Scales, scales, scales

[sauer1911]

I just received a "vintage" redding scale today. It weighs up to 355grains.

I started with an electronic scale, that went belly up after 2 weeks, so much for an internet "deal".

I then had my plastic, Lee classic loader supplied scale to work with. meh.

This scale I got has perfect weight measurement. It has definite little notches in the top of the scale slide for the weights to sit in. I tested the scale against weights I have in a set for just that purpose. 20gram, 10gram, and 1/2 gram. They all calibrated perfectly.

SO! If you want the search to end for the best scale for powder and bullets, look to ebay and find these older, heavier, metal scales.

btw, my Plastic Lee scale was about a tenth of a grain off, light.

be safe.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My Pact BBK digital put my metal beam scale out to pasture over 15 years ago.

 

[bluetopper]

I have two digital scales, never going back to beam scales.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have to agree with the OP, older metal beam scales are probably the most accurate and reliable. I have a older RCBS 5-0-5 that I would not do without... Any scale made by Ohaus is without equal. (IMO of course)

 

[plmitch]

I use a Lyman Pro 505, it's been great to me.

 

[Ky Larry]

I have a Lee Perfect scale. I upgraded to a new Redding bean scale because it's easier to see. In over 20 years the Lee has been absolutely dead on. Once I calibrated it with RCBS check weights it has been correct.I have found no difference in accuracy between the Lee and the Redding.YMMV.

 

[rcmodel]

20gram, 10gram, and 1/2 gram.

Hopefully, those Gram marks might be GRAIN marks if they are reloading scales.

Just say'n!

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a Lee Perfect scale. I upgraded to a new Redding bean scale because it's easier to see. In over 20 years the Lee has been absolutely dead on. Once I calibrated it with RCBS check weights it has been correct.I have found no difference in accuracy between the Lee and the Redding.YMMV.

I agree 100% and I also own a Lee scale. I keep it as a backup scale because of it's accuracy but we all know it's not as easy to use as most of the others.

 

[sexybeast]

I use mine as a backup too. It is just so hard to use compared to my Lyman beam scale. And it only weighs up to 100grns so weighing bullets is out.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use mine as a backup too. It is just so hard to use compared to my Lyman beam scale. And it only weighs up to 100grns so weighing bullets is out.

I use a Hornady GS-1500 digital scale to weigh bullets.

 

[JerZsquid]

That Hornady scale that comes with their reloading packages is garbage. Mine crapped out on me. It was incorrectly weighing my charges by a lot. I wouldn't trust it to prop my bench leg up. You can find unlabeled versions of that same scale on amazon for $10.

I winded up buying a Gempro 250 and now have absolute confidence in my powder charges. I wish I had this from the beginning.

 

[JerZsquid]

 

[splattergun]

now JerZsquid, why would you put such nice grouped holes into your Hornady scale?

 

[splattergun]

I use mine as a backup too. It is just so hard to use compared to my Lyman beam scale. And it only weighs up to 100grns so weighing bullets is out.

that's my biggest beef with the Lee beam scale.

 

[Kurastduuks]

I still use a beam scale for setting my powder measure for light loads or powders that meter very well but the vast majority of the loading I do is at a point where I cant have the variation I get with my measure either for accuracy or safety reasons so those loads get the hornady auto powder measure. Ive read some bad reviews but I must have the exception because Im getting nothing but great results and at this point trust it completely.

 

[GT1]

I have a bells and whistles digital electric. I use it to weigh bullets and double check my rifle rounds as a just in case thing.
Would I use it to weigh titewad for .40 pistol? Not in this life time. Mainly because I get sick of hitting the zero button and triple checking to see if it is consistently on or wandering, I've seen it wander.

I have an old(old) Lyman M5, an old RCBS 10-10, and a newer Lyman Pro 500, all three check weight the same.

I usually have the M5 on the bench, nostalgia, it reminds me of a 50-60s style tv, brown and cream two-tone, it looks right from that era...

 

[arizona98tj]

I have a 40 year old Lyman beam scale as well as the RCBS 1500 ChargeMaster combo.

They both work well and given a specific task, one is usually better suited for than is the other. I always verify with a set of check weights before and after use, regardless of which one I am using.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I winded up buying a Gempro 250 and now have absolute confidence in my powder charges. I wish I had this from the beginning.

I have a Gempro 250 as well and a set of check weights. This scale will register a couple of individual grains of Unique and since I load .32 ACP with powder charges between 2.3 and 3.1 gr I *must* have accuracy to less than .1 gr.

I get that with my Gempro and I'll never go back to beam scales or cheapo/finicky digitals. I can weight and throw about 4 charges a minute now spending 15 minutes to weigh 50 charges and have extremely accurate powder charges. Accuracy is unbelievable now due to the very close consistency.

I'm old school but 30 years after starting I'm into digital scales and polymer pistols.

VooDoo

 

[sauer1911]

Hopefully, those Gram marks might be GRAIN marks if they are reloading scales.

Just say'n!

rc

WELL if you have ever tried to put grams into a reloader, you would understand.

But my calibrating check weights are in grams, that is why I used 20, 10 and 1/2 gram weights for the scale.

since one pound of powder is equal to 7000 grains, with a little cyphering and gazintas, you can breakdown that 20grams=312.4grains, 10=156, and 1/2gram=7and i forget what it was. but my scale was perfect.

Now, do you really think I would use grams? C'mon we be smarter then dat!

be safe.

 

[engineermike]

I was always told that reloaders use grains and drug dealers use grams.

Just say'n......

 

[1066]

I wouldn't be without my beam scales - I have around 25 in different varieties and also a couple of digital scales. I use the digital (Ohaus lab scale) for cases and bullets but always use a beam for powder.


Here are a couple at work;
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/05/forum-member-rigs-video-display-for-balance-beam-scale/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTCTHCfDBlU

 

[loose noose]

I use my trustworthy Redding Beam Scale that I've had for close to 40 years, and also use a Lyman Digital scale that so far has given me the same measurements as the beam scale, I use both any time I'm approaching maximum loads.

 

[cfullgraf]

But my calibrating check weights are in grams, that is why I used 20, 10 and 1/2 gram weights for the scale.

.

The check weights could be any unit of measure even in units of machine nuts (1/4-20, 8-32, 4-40 etc.) as long as you use the same nuts every time and they were calibrated against a known standard.

I prefer good electronic scales. While they require a bit more attention when using them, they are quicker in giving an answer than beam scales. No need to fiddle with the sliding weights to get the weight of the charge.

The only time I have brought my beam scale out of storage was when when of these treads surfaces and I get curious again about the operation of my beam scale. I confirm the electronic scale works as good as ever and I put the beam scale back in storage.