has never been used. The three in use are installed on the toolheads on my three most often loaded calibers; .45 ACP, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, and .44 Special/.44 Magnum.
On those extremely rare occasions when I want to load metallic cartridges on a single stage press; I use my RCBS Rock Chucker, and an RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure. I have two of the Uniflow Powder Measures, one that I've had since around 1974 and one that my brother gave me after he had his third and most debilitating stroke and lost the use of his right arm, among other effects in 2007. The Uniflows are great measures, but do take a little fiddling to get the powder charge set. I use an electronic scale to set the Uniflows to the desired charge weight, and also for check weighing further along in the reloading process.
When it comes to shotshells, I'm a MEC man all the way. I have a total of six MEC Reloading presses, three in 12 GA., One in 28 GA., and two in .410 Bore. One of the 12 GA. presses is a progressive, all the rest are single stage, and yes, every one of them is equipped with a powder dispenser and a shot dispenser. The MEC reloading system is comprised of shot charge bars that are fixed and non-adjustable. Each of these charge bars will accept MEC Powder Bushings that are charted to throw specified weights. The bushing-powder charts will usually get you close to the charge weight listed, but never right on the money. That makes weighing charges during setup absolutely necessary and yes, I use an electronic scale for this as well. I also check weigh, at least every 100 rounds when loading shotshells.
I also failed to mention how much faster setup and check weighing is with an electronic scale; drop the powder charge in the pan and you almost instantly have the charge weight on the electronic display; no fiddling around with beam weights, just much faster and simpler.
To conclude; I've been reloading metallic cartridges since 1972, and shotshells since 1977.
Nobody has to agree with my opinions, but I think I've been doing this long enough to form some definite ideas on how to reload.
If anyone actually made it this far, have a great day!
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If money is a concern, then a beam scale is the way to go. I started with a 5-0-5 in the early 80's and only recently gave it away to a friend who wanted to get into reloading.
Beams are great for all the reasons mentioned, but once you go to a GOOD digital scale, you'll never go back.
My first digital was a GemPro 250, and it changed the way I look at powder charges because it measures to a resolution of 1/50th of an ounce, not 1/10th of an ounce like a typical beam scale. When you have a calibrating balance weight for your digital scale, you don't have to worry about accuracy since you can calibrate your digital scale anytime you want.
The GemPro250 is a great reloading scale, but I thought I would treat myself to an A&D FX200i scale that also measures to 1/50th of an ounce but is more of a laboratory analytical scale so I thought I could be more confident in it's accuracy.
For a while, I would often compare readings between the "lesser" GemPro250 and the more expensive A&D scale, but there was never a time when the readings weren't within 1/50th of a grain from each other. I guess I didn't need to spend the money on the A&D, but I am not confident in the current large crop of cheap scales that are out there now.
Bottom line is that if all you care about is 1/10gr accuracy, then a balance beam scale or any cheap digital will get the job done.
If you want to step up your game and load to 1/50gr accuracy, then a (again, GOOD) digital scale is the way to go.
And as a side note, don't confuse the dipper cups with a scale when it comes to getting the charge you want because all charge recipes call for charges in grain weight, and the dipper cups are measures of volume.
Different powders will weight differently by volume, so you still need a good scale to check your dipper charges for the powder you are throwing.
Furthermore, dippers lock you into a charge that you can't really tweak like you can with a scale. If you like a charge that's 3/10gr less (or more) than the dipper you have, then you might find that the next size dipper will overstep or understep what you were looking for.
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Been using my RCBS 505 for decades. Never let me down
I agree with most of the replys that advocate getting a decent beam scale, it should last basically forever. For the last 45 years I've been using the same Redding beam scale that my dad bought in the mid '50s. I've had a couple of electronic scales over the years, but still come back to the old Redding for most of my loading.
Best regards,
Best regards,
38SPL HV
Member
I have both a RCBS and Lee balance beam scale...Lee gets used most often and is very precise and an excellent deal. I once tried an electronic digital scale...it crapped out on me...I'm old and prefer fool proof beam scales!
Qc Pistolero
Member
I've yet to change the battery on my 1975 bought O'Haus Lyman beam scale!
HorizontalMike
US Veteran
Add A Trickler Too!
I use the RCBS 505 beam scale and sing its praises every time I use it. That being said, let us NOT forget that having a good trickler is also a much needed ancillary tool to have as well.
I use the RCBS 505 beam scale and sing its praises every time I use it. That being said, let us NOT forget that having a good trickler is also a much needed ancillary tool to have as well.
gwpercle
Member
That's 45 years of life ... not bad !
But I have a Redding #1 from 1967 that hasn't had a battery change !!!
Had to change the oil a few times !
Hate doing that ...no oil drain plug .
Gary
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OP
oldiegoldie
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i got my scale bought and it blew my budget out of the water. a Lyman Ohaus M5 in excellent condition. anyway, there may be an electronic scale in the future when i learn to do a good job with the entire process. appreciate the recommendations.
I have been using a Lyman Ohaus M5 for 55 yrs. and I'm pretty sure it's going to be going when I'm gone. Larry
The Norseman
Member
Good Insurance
Congratulations! You made a wise decision! That Scale is the must
important piece of Reloading Equipment you can buy. Yea, you
may have blew your budget, but at least you won't blow your
hand/face off. Imagen the medical costs if something happened.
I have used a Beam Scale for 40 some years, only recently I
bought a Electric/Digital (it's Ok) one, because my neighbor
was selling out.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
Congratulations! You made a wise decision! That Scale is the must
important piece of Reloading Equipment you can buy. Yea, you
may have blew your budget, but at least you won't blow your
hand/face off. Imagen the medical costs if something happened.
I have used a Beam Scale for 40 some years, only recently I
bought a Electric/Digital (it's Ok) one, because my neighbor
was selling out.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
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boatbum101
Member
Buy as good a quality balance beam as you can afford . If you take care of it , it will last a lifetime . Digital down the road . Electronic scales are affected by fans , HVAC vents , flourescent lights etc. The mechanical as long as it's level & calibrated is pretty much foolproof & accurate . I set my powder measure with the mechanical & use the electronic for spot checking . If like me you do a ton of rifle load developement an RCBS Chargemaster scale / dispenser makes life easier when loading multiple charge weights .
