Beam Scales ?

[LIUNA]

I would like to order a new Beam Scale but unsure which to buy, I have an old RCBS, but with all the new technology out there, I need to check with you guys for your imput.
I don't want a electronic scale, to much trouble, just a good quality beam scale.
Bob

 

[kelbro]

Did your old RCBS quit working? Not much new technology with regards to gravity scales. Maybe more features if your scale is a 502 or 505.

I like RCBS 510 and 1010 scales.

 

[Cold Bore]

Did your old RCBS quit working? Not much new technology with regards to gravity scales.

Agreed.

A good RCBS scale, even an older model, is going to do just what you need, as long as it's not bent or damaged.

Balance and gravity don't take a lot of high-tech to work. 8)

 

[Cort]

The "best" upgrade to your current beam scale is to have Scott Parker tune it up. He can be reached at vld223@yahoo.com. I bought a new one from him rather than sending him my old one for tuning. I have been very pleased with both of my scales.

Cort

 

[M-61]

I have been using an RCBS (Ohaus) 304 for years without any problems. I mounted it on a shelf that is eye level for me so parallax is not an issue.

 

[fdshuster]

Bob: I bought a used, (but never used) RCBS 1010 on this site last Fall, after using my 505 for longer than I can remember. The 1010 is a lot heavier and is more stable than the 505. I have been able to speed up my weighing using the 1010 compared to the older 505. Very pleased with it.

 

[BoydAllen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG49AA1OKIk
Get yours tuned. You will have the best that there is, better than any new one.

 

[kuduman49]

I too am looking for a accurate scale. Just went on to Brownells site to check out the RCBS 1010... The reviews were mixed,,,,, now made in Mexico,,, Scott Parker will not tune this Mexico version. That being said, what else is there that measures accurately ???

 

[fdshuster]

My 1010 was made by Ohaus in the USA, an older one, as was my 505. I too would not buy one if it were made in Mexico. Same goes for "made in China", where a lot of RCBS products are now made.

 

[hotrodlouie]

E Bay has listed the Lyman M5 all the time, very good scale.

 

[BillPa]

That being said, what else is there that measures accurately ???

Check weights for one. You could have two scales displaying different weights, but which is correct? With one scale its a WAG at best.

Before throwing charge one I use my weights to verify the scale I'm using is reading correctly within the span I'm using it. If I throwing 44 grains for instance I verify the scale using 40-50 grain check weights.

Bill

 

[jpretle]

If you can find one of those 304's you will never regret it's acquisition.
I tried one of those electronics and went back to the 304. I am much happier now.

 

[1066]

It’s sad to say but I think the quality of all the current beam scales is not what it used to be. If you take a current standard scale like the Redding No 2, a good basic scale, and compare it to the Redding No 2 of say, ten years ago. Although at first glance they look the same you will see that corners have been cut.
The Redding always had a very clear engraved beam, however for the last couple of years I notice the beam is no longer engraved, it has a printed strip stuck on the beam and I have recently seen one or two where the graduations on the beam don’t begin to line up with the cut serrations. This gradual deterioration of quality seems pretty consistent across the board. Long gone are the Lyman M5’s and the RCBS 5-10’s , the Hornady/Pacific and the RCBS 304 beam scales.
If I were thinking about buying a new beam scale I would look for a good old used one, get it tuned and look after it. If I wanted to buy a new current scale I think the Dillon is good value or the RCBS 502/505.

A good beam scale can easily be made to indicate a single kernel of Varget and will last a lifetime.

Tuned Hornady


Tuned 502

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8VMBJXfYDE

 

[Concha]

Buy an fine flat diamond hone. Carefully bring back the sharp edges to the fulcrum. Attach a small finish nail tothe end of the beam. Rebalance the scale with the beam level. Check function and repeatability. Use lit magnifier or mid level web cam.

 

[kelbro]

This has to be one of the best inventions ever for the beam scale:

http://shop.omegapowdertrickler.com/The-Handy-View-OMG2020.htm

 

[BaconFat]

This has to be one of the best inventions ever for the beam scale:

http://shop.omegapowdertrickler.com/The-Handy-View-OMG2020.htm

Has anyone actually used one of those prisms? Reading my scale without having to duck my head to get a straight on view would be nice.

 

[fdshuster]

billpa: We think alike. I also use a set of scale weights to check & verify before using my 10-10, each and every time. A simple way of double checking that the correct charge weight has been selected on the beam & verified with the weight set.

 

[kelbro]

This has to be one of the best inventions ever for the beam scale:

http://shop.omegapowdertrickler.com/The-Handy-View-OMG2020.htm

Has anyone actually used one of those prisms? Reading my scale without having to duck my head to get a straight on view would be nice.

Yes, it works well. My scale is set up just over waist high and I can read it fine. I tried the webcam thing and that worked but took up too much space on my bench.

The Dandy Co. is a regular guy that's a shooter like us. He came up with a couple of great tools and I like supporting mom & pop operations whenever I can. His Omega Auto Trickler combined with a Parker-tuned scale will produce some very consistent loads.

 

[BoydAllen]

Thanks to the prism, I can use my scale at desk top height, while sitting comfortably. I will give one tip, since it does not totally do away with eye position issues. I set mine up, and read it so that the width of the beam is centered vertically in my field of view, as I look at the prism. I have also slightly bent the piece of aluminum sheet metal that has the marks that the end of the beam points to so that its edge is in the same vertical plane as the face of the beam. I keep the prism in the same drawer as my scale, wrapped in a piece of bubble wrap, to protect it.

 

[DanConzo]

Lots of good info here on this thread.