Powder scale

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orionengnr

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What do you use?

Just trying to get started here. Cheaper Than Dirt advertises a ~$40 digital scale, but it is discontinued :mad:

The sell a ~$375 digital scale...yeah, that's gonna happen. Not.

What do I really need, accuracy wise? Planning on reloading handgun cartridges, 9/38/357/45.

Thank you in advance.
 
You'll find a rather diverse opinion on scales. I've had two different balance beams and a PACT digital. The PACT is far better than I expected. IMO, it's WAY faster than a balance beam and easier to use. Just zero it every time. Takes maybe 30 seconds. I sold both my balance beams. IIRC, my PACT was about $80 a few years ago.
 
I'm using the

Lyman Model 500 Magnetic Scale

&

Lyman 1200 DPS 2 Digital Powder Scale and Dispenser System 110 Volt


Have been using that same beam scale since '86. Started using the digital scale about 6 months ago when I began producing match-quality ammunition for an M1.

If you already have a powder dispenser, a magnetic beam scale is all you really need to verify that you're dispensing correct charges.

As redneck said, you're going to see diverse opinions on scales. For that matter, you'll see diverse opinions on just about everything around here. :)
 
RCBS 5-0-5 or the more expensive 10-0-10 balance beam. Or the Pact or RCBS digital electronic (they are the same). Of course you can spend the big bucks and get one of the despenser/digital scale combos.:D
 
RCBS 505. I bounced my PACT of the tile floor and into the trash can. Tired of having to hold my breath, get the temp right, warm it up, hope the heat or A/C vent did not come on, hope the elecronic scale gremlins were asleep...................................:banghead:

Me and my 505...:)
 
Whatever you decide, your biggest culprits are vibration (people walking, bench vibrations) and air currents (furnace fans, air conditioning and errant breezes)

Jeez...my PACT works no matter what the temp. I just turn it on and it's ready to go. I haven't used it in several months and I suspect it's still calibrated. I just always re-calibrate because it's so quick and easy.

FWIW...a 5-0-5 was one I got rid of because it was too finicky. I got tired of watching the beam go up and down.....and up and down...and up and down....

Like I said, everybody has their favorite
 
The Ohaus 10-10 scale has been great for me. I calibrate it every time with check weights and it has been very reliable, and quick enough for me.
 
I have both a balance and electronic and I find the electronic easier and faster to use. The electronic scale has the advantage when measuring small pistol powder loads because you can readily see the weight displaced. They are accurate +/- .1 of a grain which is more than adaquate. Read and follow the instructions and you will not have any problems.
 
After I get a setting on my Redding 10X measure I don't really care if it is 4.4 or 4.5 or 7.6 or 7.7 etc. If it works well, I load by that setting from then until that lot of powder runs out. Then start again.:scrutiny:

I don't mind watching the 505 go up & down, but the digital scale fluctuating drove me nuts. Like redneck2 said, to each their favorite.:)
 
Mechanical beam: Lyman-Ohaus (same as current RCBS M1010), purchased in 1966, still reliable, and works great after 40 years. Virtually nothing to go wrong unless a part physically breaks, which will be obvious.

Digital Electronic: RCBS (no model #), made by Pact. Works great and quickly but if there is a difference between my two scales, I go with the old balance beam scale.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Okay, time to bring this thread back to life.

If you already have a powder dispenser, a magnetic beam scale is all you really need to verify that you're dispensing correct charges.
Click to expand...

I am planning on using a Lee Classic Turret press for reloading 38/357, and possibly 45ACP, 9mm, and 45 Colt in the future. I will be using a Lee PRO AutoDisk Powder Measure. Like the above quote suggests, I would only be using my scale to check powder weights at random to verify accuracy.

Would something like a Lee Safety Scale be sufficient for this task? I'm hoping to keep scale cost under $50.

Thanks!
 
jad0110,

It will be sufficient, but you'll find it aggravating to use, as it's non magnetic and touchy. You'd be better off going with either the RCBS 505 or the Hornady in the same price range. Both are good scales that work well.

Dave
 
I use a Redding 505 scale. It's extremely nice. The pointer thingie is graduated .5 grain in each direction, so you don't need to fiddle with the weights to figure out how far off you are.

I recommend looking on E-bay for used scales. I got my Redding for about $30 shipped. It arrived extremely damaged, and every single part that could be bent, was bent. But after bending everything back, it works fine. It's still perfectly calibrated according to my check weights. Redding makes good stuff.
 
For occasional use (setting a powder measure, etc.), get a decent beam-type scale. For lots of sorting (cast bullets, cases, ????) get a digital scale and don't abuse it. If you want to bet on which will be working 20 years from now; well, electronic scales normally have a 1 year warranty for a reason. I also have an RCBS 5-0-5 scale and use it every month or 2 to set/verify a powder measure then it goes back into the cabinet to hibernate until needed again.
 
i use the LEE safety beam scale i really like it.... it is accurate and can be set to tenths of a grain....... never had any trouble with it.....
 
redding model 2

Senior citizen uses

\funpics\thr\redding\model2.jpg


which was purchased for $10.95 at the white elephant in spokane, wa in about 1967.

Model #2 has worked great for about 40 years.
 
1967 = $10.95

Hmmm, so the real question becomes:

Should I be spending all this time chasing reloading components and accessories, or should I get back to work on that time travel machine? :)

Sorry, off-topic, but I am the original poster (does that count?:rolleyes: )

And I wanted to say a sincere "Thank You" to all who have contributed so far. Great community here!

I received a photocopy of what looks like an original RL-450 Operating Manual from Dillon, just for the asking. Great folks!
 
FWIW...I just went to my shop to reload this week-end. I hadn't used my PACT since before Thanksgiving. It was still dead on. Shop is semi-heated and stays about 50 degrees. It did take it about 30 seconds to get going.

As above, if you do decide on a beam type, make SURE it's magnetically dampened.
 
a good friend of mine has a very expensive digital scale. i went out and bought one on ebay for 12.00 shipped to me.

Then i went to his house with my $12. scale and we weighed a whole bunch of items checking the difference between the two scales.

Bottom line or end result. his $150.00 scale is about the same as my $12 scale. so much that he ended up ordering one too. Now for the most part. i like those lee dippers. they work good and are fast to use. but once in a while i will test the dipper as the powder will be different depending on age and humidity. so $12.00 works for me
 
Scale ordered from Midway today.

Time travel machine is back on hold. :)

Thanks again to all who responded.
 
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