Need a scale and opinions from ya'll

[Johnboy]

Ok guys I did a search so don't hate me, it's late and I am tired ( bad day ). My goal is to buy a new scale and I'm not sure to what brand I want. I've been looking at RCBS Redding and Hornady. Out of the three brands my price range is around $100 TO $150. So hear is a list of the scales that I have been looking at. My question to you all is what would you buy for the budget and why.

1) RCBS 502
2) RCBS 505
3) RCBS 10/10
4) Redding 505
5) Hornady beam scale

I will all so add that one day I hope to get it tuned one day, just don't know to when. I hear that one of our members is a great guy that tunes them for a pretty fare price, so hope to get him to tune it one day. Sorry for asking but really need the opinions and thanks for sharing.

John

 

[ShootDots]

Do yourself a HUGE favor and get a GemPro 250... For a tad over 100 bucks, it will measure down to 0.02grs.. It should be at the TOP of your list..

 

[savageshooter86]

GP 250 +1

Feel more confident my charges are spot on.

 

[Syncrowave]

I have a RCBS 10•10 and a GemPro 500.

The RCBS is a little easier for using a trickler to bring underweight charges up to the line.

I've only had my GemPro a few months, not sure how much I trust it. I've had my RCBS for over 30 years. I'd be surprised if my GemPro lasts that long. Also, the GemPro seems to EAT batteries -- either that, or it doesn't work once the batteries discharge just a little bit. All I know is that I have to keep changing batteries.

If speed is important – as in weighing cases – I like the GemPro better.

 

[ShootDots]

I have a RCBS 10•10 and a GemPro 500.

The RCBS is a little easier for using a trickler to bring underweight charges up to the line.

I've only had my GemPro a few months, not sure how much I trust it. I've had my RCBS for over 30 years. I'd be surprised if my GemPro lasts that long. Also, the GemPro seems to EAT batteries -- either that, or it doesn't work once the batteries discharge just a little bit. All I know is that I have to keep changing batteries.

If speed is important – as in weighing cases – I like the GemPro better.

I kept mine plugged in all the time>>>>Just like I do now with my FX-120I....
I should also add, I have an Ohaus 10/10 and used it for over 30 years... It does a good job at +/- 0.10grs... But the GemPro at worst is less than 1/2 of 1/0th of a grain! I like that level of accuracy...

 

[Johnboy]

Hey guys thanks for your opinions, but really looking at a beam scale. My room has florescent lighting and I have heard this is a big NO NO with electric scales. If that's the case I am not looking to changing out the lighting in my room. Plus I don't want to keep something plugged in all the time to keep it working at it's best, but I thank you for offering your opinion for a great scale.

John

 

[ShootDots]

Hey guys thanks for your opinions, but really looking at a beam scale. My room has florescent lighting and I have heard this is a big NO NO with electric scales. If that's the case I am not looking to changing out the lighting in my room. Plus I don't want to keep something plugged in all the time to keep it working at it's best, but I thank you for offering your opinion for a great scale.

John

In that case, I have a 10/10 for sale that is in perfect working order and still has the original box!! $100.00 plus shipping!!

 

[1066]

All the common RCBS range of scales, the 502, 505, 5-10,10/10 all use exactly the same knife edge/floating agate bearing set-up so none is more accurate than the other, they are all magnetically damped.
The 502 and 505 use the same body but the 502 has a simpler poise system. the 5-10, now obsolete, uses the same beam as the 10/10 and has the same approach to weight system.

The quality of the RCBS scales has dropped significantly over the last year or so, (now made in China and Mexico), an older one in good condition would be a better buy.

The Redding No 2 is a good scale, again a simple two poise design and magnetically damped, quality of the new scales is again slipping with the beam scale now a printed tape and no longer etched into the beam.

The very new Hornady scale is neat little unit, it is also a simple two poise scale and my initial impression is that it is accurate and will tune quite well. This is a much smaller scale than the regular Hornady beam scale that is no longer made.

A good RCBS 5-10 would be my choice, here's one working:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVtYglAd9Dc

 

[wmdron]

+1 on 1066's comment, he knows his stuff about scales. I would take his advice.

 

[Gene75]

I agree, I'm super picky about my power charge weight I check my charges between 2 GP-250's + use an Ohaus 10 10 10 gram to grain scale or an Ohaus M5 scale that was made for Lyman, according to Scott Parker who rebuilds and tunes powder scales he says the Ohaus M5 is the better choice when it comes to a beam type scale, also Scott told me the newer RCBS 10 10 scales are being built in Mexico and are not being built to the standards of old IMO I would try to buy an older OHAUS either the M5 or 10 10, if you can't find 1 here you can find them on ebay for sale JMO

 

[krktractor]

Do yourself a favor. You can get a fx120i for 400 and you will never need another scale. Far better than any scale out their.

