Digital powder scales

Which brand name digital scale would you purchase?

  • Hornady

    Votes: 6 24.0%

  • Frankford Arsenal

    Votes: 5 20.0%

  • Lee Precision

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • RCBS

    Votes: 12 48.0%

  • Lyman

    Votes: 2 8.0%
  • Total voters
    25
  • Poll closed .
B

bobznew1

New member
Forgetting cost for a second. Which digital powder scales would be your choice if you had to purchase? Will be for pistol and rifle reloading. Feel free to leave comments.
 
I'm partial to a Dillon. They are a bit pricey and I bought mine used. Dillon doesn't make them just markets them. Been using mine since'02. Started with a Lee balance beam. Nothing wrong with it either.
 
I have the low cost ones from Frankford Arsenal and Lyman. Both seem OK. I bought the FA first, got use to it, and rarely use the Lyman (bought mainly for a back up).

I will say that I much prefer a metal scale pan over a plastic one.
 
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Tried (and tested) all of the ones in your poll and I would not buy any of them.

I have used and tested both versions of the Truweigh Reloadr scales and they are at least as good, in many areas better than the ones produced by the traditional reloading companies. Not saying they are better than the $300 to $5000 scales and systems, but they are more than suitable for precision rifle loading.

https://truweigh.com/products/reloadr-ammo-scales
 
When it comes to scales, electronic digital scales, I have an old, maybe 30 year old RCBS scale and a bottom label reads Made by Pact, Made in USA. The reality is I seriously doubt RCBS ever made a scale anymore than Sears Roebuck ever made a rifle or shotgun. The same is likely true of all the brands mentioned for scales, Hornady, Frankford Arsenal, Lee Precision and Lyman digital scales. Today most are all likely made in China and branded for whoever orders them with the color of their choosing. That for the lower end digital scales anyway.

For average reloading most people run with a digital scale having a resolution of 0.1 grain and an uncertainty of 0.1 grain and call that good enough. Some shooters want more resolution and accuracy which is certainly available with a price. Pretty much a matter of how deep is one's pocket and what resolution and uncertainty does one want?

Whatever scale one chooses I figure it is beneficial to get a good set of check weights. I say good because when using a scale with a resolution and uncertainty of +/- 0.1 grain you really don't need high end weight class weights. If you are concerned with your weights uncertainty ask a local pharmacy to cut you a small favor and weigh your weights, odds are their scale(s) offer a more than adequate test uncertainty ratio. A good set of check weights is a nice to have.

I would just read the reviews and think about any features you may want in a scale. Make a decision and move on it. Here is an example of some reviews. There are dozens out there to read.

Ron
 
None of those folks make those scales. All of the older balance beam scales were made by Ohaus; they just used different colors for the various retailers.

I had 2 different electronic scales; they both failed after a short while and never were as consistent as my RCBS 5-10.
 
I have RCBS 10-10 beam scale also older RCBS 1500 Digital that I'll use.

I also build my own arrows (target/hunting) and take pan off 1500 so I can weigh bare cut shaft and all other parts. Shafts I use for hunting are 8.2gr per inch.
 
Started with a Lee balance beam. Nothing wrong with it either.
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I use the Lee and agree. I only load pistol so precision rifle is not a consideration. I have a Hornady electronic but moving it a tad, air movement and having to fiddle with it when it times out and turns off turned ME off. I might use it for checking or backup.

I like the balance-beam because if you set it and pay attention (don't hit it or the like) it seems to stay set until I am finished. Accurate enough, stable and holds the settings.
 
AnD FX120i. I have one in my reloading room. It is one of the least expensive force restoration scales available. I also have one of the Auto-trickler set ups. Very nice kit indeed.
 
I use the same scale as HoundDawg. It gives resolution to .01gr. Since I am just reloading pistol rounds, and most generally not very stout ones, this gives me a better picture of consistency than the .1gr resolution my Lyman digital scale offers.
 
I use a RCBS 10-10 beam scale 90% of the time-the other is a digital by Hornady thats worked pretty decent-I had a RCBS digital that tended to wander badly so thats when I purchased the 10-10.
 
Everything I've seen indicates that a good balance beam scale is more accurate. I used to want electronic, but I'll stick with what I have.
 
13 years using the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 and double check with a GemPro 250 for very accurate rifle loads to the hundreds of a grain 40.84 can't do that with the 1500.
 
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