Best balance beam scale

[Dgd6mm]

I have often wondered this same thing. Scott since you replied here, which do you consider the best and what do you sell a tuned one for? Considering you have one to sell.

 

[swadiver]

I have an 1971 new in the box (I think) Ohaus 10-0-5 scale (same as a Lyman M5) that was tuned by Scott. (Sparker). i added the pencil lead mod to the knife edge pivots, glued on a small sewing needle to the pointer, and got a webcam hooked up to an old tablet to view the pointer. the results in sensitivity and repeatablity have been amazing. it will resolve one kernel of IMR 8208 XBR.

i like to double weigh my mid range and long range ammo, so originally i used the Ohaus with a Bald Eagle digital scale. when the FX -120i came available with a $150 rebate, i couldn't pass up the chance to replace the Bald Eagle with the FX-120i. i literally just got it yesterday.

loaded some ammo this morning with the FX-120i and the Ohaus and was delighted to see that the FX-120i worked fantastic (no drift). with the quality of a scale such as a FX-120i, i was finally able to confirm that the Ohaus performed as i suspected, as good as the Fx-120i. i was loading N135 and single kernels were easily discernible on both scales and the scale values stayed together throughout the loading of the 30 rds.

eventually, i may just use the FX-120i. but, i am an analog kind of guy, so my inherent distrust of all things digital may keep the Ohaus in the picture indefinitely.

so to echo many other posters, if you want a great beam scale, find an Ohaus like mine or a Lyman M5 and send it to Sparker. pretty sure you will be happy with the results.

a couple of pics

 

[Mikemci]

I like my RCBS 505. As mentioned, you keep it clean, a little graphite on the pivot, cover when not in use and she works like a dream!! You can watch it move, with each added powder granule and my ES is usually 5 or less.

Edit: I don't trust electronic scales. The only electronic equip. in my reloading room is the Dandy Trickler.

 

[dedogs]

Apparently no one but Benperfected (and myself) has noticed that this thread is almost ten years old. dedogs

 

[Netman]

It’s really good to see I’m not the only one still rolling with the 505. When I was 14 years old my parents bought me a 788 in 6mm and the RCBS reloading set and have been using the same set ever since.

 

[Mikemci]

Apparently no one but Benperfected (and myself) has noticed that this thread is almost ten years old. dedogs

Proven methods are timeless.

 

[dedogs]

Proven methods are timeless.

Absolutely-- I myself have a Parker tuned M-5 and won't even consider any thing else. But then I'm "Old School" and kinda stuck in my ways. dedogs

 

[DRNewcomb]

I've decided I need a new scale. I shot an F-TR match on Saturday and was hitting a lot of 10s & Xs until the wind went all squirrelly and I started throwing them left and right. But I did good overall. Same load as always, I only changed one thing: in between trickles I'd tap the pan on my RCBS 5-10 scale to make it bounce a bit. It just sticks and won't "see" small additions of powder unless it's swinging. Now a fellow shooter at the match, who's always bringing reports of new stuff he's trying, told me about his new scale, with an auto trickler. I whipped out my pen & notebook to get the info, then he told me it was $700 and I put the notebook back in my pocket. I need a new scale but for $700, I can continue to tap my old 5-10. (Yes, I've cleaned and inspected the bearing surfaces with a jeweler's loupe.) I need to find something with good repeatability for under $100.

 

[hoz53]

I've decided I need a new scale. I shot an F-TR match on Saturday and was hitting a lot of 10s & Xs until the wind went all squirrelly and I started throwing them left and right. But I did good overall. Same load as always, I only changed one thing: in between trickles I'd tap the pan on my RCBS 5-10 scale to make it bounce a bit. It just sticks and won't "see" small additions of powder unless it's swinging. Now a fellow shooter at the match, who's always bringing reports of new stuff he's trying, told me about his new scale, with an auto trickler. I whipped out my pen & notebook to get the info, then he told me it was $700 and I put the notebook back in my pocket. I need a new scale but for $700, I can continue to tap my old 5-10. (Yes, I've cleaned and inspected the bearing surfaces with a jeweler's loupe.) I need to find something with good repeatability for under $100.

i dont think you can do much for that money. you could get a 10/10 or M5 for that but it may need tuning. parker will charge 80 i think. mabie you could tune the above yourself. the scale the guy was telling you about is probably the A&D FX-120i. there is a sale going on right now. 500 for the scale alone with a 150 rebate off that. best deal about ever on this scale. its a sensitive electronic instrument though and you may have to buy a power line conditioner for it. interesting i just got a 5-10 with some other stuff and i was wondering how good a scale it would be. i wonder if parker could tune your 5-10. mabie youd want to call and ask him.

edit::::well thinking about it you might have good sensitivity/consistency with a redding-- i just dont like that flat pan holder so i dont think of them to much

 

[47WillysGuy]

There's a couple of interesting you tube videos at the 6.5 Creedmoor Forum under the Reloading section entitled: Nice YouTube comparison of all the Powder Drops. Located On the second page.

They compare different powder scales by loading rounds for two rifles, firing those rounds, and analyzing the results.

 

[hoz53]

Not unobtainable. Not really desirable. Anyone who used the metric version of the scale (Dial-O-Gram) in middle school science knows why.

Scott Parker

can/will you tune a 5-10. wat do you think of this scale? Thanks Much

 

[DRNewcomb]

i dont think you can do much for that money. .....

You're probably right about that. I may have to dig a bit deeper but $700 is out of the question. Not on my budget.

 

[hoz53]

You're probably right about that. I may have to dig a bit deeper but $700 is out of the question. Not on my budget.

the a and d is 350 right now with the rebate. you dont get the trickler. dont know if you noticed but i added a redding might give you what youre looking for for around the price youre looking. they have this flat pan holder i dont like but i think are good scales

 

[Dgd6mm]

A Scott Parker tuned beam scale (Lyman M5) is the best you will own IMO. Thru the chronograph compared to the FX120-I it will give you almost as good of numbers. At the price of a AD FX120-I and purchasing a Lyman M5 tuned scale from Scott after the AD rebate there is a difference of $110.00 TYD.