Mechanical Scale Question

[TomJ]

I've been using a Hornady electronic scale to measure powder. It works well and I'm not unhappy with it, however it tends to shut off pretty quickly. I don't want to risk inaccurate loads so I recalibrate it every time it shuts off, which can get cumbersome depending on how long it takes to adjust my reloader. I was thinking about going with a mechanical and was wondering if anyone has experience with the M1000 scale from RCBS, or has any other recommendations.

I also looked at Hornady's mechanical scale. One of the cons I read in a review is that it's limited to 500 grains. I'm primarily loading handgun ammunition with loads using 5-7 grains. Am I misunderstanding this as being an issue as I'm not seeing myself loading anything that will come close to using 500 grains?

https://www.rcbs.com/priming-and-po...g-scales/m1000-mechanical-scale/16-98916.html

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...nd-accessories/lock-n-load-balance-beam-scale

 

[tominboise]

500 grains should be fine. Powder charges for rifles are maybe up to 100 grs for a 338 Lapua or something. If you wanted to weigh things other than powder that weigh more than 500grs, well, it wouldn't work.

 

[lightman]

500 grains should be more than enough unless you see yourself weighing loaded cartridges. My boys mixed up a tray of my reloads when I was working up a load and weighing them didn't work out.

I don't know anything about that scale but RCBS gear is usually pretty good.

 

[drband]

500 grains is fine. A good scale will weigh accurately throughout its range. The main thing is repeatability once you settle on a load. Does it indicate the same weight every time you try the same loaded pan on it.
RCBS should be good, but I would test any scale for accuracy and repeatability with check weights before trusting it.

 

[burrhead]

Look around for an RCBS 505 or 10-10. They're both well regarded but sadly discontinued for some reason. Tons of both available on Fleabay. I've been using a 505 for nearly 50 years and it's all you need.

 

[Rule3]

This is the same as several others except for color. All you need. Made by Ohaus in China

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Mechanical-Scale-Green-Right/dp/B00T9YJOWI

 

[TomJ]

This is the same as several others except for color. All you need. Made by Ohaus in China

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Mechanical-Scale-Green-Right/dp/B00T9YJOWI

Thank you. That's perfect. I ordered it, and it'll be here tomorrow.

 

[FROGO207]

Gravity has been working like a charm for eons. A balance type scale is my go to when weighing charges since I started reloading. The newer scales have been made from lighter materials and can benifit from adding weight in the open cavities under them. I use old bullets and epoxy to add weight.
You should have a lifetime of use with that scale.

 

[burrhead]

The newer scales have been made from lighter materials and can benifit from adding weight in the open cavities under them

Though not a fan of Ebay, that's why I recommend going there to find pre-Chinese scales. If a person looks some they can find some gems.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125746075290?hash=item1d470cd69a:g:mv0AAOSw3Rdj2G9c&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4JV8FqSnx+J/eAhfQ3aQjme3PQnj5LUQQQ6v6VgLWBMSymzbGOsDlqIyPYv7bamhbmwTwfiUBnIgOf61aLDxrJTOg/lwO5z88e+Yw1TkoFd84DqaD2rJPIqcoUZ7JljTAihhxCifaRdZL/ws6j6+gc7FL5y0DfMue7vBNm43T5MOLzMXBCWtUym09w7IkWgPbGMteA/OaeKVU73MY1cI22Mv79WnLdCLa/+hxh4EMAwzEL7GeVWjBYlzOzjL6Q/V3+SeqghCwXAZAZqiJ1HUdUoFYuBCgVaiVWEKvLr1YBm2|tkp:BFBMuIrEwcJh

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225393636219?hash=item347a81f37b:g:6T8AAOSwmTNj29F2&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAsKSApiekCxa0E394m3NmfFW0uHEywQQ+fJq7EMv5XcvnWHSyv3102XlrKP22FytbYAz+3VDV8Jl/VGP3V16qtnCzZEn8UOiLBwbdSdDOK3jGzfCoH0KcTw9VifR2iMPomSihesuh/se2pIFFZU1l1N/2nIOlqvkSu2npn7pOFsO0Et+w6o/HDrx9i/3VoFK/l34HGbC95hu01Z6kO8oKRF7CTmfesbk+tXGQEJfVI3jS|tkp:Bk9SR-aWzMHCYQ

 

[jmorris]

If you can detect the beam movement the old Made In USA 505 and 10-10 scales are quite repeatable. That’s to the hundredth of a grain, not tenths.



