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Scale for Beginning Reloader

mtncwru

Gold $$ Contributor
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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:

 
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.
 

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