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

For loading hunting ammo in a 300 Weatherby Mag you could get by with the old Lee Dippers. Do not over think or over spend for a powder scale just get one. I had a friend that owned a gun shop and he ordered a Weatherby rifle for a customer in 300 Weatherby Mag. Fellow was friends with some very anal bench rest shooters and these fellows were "helping" him hand load for it. They could not get the rifle to shoot much under 1". Fellow sends a letter to Weatherby, this is before e-mail came around, telling them of the rifles inaccuracy explaining that his "friends" thought Weatherby should replace the barrel because it was not accurate, (by their anal standards) I might add. Weatherby replied with a post card that simply stated, and I quote "Weatherby makes a hunting rifle not a target rifle." I don't by any stretch of the imagination think that this is safe but I know of a fellow that does not even use a scale to load for his 300 Weatherby Mag. He just fills the case full to the top with H1000 and seats a 180 gr Sierra bullet making a compressed load and he says that it shoots just as good if not better than factory ammo.
 
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.
 
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IMG_0659.JPG 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 said:
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
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SPJ, whats the "bendy straw" for?? Powder dipper or remover??
 
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.
 
Linko said:
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.
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My Hornady LnL worked fine for my hunting rifles, at $160 the Hornady is a good buy..
 
cdhbrad said:
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.
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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.
 
Bc'z said:
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
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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.
 
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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.
 
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