[KodeFore]

I just started reloading. I am not at all impressed with the Lee powder scale that came with the 4 hole turret press kit ( I am happy with everything else from the kit )

Gripes

> it only can handle 110 grains, its a powder scale only, you can't use it check completed completed rounds to see if they are over or under charged.

> the tenths of a scale readout is not easily legible and tedious to adjust.

> after cafefully making sure the scale was level, I checked a charge of IMR 700X 3.3 grains dispenced from the .43 disk in the lee autdisk kit, the setting recomended in the lee modern reloading manual, it was off by a few grains.

> the scale comes with no check wieghts. I pulled a factory loaded 95 grain CCI .380 bullet, and it wieghs in at 94.6 with the scale. I have no clue how accurate in wieght one can expect a factory loaded round to be.

my gut reaction was go back and order an rcbs 505 or something like that, but on a trip gun shop an old timer there told me once you try a digital you'll never want to touch another balance beam scale. Sounds like good advice.

I tried a cheap digital scale from harbor frieght. I figured that even if could tell me the difference in weight between a round with powder and one without powder, in any unit of measurement, it would be worthwhile. It can't.

I only load pistol ammo for plinking at the moment, and I want a scale for safety. Something that can read to a tenth would be just fine. I don't need anything fancy, just something that works, and works right, and dont want to pay alot.

Right now I am seriously considering the rcbs range master, listed for 89$ at midway. I was tempted by the frankford arsensal micro loader, on sale for 30$, but see way too many negative reviews on midway, and I sure dont want to spend bucks on something that doesnt work as good as advertised.

Anyone here use the RCBS rangemaster? ( or the lee one for that matter? )

what are people using that they like, and what should you avoid?

[Primersinmyshoe]

I am still using the Hornady beam balance scale that I started with many years ago. I find it a little cumbersome to use, especially weighing multiple charges, but it works 100% of the time. I did buy some check weights and I always put it on the same location on my level bench. I haven't taken the electronic scale plunge yet because I've heard that they need to warm up and are sensitive to the slightest breeze. Let's hear from some electronic scale users - How do you like them?

[redneck2]

You'll get guys that love electronics, some that hate them. This same thread just ran a week or two ago. Might try a search

I have a PACT and sold both my balance beams after having it a few weeks. Quick, accurate, easy to use. IMO, balance beams are too slow

[Walkalong]

Tossed my PACT (right into the trash can) and am using the 505 I bought when I first started. I would consider a 10-10 to replace it, but that's about it.

[JDGray]

Since I dont reload rifle cartridges, the Lee scale works for me. I also weighed a 55gr bullet, just for the heck of it, and it weighed 55gr. Good enough for me!:)

[Matt Dillon]

Folks, I wouldn't use a bullet as a check weight - I have seen WAY too many variations in weight from bullets. My vote is the RCBS/Ohaus 10/10 - I purchased one used on eBay, and love it. I don't find it too slow at all, and recommend it highly as one of the first purchases to be made when starting reloading, along with a set of good check weights.:D

[philbo]

Started w/Lee and found once I learned how to read it, it was quite accurate. Also found it limiting for the same reasons you did. Replaced it w/a used Lyman 500 in combination w/an inexpensive but reliable electronic scale (same model as Frankford Arsenal but picked it up new on Ebay for much less) Total investment is less $50, and very happy w/the results. I find it very comforting when 2 scales can confirm the same thing.

[dodgestdshift]

I don't think you can weigh a completed round and determine if the cartridge is over/under charged. Weight differences in bullets and cases probably would make this a waste of time. The way to test for over/under charging is before you seat the bullet.

[garrett1955]

Denver Inst. MX-123 and wouldnt have it any other way. Spend the money once. The scale will read the same and is accurate like no other.

[armoredman]

RCBS 5-10, works great, check weights were a great investment.:cool:

[The Bushmaster]

I have both the RCBS 5-0-5 and the RCBS (Pact) digital. I like both, though I use the digital most of the time as it is faster and much easier to read. And repeatable. I found that the beam scales are too slow and too hard to read...Could be contributed to the fact that my eyes are 64 years old, but I doubt it...:D

[Crimp]

Each of the several handloaders I know that are using Lee equipment have bought a RCBS 5-0-5 (including myself).

