Help buying new beam scale

[1066]

Search eBay for vintage Redding powder scales. I have an old black wrinkle finish scale that is nice and heavy, never needs batteries and is perfectly accurate. the best part is that it will never wear out! goes up to 350grains!

They start at about $25 and go up.

UPDATE 7/9/2015 8pm! There are about 15 of the Redding #1's on eBay starting at $19!

be safe

E
Just be aware, although the old Redding No 1 is an excellent and accurate scale it's not magnetically damped. Fine to just check your measure or compare your digital, but not very practical if you want to weigh evey load.

 

[gamestalker]

I used my sons RCBS 505 a couple weeks ago, he just bought it so it was new. We checked it against my RCBS 5-10 and against his Chargemaster, and all 3 were identical.

But I prefer the wheel feature that the 5-10 and the 10-10 have. Take a look on e-bay, though they've been discontinued, I saw some used and new RCBS 10-10's within the last 2 or 3 weeks, thought about grabbing one while there's still a few available, just in case I squash mine when transporting it to the range.

I also saw at least one new dinosaur 5-10, and a couple used 5-10's. If you can get your hands on either of those, you'll never need another scale, provided it doesn't get squashed, ha, ha. But they really are great little scales.

I don't remember how much they were going for, but I would think you could pick up a 5-10 for $40 or $50, and a 10-10 for $100 or so.

GS

 

[AABEN]

Lyman also makes a good one also LEE does

 

[cheygriz]

A good rule of thumb.

If it's manufactured by the Ohaus scale company, it's an excellent scale, regardless of the brand name on it.

I'm still using a 50 year old Lyman/Ohaus 1005. I use precision scale check weights every time I load and it's never been off of dead center.

 

[Ky Larry]

I "upgraded" to a Redding R2 scale because it was easier to see. My Lee Safety Scale is still dead-on accurate. If you can see the Lee, I'd a advise you to get a set of check weights and save your money.
I prefer balance or beam scales to electronic scales. Gravity never has a dead battery. YMMV.

 

[Edcnh]

I have an older RCBS 505 and it has worked well for years. I have a Chargemaster as well but check the first few Chargemaster loads on my 505 beam scale to verify accuracy.

 

[Hondo 60]

Any beam scale from Ohaus is a good one.

Mine is Lyman brand, but made by Ohaus.

 

[JBrady555]

I bought a redding #2 and absolutely love it. It arrived today. I'm really impressed with how much easier it is to change weight vs my old lee. Also impressed with the short time it takes to settle. It's also a lot easier to zero. Best of all, its made in AMERICA!

 

[Rule3]

My RCBS 505 arrived. It is still made by Ohaus but assembled in China.

It is much lighter in weight (the base) than my Dillon Eliminator but essentially the same scale. Also cost half of what the Dillon did.

It's a OK scale for $35.

 

[gwpercle]

I paid about $40.00 for a used 5-0-5 scale on E-bay, two years ago, no box, no instructions, but it was in excellent shape.
Easy to adjust, easy to read and accurate. I like it a lot, much better than the Redding #1 ( oil dampened) it replaced. Magnetic dampening rules !
A new one for $40.00, even if made China ( like what's not made there), I would jump on it. That Amazon photo looks just like my American made 5-0-5, but that doesn't mean much. Seems like an exceptional deal.
Gary

 

[HOWARD J]

I have 2-- 5-0-5 from China ( i had American for 40 years)
The only difference is they cut the amount of magnets & it takes a little longer to read.
Ohaus told them how to make this unit -- so if you can't wait a few seconds longer to read buy something electronic--they are fast

 

[David4516]

Another vote for the Redding. I got one used at a gun show for $40. It was in very good shape and still had the original box and everything. It works well, I have no complaints. It's BIG improvement over the Lee scale. I like most Lee products but the scale was an exception, I tried one and didn't care for it at all...

 

[RussellC]

One of the best bargains out there for a scale is Dillon's Eliminator scale. Made by Ohaus current price is $69.95. Used to be $59.95 until January 2014. Dillon prices go up every January. Still a good scale for the money.

Agreed. I upgraded from the Lee with this scale. It is a high quality piece. Absolute steal for the money and way easier to use than the Lee.

Russellc

 

[IWAC]

I had an OHAUS (a brown 505) for years, then I felt the need for "something new". I bought a Dillon, which has served for about as many years as the Ohaus. Have never felt the need for a digital scale. They are all good!

 

[Sky King]

If you can find a RCBS 5-10 jump on it. I've had mine since 1976. Zero with Lyman weights change charge, check with weights again, perfect.

 

[loadedround]

Got for a decent brand digital balance, a lot easier to use. You can go digital for almost the same price you'd pay for a beam balance.