Reloading Scales

Joe Walsh
Analog Man

Catpop said:

Matter of fact, I was lucky to even find a balance beam scale!

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What's a balance beam scale?

Actually, I still have a balance beam scale on the shelf I bought new around 1980. I think I may have last dragged it out 5 or 10 years ago to compare it to my electronic scale. Both scales weighed the same object the same. Other than that, the scale is stored on the shelf in its original box and the box collects dust.

I'm happy with the "Star Wars" technology. Except for one electronic scale that took a header off the reloading bench, their operation has been flawless for me.

Yup my electronic ones work very well. Keep several balance beams for just in case but so far hasn't been any just in case.
And I'm getting pretty old.

I rely on my 5-0-5, simply becaude the standard "Electronic Scales" vary as much as 4-5 Grains, and I have several. I do have 1 scale that is accurate to .01 grains, it is just simply too slow, so... I use the 5-0-5, and will likely continue.

Catpop said:

Wow, am I getting old! I went to look up the price of a new Lyman M-5 1005 gr balance beam reloading scale and guess what, it aint no more! Matter of fact, I was lucky to even find a balance beam scale!
Seems all the new ones are star wars technology.
Anyone else feel like me?

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Old and on the up side of the dirt is good! So, from one old guy to another:
Most beam scales are not good anymore unless you can find a good ole' USA made one.

Second thing: Go to the head shop. They have WAY better scales. Much more money to lose if they are off.
Weigh about every tenth load.

Nothing wrong with thrown or scoop charges. Hunting ranges, you will be fine.

I have 2 from there, 1 from Hornady, and the Highly Slow but Accurate set..

dgod said:

I rely on my 5-0-5, simply becaude the standard "Electronic Scales" vary as much as 4-5 Grains, and I have several. I do have 1 scale that is accurate to .01 grains, it is just simply too slow, so... I use the 5-0-5, and will likely continue.

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4 or 5 grains? Mine doesn't bounce but about .1gn & that means it's between measurements. It isn't slow by any means ether.

I've owned the ones that cost $2 from China & they only bounce .2 but again that means they are between the measurements. Which is far better then the two different RCBS beam scales I've had.

Lee also has a beam scale.

Big7 said:

Go to the head shop.

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Now that's good Bigg "O", get it? I have a friend that remodels and tore up a place a few years back. He said I found this in and old rotten roof edge. and out of the few I have I had to take the air tank to it. It is spot on! That wild but I was young once.

Ive been to the head shop down the street from me. They have LOTS of scales, but only a few measure in grains and NONE measure to the tenth or .1 grains. Gotta remember that the druggies are selling by the gram or more. Reloading scales are alot more sensitive

I scored my RCBS 5-0-5 from eBay. Seems to be very consistent and accurate. I love it. And as a new reloader, I don't have to worry about batteries. The less I have to worry about the better.

MrSpiffy said:

I scored my RCBS 5-0-5 from eBay. Seems to be very consistent and accurate. I love it. And as a new reloader, I don't have to worry about batteries. The less I have to worry about the better.

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I use my GS-1500 scale a lot and changed 2 AAA batteries two times in almost 3 years.

This old likes old. Dependable. My shooting buddy had a Redding oil dampened balance beam scale using 30 weight motor oil back in the late 50s or early 60s.

I think the best new beam scale is Redding #2 scale. But I got lucky and found an rcbs 5-10, hope to have it soon.looks just like the one above but green.

I retired my RCBS beam in the mid 90s and wouldn't go back. Been using the same digital ever since with no problems.

I like old as well. This is the most accurate scale I have and is compared to any of the newer beam scales I've come across except maybe the ones that have been tuned by the super tuners like 1066.
However I use the electronic ones as they are way easier and accurate for the handgun rounds I load.
If I load to the very top then I use this one.

I have two of the Ohaus 10-10 scales like in post #17 and use them daily.

MrSpiffy said:

And as a new reloader, I don't have to worry about batteries. The less I have to worry about the better.

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Amen
Mine plugs into the wall now.

Reeferman said:

I use my GS-1500 scale a lot and changed 2 AAA batteries two times in almost 3 years.

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The battery powered ones I've used all took button cell batteries. I wish I could have gotten 3 years out of one. I don't know how much you load but my annoyance with the battery one was that they stayed on until I was ready to measure my next load. It seemed as it went off Everytime I reach to measure. The next problem was the batteries only lasted a few weeks. I would rather mine plug into the wall.

I agree on the battery powered scales. My experience with one battery powered scale, for power saving it would turn off after about 30 seconds of non-use. You can barely sneeze in less time.

My Gempro when plugged into the wall still turns off after a period of non-use, but it is like five or ten minutes. Quite manageable for the most part unless I wait too long between checking powder charge weights during a reloading run.

I have the GemPro 250, I love it, I just wish it was a little quicker determining the weight, but with .01 accuracy, it is worth it when you need it.

I have several Beam scales. Ohaus 314, Ohaus 315, Ohaus Dial O Grain. . yes there slow. . One problem with Digital. . I have a Digital. You as the operator will never Know if your wrong. . Sooner or later No matter how carful you are . you will forget to Recalibrate. I know everyone says there careful. but sooner or Later.
Tripple beam scales don't Lie. Once you put the pan On . It is either correct or not. with a digital It is just a #

kingmt said:

Amen
Mine plugs into the wall now.


The battery powered ones I've used all took button cell batteries. I wish I could have gotten 3 years out of one. I don't know how much you load but my annoyance with the battery one was that they stayed on until I was ready to measure my next load. It seemed as it went off Everytime I reach to measure. The next problem was the batteries only lasted a few weeks. I would rather mine plug into the wall.

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I have a LNL bench electronic scale that stays plugged in and on pretty much all the time. It gets used the most now but I still use the GS-1500 a lot and it is right on with the bench scale. It was a pain sometimes with the auto shut off but wasn't an issue. For the $40.00 I paid it has been the best dollar value I've spent in awhile.

Lol "what's a balance beam" ..

I just bought a Hornady beam a few months ago, so I know they're still making one. I paid forward the digital scale I had awhile back. Couldnt stand the thing.