Lee safety scale any good?

[Appalachiannative]

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?

 

[MEHavey]

#1. Put that 'Safety Scale' where the Sun don't shine.
Invest in This One and don't look back.

#2. MEC bushings are "starting point" only
But once calibrated to an actual powder weight, very consistent.

.

 

[rocirish]

I recommend a used RCBS 505. They are a very good scale and can be found at a reasonable price.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Used my Lee scale one time. Sold it then. I like the digital scales.

 

[Howa 9700]

Assuming it is set to balance at zero and it is read it correctly, I get the same results on a Lee scale as I do my other scales, which include two Ohaus and one aged Texan. I prefer the larger brass pan on the others, so that is what I use, but they all give me the same results.

 

[rsrocket1]

My Lee scale checks out exactly (within less than 0.1 grain) with my RCBS 505 using check weights and all sorts of other objects.
If you don't have good near field vision, the vernier is tough to read. I have no problems with it and use the lock when adjusting powder drops and checking them.

The problem with the Lee is that it only goes up to 110 grains while the RCBS 505 goes up to 511 grains.

 

[scott511]

There's nothing wrong with the "rinky dink" Lee scale. Is it blue or green? Nope. Is it accurate? Most definitely. It's not the easiest scale to use, but it is very accurate.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I would buy a better scale than what Lee sells. I heard to many people complain over the years about how hard they are to use.
Any of the good name brands like the Ohaus scales, Lyman's, or Redding's Number 2.
I personally like my Hornady Bench scale the best, but I have the Redding Number 1 sitting above it ready for action at all times. But it gathers dust.

 

[Appalachiannative]

There's nothing wrong with the "rinky dink" Lee scale. Is it blue or green? Nope. Is it accurate? Most definitely. It's not the easiest scale to use, but it is very accurate.

Mines red

 

[Targa]

I like the Lee scale but in all fairness it is the only beam scale I have used, so I guess it’s a matter of not knowing what I am missing.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Assuming it is set to balance at zero and it is read it correctly, I get the same results on a Lee scale as I do my other scales, which include two Ohaus and one aged Texan. I prefer the larger brass pan on the others, so that is what I use, but they all give me the same results.

Thank God I read this! Mine wasn't balancing at zero but I spun the little brass thing around to adjust it and now it does.

 

[scott511]

Mines red

That was nice way of saying it isn't a Dillon or RCBS. Some people think that if it doesn't have one of those big names on it that it has to be junk.

 

[dh1633pm]

I just got a new Hornady Scale. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012766224?pid=922317

I like having a balance beam and a electronic. They work hand in hand. Measures my check weights exact.

 

[sparkyv]

This gives the Lee a slight sensitivity advantage, actually.

The problem with the Lee is that it only goes up to 110 grains while the RCBS 505 goes up to 511 grains.

 

[NR53]

The one I had resides in a landfill somewhere. I bought a RCBS Chargemaster.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Now the #22 spits out just over 20grns according to the correctly calibrated scale. Perfect

 

[Appalachiannative]

That was nice way of saying it isn't a Dillon or RCBS. Some people think that if it doesn't have one of those big names on it that it has to be junk.

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.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Not saying that guy was being a snob just making the point

 

[Slamfire]

I agree with @MEHavey for acquiring an electronic scale. I did purchase the Lee scale, and it is hard to adjust without knocking everything our of alignment.

However, I do most of my rifle reloading in cold weather, and I found electronic scales drift with respect to temperature. When it is so cold that I have to set up a couple of kerosene heaters, the reading of electronic scales are untrustworthy. So, I pulled out my old Redding, under the theory that gravity is relatively unaffected by the cold.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have no clue as to how old my Lee Safety Scale is, but it is still accurate and has kept me safe for many, many years.

 

[Rule3]

The LEE scale is actually accurate but a real PITA to use, I gave mine away, There are better choices
Not worth $40

 

[ericuda]

App, digital scales are picky too. Issues with florescent lights, low batteries, too hot or cold or not warmed up. That being said i use a digital for quick checks and verify with my beam. Imo check weights are huge importance to digital. Even can use the same nut, quarter or whatever.

 

[Appalachiannative]

The LEE scale is actually accurate but a real PITA to use, I gave mine away, There are better choices
Not worth $40

I got mine for free with my Lee press that I've had for years but never even used. That's why I wanted to try it out. Now that I've got the hang of it I don't find it hard to use but I've never used another so idk what I'm missing. For now I'm gonna stick with the Lee since the whole point of all this is to save money on shells, well that and making good hunting loads, all the stores around here never have anything but target or HD loads in stock

 

[rsnell]

Get a good reloading manual: Lyman, Hornady, Sierra, or on line data from companies like Nosler.

 

[JFrank]

#1. Put that 'Safety Scale' where the Sun don't shine.
Invest in This One and don't look back.

#2. MEC bushings are "starting point" only
But once calibrated to an actual powder weight, very consistent.

.

Have you had good luck with that scale ?