Recommend me a scale

[ranger335v]

"The Redding scales are also excellent, but some of them are undamped and others use oil damping. The Herters and early Hornady/Pacific scales are pretty close to being identical to the Redding number ones. "

True, but none of those have been made for maybe 50 years. Ohaus is the largest and oldest maker but the other balance scale makers are just as good. Dillon's Eliminator is probably the best deal currently available even if they have raised the price a bit.

Those who sometimes say a beam scale is 'hard to read' probably have their's sitting flat on the bench top, only worse place to put it would be under the bench. Make or buy something that supports the scale (and a powder trickler) at near chin high, it will be easy to see and place the powder measure very close to it for rapid work. A sturdy wooden box makes a very good scale shelf, a few boxes of bullets in the box bottom will make it quite stable during use and it can provide a very secure place to store the scale when it's not in use.

For 14 years I maintained/calibrated precision electronic measurement instruments in the space/defence industries, there are no chintzy "throw-away" electronic gimmicks on my loading bench.

 

[rsrocket1]

I could send you an unused LEE safety scale. That will make you feel more comfortable with accuracy...

You could send that to me. I use one all the time and I bet I can measure as accurately as anyone with one of those spiffy Ohaus scales.

Is it as convenient? No.

Are most other scales easier to use and harder to mess up on (such as bumping the vernier or not being able to lock the vernier without opposing thumbs or read the vernier without coke bottle reading glasses)? Yes.

Are they more accurate? I doubt it.

Would I trade my Lee for one of those Ohaus scales? Probably

I'll pay for shipping.

 

[JDGray]

Dillon all the way, even with the $15 price change

 

[Clark]

I have a Dillion, two RCBS, and an Ohaus.

I think that they are all made by Ohaus.

Some of those old brown Redding scales at the gun show for $20 or less may still be accurate, but are slow to resolve.
You might be able to set up an eddy current magnetic damper, with enough chewing gum.

 

[LiveLife]

Dang, Dillon did increase the price of Eliminator to $69!

Well, then how about RCBS 5-0-2 for $75 with free shipping - http://www.opticsplanet.net/rcbs-502-reloading-scale-weighs-up-to-505-grains-9069.html

Capacity: 505 Grains
Material: Die cast metal base, aluminum pan
Accuracy: 0.1 grains
Features: Magnetic Dampening, Two poise design

 

[LiveLife]

Ha, just saw a banner for 5% off with promo code ASC2011 for Optics Planet.

So, that's $71.24 for RCBS 5-0-2 scale including free shipping.

 

[res7s]

There, I edited my post to make it clear I was talking about "used" scales, and included older scales in my post. Sorry for the confusion. I also explained damping, but I didn't do it in the most technical of terms. I'm sorry about that too. I'm just an old country boy, loosing the battle for perfection.

 

[Metal Tiger]

Dillon Eliminator

Just ordered one of these bad boys from Brian Enos. Price increase as of January boooooo:

 

[germ]

I just bought the Dillon scale within the last couple of weeks, just beat the price increase. This is a replacement for my 3yr old RCBS chargemaster 750, which now has the wandering zero and can't be trusted.

I find the Dillon to be easy to use, nearly as easy as the digital. Besides, blue is a nice compliment to all the red and green on my bench!