Educate me!!!!

[Bingo]

   I'm fairly new to reloading but I have done enough to know that I want an electronic scale. I went on e-bay and found them from $3.00 to $300. OK, I can buy into you get what you pay for but that is one wide range and I'm cheap! That is part of the reason I reload.
   What is the scale and price that will fit the needs of a novice like me?

[tacklebury]

I bought an inexpensive Franklin Arsenal for 19 bucks and it works ok.  Biggest negative is it shuts off if you take too long and you have to reset them often.  If you see the numbers starting to flex for the pan, gotta re-zero again.  Regardless of brand I've heard not to load under Fluorescent lighting nearby.  Can cause issues. 

[necchi]

I've got one of those 20$ Franklin's, I don't trust it. It doesn't stay zero even after calibrating.
I'll stay with my old standby Hornady/Pacific M beam scale Thank You Very Much for weighing powder charges.
The inexpensive electronic I'll use for brass and bullet sorting, Ball for my ML
 
Bingo, from what I've heard and seen the cheap electronics are all about the same, touchy, erratic. Ya gotta spend $70 and up to get something reliable. And for me, If I'm going to spend that kind of money I'll go the step further and dump $250-300 for the full auto scales, an that just ain't in the cards for me for awhile.
It's hard to beat a good beam scale.
 
Others milage may vary

[Graybeard]

For $200 Midsouth will set you up with a first class scale/dispenser in one from Hornady. I got mine as soon as I saw the price drop on them. Been wanting one a good long while.

I think I paid nearly that much for my RCBS electronic scale 20 or more years ago. It is still working fine but I wanted the dispenser/scale for those stick powders that just don't meter well.

[cwlongshot]

I have been reloading for over 30 years, I say stick with a good beam scale and a weight set to check it. It will not let you down, never needs batteries and flatly works.
 
Been there done that, the beam scale is the way to go.
 
CW

[jhalcott]

 I have a Pact electronic scale. I also have 2 0r 3 Beam scales gathering dust! The digital scale is SO MUCH quicker than the beam you will NEVER go back. Mine cost me about $100 several years ago and I do NOT know what they cast now. IF mine goes up, I will be buying another. This is ONLY the scale, not the powder dispenser model.

[mechanic]

I have one electronic, three beam scales, including an RCBS, a Lyman, and a Lee.  All four weigh differently, as much as a half grain.  I have weights to calibrate, and when calibrated, they will still vary.
 
I just picked the Lyman, and work up slowly.  So my 19 gr. may be 19.5, but if it shoots well and no pressure, its all good.
 
The electronic scale seems as repeatable as the beams to me.
 
Ben

[ironglow]

  I have an older RCBS balance beam scale and I my 2 grandsons have Lee balance beam scales.  Last year I got a SmartReloader electronic scale.  The E-scale is quicker, but I check it occasionally with my balance beam scale.  If I am loading up near the limit..I use the balance beam only.  Just me I guess, but I trust the balance beam more.
  E-scales can be sensitive to any breeze..fan, open window or someone walking by.  If this is a problem, the scale could be used in an open top box.
  Although the RCBS is a lot more money these days the Lee and SmartReloader are close in price, if I could have only one of those two...it would be the Lee; I just trust a balance beam more..
   
     Both available at Midsouth Shooters...  SmartReloader $30  ...  Lee  $22

[Lloyd Smale]

I too like an electronic scale and have a pact and a lyman and both work fine. I also bought one of those cheap frankfort arsonal ones and its just not consistant and its agravating when it shuts itself off and you have to go through calibration again. If you cant afford a good electronic scale your better off with a cheap balance beam. They are at least consistant.

[Ranch13]

A few years back I decided my old Redding balance beam scale wasn't right, so I bought one of the electronic scales from Cabela's, turns out the Redding was right, it's also faster to weigh powder charges than the electric. I do like the electric for weighing and sorting cast bullets.
 Having said all that, I agree whole heartedly with Graybeards assessment of the powder dispensing systems. The Lyman 1200 dps I bought has been the greatest addition to my loading  bench ever.

[drdougrx]

Another electronic scale user here...a PACT...work great!

[Jason F]

Lyman dps 3 ,one of the best havnt used a beam scale since

[Reverend Recoil]

I like to keep things simple.  I use RCBS powder trickler, balance beam scale, and weight set for my 600yd service rifle loads.  When a shot is outside of the X-ring it is my fault.  For my 200 and 300yd loads I charge the cases with a RCBS Uniflow powder measure.  These loads also hold the X-ring.  Weighing each powder charge is rarely worth the trouble.  Federal, Black Hills, and Lake City match ammo are all loaded with automated powder measures and will win regional and national championship matches.

[revbc]

I'm with Graybeard on the full auto Hornady.  Bought one about a year ago, love it.  Just be sure to warm it up for about 10-15 min, calibrate and it's ready to go.

[charles p]

I have an RCBS beam scale and an electronic scale to verify the accuracy of the beam scale.  Once my powder thrower drops the correct weight 2-3 times in a row, I reload based on powder volume and not weight.  Easy to spot check along the way. 

[roper]

 I have  RCBS 1500 electronic scale  also have a RCBS 10-10 beam scale also have weight checks.  I use both the 1500 is better for weighting  bullets,loaded case,checking case volume ,brass weight and for click adjustment on my BR powder measurer.

I like the beam scale for weighting powder.

[Dezynco]

I have a Dillon D-terminator electronic scale that has never let me down.  They cost about $150.00 or so.