[Bronson7]

I have the dillon beam scale. It's also made by Ohaus and has been very accurate. I use it in conjunction with check weights.
Bronson7

[BBQJOE]

I also found that the lee scale was too limited in weight.
I sent off for the Frankford last week when it was on sale. Hoping it arrives today. Will report later.

[adweisbe]

A couple things...
The charge weights dispensed by the disks will vary from the book and from lot to lot of any given powder.
You can't weigh a loaded round and accurately determine the quantity of powder in the case. The brass and bullet will vary in weight widely relative to the weight of the powder.
The tenth of a grain readout is difficult to use but becomes easier when you realize that three white bars will always be visible, you want to center it on the middle bar.

[dshowan]

I'm sure others will disagree but I'm convinced that the old fashioned beam scales are much more accurate. When trickle weighing with the 5-0-5 you can get repeatable accuracy down to 1 fleck/piece of powder if you are very careful and take your time. I have a electronic scale also and when trickling with it, it's not even close to that. For weighing multiple things like cases when you want to compare weights, a electronic scale is great.

[fordman650]

I just bought the Lee Anniversary kit and i agree that the Lee scale is hard to read. I been loading shotgun for a year so i bought a lyman beam on ebay for $20 not trusting it or me i bought a eletronic one on ebay and checked the lyman with it and it was dead on,missed placed the electronic one(it's hell to get old) and don't have a problem trusting it for my rifle loads.Put the Lee
back in the box and on the shelf

[Eljay]

I use the Lee scale because thats what I'm used to. I got a PACT BBK and it crapped out and I sent it in for repair they said I must of dropped it (never!) I think it cost $40 to fix a $90 scale and now it's broke again. So I'm looking for another electronic but I'm happy enough with the Lee to not be in a rush. And like was mentioned, you can't weigh pistol ammo, the cases alone will vary by the amount of the powder charge. I used to weigh bunches of 223 cases to try to load the most consistant rounds and they varied 5 grains or more from one brand to another.

[dcloco]

The Hornady scale has the longest beam of any scales out there. Longer beam means it will have a slight advantage over shorter beams (teeter totter effect).

10/10 would be the next choice.

Buy a set of scale check weights. Seems ridiculous, but, once you set the scale, then YOU know it is ON THE MONEY!

[Mikee Loxxer]

I like my RCBS Rangemaster 750. It is easy to use and very accurate. I won't reload without it.

[LHB1]

I have a Lyman/Ohaus beam scale (same as current RCBS 1010) that has given superb service since about 1970 and is still going strong. Also have RCBS electronic (made by Pact) that is quick and convenient. BUT when there is any doubt, the old Ohaus beam scale is the one I trust!

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

[bcominos]

I'm using the RCBS/Ohaus - had a great customer service experience on a totally my fault break! Good people & good gear!

[nvshooter]

I got tired of it swinging up and down forever. I got an RCBS Rangemaster 750 and I love it. Add a Redding powder trickler to it and you can get your reloads spot-on accurate with respect to powder charge. Calibrating it is a bit of a pain, but once you learn to do it without reading the procedure in the user's manual, it takes less time doing it from the hip than reading how to do it from the book.

I found the Lee would give differing readings if it set there for days or weeks between reloading sessions. It is also sensitive to how level is the surface upon which it sets. The digital has none of these concerns. Just calibrate it for that particular reloading session and rock on. I got mine at retail because I saw it and decided right there to buy it, but you can buy one from a catalog outlet for about 15-20% less. Get one!!

[SSN Vet]

The littl Lee does just fine for me.

Not every one can throw the same $ at this hobby and the Lee Scale allows guys like me on a tight budget to safely enjoy re-loading.

These threads sound a lot like Consumer reports bashing the $17,000 Ford Free Star because it's quality is below that of a $30,000 Toyota.

[nvshooter]

If you want real accuracy in charge weights, get a Lee Powder Dipper set. They never change in volume. Period. The only change you'll ever get is in the density of the powder in the jug you have at that time. True, you'll have to weigh the powder once to determine how much it weighs per unit volume (I use the 4.3 cc measure to satisfy the law of large numbers) but once you know that, you can dribble X.Xcc of powder over a different measure to get a charge not provided in the dippers. For example, there is no 1.7cc dipper, so I use the 2.2cc measure and dribble the powder over the .5cc measure and strike it level to get a 1.7cc charge, which lands in a small cup below. It takes time, but I'm a fanatic about this stuff...

