Powder scale suggestions.

Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Ok, as I have been moving along in this " hobby" my skills, goals and requirements have increased.
I have reached a point where I have out grown some of my equipment.
My scales. They just are not up to par for where I am going at least without a lot of distraction in use.
I have the Lee "mini Balance beam", and a Hornady small electronic scale. The Lee is hard to read and the Hornady has an occasional variation of .2 grains or more.
Want to step it up beyond a 40 buck budget scale and go with something bigger sturdier, easier to use and read. Definitely higher Quality. Kinda like old school manual type stuff but open for suggestions.
So suggestions?????
 
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D

david s

Well-Known Member
I've used one of the Lyman powder dispensers that has a built-in scale. It loads the pan correctly. I have in the past also used a Dillon electric powder scale. Mines at least a generation back from the current Dillon scale. The Dillon scale worked well for at least 15 years and then began under reading. So don't get rid of your analog Lee scale so that you can cross reference. I also have an RCBS 5-10 beam scale that is going nowhere.
 
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Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
A dispenser - scale combo, might be up my alley, but I am kinda stuck with a 175 buck ceiling right now.
Then again by the time I buy a dispenser, and get a scale separate. I may be better off with the combo.
However I will take quality and accuracy over ease of use any day.
How about maybe an older 10/10 ???? Anybody ever used one?
 
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waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
I pretty much just use an RCBS Charge Master 1500 powder dispenser/scale combo now days. I do keep an old but very nice and accurate RCBS 10-10 scale handy.
 

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Matt

Matt

Active Member
I’ll add my experience with the RCBS 10-10 scale. It’s the best beam balance I’ve used the .1 grain adjustment can’t get accidentally moved. For a electronic scale I’ve been extremely happy with the Lyman Micro 1500. I’ve got two and they have been extremely consistent and very easy to use. Being battery operated they can be placed where they’re needed. I think retail is still under $90. My RCBS electronic scale was at least twice as expensive and is tied to a cord.
No more accurate or convenient.

I’ve got an RCBS powder dispenser but only use it for a few hard to dispense from a powder measure powders. Very accurate but too slow.
I’d never consider replacing it if it failed somehow.
 
Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
I am thinking my next step may be a 10 10 and a good powder measure. But Something like the Micro 1500 sounds good too.
I do not think the purchase of a 10 10 would be waisted even if I went with a combo unit after.
 
Matt

Matt

Active Member
A good powder measure, beam scale, and powder trickler is all I really need. This post has made me realize how far out in the weeds I’ve traveled over measuring powder. I will admit an electronic scale is very convenient for weighing bullets and cases.
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Grew up with Redding scales and dispensers, which were very nice, but ended up with an RCBS dispenser and 5-0-5 scale in '82, meaning to replace them with Redding stuff when I had enough money to upgrade. I've had enough money to upgrade numerous times but couldn't justify it, as the RCBS tools have worked so well and still look new. I don't think I've eve used the larger rotor for the dispenser, but I still have it. The RCBS dispenser is built like a brick, and if you're not startled by the rotor suddenly sensing a "log" of stick powder threatening to lock up the stroke, you'll plow right through it without slamming and banging the contraption. It has worked well with all forms of powder, even the very fine stuff.

I'm sure there are others as good, maybe even better, but these tools have impressed me over the years.
 
BBerguson

BBerguson

Official Pennsyltuckian
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Glaciers

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Keep this in mind, KISS. Keep it simple stupid. I admit I’m old school and not going to change..
Used RCBS 505, or. 5 -10. If you can find a Ohuas double beam there awesome. The Redding #2, RCBS M500
 
waco

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Not sure why some people are so hung up on digital scales. My RCBS Charge Master scale is ever bit as accurate as my beam scale. I can’t speak for cheap $30 scales but I have full faith in mine. Plugs into a 110 outlet so batteries are a non issue. Bottom line. You get what you pay for.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
my original Dillon scale finally bit the bullet, well actually a big box of paper hand towels fell about 4' on top of it [like 3 times] and took it out.
i got a 110 dollar lyman with a trickler to replace it.
no worries, it agrees with my other Dillon, the lyman dispenser, and both of my balance beam scales.
they all say what i measure is within .1gr on either side.

i also had a thousand dollar Laboratory scale that read down to 3 places below the dot.
glass sides and all.
it drove me nuts waiting for it to make up it's mind, so it got tossed.

anyway the point is.
get a scale you trust and use it.
it doesn't matter if it constantly reads .2gr. off as long as it constantly reads .2gr. off.
 
Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
My main thing is With the Lee is it is too small. Do not really care for electronics but the little Hornady is a little less cumbersome to use, plus it has started drifting.

If I could find one just like, but double the size of the Lee, sans plastic parts, that puts the pointer over the balanced mark, and not next to it I would be overjoyed.
 
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smokeywolf

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Mitty38 said:
Kinda like old school manual type stuff but open for suggestions.
Click to expand...
If you want to stick with old school, an Ohaus or RCBS "Dial-O-Grain" scale is the best you can do. Ohaus and RCBS stopped making and selling them decades ago. They typically sell on auction sites for $200+. I have an Ohaus 3100. If I run across another that's decent looking for something close to $200 I'll grab it. The "Dial-O-Grain" is the premier balance beam scale in the reloading hobby.
I back that up with a Redding #1 oil damped beam scale.
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
IMHO two tjings LEE shouldn't make... Powder droppers and Scales!!

I have the same Ohaus my grandfather gave me in the late 1970's. I have his Redding from 50's.

I have a '80's Lyman and a 505 RCBS and a new 10/10 RCBS.

I dont much care for the RCBS. TWICE now its fouled on my.

I wont explicitly trust a electronic. How can you when it's effected by things that you cannot see hear or feel!?!?! Nope not for me, not for powder anyway! I love it (electronic) for sorting bullets or cases.

CW
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
david s said:
I've used one of the Lyman powder dispensers that has a built-in scale. It loads the pan correctly. I have in the past also used a Dillon electric powder scale. Mines at least a generation back from the current Dillon scale. The Dillon scale worked well for at least 15 years and then began under reading. So don't get rid of your analog Lee scale so that you can cross reference. I also have an RCBS 5-10 beam scale that is going nowhere.
Click to expand...
I have that Lyman scale powder thrower as well! It was a gift from a friend who never used it. I like it but find large throws poor as the drop tubes drop
Powder too car "back" on pan. But for under 50g or so its fine.

CW
 
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