powder scale gift for new reloader. Is $125 wasted?

[Depart123]

Everybody talks about the old American made Ohaus 10-10's. They are very good indeed, as has been said but the vintage 5-0-5's are just as accurate and command less of a premium. Off ebay, you could get a used RCBS powder dispenser and a vintage 5-0-5 for the money you want to spend.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ohaus-505-...h=item21410c1d51:g:~DQAAOSwyedbGUPe:rk:5:pf:0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LYMAN-OHAU...bNbPP2m:sc:USPSPriority!98264!US!-1:rk:3:pf:0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-RCBS-...=item41ede0635b:g:zDoAAOSwJ8RbnpfX:rk:35:pf:0

If I didn't already have 4 quality beam scales I would buy one of these, and the powder measure too.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

View attachment 1076244 One thing you'll notice on the 1010 is the micro poise runs on a threaded rod that may over the years get a tiny bit of slop in the threads affecting the finest measurement.01 gr. (Something to keep your eye on")
Another small thing to be aware of is over time and use the pan can lose weight itself causing grief zeroing the scale to match the base, my cure for this is to add a tiny bit of clear scotch tape to the bottom of the pan for counterbalance.
The 505 model has a different micro adjustment method.
Addendum- my scale was $50 plus shipping, purchased from a AS member . Thx again JP

SPJ, whats the "bendy straw" for?? Powder dipper or remover??

 

[normmatzen]

I'd listen to dsculley!
The Lee safety scale will out perform most other beam balances from "popular" brands.
It's only defect I can see is that it works different from what most folks are used to. But, that doesn't mean it's bad.
Something most folks don't realize, most beam balances have upwards of 500 gr full scale capacity where the LEE is way lower. Most measurement equipment is rated accuracy wise in per cent of full scale. The LEE with a lower full scale rating has an easier job of high accuracy with a lower full scale value.

 

[KenOath]

I have a relative who is going to start reloading. A powder scale is on his Christmas list.

I have a budget of around $125. Is buying one at that price point a waste. There are Chinese Ohaus balance 10-10's and simple electronice ones like the Dillon 1500 around that price.

His primary loading will be hunting rounds like the .300 Weatherby Magnum.

My Hornady LnL worked fine for my hunting rifles, at $160 the Hornady is a good buy..

 

[Papa Charlie]

If you have the means, this would be a great gift for the hunter.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...ct-digital-powder-system/1530787.uts?slotId=6

But within the budget you mentioned and again for a hunter this would make a great gift.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...4895280/rcbs-rangemaster/1993355.uts?slotId=8

or

https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...-reg-digital-bench-scale/1156604.uts?slotId=9

 

[Linko]

Ta Da

I have a Redding Scale and Trickler on the way.

Thank you everyone. As usually this crowd is the best.

Merry Christmas

 

[Zero333]

Chargemaster Lite is on sale at Brownells for $ 188, but unfortunately it's on back order.

If you got your friend a chargemaster Lite he would be very happy.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading.../chargemaster-lite-120-240vac-prod110247.aspx

 

[1066]

This would certainly do the job and this is one of the scales I use: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ohaus-10-1...=item46897fc8a4:g:d-QAAOSwctJb6JrQ:rk:15:pf:0 Looks to be in great condition. US Made too and fits the budget. Not my auction.

Unfortunately that looks very much like the finish a non-US made scale. Even the 10/10's made in China and Mexico have Manf by Ohaus, USA cast in the base. The only way to tell for certain is that the place of manufacture is actually printed on the cardboard box. Interesting to note that, for a scale in that "as new" condition, it doesn't come with it's original box. Any RCBS beam scale made in the last about 10 years has not been manufactured in USA. Also, of course the 10/10, 505 and 502 were dropped from the RCBS range and replaced by the M1000 and M500.

 

[gambleone]

I have an rcbs range master ll , I'd let go of reasonable. I paid 120 bucks for it a lil over a year ago.
Not the best scale, but it ain't the worst either.
Edit, forgot to mention $60 bucks n its yours

This is a very good scale. jmho.
Late edit; Didn't read the range part before master, so i can't comment on
this scale.

 

[1066]

This is a very good scale. jmho. Scott Parker likes them.

Isn't the Rangemaster a digital scale? I thought Scott was a beam man through and through. He'd probably use it as a paperweight.

 

[gambleone]

Isn't the Rangemaster a digital scale? I thought Scott was a beam man through and through. He'd probably use it as a paperweight.

