Powder Scale

[norcalgunowner]

Was hoping to get a good recommendation for a powder scale. Getting my setup ordered and was wondering what a good one would be to get. I am getting started and ordered the Lee Breechlock. Mainly will be reloading 300 Ultra Mag.

[Bill Steele]

Was hoping to get a good recommendation for a powder scale. Getting my setup ordered and was wondering what a good one would be to get. I am getting started and ordered the Lee Breechlock. Mainly will be reloading 300 Ultra Mag.

My recommendation would be an RCBS 505 or a Dillon Eliminator for the scale. Also get a good trickler, like a Redding or RCBS.

If you want to go whole hog and are loading more volume, an RCBS Charge Master is pretty sweet.

[norcalgunowner]

Thanks.

[stphnman20]

I'm using the lee safety scale. Not the best but it does it's job. I use that with the RCBS trickler.

[norcalgunowner]

Are these scales more accurate than the digitals?

[thai562]

I have RCBS 1010 very good.
Digital scales are a little jumpy if you are trying to build up the charges on the scale.
I have a Redding powder dispenser with an adjustable chamber, it get me very close (- 0.1 grain), than I finish it off on the digital scale, to speed thing up.

[Wrangler John]

Digital scales are not anymore accurate than a balance beam scale. In fact, at their price point they are more prone to inaccuracy and electronic problems such as static, interference from lighting and power drift. I used professional laboratory digital scales and these were extremely expensive, required a controlled environment and frequent calibration.

I used an Ohaus balance beam scale for 35 years, the same one was sold under the RCBS brand. It always passed inspection with test weights. Last year I replaced it with a new RCBS 10-10 Reloading Scale, also made by Ohaus, because of improved adjustments and magnetic dampening. These scales are very long lived, and if kept under their covers when not in use, they will last a lifetime. Last week I loaded a batch of 6.5x284 with H4831SC powder. Thrown from a Redding measure the scale showed that charges were within -.1 to -.2 grain, a few turns on the powder trickler and they balanced to zero. Each charge took about 10 seconds to dispense, correct and load into the cases. Even automatic powder dispensers take about 2 to 3 times that long.

Bottom line is, if you want a reliable, accurate scale that will be problem free for decades, consider the balance beam scale.

[norcalgunowner]

Thanks. This has been a lot of help.

[Bill Steele]

Are these scales more accurate than the digitals?

I have tried to use digitals, numerous times. I have even spent more than I care to reveal on a very high end digital thinking my problem was I wasn't spending enough money.

You will read many who swear by their cheapo digital and how it is always accurate, never drifts and they get one hole groups with the loads they drop with these scales. This has not been my experience.

Like others above I use an RCBS 1010, it is always bullet proof accurate. I recommended the RCBS 505 or the Dillon Eliminator as they cost about half as much as the 1010 and in my experience totally reliable. I have a number of friends who have them, all work perfectly. If you have the money, the 1010 is an excellent choice.

You will also read many who post they drop large grain extruded rifle powders to +/- .1gr from their powder measure. Again, this has NOT been my experience. My favorite powders for the rifle calibers I load don't drop consistently enough out of any drop I own, so I drop and trickle up. YMMV.

Good luck and have fun!

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Another vote for the Dillon Eliminator here!!!

It's an old, Ohaus design. It's a "tried and true" beam scale. You can't go wrong...

[norcalgunowner]

Think I'm going to go with the RCBS powder trickler 2 also. What do you guys use?

[jamesg35]

I have a RCBS 505 works great! but since i bought my RCBS chargemaster i only
use to verify loads on my chargemaster which so far has always been right on.

[norcalgunowner]

advice on which powder trickler? there is lyman, hornady, and Rcbs.

[Bill Steele]

Think I'm going to go with the RCBS powder trickler 2 also. What do you guys use?

I use a Redding. I like most Redding products, but my Redding trickler is just "OK". What I don't like about it is the hopper is powder painted. Extruded powders, like IMR 4064, Varget, etc. stick to it to after you have dumped it back into the bottle, you need to unstick the remaining powder with a bent paper clip, etc.

I now like powder tricklers that have a polished hopper that will be easier to empty when done. The RCBS trickler 2 is better than the Redding IMO and is also height adjustable, something you will also probably like down the road.

Have fun.

[norcalgunowner]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really appreciate it.