I trust that A&D balance too but they are kind of pricey.

I still use them but I am not a fan of the auto zero “feature”, on some products, changing things without my knowledge.

 

[Otto]

Some digital Hornady scales allow adjustments to the Auto-Off settings. I ditched my beam scales along with my typewriter, rotary phone and slide rule years ago.

 

[bihj]

I've been using a 505 for almost 40 years and never found it to be lacking.

 

[bigpower491]

Look around for an RCBS 505 or 10-10. They're both well regarded but sadly discontinued for some reason. Tons of both available on Fleabay. I've been using a 505 for nearly 50 years and it's all you need.

Absolutely. I thought of getting the RCBS dispenser back when they first came out.....I passed then and have no desire for one now. That 505 of mine has weighed quite a few charges over the last 30 odd yrs. No need for anything else..

 

[.45Coltguy]

Been using my RCBS/Ohaus 10-10 since '78. Only scale I've owned. Works.

 

[irishlad]

Thank you. That's perfect. I ordered it, and it'll be here tomorrow.

I have that scale too. It's as accurate as my 505.

 

[Thomasss]

You will find mechanical scales to be tedious to use because it doesn't take much, like a 1 particle of powder to throw off your load or to touch the scale and have to wait for a couple of seconds to get the balance beam to stop moving for an exact weight.
Why don't you try to weigh several loads simultaneously in different cases before the scale shuts down? I assume you are weighing powder and then seating the bullet and then trickling more powder and finding the scale has turned off.
I have a Hornady, Lyman, and a RBCS balance scales but rarely use them, unless I want to verify my electronic scale. Last time a heat vent blowing across the loading table was the culprit.

 

[TomJ]

You will find mechanical scales to be tedious to use because it doesn't take much, like a 1 particle of powder to throw off your load or to touch the scale and have to wait for a couple of seconds to get the balance beam to stop moving for an exact weight.
Why don't you try to weigh several loads simultaneously in different cases before the scale shuts down? I assume you are weighing powder and then seating the bullet and then trickling more powder and finding the scale has turned off.
I have a Hornady, Lyman, and a RBCS balance scales but rarely use them, unless I want to verify my electronic scale. Last time a heat vent blowing across the loading table was the culprit.

I have a Dillon XL750 press and will load 1000-3000 rounds of a specific caliber, then move on to another caliber. When adjusting for the correct load I'll load 3 cases, measure them, make an adjustment and load and measure 3 more cases until the load is correct. While I'm making the adjustment the scale turns itself off and I turn it back on and recalibrate it. It's not a big deal, but if I could make the process easier it's helpful.

 

[LiveLife]

This is the same as several others except for color. All you need. Made by Ohaus in China

I ordered it, and it'll be here tomorrow.

Unfortunately in 2023, if you want an Ohaus made 5-0-5 or similar beam scale, it will be made in China as they are no longer made in USA - https://www.amazon.com/OHAUS-30393272-Reloading-Height-Length/dp/B075VY8ZYB?th=1

I believe last of the made in USA beam scale was Dillon Eliminator but that too has been discontinued with manufacturing moving to China likely due to competition from digital scales with higher resolution at lower pricing.

Dillon XL750 ... adjusting for the correct load I'll load 3 cases, measure them, make an adjustment and load and measure 3 more cases until the load is correct.

While I'm making the adjustment the [digital] scale turns itself off and I turn it back on and recalibrate it. It's not a big deal, but if I could make the process easier it's helpful.

I can see the benefit of beam scale not turning off like digital scale.

At this point, regardless whether beam or digital scale is used, if scale verifies check weights in the same weight range being used, I believe it is good enough.

And of course, set of check weights is essential to verifying scale accuracy and this made in USA Troemner set is only $18 - https://www.amazon.com/Troemner-1512-111-50GN-0-5GN-Certificate-Stainless/dp/B078H4P55D/ref=sr_1_1?

