Powder scale for new reloader

[Wolfdog91]

Little bro wants to get into reloading and casting so looking at getting him his own small set up. Wait would everyone reccomended as far as a good scale for beginners? He's mainly gonna be loading plinking an hunting ammo for his 30-30 and 30 carbine. Just don't want him going though some of the headaches I did with my little Lee scale or the cheap digital pocket scales I had lol.

 

[Dimner]

Little bro wants to get into reloading and casting so looking at getting him his own small set up. Wait would everyone reccomended as far as a good scale for beginners? He's mainly gonna be loading plinking an hunting ammo for his 30-30 and 30 carbine. Just don't want him going though some of the headaches I did with my little Lee scale or the cheap digital pocket scales I had lol.

I started on the cheap lee balance scale that came with my lee single stage loader kit. It was just fine to get started with. I loaded a whole bunch of 30-30 with it. Mostly cast bullets. The lee scale is what I would recommend if it could be had for like $20 bucks. I would skip all digital scales for beginners.

If you are looking for something more substantial I would go with the older version of the 10-10. They can be found easy on ebay should be under a hundred bucks, but I have not looked recently. Under the brand RCBS or Ohaus.

 

[three percent]

The little lee scales are actually pretty accurate.better than the rcbs 505 I have.got a tuned Redding know

 

[6Creed73]

The first scale I'd recommend to a new hand loader is a beam scale with magnetic dampening. It will be accurate and useful for the duration of his loading. Even if he gets a digital scale in the future, the beam scale can be used in conjunction with the digital scale.

I still use my beam scale to periodically check the digital scale for accuracy.

 

[dcali]

One of the basic digitals or beam scales from [pick a reloading company]. They're all basically the same. The beginner reloading kits aren't a bad place to start, actually. Cheap digitals can be annoying at times for sure. But honestly, it's better than fussing over a beam scale, especially if you're trying to sort anything. To each his own.

I have a love/hate thing with Lee. They make some of the best designed, most innovative gear in the industry. But for some reason they insist on being the lowest cost provider, and the materials/workmanship show it.

 

[762plinker]

One of the basic digitals or beam scales from [pick a reloading company]. They're all basically the same. The beginner reloading kits aren't a bad place to start, actually. Cheap digitals can be annoying at times for sure. But honestly, it's better than fussing over a beam scale, especially if you're trying to sort anything. To each his own.

I have a love/hate thing with Lee. They make some of the best designed, most innovative gear in the industry. But for some reason they insist on being the lowest cost provider, and the materials/workmanship show it.

NOT A BASIC DIGITAL...they are pure krapp. stick with a mag dampened beam to start with

 

[dcali]

NOT A BASIC DIGITAL...they are pure krapp. stick with a mag dampened beam to start with

I disagree. They're plenty good for what the OP wants.

 

[Big Mc]

Little bro wants to get into reloading and casting so looking at getting him his own small set up. Wait would everyone reccomended as far as a good scale for beginners? He's mainly gonna be loading plinking an hunting ammo for his 30-30 and 30 carbine. Just don't want him going though some of the headaches I did with my little Lee scale or the cheap digital pocket scales I had lol.

CM 1500 he will thank you later. Tomy Mc

 

[Sandstorm]

Get the best you can afford is always your best bet. Otherwise your sure to spend more than one time
if you get my drift....pun there on the drift.

 

[Cecil S.]

Used 10-10 if he decides to go on it can be tuned. JMHO

 

[762plinker]

CM 1500 he will thank you later. Tomy Mc

to much for a beginer when a simple quality beam will work for his starting ammo

 

[nettle]

A 10-10 is one of the best beam scales. Keep an eye out for a used one.

 

[TOObuilder]

I would suggest an RCBS 5-10. This one basically has the same beam set up as a 10-10 minus the extra weight that you hang on the end for very heavy loads. I’m guessing most people will never have the need to use that extra weight. From what I have seen, the 5-10 generally goes for considerably less than what the 10–10’s sell for. Another very good and probably even more reasonably priced option is the RCBS 5-0-2 or Lyman D5 (same scales).

 

[Big Mc]

to much for a beginer when a simple quality beam will work for his starting ammo

Buy once cry once. Why not start with a good set-up? Tommy mc

 

[K22]

The Lyman Brass Smith beam balance. It's relatively inexpensive, maintains accuracy, and consistently returns to zero. I check my regularly with calibration weights and so far, I'm very pleased.

I got one about 3 years ago after my very old (50 years of heavy use) 10-10 went south.

 

[cdgaydos]

For a buy once, get a little teary eyed (because it’s really good and not too much more expensive than some of the other recommendations)…
Maybe too much for just getting started out, but it comes without the headaches of less expensive scales.

Creedmoor TRX-925 (on sale now for $250ish)

Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale

Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale When every tenth counts, this scale measures to the hundredths. Introducing the TRX-925 precision digital reloading scale by Creedmoor Sports. Our development team set out to create one of the most accurate and precise scales on the...

www.creedmoorsports.com

 

[jds holler]

I'm gonna chime in with the 10-10. I just got my first one after reloading for over fifty years.
I've always had the basic 505 designs by Ohaus, RCBS, Dillon, and they are good and reliable, and old school. I've also got a couple electronics but just can't learn to trust them without a beam scale on the table.

I happened upon a really clean, older 10-10 a few months back, and after using it for awhile I'm thinking -- why not sooner ya big dummy. The accuracy is dead nuts on, the dampening is quick and stable, -- I love it. And the fact that it lives in it's own secure storage case with all accessories contained just keeps it cleaner and in good shape.

I wish I'd have gone this route much sooner. jd

 

[762plinker]

Buy once cry once. Why not start with a good set-up? Tommy mc

because he is just starting..does not know if he will stay...your idea is ok later..but you have to start first.
read what he is loading to start...pistol and hunting ammo...he need NO high volume tools at this point. 300 plus for a scale is just not justified at this point...a nice used 10-10 is

 

[SecondsCount]

For loading 30-30 and 30 carbine, a low cost digital scale will work fine. My friend has the little Lyman digital scale and it's just as accurate as the one on my Chargemaster.

 

[jds holler]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Old bastards like me are dying all the time, and their stuff is being sold at gun-shows for half price. I got this 10-10 of mine with a package of stuff - a Rock Chuck Press, Uniflow powder measure, 10-10 scale, auto primer feed, and powder trickle -- all for $150.

That deal was smokin, but I'm always seeing good ones pretty comparable. jd