Need to buy new scale

[wmdron]

I was wondering if you all could help me out. It looks like I am going to be in the market for a new powder scale as I am having problems with repeatability and returning to zero with the one I have used for years a Lyman 500. I have read many posts and articles about scales on various websites, this one included and quite frankly I am having trouble making a decision on just what I should buy. I don't shoot in competitions or matches but I do like to target shoot with family and friends and varmint hunt. The Gempro 250 looks good to me, but I've read that electronic scales can eventually fail and also be finicky. The balance beam I have been giving a lot of thought to is the RCBS 1010. So if anyone would care to tell me what scale they use or what they would recommend maybe I can sort this out and make a good one time buy. Thanks.

 

[CoverDog]

"The Gempro 250 looks good to me, but I've read that electronic scales can eventually fail and also be finicky."

On any electronic scale I would run an in-line magnetic noise filter. Let if fail, how can you beat a lifetime warranty. If you want a balance beam the 10-10 is hard to beat.

 

[in2deep]

If you don't compete but still want very accurate ammo then an automatic unit like the RCBS Chargemaster will make reloading easy for you and quite accurate although they are pricey at around $300.

Otherwise you could send your 10-10 scale to Scott Parker for a tune-up and it will be more accurate than a new one for less than half the price of an automatic but look on Youtube for a video of the Chargemaster in action and it may be worth it to you long after the high price has been forgotten LOL....just push a button and in 20 seconds the charge is done while you were seating the bullet in the prior case.

 

[Cort]

If you decide to stay with the balance beam, contact Scott Parker for one of his tuned scales. They really work well for precise weighing of your powder charge.

Cort

 

[BoydAllen]

There has been a lot posted about tuning balance scales. Since you are not happy with yours, why don't you give that a try? I have seen it make a huge difference.

 

[bozo699]

I have the chargemaster and it works fine, but need power to run it, usually not a problem but it could be, buy a tuned 1010 from Parker and you will have a permanent smile on your face.
Wayne.

 

[queen_stick]

+1 on the Scott Parker beam scale. I bought a Lyman/Ohaus M5 tuned by Scott, and I'm more than happy with it. As Boyd mentioned, It made a huge difference for me when I went from on old electronic RCBS to the Parker-tuned beam.

btw, Scott is on this forum under user name "sparker" ... look him up and buy a scale from him!!!

 

[Leaddog]

A Scott Parker tuned beam scale or a GD503 if going digital.

 

[Flybuster]

I picked up a used 1010 Parker tuned scale from a user here a few months ago. So far its been consistent, though its a little harder to read than my old 505, I've set up the webcam/laptop for easy viewing.

 

[BigDMT]

I have the RCBS rangemaster scale and the Gempro 250. Both are great and very repeatable. I think the Gempro is only about $60 more than the RCBS.
If accuracy to +/- 0.1 gr is good enough for you, the RCBS will serve you well. If you need something more accurate for long range shooting or competition, a scale accurate to +/- .02 gr like the Gempro 250 might be better suited for the task.

I load all my pistol, and varmint rounds using the RCBS scale to set weight for my powder measure and check every 10th charge. If my pistol or varmint rounds aren't EXACTLY the same, it's not the end of the world. Just as long as they are accurate.

For competition and long range big game hunting rifles where every shot counts, I use the GemPro 250.

But for a "do all" scale, I'd spend the extra money and get the GemPro 250. The GemPro comes with a lifetime warranty as well.

Take care : )

 

[wmdron]

Lots of good ideas and suggestions, thanks.

 

[wmdron]

Well I ordered the Gempro 250 today found it on ebay from the tv jewelry site JTV for $140, free shipping, free return if not satisfied within 30 days and the lifetime/30yr warranty. I felt I couldn't go wrong. I will probably end up with a reworked 1010 RCBS balance beam at some point in the future. But for now the Gempro, Thanks to all for the help, ideas and suggestions.

 

[BigDMT]

Good choice

Balance beams are just so dang slow. That's why I got rid of mine. Just make sure you get the GemPro good and level (has a built in level) and make sure there are no breezes when weighing. It's very sensitive.

Of course there is a fold over hard cover that you can use when weighing a charge in the pan. It eliminates any possible wind interference for a very precise measurement. Just follow the set-up procedures in the manual to a "T" and you'll love the GemPro.

It also comes in a nice hard case., operates on a 120V receptacle or AA batteries if you want to take it to the range, and is supplied with plastic tweezers to grab single granules of powder from the tray. And it will sense the weight of single pieces of powder so you will be able to get your charges very uniform

Take care and good luck

 

[jlow]

Buy the GemPro 250.

I am one of the earliest adopter of this scale, brought mine in February of 2010 and have been using it since. The scale is not perfect with occasional drifts but all in all, it keeps zero with no problem and when it is off, it is usually not more than 0.04gr. Keep the scale unplugged unless you are using it daily and warm it up at least 30 min before us, wipe the pan down with dryer sheet if you are seeing static problem and you will have no problem.

As for it eventually failing, I am sure that this is true for ALL electronic scales but even your rifle will eventually fail, not a reason to avoid using electronic scale as they are heads and shoulders better than beam scales. I say this will 30 years of research experience and using lab grade beam and electronic scale.

 

[bozo699]

Buy the GemPro 250.

I am one of the earliest adopter of this scale, brought mine in February of 2010 and have been using it since. The scale is not perfect with occasional drifts but all in all, it keeps zero with no problem and when it is off, it is usually not more than 0.04gr. Keep the scale unplugged unless you are using it daily and warm it up at least 30 min before us, wipe the pan down with dryer sheet if you are seeing static problem and you will have no problem.

As for it eventually failing, I am sure that this is true for ALL electronic scales but even your rifle will eventually fail, not a reason to avoid using electronic scale as they are heads and shoulders better than beam scales. I say this will 30 years of research experience and using lab grade beam and electronic scale.

I think the Gem pro 250 is a good scale, I do not believe it is better or faster then a good Balance and that is from 30 years experience also
Wayne.

 

[Dave T]

Kudos for the Parker tuned beam scale, my chargemaster is now an expensive dispenser just to get me close.
Dave T

 

[Gman]

I have a Pact digital scale thats been in use for 7 years, and never had 1 problem. I only weigh to the tenth of a grain tho.'

 

[wmdron]

Although I don't compete I do want the most accurate and consistent ammo possible. I believe the Gempro will be a real help in this regard. The accuracy bug has bitten me and now I am having a great time with my revived reloading and shooting hobby. I must say it is becoming a rather expensive hobby with all the nice new stuff coming out all the time. Just as soon as I recover from buying the gempro I am going after a parker improved rcbs scale. I like to cover all the bases.

 

[BigDMT]

The GemPro is all you need for accurate charges. No sense in having a Parker too. Your money would be better spent on good brass prepping tools next like a good neck turner, primer pocket unifromer, flash hole deburring tool, etc... Or even a nice set of Redding competition dies or perhaps even a nice arbor press with Wilson competition hand dies.

The Parker scale cannot detect weight as low as the GemPro and will only repeat what the GemPro shows you. Not that the Parker isn't an excellent scale, just probably be a waste of money since you already have a Gem Pro 250 on the way.

Just my opinion though : )

 

[queen_stick]

I personally believe that both types of scales are good to have on the bench. (electronic and a Parker beam). I use my Parker for throwing powder charges, and that won't change.

However, a beam scale is terrible for weight sorting cases, bullets, or anything else for that matter. Maybe not terrible, but not nearly as efficient as using an electronic scale for weight sorting.