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Posted: 8/30/2016 2:10:11 PM EDT
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What's a good scale for quick powder drop checks? I have the Frankford Arsenal 30.00 scale from Amazon and I spend more time making sure it's working right Than I do getting the correct powder drop. I thought about getting a beam but I don't have room to leave it setup on my bench and they sound like they are time consuming to zero. Frankford has a premium model for more money, but I wanted to see if the guys here could recommend a clear winner without me having to waist time buying and returning. |
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I've tried a few digital scales and am not satisfied with any of them. They all wander (even $100+ models) and read differently at random times. I've used a RCBS 502/505 since the 60's and currently rely on a RCBS 10-10 I make quick checks with the cheap digital Hornady brand as it seems to check close to the RCBS most of the time. Don't forget to buy a set of calibration weights- a little pricey but well worth it to check the scales actual weight. Also the pans are weighted specific to the beam scales, so unless you get a new one you will want to check it anyway and if a used one is off you can add shot to it to balance. |
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That scale looks like it has a lot of positive reviews. A lot of people don't follow basic precautions and don't wind up trusting their scale, when there is really nothing wrong with it.
Let the scale warm up, don't breathe on it, make sure it is not under an air vent, and it should be fine. I have the $100 plus Dillon electronic scale, and I still have to give it time to stop floating. You don't have to leave a beam scale on your bench, so I don't see how it takes up that much room. Mark a spot for it on the bench, and place it back on the same spot each time you use it. That will cut down on the amount of time you need to rezero it each time you move it, and it doesn't take long to zero them anyway. One or two minutes tops. If you want a beam scale get the Dillon or one of the higher end RCBS. |
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Quoted:
What's a good scale for quick powder drop checks? I have the Frankford Arsenal 30.00 scale from Amazon and I spend more time making sure it's working right Than I do getting the correct powder drop. I thought about getting a beam but I don't have room to leave it setup on my bench and they sound like they are time consuming to zero. Frankford has a premium model for more money, but I wanted to see if the guys here could recommend a clear winner without me having to waist time buying and returning. I have a Chargemaster 1500 for dropping powder and then I also have a RCBS Rangemaster 2500 to verify the Chargemaster. It's a nice scale and is serving me well. |
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One of the secrets to making sure your scale is accurate, is make sure your bench is very sturdy, vibration can cause them to float and be difficult to make sure they are zeroed.
I use both a beam and a digital to double check things all of the time, but I am not in a hurry when I am loading, so I take the extra time needed to make sure I am throwing accurate charges. |
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Let's lay one of your fears to rest. Zeroing a scale is not difficult in any way.
For a mechanical scale you move a screw in or out until the beam is level. For an electronic scale, you make sure it's level using a bubble level (built into most better units) and hot a button. |
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I found digital scales not to my liking for measuring powder. I don't like the drift. If you spend enough on one I'm sure they work ok. I prefer a beam scale for measuring powder. I have a RCBS 505. The one digital scale that I do have is used for weighing cases and bullets. A digital scale can't be beat for these two things. |
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I found digital scales not to my liking for measuring powder. I don't like the drift. If you spend enough on one I'm sure they work ok. I prefer a beam scale for measuring powder. I have a RCBS 505. The one digital scale that I do have is used for weighing cases and bullets. A digital scale can't be beat for these two things. in red, this is my situation word for word. I had used a hornady electronic scale for a while. When I finally moved to a beam scale I couldn't believe it. I had to recalibrate and rezero that scale so many times. Even just for piece of mind a beam scale is amazing. The ability to look and see if you're slightly closer one way or another is so much nicer than a number on a screen and not knowing how close one way or another you are. I measure every charge, and trickle. For trickling I think most electronic scales are close to worthless, and for me beam scales are just as fast. RCBS 505 is highly recommended. |
