Scale Recomendations

[bored184]

Hey
I recently joined this forum and started reloading this year. I am looking to purchase a better beam scale then the one I am currently using. Any recommendations as to what I should purchase? I am currently using a old bonanza scale with a plastic base. It works allright but I am not a fan of all the plastic, its to lite and easily bumbed around.

Thanks for your help,
bored184

 

[dreever]

Best balance beam available today in my opinion would be the RCBS 1010 or it's Ohaus counterpart.
Many are available new or on E-bay for a reasonable price. Going price new is about $145.00 shipped.

Danny

 

[brian427cobra]

The BEST is a Gen2 Prometheus, there close to 3k, but a 10-10 will work, look up Scott Parker here, he sells scales that he tunes up for better performance.

 

[dreever]

I did not even mention the Prometheus because he said he's just getting started. With that in mind the 1010 is the best bet right out of the box without spending extra $$$ to have someone "Tune" it. Besides the Prometheus are not readily available anyway.
So Brian do you own one?

Danny

 

[brian427cobra]

Yes Sir I do

But mine is a Gen 1

 

[coyoteklr]

I'll give the 10-0-10 a plus 20....
i'll have to qualify thou because i use a redding 3br powder thrower and just check it with the 10-0-10

 

[BoydAllen]

Just so that you know, I have a 10-10 and have used another one that belongs to a friend. Without a superior scale to test with, it is difficult to understand how well your scale is doing. Luckily, I was able to borrow an electronic scale that weighs to .02 grain. It was at that point that I became aware that my powder throwing results were not as good as I had previously thought, and that my 10-10 was not nearly as good as I had thought. While a 10-10 is more convenient, having a built in dust cover, and perhaps easier to set, I do not think that it is more accurate than other cheaper scales that Ohaus makes for RCBS, that feature the same agate bearings. As to any stock balance being as good as one that has been properly tuned....good luck with that. I have been able to show considerable performance gains by doing some tuning, as have friends. IMO buying a used tuned scale from that fellow in Bakersfield that has over 400 to his credit is probably the best alternative short of spending $300+ for a halfway decent electronic scale. As for the Prometheus...I admire them, but since I do most of my reloading at the range, and they are a bit too spendy for my budget, I don't see one in my immediate (or for that matter distant) future.

 

[dreever]

Brian,

Does not matter that yours is a Generation 1, you have one that's impressive enough. Not many guys who frequent the different message boards can boast of owning one!

Boyd,

How far off was your 1010? I have one myself, but it has been gathering dust since I bought the Denver Instruments MXX123 scale.
I can tell you this throwing Varget from my Harrells I've come to the following observation: "I can't throw powder charges worth crap!"
I always throw low and trickle up on the MXX123 to the proper charge. I hand weigh everything unless I'm throwing 2520 for the .223 auto's. I've gotten to the point that I can do it pretty fast.

Danny

 

[BoydAllen]

Danny,
I would say that the issue was how the scale repeated. Worst case, every so often I would see that it did not return to zero when testing with a fixed weight. The difference was on the order of +-.1 grain. On you 10-10 look at the knife edges straight on to see if there are any shiny (dull) areas. If there are, and there probably will be, carefully touch them up with a small stone or diamond hone, being careful to work with the original angles. The steel is very soft. You can deburr afterwords with the side of a pencil lead. Then, before you put it back on the scale, clean the agate bearings with a Q tip and alcohol. Another thing to look at is whether the scale is level when everything is zeroed. On mine and a friend's, we had to jack the LH side of the scale way up higher than level. I carefully adjusted the weights inside the pan holder so that the body of the scale was level when the scale was balanced when set to zero. There was some other tricks, but this should get you started. Remember to check with known weights. you may have to adjust the main sliding weight to get a standard reading. some times it can be a bit of a head scratcher. A friend who took my advice and sharpened his scale's knife edges, is very happy with the difference in repeatability. He made up a test weight that duplicates the load that he is weighing. As far as the Varget goes, I would say that 133 is marginal for hitting +- .1 and that for anything coarser, it is beyond my skill. I HAVE done a lot of work with measure technique and have developed some variations that have not made print, that seem to help.

 

[dreever]

Thanks Boyd,

I'll take a look at my 1010 to see what's up. Since I got the MXX123 the 1010 just sits on the shelf, but one thing, if the electric goes out the 1010 will always work!

