which new scale?

[hunt4570]

I think it's time to upgrade my scale,I have a lee beam scale and I have to get off my chair and get down low with a flashlight to read the stupid thing...I've had it.So I'm going to get a electronic job.What do you have and do you like it? I don't want to break the bank I'm thinking $100 or less.I was thinking the RCBS rangemaster 750,it reads in grains and grams,and comes with calibration weights,$94 in the cabela's mag.SGB :-)

[MickinColo]

It looks like a nice low profile scale. I’ll be interest in seeing what people think about it.

[Iowegan]

I got a Pact BBK II which is identical to the RCBS 750. Its my second one because I thought the first one was not working properly. The second one worked identical to the first, poorly. It stays in the box while I use my old RCBS 1010 balance beam scale. The electronic scales are very sensitive to air movement, temperature change and vibrations. They do not work well with a tricklier. They drive you nuts when you go to weigh a powder charge and the display keeps changing. Accuracy is best in the bullet weight range but is not nearly as good as a balance beam in any weight range.

I used my Pact the other day for weighing some 55 grain bullets. It's very frustrating to weigh the same bullet 3 times and get 3 different readings, as much as .4 grains difference.  My Pact requires rezeroing every 3 or 4 times I weigh. I can weigh bullets or powder much quicker and more accurately with the balance beam scale.

Save a few bucks, a lot of frustration, and buy a good quality balance beam scale (RCBS, Dillon, or  Lyman)

[longwinters]

I too have thought about going digital, but read about too many problems like Iowegan relates.  I do what Thirties suggests, just put it up on a higher platform/shelf so it is at eye level.  I use a lot of 4831 powders and if you want weight accuracy you have to weigh every load.  But I never found that to be a problem as I do not load 100's at a time.  So I concure with the other guys.  Get a good RCBS or something and have at er.

Long

[beemanbeme]

I've used an Ohaus 10-10 for about 40 years (they make the RCBS scale) with complete satisfaction.Recently however, I bought a Lyman DPS 1200.  It cost quite a bit more than $100 but I have found it easy to use and accurate.  It is the whole package, powder measure, trickler, and scale.  While reloading, I check an occassional load with the 10-10 against what the DPS is saying.  If you're into weighing cases and such, using a balance beam scale can make a tedious job of it.

[hunt4570]

I've used an Ohaus 10-10 for about 40 years (they make the RCBS scale) with complete satisfaction.Recently however, I bought a Lyman DPS 1200.  It cost quite a bit more than $100 but I have found it easy to use and accurate.  It is the whole package, powder measure, trickler, and scale.  While reloading, I check an occassional load with the 10-10 against what the DPS is saying.  If you're into weighing cases and such, using a balance beam scale can make a tedious job of it.

What do you think of that lyman 1200? I saw it in the midway catalog and it looked verry interesting.I'd love to know how you like it.SGB

[JBMauser]

After last night, I plan on packing up my RCBS electronic scale.  When I run over on trickle and take a few grains out and it reads higher.... What is a guy to think.  I have had a run of poor groups lately... I think I know the problem.  I am going to unpack my beam scale and put this one up.  JB

[Paul5388]

I recently checked a Dillon D Terminator against an Ohaus 505 using an M2 calibration weight that is +/- 3mg for a 1 gram weight (15.43 grains).  The 1973 model Ohaus was exactly on the money, whereas the Dillon was .1 gr light.

That doesn't mean the electronic is junk, it just means it has a different use where it shines.  Powder IMO should be weighed on a beam balance, but bullets or cases are quick and easy on an electronic.  The wandering zero always seems to be a problem, but they aren't analytical balances that cost $1000s of dollars either.

Paralax doesn't matter a whole lot, as long as you read the scale from the same position everytime.  If you read a scale that is below eye level, every load will still be the same, but it will be a little lighter than what you think it is.

[muzzleblast525]

Well, I just picked up the RCBS mentioned above and love it.  Measures a lot better than the beam scales I had, and cheapo electronic scales I bought trying to save a dollar.  

[Bullseye]

I have been using the Pact  (they also make RCBS) digital for about two years now.  I would not go back to the beam.  I do notice mine needs about 10 minutes of warmup time, but I have never had any of the other problems that I see many complain about.  It is accurate and easy to use.

[Mac11700]

I've used an Ohaus 10-10 for about 40 years (they make the RCBS scale) with complete satisfaction.Recently however, I bought a Lyman DPS 1200.  It cost quite a bit more than $100 but I have found it easy to use and accurate.  It is the whole package, powder measure, trickler, and scale.  While reloading, I check an occassional load with the 10-10 against what the DPS is saying.  If you're into weighing cases and such, using a balance beam scale can make a tedious job of it.