You're correct. I never read the range part. Just read it as master 2.

 

[Bc'z]

Isn't the Rangemaster a digital scale? I thought Scott was a beam man through and through. He'd probably use it as a paperweight.

Yes it is

 

[muleystalker]

Here is a great buy right here, a US made OHAUS and one Sparky proves of and would tune. Cant beat the price and looks to be great shape. I payed double that for mine.https://www.ebay.com/itm/LYMAN-D-5-...776405?hash=item26090fa0d5:g:MswAAOSw2~Zb44HK

 

[shortthroat]

I switched to digital a few years ago, using the basic RCBS scale. No problems with drift, very repeatable and precise. The accuracy of the scale is easily within .1 grain as determined from the calibration weights as well as weights of several match bullets. The only problem I have is having to throw twice from my measure to get enough powder into the pan. I throw a grain or so low and then trickle to the final weight so that I am always coming to the correct result from below. I use a Redding BR measure to throw charges into the pan, but it can't throw the 93 gr. or so that I need for .338 LM.

The digital works well for my .17CCM as well, because I am only using about 8.2 gr. for that. I throw 8 gr. and then trickle to the final amount.

 

[Depart123]

The problem with electronic scales sometimes is the anti-drift software itself. The scale resists drifting by constantly returning the scale to zero unless the added weight is above a certain threshold. Often times 2 or 3 or 5 (depending on the scale) kernals of powder is below this threshold, so the scale doesn't register it. The scale thinks it is drifting. To re-check the charge, lift the pan up and set it down again.

That is why a scale can throw innaccurate charges and still register perfectly with the calibration weight.

 

[muleman69]

I switched to digital a few years ago, using the basic RCBS scale. No problems with drift, very repeatable and precise. The accuracy of the scale is easily within .1 grain as determined from the calibration weights as well as weights of several match bullets. The only problem I have is having to throw twice from my measure to get enough powder into the pan. I throw a grain or so low and then trickle to the final weight so that I am always coming to the correct result from below. I use a Redding BR measure to throw charges into the pan, but it can't throw the 93 gr. or so that I need for .338 LM.

The digital works well for my .17CCM as well, because I am only using about 8.2 gr. for that. I throw 8 gr. and then trickle to the final amount.

I have the very same set up ,digital rcbs and Redding BR. I also have an O'haus to check the digital with which I seldom have to do as the RCBS seems to be spot on .

 

[hambone1971]

Redding #2 scale beam scale made in America, always warmed up, no drift, repeatable same reading all the time, ready to go. Digitals drift never read the same unless you pay 500.00 and let them warm up hours/days. Been there.

 

[Depart123]

Redding #2 scale beam scale made in America, always warmed up, no drift, repeatable same reading all the time, ready to go. Digitals drift never read the same unless you pay 500.00 and let them warm up hours/days. Been there.

None of the balance beam scales are what they used to be. For quality workmanship, no matter the brand, you have to buy vintage.

In my opinion, the floating agate bearing, magnetic dampening of the early Ohaus's is a superior system to the hardened steel inserts. JMHO.

 

[hambone1971]

None of the balance beam scales are what they used to be. For quality workmanship, no matter the brand, you have to buy vintage.

In my opinion, the floating agate bearing, magnetic dampening of the early Ohaus's is a superior system to the hardened steel inserts. JMHO.

I would hope Redding has not cut quality for profit but I haven't looked at the new ones in the last few years. I would think most savvy reloaders would pay more for a quality beam scale after paying for 2 or 3 digitals that didn't work out. You can't go wrong with vintage Ohaus beams they still work well, I have one myself I've bought on Ebay. I think my old Redding #2 has the hardened steel insert it's 30 years old and compared to any comparable priced digital it works great! Repeatable every reading to 1/2 of .1 grain all day long no warm up. Way better than digital crap offered now days for similar price. Been there and wasted my fair share of money on digital. HB

 

[17TACnes]

A good balance beam scale works best for me for over 35 years. I have tried a few of the electronic scales (cheap and expensive) and I always find they are very inconsistent. With either scale a set of check weights are invaluable. I have a RCBS weight set. I use different weight in the set to calibrate the beam scale before every reloading secession. I have found that just leveling the beam scale can change from reloading secession to the next. Speaking from experience, a consistently calibrated cheap beam scale is better than an inaccurate expensive electronic scale, when 1/10 th of a grain of powder variation can mean a over pressured cartridge in an 17 Tactical.