Best digital scale on a budget

[roc_my_tims]

i am new to reloading, I found these scales and wanted to ask if either is worth buying. I dont have a scale now, and it seems everyone has 2 a digital and a beam.

should I purchase the lee meam scale for $20 along with my turret press for now and buy a digital scale later?
or should i buy the digital now and skip the beam?

here are some digitals i found. from cheaper to higher, trying to stay under $50 if possible.

what about one of these scales?

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-205205-Arsenal-Reloading-Scale/dp/B002BDOHNA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1X2NZK2495R5G&colid=3UGFCLQYLX9Z5

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00005050107

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jscale-js-50x.html

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jscale-js100x.html

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/je...-mack-100.html last one was refered to me, cost $64


Thank you in advance for any help, I am taking your thoughts very seriously because i really do like my hands and eyes, I just want to get into this hobby at a certain price point, it's looking well over $400 now and starting to get a little steep for me.

[drifter2be]

Both those links arent working, at least for me.

This is the scale I bought. It works great. It is consistent, and can read to .02 grains or .001 grams. Has not given me a single issue, probably the best $20 I have spent on my budget reloading setup.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Gemini-20-Portable-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1335860094&sr=8-10

[Rust]

I tried to buy the next model up from that gemini when it was on sale. (gemini-pro) Received that model instead and found it to just be to small. Decided to return it (unable to exchange for the correct one for some reason) Do you use the tiny little weighing pan it comes with or have you found a way to use a full size powder pan on that scale? I'm still tempted to get one of them or something similar because of the low cost/accuracy but it just seemed like it would be a royal pain to actually use because of the size.

[XDRoX]

The scale is probably the single most important tool in reloading. It's crucial to get one that works. Cheap digital scales have a tendency to not be accurate and break in a short amount of time. If you can only afford one, definitely go for a beam scale. A good beam scale is way cheaper than a digital one, can be trusted, and last a lifetime. It's really a one time buy.

As long as you get a decent brand you'll be happy. RCBS, Redding, Dillon, etc, all make a great scale. I believe Dillon's is the cheapest for $70. Dillon also makes a nice digital scale for $140. It may sound like a lot of money but think of it as an investment toward the longevity of you fingers and eyes.

It's no fun to load up 1000 rounds and then think, I wonder if my scale was on

If the money just can't be found for a decent quality scale then I'd suggest the Lee beam scale. It does work, it's just not fun to use.

[john16443]

I have a Lee beam that came with my first kit, and a Jennings Mack 20 electronic. The Lee is used once a month along with several check weights to validate the Mack. Never had to recalibrate the Mack in over a year of constant use. Really like the 0.02 grains resolution of the Mack.

[XDRoX]

IMO any of these would be much better choices than any you posted above.
And all my links are $5 shipping.

Here is a Hornady for $27:


A Lee for $26:


A Dillon for $70:


Hornady for $89:


A Lyman for $69:

[stilly]

Both those links arent working, at least for me.

This is the scale I bought. It works great. It is consistent, and can read to .02 grains or .001 grams. Has not given me a single issue, probably the best $20 I have spent on my budget reloading setup.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh...860094&sr=8-10

With a WARRANTY of 10 years and the price of this, I strongly agree this looks like a VERY promising digital scale.

I have finally ordered one because it was only around $21 at amazon. If it works it SHOULD become the official reloaders digital scale.


There are only two downsides. 1. There is no AC adapter but at least it uses AAA batteries and not some weird watch batteries. 2. it ONLY goes to 20 grams. Which is equal to about 308 grains. That is okay but sometimes I like to weigh the completed round and see what the OAW is. My 44 mag loads are around 367 grains +/- 15gr. But for what it is worth, I have another digital scale that will weigh 650grains so I can always use that if it comes down to it.

BEFORE you get a digital scale you should get a beam scale like others have said. IF I had to do it over again, I would get the RCBS 505 beam scale or maybe that dillon. The problem with Dillon is that TOO many times you can walk into China Harbor and find very similar looking products there... TOO many times actually...

I just got a magnetically dampened aluminum RCBS 505 beam scale for $60 and it is SOOO cool to use the newly purchased rcbs powder trickler to bring it up to 0 with exactly the same measurement of powder. If I get the loads within 10 fps of each other at the range I will be very happy with the setup. Beam scales are easy to use and they are simple, they can not lie as long as they are not damaged. Digital scales I do not trust as much because it is all based on electronics.

