Scale recommendations?

[Bert Gamble]

I am finally getting ready to set up my Dillon 650 (after only 4 years of collecting dust), and I would like to get some advice on a powder scale, since my RCBS Chargemaster seems to have gotten lost in the move. I am thinking the packers might have taken a liking to it.

I don't need the scale to dispense powder, but I want it to be accurate enough that I can trust it. Since I will not be weighing that often, is it better to get a mechanical scale like the RCBS M1000 so I know it is accurate?

[bigdawg86]

I have a RCBS 5-0-5 that is probably as old as I am... Works perfectly and not too expensive

[bazineta]

The thing with electronic scales is that the ones that don't drift are still fairly expensive. You can get ones that don't drift a whole lot for $120 to $140, but you want to warm them up for a while before using them and then use them frequently. With infrequent usage, you're the poster child for 'my scale drifts, it sucks, etc'.

So if you're not going to weigh that often, I'd lean toward a mechanical, frankly.

In my case, I weigh rifle charges using an old RCBS 10-10 mechanical, and I spot check thrown pistol charges with a new RCBS Rangemaster 2000 electronic. For a relatively inexpensive electronic, I think the RM 2000 is quite nice, but I don't trust it in the same way that I do the 10-10.

[jessdigs]

I have the Scheels powder charger 1500. I use it to check loads on my 550 and for single stage. It works pretty well. I also have a Lee balance scale and a Frankford arsenal digital scale that I use to double check

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Enfield47]

I have a RCBS 505 scale that works great, I also have a Jennings Mack electronic scale that is right on par with the 505 for accuracy.

[SixPointEight]

I have an RCBS 5-0-5. But the magnetic damping sometimes drives me nuts. Sometimes the same charge will settle slightly above or below the line. Total variation is like +/-0.1 gr or less, so it's better than most cheap electronics by far.

[JagerDog]

I've got a 505 a 1010 and a cheap ballistiscale (BPI). I use the cheap ballistiscale most now, but depends what I'm doing. It agrees with my mechanical scales withing 1/10th. Prolly best $30 I've spent.

Weighing to a point, mechanical is a bit better and more responsive when trickling. I find I have to pick up and replace the pan on the ballistscale.

Want to see what something weighs or do spot checks, culling, etc. Electronic all the way.

[iMigraine]

RCBS Range Master 2000 & Dillon Eliminator scale for backup.

[longrange1]

contact scott parker if you want the most accurate/repeatable beam scale you can get.

[kcstott]

I am finally getting ready to set up my Dillon 650 (after only 4 years of collecting dust), and I would like to get some advice on a powder scale, since my RCBS Chargemaster seems to have gotten lost in the move. I am thinking the packers might have taken a liking to it.

I don't need the scale to dispense powder, but I want it to be accurate enough that I can trust it. Since I will not be weighing that often, is it better to get a mechanical scale like the RCBS M1000 so I know it is accurate?

Accuracy is based upon your method of calibration. If you don't have check weights that are traceable to some standard, as in NIST F standards. All you are doing is building loads to some arbitrary number, these are minimum standards for fine weights, I'd suggest getting a grade of check weights that is accurate to half of your discernible scale. so if the scale is claimed to be accurate to +/-.1 gr then I would want a check weight that was X.X grs +/-.02gr That means a 20 gram weight in the F2 class, Or ANSI class 4. Most check weights that are sold with the reloader brands of electronic scales come with NIST class F check weights or class 7 which are no good unless you buy the very smallest of weights

get a couple of check weights that has a cert with them. and verify you scale before each use. 1/2 and 1/4 of max scale capacity. say a 10 gram and 20 gram class F2 weight.

Since you'll only be weighing powder to verify a setting i suggest you cycle the powder drop three times then weigh three separate drops to get a minimum average. then check every ten rounds and if everything is staying consistent you can loosen that check to every 20-30 50 or so rounds,

I have the confidence in my equipment that I check the powder drop as I described, then check the tenth round and ever ten rounds for 30 rounds, then I just load till i run out of something. Never had an issue. but I'm pretty aware of whats going on and stop when I do have an issue, then I'm sure to pick up exactly where I left off.

[Bert Gamble]

Accuracy is based upon your method of calibration. If you don't have check weights that are traceable to some standard, as in NIST F standards. these are minimum standards for fine weights,

get a set of check weights that has a cert with them. and verify you scale before each use.

Since you'll only be weighing powder to verify a setting i suggest you cycle the powder drop three times then weigh three separate drops to get a minimum average. then check every ten rounds and if everything is staying consistent you can loosen that check to every 20-30 50 or so rounds,

I have the confidence in my equipment that I check the powder drop as I described, then check the tenth round and ever ten rounds for 30 rounds, then I just load till i run out of something. Never had an issue. but I'm pretty aware of whats going on and stop when I do have an issue, then I'm sure to pick up exactly where I left off.

Thank you very much. Good info.

[LynnJr]

If your looking for a nice mechanical scale look for a used RCBS 304.

[wbunning]

I like my old RCBS 1010 beam scale for weighing charges. Used properly, and READ properly (avoiding parallax, leveled and balanced, etc), a good beam balance gives me more consistent readings. That said, using one for multiple, consecutive weighings is nothing short of exasperating. So Inuse it when working up a new load and only have maybe a dozen charges to weigh, and to get the Uniflow or other powder measure dialed in.

When I want to do the kind of weighing such as sorting cast bullets to get a bunch that are very close to the same weight, then a digital scale works best for me, so I have a cheapie sold by MTM for that. It is normally within 0.1 - 0.2 grains accuracy which is good enough for that job. It's getting a little tired now, and I'm considering a an automatic powder dispenser that will include a decent digital balance.

[milotrain]

The gempro 250 is good. It drifts but not enough to matter, especially if you have a good set of check weights which you need to have anyway.

[MrElectric03]

I use the little frankford aresenal digital scale to set my loads. I have a chargemaster but haven't used it yet. I kept my Lyman beam scale for a backup as well but I'm not a big fan of the beam scales, more me reading them than their. Accuracy.