[GCW5]

I used a Lyman 505 for years, got a big RCBS 1500 electronic with powder despenser for Christmas a year ago,I LOVE IT! Talk about cheeting. I always weigh each charge for rifles, with extruded powders, the powder meisure isn't real steady, but this thing is real slick.

[lee n. field]

> the scale comes with no check wieghts.

I don't think any scale does.

my gut reaction was go back and order an rcbs 505 or something like that,

what are people using that they like, and what should you avoid?

I've got a 505. It does what I need. I use it to adjust the powder measure and spot check thrown charges.

[Primersinmyshoe]

I hope this isn't too off topic, but:

Does humidity change the weight of a volume of powder?

I throw powder charges by volume and I swear if I weigh a charge when the air is dry it weighs less than when it's humid.

[Steve H]

Quote:
> the scale comes with no check wieghts.

I don't think any scale does.



The RCBS 10-10-10 (extra 10 in there?) that I bought before God invented dirt came with one...it sits inside the level adjustment screw knob.

[The Bushmaster]

Primersinmyshoe...Yes it does. The more moisture in the air the heavier the charge. Barametric pressure has a bearing on it too. That's why I don't recommend loading in basments (especially damp or dank ones) or near a washer and dryer...:scrutiny:

Balance beam scales, I don't believe, need check weights as they are self calibrating if kept clean and dust free (and not dropped too many times:evil: ). When they are level and zeroed they are calibrated...Not seen any beam scale come with check weights...If you want a check weight for a beam scale use a known weight like a penny...Pick one out and mark it and have it weighed and use it to calibrate your balance beam scale...

[BBQJOE]

Well I just got the Frankford in today, and have been playing with it over a couple of hours.
I'd say for the money ($30) it's well worth it.
It does come with a calibrating weight as well.

I had a batch of bullets that were suspect. As I was shooting them I came across a squib that stuck in the barrel, so I set the whole batch aside.

When this scale came in, I weighed each round out of the suspect batch.
Now, I understand that cases and bullets do have varying weights, but using the same cases and bullets, they are relatively close. Close enough that I was able to weigh out some grossly underloaded bullets from the batch.
I pulled the bullets on them and weighed the powder on each, and sure enough I was correct.
There is no way one could do this with the Lee safety scale.

[billp]

I always weigh a bullet to see of my redding model 2 is working okay.

http://www.prosefights.org/funpics/thr/redding/model2.jpg

[KodeFore]

I'm learning. The lee autdisk does not necesarily put out the ammount of powder listed, the lee safety scale might actually work if its precisely leveled out, but then you need to buy check weights to verify. you can't use a bullet as a check weight.

BBQ thats exactly the information I was looking for. After I made a squib 45acp getting in to much of a hurry with a classic lee loader, I am scared of making another. I want be able to double check my loads are charged.

( I loaded up about 100 rounds of 45 with the lee classic loader, after I got one stuck in the barrel at the range, I stopped, waited until I ordered my new loading set up witch included a bullet puller and pulled the rest of those loads, a couple more were powderless )

The lee turret press has a nice, if unintentional safety function. You can't seat a new bullet until you have charged ( which also expands) the resized and deprimed reprimed case. From what I can see as long as you keep the
lee autodisk reasonably full it will make an accurate charge every time.

For the moment, the problem solved itself. when I went to the gunshop for more bullets to reload I found they had 125 gn magtech for 8.50 bag of 100 about 1.75 cheaper than the 158gn I had been using. ( The shop was kind enough not to object to me poking in thier lee loading book to make sure they would work with the powder i have ) and even better the load can uses the .53 auto which is .5 dipper which came with the dies. I checked the first powder charge against the lee dipper and it was right on. ( By coicidence apparently, the .53 autodisk is also .53 volumer for IMR 700x ) Then put the lee scale safely away for possble future trade or paperweight duty.

I have narrowed things down to either the frankfor arsenal scale or the rcbs rangemaster 750. The frankford is cheaper, the rcbs is a better name. ( is it 50$ more better is the question, ). I wouldnt pass up an rcbs 505 if I find a good enough deal on one.