Are all balance beam scales created equal

[mahna]

I've looking at some powder scales for reloading, just your regular balance beam ones.

Looks like I can spend anywhere from $100 - $300, but it's just a balance beam, right?

Why would I buy an expensive set. It's mechanical accuracy, not fancy digital tech or anything so they should be just as accurate as the cheaper scales?

[sha]

Can't see what a $300 one would give you.

Reputable brands like RCBS etc. are only about $150 or something for their standard one?

[Davies]

Can't see what a $300 one would give you.

Yeah bugger that.

As long as it's not rubbish and the beam swings and balances smoothly, problem solved.

[Baldrick314]

I use the base model RCBS scales (505 I think) and have had excellent results. As said above these go for approx. $150

[Aussier]

I use the base model RCBS scales (505 I think) and have had excellent results. As said above these go for approx. $150

Another vote here.

[Ken]

It's mechanical accuracy, not fancy digital tech or anything so they should be just as accurate as the cheaper scales?

Yep, it's just gravity.

As long as it's half decent quality and everything move smoothly, e.g. the beam doesn't get stuck near the midpoint and give an inaccurate read, it should all be the same.

[DaleH]

some are easier to use than others but that is about it. I have a +30 year old scale and a new lee scale and both are as consistent and accurate - i prefer the old one though.

[Hardcast]

I bought Dillon, made by Ohaus, the same as RCBS. ONLY CHEAPER.

[Guliver]

Some people confuse Digital and accuracy the two don't necessarily go together.

[The Brass]

Some people confuse Digital and accuracy the two don't necessarily go together.

They can be worse in fact, depending on the quality.

[John445]

They can be worse in fact, depending on the quality.

Some of the cheaper ones average out the weight in fairly large units from memory?

Not unusual for 2 loads which measure the same to be .1gr out from a few reviews I read.

[Warrigul]

This would be a good scale if you were able to wait:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NICE-RCBS-OH ... 1c4&_uhb=1

Not that I reckon it is worth any more because it says RCBS, more that any scale by Ohaus is generally well made. My Ohaus 10/10 is excellent, s**ts all over my LEE one and I am a LEE fan for everything else.

[reddog]

I've got the RCBS 10/10 as others have said its a good scale but should be for the money too
I was going to go digital and get a chargemaster but really could'nt justify it for the amount of
reloading I do at the moment . But the other thing that stopped me was you read about people
still having thier mechanical scale 20 and 30 years down the track . I think for what your scale does
and how long it lasts , how accurate it has to be , why worry about spending a bit of money on it ?

[Lorgar]

I was going to go digital and get a chargemaster but really could'nt justify it for the amount of reloading I do at the moment.

I recently got the RCBS chargemaster combo.

I looooove it.

I was so over using the manual thrower and scales.

You should go buy one, literally right now