Reloading Scales
- Thread starter Red Raider
- Start date
Musket Man
Veteran member
There are quite a few on ebay much cheaper then new. I just bought a nice older pacific scale for $26.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Topgun 30-06
Banned
BobT
Active Member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I have a Lyman that my Dad gave me when I was 15......57 years ago! Still works great, really nothing to go wrong with them. You just have to remember to level them each time you set them up. Even tho I don't use mine much, I still use it to check my digital electronic scale occasionally. Still have the original box it came in too.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Probably more accurate. There really isnt anything to go wrong on them if they are 1/2 way taken care of. Not that electronic scales arent accurate too but there just isnt much that can go wrong on a balance scale.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I disagree. Get a solid digital scale and save some time. I use an RCBS charge master combo and wouldn't consider going back to a beam.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I have to agree with BB. I got into reloading just a few years ago, and the RCBS ChargeMaster was my first purchase. I saved the money on a scale, trickler, and powder scoops. I bought mine during a rebate and it was about a wash cost wise with buying all the other items needed. I've been very happy with mine.
I use the tiny digital scale for a myriad of projects, things like weighing out two-part epoxy for rod building. Also, I also personally weigh my loads for muzzleloading. Once I figure out the load my gun likes, I weigh it and use that weight for weighing out loads for hunting.
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Accurate to I/10 of a grain. I am not going to argue with BB & UH because I too have a RCBS chargemaster. It is way faster and stores loading data for you. BUT....if you are on a budget, a balance scale is far cheaper. you really don't need any scoops or tricklers either. You and use a small kitchen measuring spoon. Yes it is slower, but far cheaper.
Hornady is 59.95 and the RCBS will set you back over 350.00 Just sayin...............
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Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Been reloading for about 60 years...made my share of mistakes too! The only factory stuff I shoot is steel waterfowl loads and rimfire. Far less expensive, kinda fun and its really fantastic to know its your own loads that makes your gun so accurate!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I just googled "reloading balance scale" and priced the first one to come up. Probably be able to find one on sale if you look. Ebay would be a source for a used one. I use an old Lyman Ohaus. I bought a small Lee digital at a yard sale foe 25.00 a few years back.
Like I mentioned earlier the critical thing is to level the scale (need to do that with my big RCBS to). The only down side with digitals is temperature. When it is cold (below 50), mine measures a little different. I re-calibrate the digitals every time I use them.
Like I mentioned earlier the critical thing is to level the scale (need to do that with my big RCBS to). The only down side with digitals is temperature. When it is cold (below 50), mine measures a little different. I re-calibrate the digitals every time I use them.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Thats interesting the temp would affect the digital scale. Im just starting out with reloading. I chose a balance scale because its simple and reliable and not much to go wrong with them and I found a nice used one pretty cheap.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I should have been a little more explicit, the temp effect the Lee, not the RCBS. The Lee is pretty old and not really top of the line. I do recalibrate both before every reloading session.
I use an RCBS 5-0-5 balance scale. It works well for me. However, it can get a bit tedious and time consuming if you are loading many rounds. About 20 rounds at a session is all I usually do before taking a break. If you are a high volume loader, a digital setup would probably work best.
One additional tip that may be helpful with the balance scale is that I cover it with a clear plastic container when I am reading it. This is because the air currents created by the air conditioning or heating in the house will impact the accuracy of the scale. The clear cover prevents this and I can see through the cover the get the reading.
One additional tip that may be helpful with the balance scale is that I cover it with a clear plastic container when I am reading it. This is because the air currents created by the air conditioning or heating in the house will impact the accuracy of the scale. The clear cover prevents this and I can see through the cover the get the reading.
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Thanks for all the help. One other question. How do Lyman reloading products stack up with RCBS and Hornady?