Lee safety scale any good?

Not no heck no. smh. I get an allergic reaction and PTSD just thinking about a Lee scale.

I have several lengthy threads here about all the fits I had with mine.

Bought the Redding scale.

Ultimately, for rifle hunting/competition ammo, I went with an RCBS Chargemaster. Best reloading money I ever spent.

Very good luck.... four years & running now on that Lyman

1. RCBS ChargeMaster is my workhorse (plugged in)
2. The Lyman MicroTouch above is kept in the dining room don't ask) for anything everything (plugged in)
3. GemPro 250 which is so precise I rarely need it
4. A RangeMaxx out of Cabelas on a whim that I just throw in the range box

Also three other balance beams going back 60 years that haven't seen the light of day for eons now
(Check weights check my paranoia better)

Keep them plugged in.
If they zero out to the same negative number each time the pan comes off, that's my comfort blanket

I still use the Lee scale that came with my kit. Tried an inexpensive digital, didn't like it. But, I did spend $50 on a set of RCBS check weights. Set your desired weight in the scale, and zero to that. Zeroing your scale to nothing won't be accurate unless the scale is perfectly level, beam perfectly balanced, and stars perfectly aligned...

I would not say I Like the Lee scale but I have never been able to prove it was inaccurate. Every time I have checked it with a check weight it is right on. It can be difficult to use and zero. I used it exclusively for a year or two when I was first getting started.

-Jeff

I've been using the Lee Safety scale for over nine years, I've been happy with it. But I only load 100 rounds at a time and just a few times a month at the most. I also use scale weights to help verify after I zero the scale.

My Lee Safety Scale is very accurate. Harder to read than others, but accurate. I opted for a vintage Bonanza scale that is quite accurate and much easier to read. Just like this one currently on ebay. Mine is in much better shape but this one could be cleaned up.

Mine came with the press.

It's fine. I've used it down to .9 grs.

I researched other scales. Every scale has pros and cons. I tried a digital one just to try one out. No way. It wasnt consistent. I wouldn't trust a powder dispenser with near-max charges, either and will still eyeball down each case before putting a bullet on it.

A handloader should be a pessimist.

Note: (I've been loading about 11 months so what do I know?)

I agree with rsrocket1, the only problem is the capacity. I have a digital scale that I have had troubles with, but my Lee balance beam is always right on.

My Lee beam scale came with Classic 4 die Turret Press kit I got a year ago which has reloaded @5000 rnds of 357/38 so far. It's a bit of a pain getting it zeroed and set. I thought my Auto Drum was giving me slightly over/under drops when I double checked the drop on the scale periodically but realized if the powder in the scale pan isn't centered it read over or under a bit. After I figured that out, I've found the scale to be good for my application. I'm happy with it but only been reloading a year so may be a case of "ignorance is bliss."

stonebuster said:

I thought my Auto Drum was giving me slightly over/under drops...

Click to expand...

It is.

D.B. Cooper said:

It is.

Click to expand...

"Slightly" is acceptable to me for range use. I stay below max loads and a tenth over starting load to compensate for any "slight" variance.

I guess I'm a "Lee Fan Boy" as I buy tools that work, not for color or name. I disagree with 98% of what the "Lee Haters" whine about. I have a Lee Safety Scale now and the first one I bought in the early '70s, waay pre-web and "internet wisdom" woked 100%. I had read in a magazine that the Lee SSS could weigh a piece of tissue the size of a postage stamp, so I tried it. Yes, and I got consistent weights from about 10 samples. The Lee scale is the only one that I know of that is truely "safe". Set the poise, push he little black button, and the weight does not change (I have a Lyman scale that must have the pan carefuly removed and replaced as the poise can jump very easily). Also reading a vernier scale, the poise settings/markings, is just too much for some to learn.

After I joined some reloading forums in 2006, I was introduced to the Lee Haters. My experience with trying to duplicate the hater's problems I found many were from "reloaders" about as mechanically inclined as a mud fence. Many were also "Tool Snobs", those that could not consider an tool other than their tools of choice ("If it ain't RCBS [or watever] it's junk"). Also many that could not/would not read instructions posted complaints. A lot of the hater's complaints are about the modern innovations, modern manufacturing, and modern materials tht they dontundertand (I remember the uproar when GM strted using fiberglass on Covette bodys, and Bill Ruger made "junk pot metal" guns when he started using investment casting and sheet metal stampings).

I got my first Lee tool in 1969, my first press in 1972 and dies and other assorted reloading tool up to just last year. I have not been able to duplicate the hater's problems 99% of the time. But maybe I'm an exceprion because I know how to use hand tools (lifelong machinist/mechanic) and I read instructions...

There is nothing wrong with the Lee Safety Scale.

That's my story (opinion), and I'm sticking to it!

I used the Lee safety scale for years as well. The vernier calibration for weight can have a learning curve but works well if you are patient. Also it was light and moved around easily. I filled the base with old reclaimed bullets and epoxy. Now it stays put. Gave it and a lesson on use to a new reloader who was happy to get it. Just sayi'n.

Appalachiannative said:

Oh. Walked right into that one. I've never cared what snobs have to say. It now reads what the chart said it is supposed to read now that I got it to balance perfectly at 0. Probably will get a digital to be safe though.

Click to expand...

Digitals can be temperamental, giving varying results until running for a bit and sometimes slow to tare. My Lee scale is accurate and keeps the others honest. My RCBS 502 is clumsy and hard to zero.

I ditched the Lee only because the slide stop wore out. Got a Hornady 501. Works for me.

Appalachiannative said:

So I'm new to reloading, yeah I know bad time to start with all the shortages. Working with what I got on hand. Trying to re load Winchester AA hulls to factory specification using the recipe on the bottle of Winchester super handicap powder, one of the two powders I got on hand and my MEC 600 Jr. According to the MEC bushing chart they do not have one that throws the exact 20.7 grns that the recipe calls for so I got #21 and #22 since these are supposed to be right around 20 grains. Figure I'd measure each time and discard a little if need be for safety. However the #21 is throwing about 16 and the #22 about 17.5 according to my rinky dink Lee scale with the little ball that you roll back and fourth. For shoots and ladders sake I tried a #30 bushing that I bought for ramshot competition and it throws 23 grns exactly of the win handicap stuff. Is that scale no good? Does MEC not know their own bushings? Or is the Winchester super handicap just a pain to work with? Should I get a digital?

Click to expand...

Welcome to reloading! Now's a great time to start, just different than if you'd have started 20 years ago..

Keep asking questions, that's how you learn:

First, "Is the Lee Safety Scale any good?" Yes.
Second, "Is that scale no good?" The scale is as good as the operator.
Third, "Does MEC not know their own bushings?" They probably do. But also developed their data under a certain set of conditions, your conditions may be different.
Forth, "Is ____ a pain to work with?" Most all reloading steps/processes are finicky, depends on your threshold for pain...
Fifth, "Should I get a digital?" Of course - if you want one.

All measurement devices have pro's and con's, features and limitations. The issues between them are different (breeze from HVAC, EMF, florescent lights, etc..) but they both have issues. Just know what you're working with and make accommodations accordingly.

If I saw that Lee safety scale at a garage sale for $1.00 I would not buy it.
Having said that it will most likely weigh close as throwing a charge.
Get a check weight of some kind to at least verify the unit is somewhat reliable.