Which scale do you use?

[Turbolung]

Hey Fellers, I'm going to get a kit and wanted to know how reliable the scale that comes with the Lee Challenger is. Or do I need to get a digital one, and if so can I get by with a cheap one from a headshot or eBay? Which leads me into the main question,,, are the powder dispensor that comes with said kit reliablly consistent and accurate? Or would I still need to weigh each round to ensure match grade quality? My thoughts are if I still gotta double check and top off each round I may as well just get one of those spoon kits and a trickler..know what I mean?

[Robinhood]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-Model-R.../281878572020.

You could find a Scott Parker Tuned scale.

[Turbolung]

The link says item no longer available..is it a digital? How much was it?

[67tundra]

The dispenser from lee kits works very well for me. The scale leaves a lot to be desired. I bought a Dillon beam scale very happy with it. As far as it dropping the same powder charge every time I'd say mine for most powder is around 95%. When loading bulk I just check every ten or so to double check. Digital scales are not near as accurate in the cheap market.

[Robinhood]

RCBS 10-10 or 5-05. They need to be cared for properly and some used ones have been left assembled and that is bad. There are other quality beams out there.

[ivob]

Mywiegh Gem pro 250 is what I use extremely accurate

[WinnieTheBoom]

I use the Hornady digital scale and don't have any complaints with it. Got it from Cabela's on sale for like $75.

[yobuck]

A spoon, a trickler and a good old balance scale you can buy on ebay is as good as anything you can buy as for accuracy.
Im still using a Redding balance scale that is over 60 years old. Digital scales can be affected by certain type lighting so
keep that in mind.

[sixonetonoffun]

I use a 5-0-5 with a trickler.
Its dampening is decent in fact awesome really. Which is one of the primary (but not only) complaints against the Lee mentioned.

I would like.to do some volume vs weight tests. 223 is about the only throw and go loading I do. Reloder7 meters so smooth it works really well.

[Balljoint]

Have both a RCBS Digital and a 10-10 beam both work very well.

[TRDFurgesson]

I use a 5-0-5 with a trickler.
Its dampening is decent in fact awesome really. Which is one of the primary (but not only) complaints against the Lee mentioned.

I would like.to do some volume vs weight tests. 223 is about the only throw and go loading I do. Reloder7 meters so smooth it works really well.

+1 on the 5-0-5, every electronic scale I have had has failed me

[XL105]

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[upSLIDEdown]

I personally use a Gem Pro 250

[DanSavage]

I use a Frankford Arsenal LOL works great for me. I was recently going to upgrade the cheap scale but can't find any reason why I need to, it is repeatable, get's me very small groups and high scores ,, including 5 clean 40 round match's last year, 1 with .223Rem and 4 6br.

The thrower from the Lee kit is good like said it throws accurate about 95% of time but I haven't tried the trick of tapping on it 3 times before throwing a charge. I use a Redding trickler that works good too.

If I had enough cash to spend freely I would def get a scale with the auto trickler just to save time.

[FWest]

I just got a chargemaster from Brownells, was using a 505 then range master 750 and never had an issue but gave in and went fully automated . I can see why a lot of folks say they count not go back to a scale and trickler or scoop. Still will use powder measure or auto disk for pistol as the CM can be used as a plain scale as well.

[big honkin jeep]

You can spend a lot more and get a lot less. The Lee scale will accurately measure down to 1/10th of a grain and will indicate down to 1/20th of a grain.

[geezerhood]

I am replacing my RCBS (PACT) and Lyman auto dispensing electronic scale with a SmartReloader ISD. If you get one, be sure you tweak the settings with each powder you use (And SAVE the settings) to really speed things up without overcharging very often. Once set for that powder, you are golden. You CANNOT do this with the Chargemaster. You can adjust the speed / trickle settings but you can't save multiple settings so it only works the best for the one you set it with. Some guys add a small piece of plastic tubing (McDonald's Soda Straw) at the opening of the tube to prevent powder stackup.

I will keep my old 10-10? Ohaus as a backup for when there is no power or to verify the electronic from time to time, but I DETEST loading with it. In fact I pretty much hate using a balance beam scale for anything. I guess I am one lazy old guy. My Lyman auto dispenser has produced ammo that shoots in the teens, but it is too slow for me and tends to drift over an hour or so.

Whatever you get if it is an electronic scale, consider putting ferrite chokes on both ends of the power supply wire. They usually eliminate odd behavior and drifting if done right.

[orcldba]

Whatever you get if it is an electronic scale, consider putting ferrite chokes on both ends of the power supply wire. They usually eliminate odd behavior and drifting if done right.

The 'drift' of an electronic scale over a few hours, plus the increased sensitivity is the reason that I volume load, checking every 10th load when in the top 20% of the charge weights. Under normal circumstances, I can see that a fraction of a tenth of a grain difference makes as much as 15-25fps difference. Yes it can make a difference but I haven't found that it was worthwhile.
I used to shoot high power, weighing every single charge, but overall loading technique and shooting technique overpower the difference of a fractional tenth of a grain, but then I'm no longer a bench rest shooter or high power shooter... I just enjoy it!

[geezerhood]

The 'drift' of an electronic scale over a few hours, plus the increased sensitivity is the reason that I volume load, checking every 10th load when in the top 20% of the charge weights. Under normal circumstances, I can see that a fraction of a tenth of a grain difference makes as much as 15-25fps difference. Yes it can make a difference but I haven't found that it was worthwhile.
I used to shoot high power, weighing every single charge, but overall loading technique and shooting technique overpower the difference of a fractional tenth of a grain, but then I'm no longer a bench rest shooter or high power shooter... I just enjoy it!

I have heard of drift being eliminated with some scales using the ferrite chokes. I plan to try them with my new scale once it arrives.

I throw most of my charges from a good measure and get quit good accuracy from those loads with most powders, but for the 1000 to 1500 yard stuff in 50 BMG and 338 Lapua, I still weigh every charge even though they are just for fun for me.

[Kenhwind]

The best beam scale or one of the better ones was the old style Pacific/Hornady. For some reason I became disenchanted with mine and bought a new Dillon, which is an Ohaus. I works quite well, but I haven't loaded any rifle rounds lately.

I also have the Lyman digital. It is a nice scale for the money, but I'm inclined to think that the digital scales are erratic to some degree. Not necessarily inaccurate, but maybe too accurate which would account for the deviation.

[XL105]

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[yobuck]

It really comes down to what you are loading for. How accurate and consistent you Need to be.
I'm personally loading for F Class and long range shooting. Consistent and accurate scale is must. Along with many other precision tools.

So im just assuming youve noticed a major improvment in your scores based on the way you load now as compared to how you used to load?
But none of that can be attributed to more experience? Dont answer on my behalf, but answer yourself on your own behalf.

[XL105]

Yobuck is a f in idiot

[yobuck]

Isn't that the point when shooting long range. Point being you want to ensure that everything from trigger forward is constantly the same. You want to take as much out of the equation as you can. Leaving only the guy pulling the trigger to be questioned and the wind. I think It would be hard to evaluate Your performance when you are questioning the tools you are using.

But you didnt answer my question. Its easy to say whatever we wish, but again, ask yourself the question.

[XL105]

Yobuck is a f in idiot