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Old July 18, 2012, 07:03 PM   #1
Bubba the Roach
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powder scale melt down

ok so I have been looking for a digitial scale cheap, wife just will not let me spend $300 or so for a chargemaster or along that line. I really like my lee safty scale but just wish it was bigger (old eyes). So it there a large beam scale that you recommend. Thanks

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Old July 18, 2012, 08:16 PM   #2
Nathan
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Best: RCBS 10-10

Good Enough - RCBS 5-10

These scales setup easily, are sensitive and they are reliable. I would buy check weights for all scales. RCBS is best, IMO, for scales.
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Old July 18, 2012, 08:49 PM   #3
tkglazie
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When used with a larger pan on top of the one that comes with it, this scale has been a dream come true (reads to .02grains and repeats day after day). I use the Lee Safety Scale pan with it.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh...ords=gemini+20
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Old July 18, 2012, 09:26 PM   #4
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Another vote for the two RCBS scales from Ohaus. I have the 5-10 and it has been accurate for 30 years now
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Old July 18, 2012, 09:41 PM   #5
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Believe it or not I got one of the Harbor Freight scales just for kicks to weigh bullets and so far it weighs dead on. Cost $10.00, unblievable, but what can I say.

Actually its imported by, U.S. Balance from Vincennes, Indiana, and carries a 5 yeary warranty, not a big deal tho for a $10.00 item.
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Old July 18, 2012, 10:46 PM   #6
j357
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My vote is for a triple poise beam scale. Personal preference is for the RCBS 505 model. More $ friendly than the 510 or 1010. The difference is the 510 and 1010 have a screw micrometer adjustment while the 505 has all sliding adjustment which is easier to read IMO. The 1010 self stores in its own cover/case, if that is important to you.

The Dillon eliminator mentioned earlier is basically the same as a 505.

You should be able to find 505 used for around $40. With a used unit, as long as the beam is straight and the bearing surface (pivots) are smooth it will last you a lifetime.
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Old July 19, 2012, 12:45 AM   #7
serf 'rett
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The RCBS 505 gets my vote.
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Old July 19, 2012, 04:08 AM   #8
Ethan.G
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+1 for the 505, love mine
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Old July 19, 2012, 06:13 AM   #9
FrankenMauser
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The RCBS 5-0-5 and 10-10 are great scales, and are easier to read than the Lee Safety Scale. They would be my recommendation.

If you want a digital scale, buy a quality scale (at least $100) that is branded by a reloading company (not a retailer).

Don't buy cheap digital scales. The majority do not handle powder trickling very well, even though some of them that are marked as "reloading scales" (like most at Cabela's ). They are designed to weigh single items, all at once; or they have rather large incremental weight increases. They don't have the resolution needed to properly register small increases in charge weight, while trickling powder. Cheaping out on your scale is just asking for trouble.
The load cell might be accurate to 0.1 grain, but the actual display depends on how the rest of the circuitry processes that data. Usually, it doesn't process it very well, at all...
Quote:
In my latest experimentation with a Cabela's scale (labeled for reloading), I was able to trickle 37 grains of powder into the scale pan, with the scale only reading 17 gr. ...and it was properly zeroed ...
I've discussed the reasoning in other threads, in the past. Here's a link to the thread with the above quote:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...+digital+scale (Post #8)
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Old July 19, 2012, 08:02 AM   #10
David Bachelder
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Midsouth shooter supply

RCBS Chargemaster = $289.95
RCBS Rebate = $50.00
Total = $239.99

Run that by wifey ...... maybe OK?


If not I suggest the RCBS 505, works great.
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Old July 19, 2012, 08:33 AM   #11
tkglazie
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The gemini 20 takes trickle charges wonderfully. I drop grain by grain with tweezers to get to my 34.20 grain H4895 charge for my .32 Special. The scale holds zero like a dream as well.

It is hard to believe that a cheap scale that no one has heard of works as well as a beam scale but I can assure you it does. I have 6 months and 3600 rounds of trust in it and many ragged holes of proof that it works.

Oh and I have yet to change the batteries. I check the scales regularly against its included check weights my beam scale and it stays true.