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I had that ffa, I threw it in the garbage when I kept getting exact same weights to the .1 grain for WAY too many cases. Did some research and ended up with this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141MQTOI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
While its still fairly new to me, its 1000% better than my other 3 cheap digitals, measures to .05 grain instead of only .1 drift is pretty low. Did this instead of going with a lab grade $1000 scale or slow tripple beam. |
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Was just going to pull the trigger on the RCBS (it was in my cart from last night actually) and now I'm wondering about the electric you suggest. I like that it has. 05 resolution. How confident are you in that scale? You said you've used it little, have you done any testing with, or compared it against a second scale? |
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Same one that I have and I have been nothing but happy with it, as long as I have it stabilized it works great! |
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Was just going to pull the trigger on the RCBS (it was in my cart from last night actually) and now I'm wondering about the electric you suggest. I like that it has. 05 resolution. How confident are you in that scale? You said you've used it little, have you done any testing with, or compared it against a second scale? The resolution is not the problem, its drift during the loading session. And sensitivity to electrical interference especially fluorescent lights. Every electronic scale I've tired has some drift. |
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I have that one too and use it for verification in some instances but not as my primary device. It's amazingly accurate and always co-verifies with my RCBS 505 and certification test weights. Chinese or not, it's stupid accurate. |
| I like my Pact Precision electronic. I leave it plugged in all the time and only turn off the display on the unit. Stays warmed up and ready to tare and start weighing. RCBS 5-10 beam scale has been in a drawer since 1994. Also have the GemPro 250 electronic. Both work flawlessly, fast, don't drift, and totally reliable. As with any scale, buy a scale check weight set to verify scales are accurate. Go modern, get a good electronic scale not a cheap pocket scale. Going to have to spend a little over $100 to get a true powder scale. |
Maybe that's why I'm having the problem. My reloading room has fluorescent lights, my bench has florescent lights, and my bench also has a cellular enabled tablet mounted on the wall.  The lights are all new style, not the old bigger bulb with large ballasts but I wonder if that's why I'm having a problem. |
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Maybe that's why I'm having the problem. My reloading room has fluorescent lights, my bench has florescent lights, and my bench also has a cellular enabled tablet mounted on the wall.
The lights are all new style, not the old bigger bulb with large ballasts but I wonder if that's why I'm having a problem. I replaced all of my lights with LED shop lights, has changed the whole scope of things, from noise in the radio to not interfering with the scale. |
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pretty sure RCBS, lyman, and DILLON are the same thing, both made by Ohaus IIRC
get which ever one you find cheapest https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/588?grafs_vendor_filter=&grafs_sorting_flydown=unit_price_asc&_swat_form_character_encoding=%C3%A4%E2%84%A2%C2%AE&_swat_form_process=grafs_sorting_form&_swat_form_serialized__swat_form_process=auRBAfJoHpPQd2FWx7MVIQ%7Cs%3A18%3A%22grafs_sorting_form%22%3B&_swat_form_hidden_fields=fDk71VXcXJddn45*bdDhwg%7Ca%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A18%3A%22_swat_form_process%22%3B%7D https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3018 
I like DILLON's customer service 
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Quoted: pretty sure RCBS, lyman, and DILLON are the same thing, both made by Ohaus IIRC get which ever one you find cheapest https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/588?grafs_vendor_filter=&grafs_sorting_flydown=unit_price_asc&_swat_form_character_encoding=%C3%A4%E2%84%A2%C2%AE&_swat_form_process=grafs_sorting_form&_swat_form_serialized__swat_form_process=auRBAfJoHpPQd2FWx7MVIQ%7Cs%3A18%3A%22grafs_sorting_form%22%3B&_swat_form_hidden_fields=fDk71VXcXJddn45*bdDhwg%7Ca%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A18%3A%22_swat_form_process%22%3B%7D https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3018 https://www.grafs.com/uploads/product-picture/preview/3018.jpg I like DILLON's customer service ohhh.... it's been a long weekend! I'd really like to have two scales so I can cross check/verify. |
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I just spoke with Frankford and the fluorescent lights and cell radios should not be an issue. They are sending me a new one as they have deemed mine faulty. I'll still pick up a beam scale, and it looks like the RCBS/DIllON are favorites here. I have a Lee beam scale that came with a kit I purchased and it is very accurate and works great for double checking loads. |