What do you think of that lyman 1200? I saw it in the midway catalog and it looked verry interesting.I'd love to know how you like it.SGB

I got mine for Christmas...and love it...simple and easy...and cuts my relaoding time in half...biggest problem for some is the warm up time of 30 minutes...for me...I just turn it on...and start prepping cases...and one really neat thing about it...the dust cover for the pan...it's hinged...so with it down...I hit my favorite load...and those pesky sudden brezes don't bother it in the least...and it weighs dead on...each and everytime...well worth the money...

Mac

[MickinColo]

I wonder if some of the problem people have with the digital scales and scale/powder combos is just not learning about their “differences” from the balance beam scales?  Most electronic scales have a problem with air movement, no matter if the scale is trying to weigh .1 grains or 100 pounds. If the scale is trying to weigh .1 grain than it stands to reason that it would have more problems with air movement than the freight scale that is weighing 100 pound shipments.

[Racepres]

I have been using my pact BBK for at least 10 years .... Got out my ole 505 (Rcbs, Ohause whoever made it, it works good) to make a comparison, just the other day.. I don't worry abt .1 grain at all ..... actually who is to say which scale is correct when on any given day w/ the exact same medium to be measured,   the +/- shifts from one to the other!!! I do know that my best groups were shot w/ powders measured w/ either the bbk / or (more likely) the Lee powder dippers... The digitals are simply faster, and maybe a bit more convenient .   Marty

[MickinColo]

Marty,

LOL, you show my some common sense with your choice of RCBS 505 beam scale, the new lyman 1200 but than you had to throw in the “Lee Powder Dippers”! At least you have a way of checking the dippers for accuracy(I know,, here we go again).

[Daniel]

I've done the cheap electronic scale thing (BBK) and won't do it again. The BBK was a piece of junk. Here's one example: I wanted to charge 20 7.65mm Arg. cases with 47grs. of IMR 4350. Using the BBK, which had been turned on at least an hour and had been calibrated, I proceeded to do so. After about the 15th or 16th case I decided to check the very first case I charged and see if it still weighed 47 grs. I poured the powder out of that case into the powder pan, put it onto the scale and to my surprise (well, it really wasn't a surprise) the Pact now indicated a weight of 48.2 grs. What? A difference of 1.2 grains in just over a dozen weighings? Well, that was the last straw for me. I haven't used it since. I've been using a Redding No. 2 Master beam scale and I've been perfectly happy. If I ever get another electronic scale, and I might, it won't be a cheap Pact model that's for sure. I've heard good things about Denver Instrument scales, so it'll probably be one of those.

[223Shooter]

40 years ago we used a redding balance scale to load everything, about 10 calibers. It worked just fine back then. 2 years ago, I decided to get back into reloading my new .223 NEF. I bought a lot of neat stuff from Midway, including a Hornaday balance scale.  I will admit that I don't load 100's at a time, just 50 rounds every now and then....BUT I do measure each and every load so that I am sure of the accuracy of my handloads. I am totally satisfied with using the Hornaday scale. It is a excellent product. It works for me.. :wink:

[hubcap]

I've got an RCBS electronic scale with elec. measure, and a Lyman DPS. Go with the Lyman. Faster, simpler, just as accurate.

[Ron T.]

I've read posts from a lot of guys complaining about the electronic scales... so when it came time to replace my old balance beam Ohaus 505, I got another balance beam (mechanical) powder scale.

I used an Ohaus 505 for almost 40 years and always loved it... finally just plain wore it out.  When I called Ohaus to get another one, they told me they no longer sell scales to the public, but make them for RCBS.

I got a RCBS 1010 (RCBS's top of the line balance beam scale-one step "up" from the RCBS 505 aka the "Ohaus 505") and while it's a good scale, I find the round "cylinder" that sets the tenths of a grain powder amounts is harder to read than the simply "blade-style" setting on the 505... wish I had gotten the RCBS 505 now... loved that scale as the Ohaus 505, easy to use, very readable, etc... and it COST LE$$, too!!!

Live and learn... eh?


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[hunt4570]

After reading all the posts,seemed like there was more problems than not with the electronic scales so...I was at my local hardware store and the guy that owns it has a small amount of ammo/reloading stuff and he had a used RCBS 5-10 scale complete with box and instructions for $40 so I bought it,seems like a nice set up and MUCH easier to read than my little Lee scale.I havent actually used it yet but when I do I'll let you know what I think. Thanks for all the input it was a great help.SGB  :grin: