Powder scales

[Krell1]

What's a good powder scale that's going to be accurate. I've seen many that said the measurements were often wrong. I guess also the best, most accurate powder measure. I'm not reloading in large quantity, only a few boxes at a time. Single stage press and all that.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I love my RCBS 505 and would buy it again without hesitation. I also have a Hornady Auto Charge that I've tested time and again with the 505 and it has never been off in the slightest yet.

 

[fyimo]

I love my RCBS 505 and would buy it again without hesitation. I also have a Hornady Auto Charge that I've tested time and again with the 505 and it has never been off in the slightest yet.

I have the same powder scale and it is repeatable and accurate and I've used it for almost 30 years.

 

[SMSgt]

I fully endorse the RCBS 505 also. Been using the same one for years with no issues.

 

[Cdog]

I've been using an RCBS 10-10 for 25+ years.

I have a Hornady electronic for casual work, but I use the 10-10 when precision counts.

 

[steamloco76]

I fully endorse the RCBS 505 also. Been using the same one for years with no issues.

Count me in on the RCBS/Ohaus 5-0-5 scale fan club. Bought mine in 1989.

 

[rwsmith]

Lee scale

The Lee scale is very cheap (under $25) but it is also very cheap altogether. It's hard to read and the balance hangs up sometimes. I've learned to tap the scale every load to make sure it swings freely and that I'm not dumping in about 10 or so extra grains of powder.

 

[geddylee10002000]

RCBS 505. 30 years on mine.

 

[AzRedleg]

There are lots of good scales out there. I've only owned two scales. The Lee scale and an old Ohaus 1010. I picked up the Ohaus on e-bay for about $40 in nearly new condition in the original box. I gave my Lee scale to a friend when he started to handload. The Lee is extremely accurate but was only good for weighing powder and a bit “fiddly” to work with.

The Ohaus is easily accurate to within 1/10 of a grain and "settles down" really quickly. It is identical to the RCBS 1010. The RCBS/Ohaus 505 is really nice as well. If I were looking for a scale I'd go to e-bay. If you are patient you can get a really good deal. You could always go with a digital scale. They have come down in price over the years but I like the old balance beam type analog better.

 

[Fkimble]

Been using my Lyman/Ohaus 505 since 1966. I think its still just as accurrate. Don't bother testing anymore, just remove the dustcover and go.

 

[Bart45]

Have a Redding and works well. Whatever brand of scale used, check weights are a good idea.

 

[stev32k]

I bought this digital scale about 6 months ago, and love it; Amazon.com: American Weigh Scales GPR-20 Digital MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001G: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31W2YQi9OfL.@@AMEPARAM@@31W2YQi9OfL

It is stable, fast, and accurate. In fact I'm amazed at how good it is. I have two sets of certified calibration weights from my laboratory days that I used to test the scale function - results are posted below and they speak for themselves.

 

[Weatherby4me]

I'm a small volume reloader and I weigh out every powder charge. That being said, I like the RCBS 1010 the best. It's the Cadillac of scales.

 

[gwpercle]

Get a good mechanical scale, they allways work. Get a digital if you want but keep the mechanical to check it with.
I wish I had gotten the RCBS 505 about 25 years ago...so much easier to use than oil dampened Herter's. If money is no object get the RCBS 1010 it will weigh more powder, but I have never had the need to weigh 1,010 grains of anything so the 505 does just fine. I have a Lee and a Lyman scale that I recieved in trades , but I like the RCBS 505 best...get one you will not regret it. I found mine on E-bay for less than 1/2 the price of a new one.
gary

 

[rockyrider]

IMHO I like and use a Dillon post and beam scale. I bought it when I bought the Square Deal, about 20 ago. In the mean time I thought a electronic scale would be best for me, I found it to be finicky. Because of temperature changes in the spare room with the door closed when not in use, I always got fluctuations while the room was warming up.

 

[mikld]

What's a good powder scale that's going to be accurate. I've seen many that said the measurements were often wrong. I guess also the best, most accurate powder measure. I'm not reloading in large quantity, only a few boxes at a time. Single stage press and all that.

