Scale for Beginning Reloader

[mtncwru]

A friend of mine is getting into reloading and needs All The Gear. He's got a press and dies already but needs a scale; while I have him covered on most of the small bits, I don't have an extra scale lying around.

Is there any particular scale that folks like in the budget space? My go-to was the GemPro 250 but that's off the market. As much as I'd love to get him into an AutoTrickler or similar, $1,000 isn't in his budget at the moment. He's loading rifle ammo in the 100 to 200 rounds per month territory.

 

[LCazador]

A beam scale would certainly be the cheapest option. You will need a trickler to go with it. The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper is also a good option if you want a digital scale with trickler. Check out Ultimate Reloader on You Tube for his revue on scales.

 

[Kevin1990]

I've had 4 scales thus far in my 7 or so years of reloading. 2 beams and two electronic. One beam scale was the scale that comes with the rcbs reloading kit. You can get them for like 80 bucks. Then I found an old RCBS 10-10 scale on eBay, that was very accurate. That fell off my bench, and I ran quick to my local gun store and impulse bought a RCBS charge master link, and it changed reloading for me. Its just so much quicker and less frustrating for a beginner. I now have 2, and have a battery pack, and will bring one to the range with me with my K&M arbor press to work up loads. I need a better way to block the elements though.

 

[seagate]

Lyman m-5 or a Ohaus 10-10

 

[joshb]

Buy a Parker tuned Ohaus. It’s all I use. Keep it simple for a beginner.

 

[Webster]

A friend of mine is getting into reloading and needs All The Gear. He's got a press and dies already but needs a scale; while I have him covered on most of the small bits, I don't have an extra scale lying around.

Is there any particular scale that folks like in the budget space? My go-to was the GemPro 250 but that's off the market. As much as I'd love to get him into an AutoTrickler or similar, $1,000 isn't in his budget at the moment. He's loading rifle ammo in the 100 to 200 rounds per month territory.

Been using a Lyman M5 beam scale since 1970 with a RCBS powder trickler. Good enough to make ammo that shoots under .400" in a varmint rifle. I probably paid under $40 for it. Kreiger barrel 6BR.

 

[L.Sherm]

FX-120 buy once cry once, unless your planning on BR some day

 

[lgwatson]

A friend of mine is getting into reloading and needs All The Gear. He's got a press and dies already but needs a scale; while I have him covered on most of the small bits, I don't have an extra scale lying around.

Is there any particular scale that folks like in the budget space? My go-to was the GemPro 250 but that's off the market. As much as I'd love to get him into an AutoTrickler or similar, $1,000 isn't in his budget at the moment. He's loading rifle ammo in the 100 to 200 rounds per month territory.

I have the Hornady dispenser. It is accurate and easy to use. I also use a Harrels powder drop with Redding beam scales that were tuned by Scott Parker. I throw about .2 grains light and trickle up with the Dandy trickler.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I've had 4 scales thus far in my 7 or so years of reloading. 2 beams and two electronic. One beam scale was the scale that comes with the rcbs reloading kit. You can get them for like 80 bucks. Then I found an old RCBS 10-10 scale on eBay, that was very accurate. That fell off my bench, and I ran quick to my local gun store and impulse bought a RCBS charge master link, and it changed reloading for me. Its just so much quicker and less frustrating for a beginner. I now have 2, and have a battery pack, and will bring one to the range with me with my K&M arbor press to work up loads. I need a better way to block the elements though.

If I was new and starting out, I agree 100% on getting the Link.

 

[std7mag]

Flea markets are a great source for a beginner or someone on a budget.
I picked up a RCBS beam scale for $10 the other year.

And I'll second on the Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper.

 

[nettle]

Plenty of RCBS 10-10's on Ebay. That's what I use. Nice to start out with a beam scale so it can verify an electronic scale if it goes wonky.

 

[cameronalbrecht]

The FX120i is like $515 by itself. If the whole autotrickler isn't in your friends budget right now maybe buy the FX now. I just use a cheap powder thrower to get close then hand trickle it up on the FX, until I can afford the add on of the autotrickler. I previously used a Hornady Autocharge and it is not very accurate IMO.

 

[jnr88]

I refused to spend $520 for a scale. I purchased this Vevor and couldn’t be happier. My first 15 rounds of 6BR with Varget had. SD of 3.8. 78$ on Amazon.

Amazon.com

 

[Cloudrepair]

I use a dandy trickler and a fx120i
Best I have ever used and fast. A tunned beem scale might be as good
.

 

[Rodney]

The RCBS link is reasonably priced and simple to use and set up. Frankford Arsenal is another great choice too. Can’t go wrong with either. I have both and love them. A beam scale and trickling is how I started but the cost of the automatic scales have come down over the years to a point where beginners can afford them.

 

[209jones]

Gempro make a 300 version of the 250 these days, supposed to be the same thing except it's 300gr. I would still get him into a beam scale to start with, that way he can have a backup, before he gets an elec scale or dispenser. One thing that is guaranteed, elec unit will krap, never know when, 5min, 5 months or 5 decades, but, it will. If he doesn't have a trickler, get Lee spoon set, smallest one is the best trickler I've used, thery're fast, handy, easy to learn to use.

 

[L.Sherm]

When you start loading 100's of rounds for sage rat or P.D cartridges you appreciate something like a RCBS 1500 and trickle in a FX- 120 or loading LR rounds to the 2nd decimal

 

[Fast14riot]

Read this thread: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/remarkable-little-scale.3985753/

I still use these little $25 digital scales with great success, I usually have a second one sitting on the shelf for bullets, postage, modeling, etm. I do use a regular powder pan, the one provided is just too small.

Heres a current link...

Amazon.com

 

[BoydAllen]

On Ebay, any of the RCBS beam scales and a RCBS trickler both used should do just fine for any beginning reloader IMO. For example:

RCBS Model 505 Balance Beam Mechanical Powder Scale 511 Grain Capacity | eBay

The RCBS Model 505 powder scale is a great addition to any reloading bench. The 511 grain capacity is more than sufficient for many typical reloading tasks.

www.ebay.com

RCBS POWDER TRICKLER IN BOX AND RCBS GREEN FUNNEL | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCBS POWDER TRICKLER IN BOX AND RCBS GREEN FUNNEL at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[searcher]

I used an RCBS beam scale for the first 15 years or so that I reloaded - and it gets the job done - as do the other makes, all reasonably priced. Given he is on a budget, there are also a number of electronic scales that are a fraction of the good dispensing units - like the newer stand-alone electronic Hornady scale - which also works pretty well. The very best scales can get pricey though not needed.

If it were me on a budget, I'd get a second-hand balance scale as others suggested - then save up for a really good electronic scale which can be bought if he decides to stay into reloading - which some folks don't.