[stilly]

I tried to buy the next model up from that gemini when it was on sale. (gemini-pro) Received that model instead and found it to just be to small. Decided to return it (unable to exchange for the correct one for some reason) Do you use the tiny little weighing pan it comes with or have you found a way to use a full size powder pan on that scale? I'm still tempted to get one of them or something similar because of the low cost/accuracy but it just seemed like it would be a royal pain to actually use because of the size.

I found a KILLER powderpan/funnel at uniquetek.com I suspect that it might have been featured in the blue press since this place seems to sell all of the NONDILLON items from the blue press catalog. If they have a Bushnell TRS-25 (could be off on model) then my suspicions are confirmed. Still though for $8 for a funnel/powderpan that is cool. The $11.00 shipping is what kills me though..

O.o check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Powder-Electronic-Scale-Funnel/dp/B000N8QKUI/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335888598&sr=8-1-spell

RCBS also makes one for a few dollars more.

$28.00 for the scale and this powder funnel to be shipped to me. STILL better than many digital scales... I fully intend to test out this scale with trickling too.

Also, why can't this funnel/powder pan be used with my RCBS 505 scale? I have a dinky little plastic powder pan on it now, from the looks of this thing I will just have to decrease some of the weight that sits underneath the pan holder. Piece of CAKE. I got this reloading thing HACKED.

[XDRoX]

BEFORE you get a digital scale you should get a beam scale like others have said. IF I had to do it over again, I would get the RCBS 505 beam scale or maybe that dillon. The problem with Dillon is that TOO many times you can walk into China Harbor and find very similar looking products there... TOO many times actually...

I have an RCBS 505. One of the best IMO. My buddy has the Dillon. Pretty similar really. For the price of the Dillon, it's hard to beat.

Also should be mentioned that these scales are made by the same company, Ohaus.

[roc_my_tims]

I guess for right now I will start with the hornady digital for $27.07 and the lee beam scale for $20 since neither will cost me shipping as I'm making a large order already.

If theses any other options our advice please post I'm listening to everything people are saying.

[stilly]

I guess for right now I will start with the hornady digital for $27.07 and the lee beam scale for $20 since neither will cost me shipping as I'm making a large order already.

If theses any other options our advice please post I'm listening to everything people are saying.

Personally speaking, I think there is really no need to go further than this thread. I had a thread with digital scales a few days ago but it was because I was frustrated with mine because it measured in .01G and that translated poorly to grains. HAD I had a beam scale sooner I would NOT have had that frustration.

I personally have a problem with that Hornady listed. I see that it is +/- .2gr For me that is unacceptable. HOWEVER, Because I am new and I want to explore every inch of everything, I would only use that to get a quick look at overall weights after bullets were made and stuff. I would not use that as a powder scale. .2gn is not good when dealing with max loads in my opinion. AGAIN, I am a noob. But I have a strong science background (I watched every Doctor Science episode as a kid) and I am anal about EVERYTHING (except sex so don't take that the wrong way). :\

Good luck and have fun, let us know how that digital scale works and tell me please if you can get it to display 23.0 grains...

[morrow]

Great advice in this thread about purchasing a quality scale or at least having a beam scale and check weights to go along with your digital scale (so you can verify the readings)
However, back to the OP's question, I have the Frankfort Arsenal digital scale and my buddy does also, and it works great. I have a few check weights and I check it often, which should be a normal practice for digital scales.

[drifter2be]

I should have mentioned in my post, but others have already said it, you SHOULD have a beam scale if you are using an electronic. I use my digital scale to speed things up since my powder measure is inconsistent with the unique powder that I reload with, so I zero the digital for each case to get and get the exact charge I am looking for, but I verify it every 10 rounds or so with a beam scale to make sure my digital scale is not lying to me.

[roc_my_tims]

I see that the frankford goes to +/-1 grain. But only weights upto 750 grains.
Where the Hornady wieghs upto 1500 grains. But goes to +/-2gr.

What is the min amount of grain weight you would want your scale to weigh if loading 9mm and 45acp?

Also is +/-2 terrible? Idk just wondering I don't think I plan on loading near any max loads?

[XDRoX]

Most 9mm loads will be between 3gr - 6gr.