Powder scale

[headspace]

I'm thinking of getting another beam scale. I've been using a Lee scale now for quite a while and I have no problem with it accuracy. I just hasn't got enough features or weighing capacity. I'm not interested in electronic scales because I enjoy the business of weighing each charge. I've looked on line for one of the old Ohaus scales but they are like hens teeth so it'll probably be a new one. I'm thinking either Hornady or RCBS at the moment. I'd like to hear any opinions.
JD

[on_one_wheel]

I have had no experience with other brands but have used the RCBS 505 And the RCBS 5-10 side by side and found despite the shorter beam of the 5-10 it was seemed as sensitive as the 505.

[Oldbloke]

I have a 20 yr old redding number 2. Seem to work ok, just a bit slow. Capacity is 505 . Lyman also make 500 version.

[Baldrick314]

I used an RCBS 505 extensively for the first couple years I reloaded and couldn't fault it. I bought one of the Chargemaster electronic scales because I found weighing charges tedious when I was doing large batches but if I only have a small amount to do I still use the mechanical scale

[Chronos]

I used the Lee when i started out reloading but found it quite slow to settle and inaccurate when weighing the same charge over again.

I bought the redding beam scale and trickler and I find it settles quickly and is very repeatable. It's easy to tell small changes in charge as small as 1/10th the .1gr increments and unlike most of the other beam scales in the market the beam rides on a metal pivot

Chronos

[headspace]

I went out this arvo and bought a Hornady scale. It's very similar in operation to the RCBS 505 but a lot cheaper. The RCBS was a bit over $200 at one of my nearby gun shops, whereas the Hornady unit was $95. It balances very quickly (light speed compared to the Lee) and has the features I wanted. Thanks for the input fella's
JD

[Gwion]

Let us all know how the Hornady goes, Headspace. Glad you found something suitable. Try a range of charge weights and weigh each one 5 or more times to see how repeatable it is.

Cheers

[headspace]

I will mate, I've actually re-organised my bench with the scale in mind. The Lee one is currently sulking in another corner.

[sally-bee]

What makes one beam scale settle faster than another?

[Mich]

I went out this arvo and bought a Hornady scale. It's very similar in operation to the RCBS 505 but a lot cheaper. The RCBS was a bit over $200 at one of my nearby gun shops, whereas the Hornady unit was $95. It balances very quickly (light speed compared to the Lee) and has the features I wanted. Thanks for the input fella's
JD

Late to the conversation on this one but anyway...

I've got the standard RCBS scale, and the Hornady. Actually bought the Hornady when I thought I'd lost my RCBS one, then found it

I also use a buddies digital scale occasionally. After I got the pair I did a few test comparisons between them and the Hornady was consistently accurate.

Can't fault it for you.

[headspace]

Thanks Mich it looks the goods so far.

What makes one beam scale settle faster than another?

Sally the big difference in damping quality is how long it takes the beam to stop occillating up and down. My scales these days are dampened magnetically, so I guess its the quality involved in the magnets and how they are set up. Back in the old days we had an oil reservoir that dampened the beam but that was a pretty messy way to do it.

JD

[Mich]

No problem.

Glad to still be of help.

[sally-bee]

Sally the big difference in damping quality is how long it takes the beam to stop occillating up and down.

I see.

I assumed it was just gravity settling the beam on all of them.

Live and learn