Reloading Scales

[cohiba550]

I'm new to reloading and have picked up a used Lee Pro 1000. One thing I know I need is a really good scale and would like some recomendations.
I am really interested in a digital one bacuse my old eyes aren't what they used to be and reading a beam scale just isn't practical for me.

[Griz44]

I picked up a Cabelas branded scale in the green box. About 50 bucks. It has been and continues to be very accurate, verified with a good test weight set at 4 levels.

[cohiba550]

Thanks, I saw those online lastnight and put it on the list of possibilities

[beardking]

This is the one that I use and I'm quite happy with it's accuracy. I'm not loading for benchrest or extreme distance accuracy, but I am trying to make sure I don't blow up my gun or myself with what I do load. :)

http://tinyurl.com/447vj7z

[Houston1944]

The Dillon digital was about the best electronic scale I have used but for several reasons I have gone back to balance beam.

No matter if you get a digital or balance beam, you need a set of check weights. Every time you change weights, bump the machine or leave the room I recommend you use the check weights to verify the setting has not changed. It only takes a few seconds to check the scales so there is no reason not to do this.

The number one issue I had with digital scales is they are very sensitive to the slightest amount of air movement. If the central air kicks in and you have a vent in the reloading room it will change the readings.

[cohiba550]

Thank for the great feedback. I will be sure and get some calibration standards. Really never thought about the AC causing an issue. Good thing it won't be an issue, wife said no to setting up inside so I'm setting up in the garage......LOL

[OldCannon]

I have the Cabela's XT 1500 scale, and it's worked 100% perfectly for me.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 740848.uts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[beardking]

I have the Cabela's XT 1500 scale, and it's worked 100% perfectly for me.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 740848.uts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep, that's the same scale I linked too. As shown, it does come with check weights, and I use them quite often every time I sit down to load.

[OldCannon]

I have the Cabela's XT 1500 scale, and it's worked 100% perfectly for me.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas- ... 740848.uts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep, that's the same scale I linked too. As shown, it does come with check weights, and I use them quite often every time I sit down to load.

Doh! It would help if I followed links, eh?

On the brighter side, I guess that makes two votes for it

[cohiba550]

Thanks, I've got it the top of my must have list.

[NcongruNt]

No matter if you get a digital or balance beam, you need a set of check weights. Every time you change weights, bump the machine or leave the room I recommend you use the check weights to verify the setting has not changed. It only takes a few seconds to check the scales so there is no reason not to do this.

I learned this lesson the hard (and embarrassing) way. I missed rechecking my scale calibration over the period of a couple sessions, and my scale ended off by nearly half a grain. I ended up loading up my hottest .223 load around half a grain hotter than it should have been, and popped a bunch of primers, jamming my rifle hard. While I was well within the 5.56 NATO pressure spec that my rifle could handle, It was too much for uncrimped primers/pockets and I had one end up in the lugging (temporary jam) and one in the bolt carrier (stuck hard, had to take it home and disassemble to get it unstuck).

I documented this here:

http://therealnecessities.blogspot.com/ ... -pt-2.html

The number one issue I had with digital scales is they are very sensitive to the slightest amount of air movement. If the central air kicks in and you have a vent in the reloading room it will change the readings.

My Lee beam scale has the same problem, even with the magnetic dampening. If I'm charging loads, I have to close the AC vent and keep the ceiling fan off. It is quite a sensitive scale, and you can get much more precise than a simple +/-0.1 grain accuracy out of it like you would with a typical digital scale. Along with that, you get more movement from any stirring of the air. I have to watch my breathing when I am weighing charges.