reloading scales

[zfishingfool]

  just moved to new house, in the move lost parts to my rcbs 505 scale,  i can get parts , but thinking of up grading to a better one,  may be the 10 10 or electric one, any input will be real helpful,

[necchi]

This can be a very personal choice, alot of it is about what your loading needs and goals are, OK?
 
That said, I'm olde school and still prefer a good mechanical beam scale. They don't need batteries, are not subject to static variations, don't need grounding or need to "Warm up" to function properly.
 
I haven't seen a reliable, repeatable electronic scale capable of measuring grain fraction that cost less than 300. When guys with electronic scales are asked why their scale doesn't measure the same grain fraction of the same sample repeatably, they defend it by saying it's tolerance is within + /- .1 grain,,
well, so is a beam scale, 
 
That's just my opinion, buy a good beam scale and be set for life, No Batteries or power needed

[Luckyducker]

I started with a RCBS 505 and it worked well but the .1 grain slide would sometimes mysteriously get moved to another slot without me realizing for a couple two or three cartridges, so I went and bought the 10-10 scale and it is like a 505 only better.  I had an electronic scale that I messed with for a while and while it was accurate it was better suited for weighing bullets and brass but loaned it to a guy I know and it quit working for him.  I don't need it and don't miss it.

[Ranger99]

get you some replacement parts
or a 10-10 and some check weights

[ElkSlayer6x5]

 buy a good beam scale and be set for life....this says it all , never need another scale

[YRUpunting?]

I would go for a good beam.  I looked at the electric but decided against it since I knew the damn beeping/chirping would drive me nuts.

[bulletstuffer]

The beam scale is a back up in case of EMP    There is a button to shut off the beeping on the Lyman scale    Good for everything but fine ball powders.  A little finicky in that department but still works.  Down side is the cost.  The new lyman 1200? is very quick.


Best of luck,


Bulletstuffer

[cybin]

I have been using a Redding beam scale since the 70's--still works great---last week I was giving some thought to buying a electric scale---but changed my mind.
 
cybin

[Dand]

I like my Hornady beam scale.  I had a Lyman but it used a sticker to mark the graduations which didn't quite line up and it drove me nuts.  The Hornady beam is engraved or somehow the marks are impressed right into the metal beam. I've had it a long time. Dropped the beam once so sent whole scale Hornady for service.  They returned it really quick and I don't recall if they charged me. I keep a Lyman scale check set on the bench and use it about once a year. A long long time ago I had a nice little Redding, it too had engraved marks. Gave it away to a kid who was getting started.

[Lloyd Smale]

electric all the way! Wouldnt want to have to go back to oil lamps to light my home either. the new electronic scales if you get a good one are just as accurate and reliable as a beam scale and much more user friendly. ONLY downside to them is they cost a bit more but compared to a top end beam scale there price competitive. Look at a pact, rcbs, lyman or hornady. Dont buy a generic cheap one and youll never look back.

[goodconcretecolor]

Reloading for 26 years plus 15 years as a certfied quality engineer responsible for keeping scales calibrated in ISO registered manufacturing and test lab facilities, I will not use an electronic powder scale. used a Lyman balance beam for26 years and still happy with it.

[Lloyd Smale]

sure have to ask why? ive been using them for well over 10 years without one bit of trouble. They may not be accurate to .0001 of a grain but either is a balance beam scale you buy from lee or rcbs. I still have a couple beam scales and check my electronics regularly and there allways within a .1 of a grain or maybe .2 at the most and thats plenty accurate enough for any loading chore and whos to say its the electric one thats off .2 and not the balance beam. Were not talking 2000 dollar precision ballance beam scales here used by scientist, were talking scales good enough for a handloader and bottom line is a decent electronic scale from any of the loading companys is plenty accurate and reliable for there use and a hell of alot more convient to use.

[Old Syko]

I still have a couple beam scales and check my electronics regularly

This is good practice if using electronics and it also speaks volumes on how those of us who have been at this for a long time distrust electronics.  Yes electronics are more convenient to  use but I don't foresee them ever gaining the trust of us old guys who grew up in a mechanical world.  I will always use a mechanical scale and couldn't in good conscience load without at least double checking with one. 

[Savage]

I have both types. An old 505, a newer Lyman, and an electronic from Pact. I find myself relying on the electronic for all the reasons Lloyd mentioned. Check weights verify the accuracy of the scales. I'm a believer!
Savage

[buck460XVR]

  just moved to new house, in the move lost parts to my rcbs 505 scale,

Odds are, if you contact RCBS they will send you the parts for free. I then would use the extra monies intended for the upgrade and get myself a small electronic scale for confirming loads. The 505 is all the scale most of us will ever need, but I like the option of having a secondary electronic scale to verify my loads. Used to be I went thru the process of balancing the scale then moving the weights twice after adjusting the powder thrower to make sure I had the weights in the right slot or I hadn't made a  simple mental error. Now I balance the beam, adjust the powder thrower and then double check the charge with the digital via a readout. If I have the weights adjusted for 6.2 on the beam and the digital says 6.2 odds are, if I trying for 6.2, I'm good to go.

[tacotime]

My electronic RCBS 750 will drift off zero at random times, once as far as .7 grains.  Sometimes it drifts every minute, other times not at all.  It is somewhat temperature sensitive.  And I bet it is also sensitive to grit/dust etc., eventually entering where the platen shaft goes into the scale.  (Try this: get a bright light shining at you and pour some powder into a safe container in front of the light.  The amount of powder dust flying into the air will amaze you).  Also, if your powder sits off to one side of the pan, the read out changes.  It is a China product.  I like it, but long term the 505 will survive and this electric one will not. 
 
 

[fast*eddie]

Still using an Ohaus 10 - 10 beam scale .

[SHOOTALL]

I like the beam scale best. Used a pacfic for many years now a RCBS. The electric are to slow for me.