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Typical

Sat down to do some reloading tonight and my digital scales failed- second set. (Have an old balance beam but it's a LEE one so a bit tedious

So, I need some new ones- what are recommended? Medical type or something like the Hornady lock n load powder dispenser system?

TIA

Jay

A good mechanical beam scale they last forever. Coupled to a targetmaster trickler. My scales are all Hornady but I don't think they make the model I have any more.

Yep a good balance beam scale and you can't go wrong RCBS 505 is very good as is the old Hornady. If you want speed and absolute accuracy them team it up with a Target Master electronic trickler and a cheap Lee perfect powder measure, cheaper, faster and more accurate than any of the electronic dispensers like the RCBS Chargemaster.

Cheap digital scale are good for weighing bullets, the actual weight given might not be accurate but it will allow you to batch them.

Use a LEE perfect powder measure and Hornady manual trickler.
Can't justify the RCBS electronic dispenser so just after some new scales- too impatient for beams

If you team a beam scale, other than a Lee, up with Target Master electronic trickler and a Lee perfect powder measure you will have the speed of the electronic dispensers with the accuracy of a beam scale at less cost than a Chargemaster.

I would never solely use an digital scale, the accurate ones are way too expensive for my taste and the cheaper ones are not reliable enough for me to trust weighing powder with.

There are just too many problems with lower end digital scales to make them worthwhile. They hunt, have a tendency to shift, are susceptible to air movement, electrical interference and vibration plus they can lack repeatability. I can say this with some authority as we tried a couple of electronic scales in the GBP80-120 range initially and they were certainly not up to scratch.

From there we moved to a top of the range Harrell Precision thrower which was superb with spherical powder however the powder I was using (SP9) disappeared from all of the local stockists. Next was a very nice scientific beam scale which truly is superb albeit graduated in milligrams, it is however a faff to use, following this we tried a Gem-Pro and the final choice was an RCBC Chargemaster which throws and weighs at the same time. I used to insist the powder for my F Open rifle was thrown on the beam scales however Christel who does all of the powder throwing here uses the CM for her own rifles to great effect so these days it is just the CM that is used. Only modifications are some small spirit levels to ensure it is sitting correctly and the powder tube thingy to stop the occasional over throw of powder.

We were at Kynamco last year who build ammunition and Christel was comparing notes with the lady who does the powder throwing. She uses a row of four CM's for speed and checks every charge on calibrated scientific scales. Her view is the CM is good, usually within 0.1 grains and if it is going to be out it will throw marginally high. Based on this I know a second CM is on the shopping list for here to speed things up.

So what would I use if I was to start again? A set of beam scales tuned by 1066 who is on this forum (Alan) plus one of his Target Master optical systems as they are undoubtedly the finest weighing option on the market when you compare cost to accuracy.

RCBS 505 beam, box of Lee dippers and an RCBS powder trickler. Less than 130 quid new and you'd be hard pushed to get anything more accurate for that sort of money. But, I've gone to an RCBS Chargemaster also. Did so about 6 years ago when they were reasonable money... but now, Feck Me!!

Well
Preserve red with the only thing available this morn whilst all were asleep.

The motion of the Lee beam is very hypnotic at that time of the morning.

In the interim I have settled on some mid priced scales and an RCBS beam as I can't afford the CM just yet.
( holiday to the states required I think)

Thanks for all the ideas people

Jay

I'd also recommend the combination of RCBS 5-0-5's, a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and a TargetMaster, produces very accurate throws. I sold my Target Master to Saddler and it was one of those sales where you just know you shouldn't have done it!.

If you're going to go to the USA I'd look up a company called Man Venture Outpost in Florida, I got my Hornady LNL auto dispenser from them for $199 a lot cheaper than anyone else I could find. It consistently throws to within -.0gr to +.1gr with a very occasional overthrow of +.2gr which can be reduced by adjusting when the slow trickle phase begins.

http://www.manventureoutpost.com/produc ... pense.html

phaedra1106 wrote: I sold my Target Master to Saddler and it was one of those sales where you just know you shouldn't have done it!.

Yeah I know that one, Jeff! I sold him a Dillon 550 way, way too cheap that I should have kept....

Actually, did I say "sold", I meant "gave" as I think what he paid barely covered the postage....!!