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pretty sure RCBS, lyman, and DILLON are the same thing, both made by Ohaus IIRC get which ever one you find cheapest https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/588?grafs_vendor_filter=&grafs_sorting_flydown=unit_price_asc&_swat_form_character_encoding=%C3%A4%E2%84%A2%C2%AE&_swat_form_process=grafs_sorting_form&_swat_form_serialized__swat_form_process=auRBAfJoHpPQd2FWx7MVIQ%7Cs%3A18%3A%22grafs_sorting_form%22%3B&_swat_form_hidden_fields=fDk71VXcXJddn45*bdDhwg%7Ca%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A18%3A%22_swat_form_process%22%3B%7D https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3018 https://www.grafs.com/uploads/product-picture/preview/3018.jpg I like DILLON's customer service
That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. |
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Quoted: I've started using mine again, theres a simple beauty to its operation. How does magnetic dampening work? Wheres the magnet? Quoted: Quoted: Balance beams and a set of check weights. I've started using mine again, theres a simple beauty to its operation. How does magnetic dampening work? Wheres the magnet? I just sent back the lyman digital trigger scale in favor of my RCBS spring loaded one. The sporadic reading drove me insane. It worked a bit better on single action pulls, but on revolvers it was an OCD persons nightmare. |
| The magnetic dampening is the little "flag" of metal that is perpendicular to the beam on the pointer end. It passes through the scale base "ears". I'm a beam scale fanboy and have an RCBS 5-0-5 and an older Lyman 1000. Both have been 100% accurate and agree with each other when testing them with check weights. |
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I would like to know about the dampening too. I just sent back the lyman digital trigger scale in favor of my RCBS spring loaded one. The sporadic reading drove me insane. It worked a bit better on single action pulls, but on revolvers it was an OCD persons nightmare. Quoted:
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Balance beams and a set of check weights. I've started using mine again, theres a simple beauty to its operation. How does magnetic dampening work? Wheres the magnet? I just sent back the lyman digital trigger scale in favor of my RCBS spring loaded one. The sporadic reading drove me insane. It worked a bit better on single action pulls, but on revolvers it was an OCD persons nightmare. Magnetic damping is the flag perpendicular to the beam. The magnets are in the 'ears' of the scale. When ANY conductor moves in a magnetic field currents are induced in the conductor. The just run in circles and dissipate in the flag when it is moving. A lossy material (electrically) is desired. Its slightly higher electrical resistance damps better by dissipating the power the circulating current represent. Aluminum is a common choice. As a 'thought experiment' gold would be a poor choice. It conducts better. Low (to no) magnetic effects are desirable. Once movement stops you want the forces to drop to zero. The currents created are often generally referred to as 'eddy currents.' There presence is one of the things that drive us to use smaller 'teeth' in the rotors of induction motors. They represent lost power. The problem is that if you go smaller it becomes easier to saturate the metal with a strong magnetic field. Then losses become excessive. |
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That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. Quoted:
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pretty sure RCBS, lyman, and DILLON are the same thing, both made by Ohaus IIRC get which ever one you find cheapest https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/588?grafs_vendor_filter=&grafs_sorting_flydown=unit_price_asc&_swat_form_character_encoding=%C3%A4%E2%84%A2%C2%AE&_swat_form_process=grafs_sorting_form&_swat_form_serialized__swat_form_process=auRBAfJoHpPQd2FWx7MVIQ%7Cs%3A18%3A%22grafs_sorting_form%22%3B&_swat_form_hidden_fields=fDk71VXcXJddn45*bdDhwg%7Ca%3A1%3A%7Bi%3A0%3Bs%3A18%3A%22_swat_form_process%22%3B%7D https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3018 https://www.grafs.com/uploads/product-picture/preview/3018.jpg I like DILLON's customer service
That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. It is magnetically dampened and it comes apart to keep the knife edges off of the pivots just like it is shipped. It doesn't have the knob you mention though. It says it is made by Ohaus on it. I keep mine in the foam it was shipped in but I ditched the cardboard box for a plastic case. It is a good scale, never used a RCBS, I have an old Hornady scale but the Dillon is hands down more repeatable. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Quoted:...
That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. Dude,.... Have I ever lied to you ? 