For $23 delivered I urge anyone in need of a primary or backup scale to give it a try. You can always send it right back.
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Old July 19, 2012, 09:34 AM   #12
FrankenMauser
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The problem with the Gemini 20, for me, is the 20 gram capacity. That's only 308 grains.

That's enough capacity for most operations being performed by most reloaders, but nowhere near enough for what some of us do.

I also don't like the 0.001 gram resolution. That's 0.15 grains, which, of course, gets rounded up to 0.2 gr. ...but that's just me being anal.
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Old July 19, 2012, 11:03 AM   #13
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"I really like my lee safty scale but just wish it was bigger (old eyes)."

Know what you mean but let me guess; you're placing your scale flat on the bench top, right?

Before you spend money for a new scale and use it the same way try this; get a sturdy wood box or make a shelf that puts your scale about chin to nose level. That will make the pointer a LOT easier to see.
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Old July 19, 2012, 11:26 AM   #14
AllenJ
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I used a RCBS 5-10 for over 30 years and never had a problem with it. Last year I got a Chargemaster and there are not words to describe how much I love it
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Old July 19, 2012, 11:37 AM   #15
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I have used both the 505 and the 510 for years. The 505 is faster, but the little fine adjustment weight can jump out of position when you remove the pan, so keep an eye on it. The slower to adjust 510 doesn't have that problem. The 505 is easier to find the weight of something such as the powder charge of a cartridge you broke down or a bullet.

Last edited by math teacher; July 20, 2012 at 02:21 PM.
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Old July 19, 2012, 01:02 PM   #16
tkglazie
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Quote:
The problem with the Gemini 20, for me, is the 20 gram capacity. That's only 308 grains.

That's enough capacity for most operations being performed by most reloaders, but nowhere near enough for what some of us do.

I also don't like the 0.001 gram resolution. That's 0.15 grains, which, of course, gets rounded up to 0.2 gr. ...but that's just me being anal.
All very good points. I load for pistol primarily, using a Lee Auto-Powder Measure and only load for one rifle (34.2grains) so the issues you mention do not come up for me but they are certainly valid. I am perfectly comfortable holding my mid-level pistol charges to within a .1grain spread (such as the 3.9-4.0 grain charge of N320 I am throwing currently). The .02 decimel readout is handy for reference more than something I hold to. The above charge will usually be 3.92-3.98 but occasionally I will see a 3.90 or a 4.00. I mark the charge in my notes as 3.9-4.0, or sometimes as 3.95 in the case of a well centered charge like this one.
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Old July 19, 2012, 02:20 PM   #17
TATER
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FrankenMauser,
I think you are thinking of 0.005 or 0.01 gram….
Milligram is 0.001 Gram, That tight!! That’s The same as my AccuLab-VIC
0.001 grams = 0.0154323584 grains
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Old July 19, 2012, 02:40 PM   #18
TATER
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I should add,
That My AccuLab is my Second check scale. I use it when I change loads on my 10-10.
I keep my scale at eye level and highly recommend the 10-10 or 5-10..and
a pair of 1.75 reading glasses
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Old July 19, 2012, 03:27 PM   #19
tkglazie
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Quote:
FrankenMauser,
I think you are thinking of 0.005 or 0.01 gram….
Milligram is 0.001 Gram, That tight!! That’s The same as my AccuLab-VIC
0.001 grams = 0.0154323584 grains
Thats funny- I read his post as .015 rounded to .02, even though it says .15 rounded to .2. My eyes played tricks on me.
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Old July 19, 2012, 03:28 PM   #20
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I made a "table" for my scale to raise it up closer to eye level, making it easier to read. But, I stumbled on the best idea for old eyes and a beam scale on another forum...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=slqE3kodO8Y

Excellent idea!
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Old July 19, 2012, 07:40 PM   #21
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Thanks Mikld, that was a great link!
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Old July 20, 2012, 09:45 AM   #22
FrankenMauser
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Quote:
FrankenMauser,
I think you are thinking of 0.005 or 0.01 gram….
Milligram is 0.001 Gram, That tight!! That’s The same as my AccuLab-VIC
0.001 grams = 0.0154323584 grains
Yep...

Stupid decimal points jumping around every time I look the other way.....
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