You've seen a lot of what that said the measurements were often wrong? One very accurate scale is also the least expensive; Lee Perfect Powder Scale. Many reloaders don't like it because it uses a vernier type poise and they cannot/will not learn how to use it. A beam scale from Lyman, Hornady, RCBS, Redding, etc. will be accurate down to -.1 grain. Digital scales are getting better, but there's still a lot of bad ones out there. For a new reloader I'd say get any of the major mfgs. beam scale and use it properly and you will have a scale to last your entire reliading lifetime...

 

[Krell1]

Thanks, looks like an RCBS 505 is what I'll get.

So far this is the best forum to get good, fast answers.

 

[chief38]

After 30+ years of re-loading I am still using my original scale which is the RCBS 10-10. It is still dead nutz-on, and performs flawlessly. At the time I started re-loading there were no digital models available, but knowing what I know now I would more than likely STILL buy the 10-10. I am getting to be an old fart and just don't trust those digital things. The 10-10 is just simple and reliable - period.

 

[rwsmith]

One thing about the Lee

One very accurate scale is also the least expensive; Lee Perfect Powder Scale. Many reloaders don't like it because it uses a vernier type poise and they cannot/will not learn how to use it.

Lee says that if it isn't visibly broken, it works. Except for that hanging up problem that I mentioned earlier, I believe it. The beam is made of tough plastic that is unaffected by temperature or anything else, except drafts. You would have to drop it and step on it to damage it. Then you just get another one for $25. The vernier is hard to read but if you want to set the scale on a certain weight, it locks down and you just throw enough powder on it. Some people complain about the the zeroing but I have no problem with it. Lock the poises on zero and screw the knurled weight a little each way til it balances.

 

[howlnmad]

I've got a RCBS 5-0-5 which I like very much. A Pact BBK II which I enjoy. And the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo which I love. I had a Lee scale but it suffered from gunshot wounds .

 

[Engineer1911]

When setting your powder measure, weigh a charge that is at least 30 grains ( 5.0 grains powder X 6 charges = 30.0 grains) . When you weigh 6 thrown charges at one time, you reduce the error of a single charge by a factor fof six.

My accurate 45 ACP load is 4.65 grains. I adjust the powder measure until I get 46.5 grains weighing 10 consecutively thrown charges. I use bullets as check weights: 50 gr .224 dia, 165 gr .308 dia, nothing is absolute so learn to accept close enough. 1 grain = 1/7000 of a pound = 0.00228 ounces . This is the reality of what you are trying to do. ± 0.1 grains weight of powder is ~ 3 granules of canister rifle powder or a dozen flakes of Bullseye, Unique, or Accurate Arms #2. Are you going to start counting powder granules?

I use a 1975 RCBS model 510, Dillon electronic, or Midway Frankford Arsenal $20 electronic scale. All 3 give identical results when weighing things more than 30 grains.

 

[mikld]

Lee says that if it isn't visibly broken, it works. Except for that hanging up problem that I mentioned earlier, I believe it. The beam is made of tough plastic that is unaffected by temperature or anything else, except drafts. You would have to drop it and step on it to damage it. Then you just get another one for $25. The vernier is hard to read but if you want to set the scale on a certain weight, it locks down and you just throw enough powder on it. Some people complain about the the zeroing but I have no problem with it. Lock the poises on zero and screw the knurled weight a little each way til it balances.

Yep and the poise won't move when bumped as does on my $$$ Ohaus with poise/notched beams. I have one of my original Lee scales purchased 30 years ago that's still qute accurate and usable...

 

[arizona98tj]

RCBS makes a great set of check weights. Got them for Christmas some time back and I always verify my scale, mechanical or electronic, prior to use. Takes almost 15 seconds to check it. Then, there is no doubt about the scale.

 

[MichiganScott]

RCBS makes a great set of check weights. Got them for Christmas some time back and I always verify my scale, mechanical or electronic, prior to use. Takes almost 15 seconds to check it. Then, there is no doubt about the scale.

Great idea. I use some milligram and gram weights left over from college 40+ years ago that I use to check my scale. I've promised myself for years to buy some RCBS check weights so I don't have to convert mg to grains. The only advantage to the old weights is that I can check most charges exactly if I wish.