Beam Balance Question

[Woodythedog]

I am looking to buy a new beam balance scale. Hornady has one for under 80.00 and RCBS has a couple of models for under 100.00. Any recommendations on these or others. Thanks for your opinions.

[Citadelgrad87]

Look on ebay for a used Ohaus 505, I think the model number is.

I did this about a year ago and that was the consensus at that time, anyway.

[Elgatodeacero]

Duplicate.

[Elgatodeacero]

The Redding #2 is good, and all old RCBS/Ohaus scales are good - the 505, 510 and the 1010.

Once in a while you can find a “Dial O Grain” scale by Ohaus that is large and expensive but a beautiful machine.

The main one to avoid is the Lee, unless cost is a big issue. I love Lee products, but their scale is just not user friendly.

[bohoki]

i got an old redding one that is oil dampened (you have to have a little vial of oil and the beam fulcrum has a paddle

i had the lee scale but it kind of acted weird sometimes you got to pay for precision

i just use a chinese digital with a grain setting i just use to dial in a powder measure i am not a good enough shot to notice an increase of precision in powder grain counts

[pennstater]

If you can find an Ohaus/RCBS 10-10[made in USA], at a reasonable price, get it. I've had mine since '78 and still works perfect.

MLC

[Revoman]

^^^^This.

[sigstroker]

Never heard of an oil damped scale, most are magnetic damped.

[bumpo628]

I have tried the Lee, Dillon Eliminator, and RCBS M500. The best one was the RCBS.

The Lee would seem balanced, but then it would give a different reading with the same weight sometimes. The Dillon was good, but you need to rebalance it if you pick it up and move it. The RCBS holds it's balance very well.

[JagerDog]

RCBS/Ohaus 10-10 is the gold standard. 505 works about the same with less capacity. Can be a thing if you do shotgun too.

That said I use my little pocket digital more than my beams scales.

[naz]

The main one to avoid is the Lee, unless cost is a big issue. I love Lee products, but their scale is just not user friendly.

I second that. The model I had was quite fiddly and took forever to use

[Woodythedog]

Thanks for all the advice. I ordered the Ohaus 505.

[TimRB]

Thanks for all the advice. I ordered the Ohaus 505.

I did not know you can still get a 505. RCBS discontinued the model, so I thought that was it, but evidently they are still available under the Ohaus name. (Ohaus always made them.) The new ones are made in China, but it's good to know if my 40+ year old RCBS scale goes TU I can replace it.

Tim

[checkenbach]

Also, get a set of Lyman check weights to dial in your scale. The pointer and zero mark may not give you the proper amount on really low charges...

[Woodythedog]

New scale arrived today. My mistake...not a 505. New model I think....502. I have a set of check weights and the scale is perfect.