Which balance scale?

[HoCoMDHunter]

I need another scale and would like to hear your opinions on balance scales.  A digital would be nice, but they cost more than I have to spend.  I have been using the Lee scale but it only has a 110 grain capacity.  That's fine for powder, but I want to check bullets weights and finished ammo weights.  My largest, heaviest rounds are 30-06 and 454.  Would a 500 grain scale be sufficient?  Thanks!

[longwinters]

I have a RCBS scale and it works well.  It has some weight to it, unlike some of the other ones out there.  I can not tell you if you need a bigger scale than this, but no matter what one you choose, I would get test weights for it especially if you are weighing that heavy of items.

long

[bigdaddytacp]

I need another scale and would like to hear your opinions on balance scales.  A digital would be nice, but they cost more than I have to spend.  I have been using the Lee scale but it only has a 110 grain capacity.  That's fine for powder, but I want to check bullets weights and finished ammo weights.  My largest, heaviest rounds are 30-06 and 454.  Would a 500 grain scale be sufficient?  Thanks!

...........I have and use a RCBS 5-10......the same scale as the current 10-10 but without the extra 500gr weight.......it is over 25yrs old and still works great....I did get a new electronic scale for case sorting and rimfire sorting for the speed but the checkweights for the new scale were used on the old 5-10 and the old scale is still right on for weight and the threaded 1/10-grain fine tune feature is nice....the RCBS 10-10 would be good for many uses and last 'forever".......hth....good luck and good shooting-loading!!!

[Dand]

Over the years I'v used 2 different Lyman scales, a Redding and now a Hornady.

I liked the pan shapes on the Lymans but the last one I had had the scale marks on a press-on sticker that didn't quite line up to the notches on the beam - that really bothered me.  So I got rid of it and have been very happy with the Hornady for the last 20 years or so.  Its real stable and the scale marks are engraved into the beam.  Once I was concerned about its accuracy after dropping it - sent it to Hornady for a check up.  They serviced it no charge and sent it back quickly.  The pan isn't as nicely shaped as the Lyman but I like the beam engraving better.

[jhm]

I have a rcbs 10-10 that has searved me well for many years and would recomend it to anyone, however this winter I have been using rcbe electronic scale and have found it quicker to get a charge weight shoeing than using the balance scales.    JIM

[Catfish]

I started reloading in 1965 and have use many different scales over the years, but my pick of the litter is Redding. They seem more consistant to me.

[Robert]

If it dosent last my lifetime, RCBS will replace it.  They have already replaced broken parts that were admittedly MY fault.  Apparently, Redding has the same policy, but I haven't tried them.  Good dies though.  It seems to be the general concensious that you will still want a good balance scale, even if you have a state of the art digital.  I haven't tried these either, but I have friends that swear by them.  I would not mind having one...but electronics fail..eventually it will die.
  As far as balance scales go..some of them have a little peice of metal that you move accross a series of notches for tenths.  This type can be easily bumped while you are loading and knocked easily off your # setting.  I have one, and do not like it.  I also have the 10-10..the 1/10th setting will not move by accident and I trust it a lot more.  .5 over MAX load in some pistol loads can blow it up in your face.

[BCB]

HoCoMDHunter.

I have the original RCBS 5-10 that came with the Rockchucker package a good many years ago...30+ to be a bit more precise!  It continues to work well.  I later purchased a 10-10--it continues to work well also.  BUT, I later purchased an RCBS 304 (don't think they are available anymore) and that is what I use today.  I believe I purchased it in the very early 1980's and the price was atrocious!!! (I think that is why they were discontinued--to much $$$$'s for the average reloader)  BUT, it was worth every $$$$$ I spent for it.  You might try to find one of them used.  They weight up to 1110 grains and they are very accurate according to the laboratory grade weights that I use to check it from time to time.  You might try a search on e-bay.  Who knows, you just might find one of them.  Good-luck...BCB

[HoCoMDHunter]

BCB - You weren't kidding.  I found a 304 on Ebay.  Sold for $223.  Looks like a darn fine scale, BUT... a little more than I had in mind.  I got a wild hair now and am looking for Ohaus scales that aren't marketed for reloaders.  One that has .01 gram accuracy is adequate, .001 gram is perfect.  I may be able to find a bargain.  (I am a sucker for bargains)

[jhm]

Hoco : Ohaus is the manufacturer of the rcbs balance scales and may be the manu. of some of the other brands also.    JIM

[fast*eddie]

I bought a bunch of reloading stuff from an ad in a swap sheet. $75 for an Ohaus 10-10 scale, a Lyman All American Turret Press , a bullet mold, Lyman bullet lube/sizer, 1600 pistol primers, 38 and 45 cal dies and some misc stuff. I think I got a deal !   :lol:  :lol:  :lol: The scale works great . So does everything else.

[HoCoMDHunter]

There are plenty of 10-10s on Ebay under both the Ohaus and RCBS names.  Looks like they are going for about $50.

[HoCoMDHunter]

Well... I ended up with two scales.  Put the minimum opening bid ($20) on an Ohaus Dial-O-Gram but had no expectation of winning that.  Later this morning I saw a RCBS 10-10 pop up with a $60 buy it now option.  It also came with a dribbler.  I snatched that up as they normally go for $70 plus.  Seems that I was the only one interested in the Dial-O-Gram as I won that too.  It looks like a nice scale, but it is only rated to .01 grams.  That figures to .15 grains.  Not too bad though.  I am beginning to suspect that the powder scales that are advertised as being accurate to .1 grains aren't any better.  Thanks for your advise!!