RIKMAN
Member
The Dillon D-Terminator is very good.Just sold mine to get a Sartorius Scale.
Reloading Scale Recommendations
- Thread starter bigt5150
- Start date
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I don't care if you buy a RCBS 502, 505, 1010 or a RCBS electronic scale, as long as you buy RCBS. They are IMO the best darn company anywhere. They have the #1 customer service department and policies of any company in the world. (how can you tell they treated me better than I thought anyone ever could?) I have bought and own reloading equipment from Lyman, Hornady, Forster, Lee, RCBS and probably a few more but RCBS is tops in my book and will get all my future business.
Here's why! In a move I lost the arm, pan and pan holder to my 5-0-5 scale. I wrote them and told them I LOST the parts and they told me to send the scale to them for WARRANTY! That's right, I told them I lost the parts and they replaced everything anyway. I highly doubt any other company would do something like that!
Here's why! In a move I lost the arm, pan and pan holder to my 5-0-5 scale. I wrote them and told them I LOST the parts and they told me to send the scale to them for WARRANTY! That's right, I told them I lost the parts and they replaced everything anyway. I highly doubt any other company would do something like that!
Last edited:
novalty
Member
ArchAngelCD, I have also had really good experience with RCBS and their customer service. In regards to scales, my father-in-law bought a bunch of used stuff back in the 90's, it included an old Redding scale, also missing the pan and hook. He contact Redding, and they told them to ship it in. They replaced the beam, gave him a new pan and hook and calibrated it before sending it back. Don't think you would go wrong with Dillon's scale either--all excellent in customer service.
I have an RCBS 505 (1974), Dillon electronic (1998), and a Midway $20 electronic from 2008. All three accurately weigh a 50 grain bullet. I have not had a problem with drifting off Zero on either electronic scale.
If I was buying a new scale today, I would buy a Midway electronic for about $20 when on sale. I would also buy the Midway digital dial caliper for about $15. It is as accurate as my mechanical Mititoyo machinist grade caliper.
I do not weigh a single 3.5 grain pistol powder charge. I weigh 10 consecutively thrown powder charges. When 10 charges weigh 34.9 grains to 35.1 grains, I am good to go.
If I was buying a new scale today, I would buy a Midway electronic for about $20 when on sale. I would also buy the Midway digital dial caliper for about $15. It is as accurate as my mechanical Mititoyo machinist grade caliper.
I do not weigh a single 3.5 grain pistol powder charge. I weigh 10 consecutively thrown powder charges. When 10 charges weigh 34.9 grains to 35.1 grains, I am good to go.
Titegroups
Member
I use a RCBS also a 505 IIRC, I keep mine in a cabinet with my powder in my shop so it won't get damaged while I work on other things. Whatever you buy take care of these sensitive instruments as they have a critical job to do.
Harrison
US Veteran
I have been using an Ohaus 1010, same as RCBS 1010, since 1973. It is still accurate and easy to use.
RCBS: Yes! I have used the customer service on two occasions. They have been superb. RCBS gets my business before any other suppliers.
I bought an RCBS Model 90 scale when electronic scales first appeared on the market. I still use it and it has never needed calibration. I regularly verify it with a check weight set. It's spot on; not even off by a tenth of a grain. I have complete confidence in it and haven't used a beam scale for years. With that said, I constantly hear of negative experiences with the current crop of electronic scales. As in this thread's earlier comments, a lot of people just don't trust them. Folks often promote beam scales after buying a cheap electronic scale. I can sure understand that. . . .
One of my pals is, like me, is an anal-retentive obsessive-compulsive engineer (grin). We are experienced in using precision electronic equipment and know how to judge performance/reliability. The pal just got into reloading and was disgusted with the electronic scale that came in his kit. Valuing his fingers and eyes, he went to a beam scale; an RCBS. After that experience, he now has no use for electronic scales. I believe this duplicates others' experiences.
All-in-all, I think cheap electronic scales have given the entire electronic scale segment a black eye. Beam scales are so simple, they can be inexpensive and still work well. Electronic scales - no so, IMHO. To get a reliable electronic scale, you'll need to fork over some cash. If you get a good electronic scale, I bet you'll never go back to a beam scale.
I bought an RCBS Model 90 scale when electronic scales first appeared on the market. I still use it and it has never needed calibration. I regularly verify it with a check weight set. It's spot on; not even off by a tenth of a grain. I have complete confidence in it and haven't used a beam scale for years. With that said, I constantly hear of negative experiences with the current crop of electronic scales. As in this thread's earlier comments, a lot of people just don't trust them. Folks often promote beam scales after buying a cheap electronic scale. I can sure understand that. . . .
One of my pals is, like me, is an anal-retentive obsessive-compulsive engineer (grin). We are experienced in using precision electronic equipment and know how to judge performance/reliability. The pal just got into reloading and was disgusted with the electronic scale that came in his kit. Valuing his fingers and eyes, he went to a beam scale; an RCBS. After that experience, he now has no use for electronic scales. I believe this duplicates others' experiences.
All-in-all, I think cheap electronic scales have given the entire electronic scale segment a black eye. Beam scales are so simple, they can be inexpensive and still work well. Electronic scales - no so, IMHO. To get a reliable electronic scale, you'll need to fork over some cash. If you get a good electronic scale, I bet you'll never go back to a beam scale.
snowman
Member
I use the Redding #2, pictured above in novalty's post. As he said, it has an indicator which tells you exactly how far off a charge is, which is really helpful, particularly if you are loading a near-maximum charge. The only downside, in my view, is that the little metal poise which measures tenths on the pan end of the beam will move on you if you aren't careful to let the beam down gently when lifting the pan from the beam. If you let it drop with a jolt, the poise will tend to jump slots and if you don't catch it right away it's not good.
Andy
Andy
I have to agree with everyone that RCBS customer service is #1.
Not long ago I somehow broke the small primer cup on my RC so I called them to order another, while I was at it I wanted to order a new scale pan and wire hanger for my 10-10 that had also gotten lost at some point in time. They rep sent me all of the parts at no charge even though I told him twice I was the one that broke and lost them.
That is the reason my bench will stay green.
Not long ago I somehow broke the small primer cup on my RC so I called them to order another, while I was at it I wanted to order a new scale pan and wire hanger for my 10-10 that had also gotten lost at some point in time. They rep sent me all of the parts at no charge even though I told him twice I was the one that broke and lost them.
That is the reason my bench will stay green.
olskool
Member
rcbs 10-10 user for over 20 years, they can't be beat. before that 505s i think i wore them out after 20 years.
koop
Member
I just got a Horizon Pro-50A electronic scale on Amazon for $45.99 shipped. It's accurate down to .02 grains and I'm actually quite impressed with how good it works. Of course, always back up everything you do with a good beam scale, but for convenience and good accuracy this scale is hard to beat. I'm actually surprised not more folks in the reloading community know about this little scale. For the money I've not found any other digital scale that comes even close; and I've scoured many reloading forums and read hundreds of posts and articles to research which scale to get. As far as I'm concerned this is a supreme deal for the money. Got it today, calibrated it, tared it. Everything appears to work flawlessly. But also make sure you have a good beam scale, like the RCBS 505 to double- and spot-check stuff.