 

[TomJ]

Unfortunately in 2023, if you want an Ohaus made 5-0-5 or similar beam scale, it will be made in China as they are no longer made in USA - https://www.amazon.com/OHAUS-30393272-Reloading-Height-Length/dp/B075VY8ZYB?th=1

I believe last of the made in USA beam scale was Dillon Eliminator but that too has been discontinued with manufacturing moving to China likely due to competition from digital scales with higher resolution at lower pricing.


I can see the benefit of beam scale not turning off like digital scale.

At this point, regardless whether beam or digital scale is used, if scale verifies check weights in the same weight range being used, I believe it is good enough.

And of course, set of check weights is essential to verifying scale accuracy and this made in USA Troemner set is only $18 - https://www.amazon.com/Troemner-1512-111-50GN-0-5GN-Certificate-Stainless/dp/B078H4P55D/ref=sr_1_1?

Thanks. I just ordered the check weights.

 

[film495]

Some digital Hornady scales allow adjustments to the Auto-Off settings. I ditched my beam scales along with my typewriter, rotary phone and slide rule years ago.

yeah, get out the owners manual on that thing. I like a beam scale to double check and sometimes I just prefer the beam scale, but - mostly use a digital. there must be a setting in there to alter or change the auto off settings.

 

[Blue68f100]

I've been using a Hornady electronic scale to measure powder. It works well and I'm not unhappy with it, however it tends to shut off pretty quickly. I don't want to risk inaccurate loads so I recalibrate it every time it shuts off, which can get cumbersome depending on how long it takes to adjust my reloader. I was thinking about going with a mechanical and was wondering if anyone has experience with the M1000 scale from RCBS, or has any other recommendations.

I also looked at Hornady's mechanical scale. One of the cons I read in a review is that it's limited to 500 grains. I'm primarily loading handgun ammunition with loads using 5-7 grains. Am I misunderstanding this as being an issue as I'm not seeing myself loading anything that will come close to using 500 grains?

https://www.rcbs.com/priming-and-po...g-scales/m1000-mechanical-scale/16-98916.html

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...nd-accessories/lock-n-load-balance-beam-scale

Most digital scales that will accept a wall wart (ac pack) will stay on when connected to external power. If your scales has a port for external power give it a try. You can even use batteries externally if you have the right battery holder to give you the right voltage.

 

[TomJ]

The Hornady electronic scale I have is the GS-1500. It works on batteries only and has n o way I can see when reviewing the owner's manual to disable or adjust the auto shut off. They have other models which allow you to select the auto shut off time. From what I've read I shouldn't have to recalibrate it every time it shuts off, but I've had a few experiences with questionable readings when not doing so. It's an older, discontinued model.

 

[ballman6711]

The Hornady electronic scale I have is the GS-1500. It works on batteries only and has n o way I can see when reviewing the owner's manual to disable or adjust the auto shut off. They have other models which allow you to select the auto shut off time. From what I've read I shouldn't have to recalibrate it every time it shuts off, but I've had a few experiences with questionable readings when not doing so. It's an older, discontinued model.

I have the same scale, and it does have a way to adjust the time it remains on. I think the longest it will stay on is three minutes. I don't remember how I did it, but do a search on youtube for adjusting the new model scale and you'll find it. IIRC it has three time settings, but the auto-off feature can't be disabled as far as I know.

chris

 

[Blue68f100]

The Hornady electronic scale I have is the GS-1500. It works on batteries only and has n o way I can see when reviewing the owner's manual to disable or adjust the auto shut off. They have other models which allow you to select the auto shut off time. From what I've read I shouldn't have to recalibrate it every time it shuts off, but I've had a few experiences with questionable readings when not doing so. It's an older, discontinued model.

Does it go off if it's has some weight on the scale?

If Not, after you weight put your cal weight on till the next time needed. But you probably have already tried that.

 

[johnjohn]

I have owned 1 electronic scale it went back to the "mother ship" one time for repair which lasted ~10 minutes. It then became a paperweight. Then it was taking up space on my bench. And so went to a landfill.