 

[jlow]

Hey guys thanks for your opinions, but really looking at a beam scale. My room has florescent lighting and I have heard this is a big NO NO with electric scales. If that's the case I am not looking to changing out the lighting in my room. Plus I don't want to keep something plugged in all the time to keep it working at it's best, but I thank you for offering your opinion for a great scale.

John

Do yourself a favor and ignore the internet myth that you cannot use an electronic scale in a room with florescence lights. This is absolutely not true for the GemPro 250. I have used one with a big bank of those lights overhead for 4 years with no problem.

 

[Ghansen]

You didn't indicate a preference for new used, but a new RCBS 10-10 can be had for $165.00- 180.00 delivered (eBay or amazon). If you are worried about where they are made now, then search eBay for older ohaus/RCBS 10-10, everything including check weight sets abound. I think the way you choose will depend on how you like your bench. A lot of guys here suggested a 5-0-5 model as more than reasonable, and others recommend the 10-10 for pack and travel. I will add that I have been cross checking between a 5-0-5 and a small digital scale (to .02grn quoted), I'm pretty sure that small investment won't go to waste either.

 

[stool]

the gempro works well around lights and when PLUGGED in it does not eat battaries...
buy the gem pro add a electric trickler and watch gun shows and the net for a used 10-10 if you really want one after you use the gempro.

 

[Johnboy]

Hey guys thanks for posting all of your opinions, I will add that your help has lead me to looking into scales a little more. So far I have been eyeing an older 10-10 by Ohaus, and I think I am going to try and get it. Then soon let Scott work his magic for me. Trust me guys your opinions have and always are taken to heart, I couldn't have joined a better site with a great group of guys. My reloading is getting better as I am able to update my tools, hint kids getting older more money to spend on me. Plus I enjoy working with my tools and crafting out the best loads that I can, so a good beam scale will be a great new tool for me. Maybe soon I'll end up with a Gempro scale too who knows. The more I can get money wise the better my tools will get. ( just need to walk a little longer right now, not yet ready to run )

to jlow glade that you posted what you said, as most say these days it must be true if its from the net right. Well I guess its not after all. thanks for sharing maybe now this opinion can rest.

thanks, John

 

[jlow]

Not a problem John. Scales because of their sensitivity can be affected by a lot of things like wind, static, etc and this can drive people a bit crazy and they end up attributing a lot of causes that are not the real problem. Having a scientific background, I have used both in the 30 years of laboratory work.

Both a beam balance and electronic scales are good tools if you buy quality. The main reason I went with the GemPro is because it can precisely and accurately measure powder weight down to 0.02 grains out of the box and that is needed for long distance precision shooting. My understanding is the beam balance can also do this but you will need to have it specially tuned and you will have to set up some special video method to get the magnification to get the same accuracy/precision. The choice is a personal one.

 

[tjtjwdad]

Thanks to the OP for asking and to all who replied. I just purchased a RCBS 1500 Charge Master COMBO unit and plan on putting it to use.

Does anyone know how to reach Scott Parker? I would like to send my Dillon balance beam scale to him if he can check it out.

Thanks,

 

[jelrod1]

Thanks to the OP for asking and to all who replied. I just purchased a RCBS 1500 Charge Master COMBO unit and plan on putting it to use.

Does anyone know how to reach Scott Parker? I would like to send my Dillon balance beam scale to him if he can check it out.

Thanks,

vld223@yahoo.com is his email. I just purchased a tuned M5 Ohaus from him end of last year. I asked about sending my Dillon then and he wouldn't tune it. He said the way you change the weight it wouldn't repeat like some of the others. He may can repair it though if something is wrong will just have to ask.

I also have a Chargemaster and use it to short throw, then trickle up with an Omega on the Ohaus.

 

[tjtjwdad]

Thanks to the OP for asking and to all who replied. I just purchased a RCBS 1500 Charge Master COMBO unit and plan on putting it to use.

Does anyone know how to reach Scott Parker? I would like to send my Dillon balance beam scale to him if he can check it out.

Thanks,

vld223@yahoo.com is his email. I just purchased a tuned M5 Ohaus from him end of last year. I asked about sending my Dillon then and he wouldn't tune it. He said the way you change the weight it wouldn't repeat like some of the others. He may can repair it though if something is wrong will just have to ask.

I also have a Chargemaster and use it to short throw, then trickle up with an Omega on the Ohaus.

I appreciate the info. I may be able to latch on to a RCBS tripple beam scale as a mech replacement scale...will have to see on that one.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[Johnboy]

Hey guys thanks again for all the post. I just wanted to let you all know that I have put a lot of thought into a scale, and that your opinions have helped me. The scale of choice is an older Ohaus beam scale, that I hope sooner than later will end up at Scott's to be tuned. Maybe later in life I will end up with one of the nicer electric scales, for I found that some are really nice. ( just out of my budget )

thanks, John