Need some advice on picking a scale.

[SilverbulletMAG]

You're not reloading for competition so the chargemaster lite will be every bit as accurate as you need. It's electronic but it's also more accurate than a lot of inexpensive beam scales. It's also more accurate than a lot of higher end electronic scales. The time saved isn't insignificant either. It should easily cut your reloading time in half.
Again, once warmed up and calibrated, it's extremely accurate. Since you already have an inexpensive beam scale, you can knock the dust off that from time to time to give you piece of mind and see the RCBS is spot on.

 

[Bstick]

I don't have any experience with the LEE Precision Beam Scale, but I would think that would be fine to start with and to use as a 'back-up' to an electronic scale when you go that route.

And just to clarify for BStick, you don't need to measure EVERY LOAD. You get your powder measure throwing the correct charge, then fill cases, checking every 10th case on the scale to be sure you're still throwing the same charge still. So, NO, it won't take "Days to load 50 rounds" on the beam scale. (too funny!)

I haven't seen a powder throw keep within a .1 of a grain. That was my point. Having to weigh every charge is time consuming.

 

[FURMAN]

I used to use a powder thrower and then weigh. The throwers are not near accurate enough for long range shooting period.

 

[johnnyk]

It will drift when their is dirty electricity or winds.

You can get a little reactor clamp thing to clean the electricity up going to the scale and it works flawless then. I don't remember the exact name for them.

Ferrite ring, maybe?

 

[Mustang72]

I 've been using an rcbs beam scale for for around 30 years with no complaints. I think it's a 505. Haven't used a Lee but all their products i have used work just fine. I would get a good I would invest in a good mechanical powder dispenser and give your Lee scale a try. I don't weigh every charge,just drop straight from dispenser and weigh a charge here and there. It may not be the most precise method,but.I have no problem loading 100-200 in a short relaxing evening.--- And no problem keeping half to 3/4 moa at 500 yards. I 've tried weighing and trickle charging each round and electronic scales but at 500 yards and less then it matters way more how I shoot than which method I used to load.

 

[FURMAN]

I shoot 1000s of rounds a year. Beams and throwers are ok if you shoot a couple rounds a year otherwise your wasting your money because you'll just upgrade very very soon anyways. Good luck.

 

[Frog4aday]

For precision loading (plus or minus 0.1 grains), the beam scale is used with the powder thrower and a trickle charger. You throw a charge just under the desired amount, trickle in the rest (on the scale), then fill the case. It isn't that hard, but I will concede it is more time consuming than pushing a button on a $300 (and up) electronic unit. The guy is just getting started. I was suggesting an inexpensive, yet accurate option (beam scale and trickle charger, per post #6) he could pursue before dropping big money for an electronic unit that is worth having. I have nothing against speed or accuracy.

 

[tbrice23]

I shoot 1000s of rounds a year. Beams and throwers are ok if you shoot a couple rounds a year otherwise your wasting your money because you'll just upgrade very very soon anyways. Good luck.

Yep!
Believe me you ARE going to want to upgrade in your future. So if you buy quality equipment now you won't have obsolete equipment sitting on the shelf later. ( money that could have been spent on better tools).

 

[Rick Richard]

I don't find beam scales anymore accurate than a decent electronic scale. I also weigh every charge and it would take me way too long with a beam scale. My advice is spend a few more bucks and get a good electronic scale. Good luck and safe reloading.

 

[ar10ar15man]

just not so.
i so not take my electronics for walks in the wood.
they sit on a stable platform with no fans near.
my fx120i is so sensitive i cannot use it with the ac on, but that is not an error, nor drift..it is SENSITIVITY.
SO WHICH OR DO YOU HAVE BOTH the lite and the fx120i ??

we are not talk cheap trash here.

It will drift when their is dirty electricity or winds.

You can get a little reactor clamp thing to clean the electricity up going to the scale and it works flawless then. I don't remember the exact name for them.

 

[ar10ar15man]

no
PRECISION LOADING IS PLUS OR MINUS .02 OR IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY .01.
AT 1000 YARDS YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE.
AND it does not take 300 dollars to get to .1
BUY A LITE
HE HAS THE FUNDS.
your method is slow and has a .2 spread,

For precision loading (plus or minus 0.1 grains), the beam scale is used with the powder thrower and a trickle charger. You throw a charge just under the desired amount, trickle in the rest (on the scale), then fill the case. It isn't that hard, but I will concede it is more time consuming than pushing a button on a $300 (and up) electronic unit. The guy is just getting started. I was suggesting an inexpensive, yet accurate option (beam scale and trickle charger, per post #6) he could pursue before dropping big money for an electronic unit that is worth having. I have nothing against speed or accuracy.

 

[Bstick]

just not so.
i so not take my electronics for walks in the wood.
they sit on a stable platform with no fans near.
my fx120i is so sensitive i cannot use it with the ac on, but that is not an error, nor drift..it is SENSITIVITY.
SO WHICH OR DO YOU HAVE BOTH the lite and the fx120i ??

we are not talk cheap trash here.

I've had the lite. I sold the chargemaster lite, chargemaster, and gempro when I upgraded to the A&D. It's funny because I run my a/c while using mine. It has wind shields for a reason. Also if you could work on your grammar a little, it would help a lot of people understand what you are trying to say other than " get the lite".

Thanks

 

[Frog4aday]

Let's back the TRUCK up here. This is what the OP wrote: "I'm piecing together a reloading kit and I have everything I need except a scale. I don't participate in competitions of any sorts anymore and mainly shoot for hunting or leisure but the gun club I joined does do a summer league at 300 yards I might participate in this summer."

He doesn't NEED a high dollar, high precision device that will cost many hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. He is actually "good to go" right now with his Lee Precision Beam scale. Throwing from his powder thrower directly will be 'good enough' precision for his stated needs: Hunting...Leisure...300 yard 'league'. Some of you have certainly given him some 'food for thought' should he get the competition bug in the future. For now, remember that he wants to spend no more than $200 at Cabelas (so he can use his $100 gift card and kick in no more than $100 of his own money.)

Looking at the options AGAIN (now that I know he has a beam scale already) I'd suggest the FRANKFORD ARSENAL PLATINUM SERIES SCALE listed at $94.99. It has a 4.8 rating (out of 5) with 12 reviews (11 of those 12 were a 5 star rating). If he is willing to blow his budget by $89.99 (total cost $289.99) the RCBS ChargeMasterLite seems like a great option to augment his beam scale.

 

[Harvey Durham]

I'm piecing together a reloading kit and I have everything I need except a scale. I don't participate in competitions of any sorts anymore and mainly shoot for hunting or leisure but the gun club I joined does do a summer league at 300 yards I might participate in this summer. I'm planning to purchase my scale from Cabela's as I have a $100 gift card that's been laying around for a year and they are only a 50 minute drive from me. I'd like to keep my cost at or around $100 so that gives me up to $200 for a scale. I've narrowed it down to:

• Frankford Arsenal Intelli-Dropper ($200)
• Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series scale ($95)
• RCBS M500 beam scale ($100)
• RCBS Rangemaster 2000 ($140)
• Lyman Accu-Touch 2000 ($125)

There are other scales they sell, most cheaper or more expensive than these but some like the Hornady digital scale had horrible reviews and decided to leave them off my list. Any of these scales worth buying and if they are what would serve me best? All thoughts and opinions welcomed. Thank you.

I ha RCBS scales but I'm telling you that you will regret not going ahead and buying electronic scales of some kind. It's so much faster and just as accurate over all or more so because of the way balance beam scales work, it so easy to bump them or for them to get off.
Good luck but from one brand to the other there's not a dimes worth of difference.