Which scale to get - Page 2

CWKahrFan · September 3, 2011, 06:08 PM

"Maybe I should be weighing every load while I am new at this..."

Nah. Powder measures do their jobs. When I first started, I'd weigh about every tenth charge just to check... but the results were very satisfying so now I weigh about every 50th one 'cause I'm confident in my mechanical powder measure. Also, you can tell a lot just by CLOSELY inspecting each tray of filled cases visually. You'll find your own comfort level naturally. It's GOOD that you sound plenty cautious in the beginning!

hunter52 · September 4, 2011, 10:46 AM

Since you were asking which of the 3 you were looking at would be the best for a novice, I would suggest the 505. I have the 505 and the 502, both have been used extensively over the last 35 or so years and remain accurate. I do use a check weight set when setting them up, zeroing the beam first then placing check weights equal to whatever powder charge I am throwing. Keeping the check weights handy for a quick reference if a charge is off.
As far as not checking every charge, I would say it depends on what powder you are using and for what purpose. Throwing a charge of H380 would typically be more accurate and consistent than a charge of IMR 4831. Stick powders tend to not meter well and can vary by several 10ths per load. Not serious for practice rounds if they are mid range but possibly dangerous if max.

mikejonestkd · September 4, 2011, 11:06 AM

I have both a 750 electronic scale and a 505 beam scale. I use both of the on a regular basis and highly regard both of them.

I use the 750 to check every ten or twenty charges when cranking out bulk ammo for handguns and .223 plinking loads.

I use the 505 to measure all my other rifle charges.

Both have served me well and are accurate enough for my purposes.

dmazur · September 4, 2011, 12:49 PM

I know this one wasn't on your list of 3, but you might consider it -

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=415607

The drum poise is relatively easy to set (and lock) and I find this works quite well to check a powder charge.

However, the best feature of this design (IMO) is that it has a storage case that protects the scale when it is disassembled. And disassembly only takes a few seconds.

If they're protected from dust, and if the beam knife edges are protected by getting them off the agates, they'll last forever. This design encourages that.

TXGunNut · September 4, 2011, 05:21 PM

Of the three I'd go with the 505 for now and consider the 750 later. I have three electronic scales now but I'll always keep the old BB scales around.

Gerry · September 5, 2011, 03:24 PM

I would avoid the Lee Safety beam scale because the 10th's of a grain are a bit hard to read accurately using their system. Plus with the inconvenience of using this scale (and other similar tiny balance scales), you might end up spot checking your loads less often than you should.

I use the RangeMaster 750 when spot checking with my Dillion XL650, but I still have an RCBS 505 that just sits on the shelf. It looks cool enough that I'm not selling it.

wncchester · September 5, 2011, 09:12 PM

"some reviews about the RCBS 750 Electronic Scale and they seem to be either one extreme or the other, i.e. they either get a 5 or a 1 from the reviewer."

There are reasons for the difference in reviews; if the electronic gimmicks crap out quickly the reviews will be bad but when they crap out later the (intitial) reviews will be good. There is no difference in accuracy between beam and digital scales so long as they are both working correctly and I find no more than a couple of seconds of difference in time of use. Great advantage of beam scales is they will last forever unless damaged by abuse or neglect.

As a retired precision electronic instrument tech in the space/defence industry, there is no digital scale on my bench and there won't be unless someone gives me one. And than it wouldn't be used for powder, just cases and bullets because errors there won't get me maimed or killed. That's just a personal opinion, I can happlily allow those who trust electronics to do as they wish but I fed and housed my family fairly well for a long time because that stuff just ain't long-term reliable.

Dillon's excellant beam scale is made by Ohaus, just as most other quality beam scales are... including those painted RCBS green.

Shootest · September 6, 2011, 01:14 PM

I 110 % completely agree with wncchester. I was beginning to think I was the only one.

September 4, 2011, 11:06 AM	#28
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,759	I have both a 750 electronic scale and a 505 beam scale. I use both of the on a regular basis and highly regard both of them. I use the 750 to check every ten or twenty charges when cranking out bulk ammo for handguns and .223 plinking loads. I use the 505 to measure all my other rifle charges. Both have served me well and are accurate enough for my purposes. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

September 5, 2011, 09:12 PM	#32
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"some reviews about the RCBS 750 Electronic Scale and they seem to be either one extreme or the other, i.e. they either get a 5 or a 1 from the reviewer." There are reasons for the difference in reviews; if the electronic gimmicks crap out quickly the reviews will be bad but when they crap out later the (intitial) reviews will be good. There is no difference in accuracy between beam and digital scales so long as they are both working correctly and I find no more than a couple of seconds of difference in time of use. Great advantage of beam scales is they will last forever unless damaged by abuse or neglect. As a retired precision electronic instrument tech in the space/defence industry, there is no digital scale on my bench and there won't be unless someone gives me one. And than it wouldn't be used for powder, just cases and bullets because errors there won't get me maimed or killed. That's just a personal opinion, I can happlily allow those who trust electronics to do as they wish but I fed and housed my family fairly well for a long time because that stuff just ain't long-term reliable. Dillon's excellant beam scale is made by Ohaus, just as most other quality beam scales are... including those painted RCBS green. Last edited by wncchester; September 5, 2011 at 09:18 PM.

September 3, 2011, 06:08 PM	#26
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	"Maybe I should be weighing every load while I am new at this..." Nah. Powder measures do their jobs. When I first started, I'd weigh about every tenth charge just to check... but the results were very satisfying so now I weigh about every 50th one 'cause I'm confident in my mechanical powder measure. Also, you can tell a lot just by CLOSELY inspecting each tray of filled cases visually. You'll find your own comfort level naturally. It's GOOD that you sound plenty cautious in the beginning!

September 4, 2011, 10:46 AM	#27
hunter52 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 101	Since you were asking which of the 3 you were looking at would be the best for a novice, I would suggest the 505. I have the 505 and the 502, both have been used extensively over the last 35 or so years and remain accurate. I do use a check weight set when setting them up, zeroing the beam first then placing check weights equal to whatever powder charge I am throwing. Keeping the check weights handy for a quick reference if a charge is off. As far as not checking every charge, I would say it depends on what powder you are using and for what purpose. Throwing a charge of H380 would typically be more accurate and consistent than a charge of IMR 4831. Stick powders tend to not meter well and can vary by several 10ths per load. Not serious for practice rounds if they are mid range but possibly dangerous if max.

September 4, 2011, 12:49 PM	#29
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I know this one wasn't on your list of 3, but you might consider it - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=415607 The drum poise is relatively easy to set (and lock) and I find this works quite well to check a powder charge. However, the best feature of this design (IMO) is that it has a storage case that protects the scale when it is disassembled. And disassembly only takes a few seconds. If they're protected from dust, and if the beam knife edges are protected by getting them off the agates, they'll last forever. This design encourages that.

September 4, 2011, 05:21 PM	#30
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Of the three I'd go with the 505 for now and consider the 750 later. I have three electronic scales now but I'll always keep the old BB scales around.

September 5, 2011, 03:24 PM	#31
Gerry Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 382	I would avoid the Lee Safety beam scale because the 10th's of a grain are a bit hard to read accurately using their system. Plus with the inconvenience of using this scale (and other similar tiny balance scales), you might end up spot checking your loads less often than you should. I use the RangeMaster 750 when spot checking with my Dillion XL650, but I still have an RCBS 505 that just sits on the shelf. It looks cool enough that I'm not selling it.

September 6, 2011, 01:14 PM	#33
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	I 110 % completely agree with wncchester. I was beginning to think I was the only one.