Danny

 

[6BRinNZ]

I have the RCBS 5-10. I can't compare it off the shelf to other scales - the things that irritate me about it are - the 1/10th screw adjuster, there isn't anything much to align the indicator mark with and the main bar indicator is too far away from the indicator line on the body.
It is definitely sensitive and will respond to a granule added (sometimes it needs a nudge).
If I was to buy again I would be seriously tempted with a tuned scale.

 

[gambleone]

Scott Parker does tune the scales & one that he is partial to is the Redding Model-2. He claims, if tuned correctly & used properly, they are a very good & precise scale for the money. Like Boyd said, Use an electronic scale to compare with is a good idea. I use one to check my Model-2 against & it is too close to adjust. My 2 cents.

 

[lurcher]

I have a Scott Parker-tuned redding. It returns to zero and is very consistent (I'm always checking it with rcbs delux check weights). I use it to double check all charge-master generated loads.

 

[JabaliHunter]

I got an Ohaus from Scott Parker and am very pleased with it. Yes it is old, but it works! I also got a handy view from omegapowdertrickler.com which is a useful addition.

 

[brxbrad]

How about a http://www.lymanproducts.com/store/page166.html
Reconditioned Reloading: 1200 DPS 3 Electronic Scale
$394.95 retail $179.99 On Sale!
Factory reconditioned and tested. Precisely weighs every charge you load nearly as fast as using a measure. The 1200 DPS 3 is the fastest powder system ever. The Auto Repeat Setting throws a precise charge automatically each time the pan is put in place. Fast and easy powder changing.
I've been using the 1200 DPS for 3yrs now and have no complaints. It's easy to use, it's programable for custom loads, cleans easy, and accurate to +/- .1 gr and the same warranty as a new product. If you're looking for the biggest bang for your buck, this might be a consideration.

Lyman Statement concerning
Factory Reconditioned Products

These factory reconditioned items have been thoroughly evaluated and meet all our quality standards. These products are classified as "reconditioned" simply for cosmetic purposes. Due to some scratches, paint defects, and minor markings from normal use, these items are no longer considered new, however they will function the same as a new product and carry the same warranty. These items are therefore offered at considerable savings and come with our quality assurance guarantee. Should the product fail in any way within one year of purchase, simply return it along with a copy of your original receipt for repair. Please note: Supplies are limited.

 

[coyoteklr]

you will have to excuse my ignorance, but i have never used Varget is it a stick powder??
i have used a redding 3br for alot of years and a 10-0-10 before that and before that a stick-string-rock scale before that.....
i always thought the harrels (never used one) was pretty much like the redding as far as micrometer and such.....and accurate.....
i will be the first to admit that my 3br doesn't throw stick powder very accurate, but i have pretty much become a ball powder shooter ;D
i use my 10 10 to check my 3br and then it's away we go...... when i first got my 3br i checked every load for 250 loads and it never varried ..... i did have an electronic scale/thrower for awhile, but it varied as much as .2 depending on what might be lieing near it or the day of the month it was having..... never would be consistent
i so seldom have to "recalibrate" my 10 10 that i don't remember when.... i have it sitting on a granite slab which helps, but still....about all i do is wipe out the pan before checking......
i can use the ticks on the micrometer of the 3br and return to the load i had it set on a year ago and still be close enough if i'm not punching paper.
i still check it but it is scary accurate 8) after talking to a friend that had a 3br i tried one and now 5 of my neighbors have one and a 6th is hoping for one on birthday....my 11 year old grandson can trow accurate charges out of my 3br because it doesn't take any talent or i wouldn't have it ;D

 

[JPat]

I guess I never cared if my powder throws varied slightly. I use VV N133 & 135 in my Redding 3BR and maybe check every 20th throw with my RCBS Rangemaster or 10-10.

For scale recommendations the 10-10 or 505 are the only two I've used.

Jim

 

[338Lapua]

you will have to excuse my ignorance, but i have never used Varget is it a stick powder

Varget is a short cut type stick powder

 

[bored184]

Hey
Thanks for all the insight, looks like I am on the hunt for a used but well taken care of scale.

Bored184

 

[Trevor60]

you may want to just email Scott Parker he will have a used and tuned scale and you won't be guessing if it is accurate or not.

Thanks
Trevor