I speak the truth....tagged OHAUS 
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| My current scale is an older Hornady beam type. I used to have an RCBS digital scale, made by PACT, but it really freaked out over the electrical surges associated with fluorescent lights. I didn't realize it was the lights at first, all I knew was that it worked properly upstairs, but not downstairs. It drove me nuts, and I sold it off after realizing what the issue was. I did inform the purchaser that it didn't get along with fluorescents. This was in the days before LED lighting. I can vouch for the fact that it takes me only a couple of seconds to zero my beam type scale. It lives in a plastic box until summoned for work. The box keeps dust off the beam assy, cutting down on cleanup time. |
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Quoted: Magnetic damping is the flag perpendicular to the beam. The magnets are in the 'ears' of the scale. When ANY conductor moves in a magnetic field currents are induced in the conductor. The just run in circles and dissipate in the flag when it is moving. A lossy material (electrically) is desired. Its slightly higher electrical resistance damps better by dissipating the power the circulating current represent. Aluminum is a common choice. As a 'thought experiment' gold would be a poor choice. It conducts better. Low (to no) magnetic effects are desirable. Once movement stops you want the forces to drop to zero. The currents created are often generally referred to as 'eddy currents.' There presence is one of the things that drive us to use smaller 'teeth' in the rotors of induction motors. They represent lost power. The problem is that if you go smaller it becomes easier to saturate the metal with a strong magnetic field. Then losses become excessive. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Balance beams and a set of check weights. I've started using mine again, theres a simple beauty to its operation. How does magnetic dampening work? Wheres the magnet? I just sent back the lyman digital trigger scale in favor of my RCBS spring loaded one. The sporadic reading drove me insane. It worked a bit better on single action pulls, but on revolvers it was an OCD persons nightmare. Magnetic damping is the flag perpendicular to the beam. The magnets are in the 'ears' of the scale. When ANY conductor moves in a magnetic field currents are induced in the conductor. The just run in circles and dissipate in the flag when it is moving. A lossy material (electrically) is desired. Its slightly higher electrical resistance damps better by dissipating the power the circulating current represent. Aluminum is a common choice. As a 'thought experiment' gold would be a poor choice. It conducts better. Low (to no) magnetic effects are desirable. Once movement stops you want the forces to drop to zero. The currents created are often generally referred to as 'eddy currents.' There presence is one of the things that drive us to use smaller 'teeth' in the rotors of induction motors. They represent lost power. The problem is that if you go smaller it becomes easier to saturate the metal with a strong magnetic field. Then losses become excessive. |
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That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. Acordding to Dillon website and from the owners manual for the Eliminator beam scale: Magnetically dampened 511 grain capacity accurate to within +/- 0.1 grain. The beam is super easy to remove from the scale, out of curiousity why does it need a knob? |
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Acordding to Dillon website and from the owners manual for the Eliminator beam scale: Magnetically dampened 511 grain capacity accurate to within +/- 0.1 grain. The beam is super easy to remove from the scale, out of curiousity why does it need a knob? Quoted:
That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. Acordding to Dillon website and from the owners manual for the Eliminator beam scale: Magnetically dampened 511 grain capacity accurate to within +/- 0.1 grain. The beam is super easy to remove from the scale, out of curiousity why does it need a knob? I'm not 100% sure what knob that you are referring to. Are you talking about the base adjustment foot that screws in and out? That is used to level the scale and zero it. |
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I'm not 100% sure what knob that you are referring to. Are you talking about the base adjustment foot that screws in and out? That is used to level the scale and zero it. Quoted:
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That Dillon does not appear to magnetically dampened nor have a knob to lift the beam away from the pivot point bearings when not in use. That makes me doubt it is likevthe RCBS 5-05 or Lyman D7 beam scales. Not saying it's not equally accurate, just different and perhaps made by someone else. Acordding to Dillon website and from the owners manual for the Eliminator beam scale: Magnetically dampened 511 grain capacity accurate to within +/- 0.1 grain. The beam is super easy to remove from the scale, out of curiousity why does it need a knob? I'm not 100% sure what knob that you are referring to. Are you talking about the base adjustment foot that screws in and out? That is used to level the scale and zero it. The first quoted post refered to a knob for lifting the beam.....I was just asking why anyone thought it would be a necessity or what is the benefit. |
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I like my Pact Precision electronic. I leave it plugged in all the time and only turn off the display on the unit. Stays warmed up and ready to tare and start weighing. RCBS 5-10 beam scale has been in a drawer since 1994. Also have the GemPro 250 electronic. Both work flawlessly, fast, don't drift, and totally reliable. As with any scale, buy a scale check weight set to verify scales are accurate. Go modern, get a good electronic scale not a cheap pocket scale. Going to have to spend a little over $100 to get a true powder scale. +1 for the gempro250 And if it does quit on you, they will replace it for free... just don't send it to the address in the packaging, use the address on their website (they moved). 
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