For my everyday loading I've used RCBS scales. My current RCBS Rangemaster can be had for around $120 and is a great value. I also run a RCBS Chargemaster when loading for accuracy and need to weigh each charge. I think I paid about $300 for it - it's awesome!
Looking for a new scale
I have a couple of scales I reload with right now. I have a Truweight which is pretty much worthless, drifts two tenths of a grain all the time. I use my Redding beam scale which I thought was pretty accurate. It turns out it may not be. I'm trying to improve my powder measuring so I'm looking at a new scale. I am aware of the A&D precision scales. I'm just not willing to pay that much money. I realize many precision shooters would not give that a second thought. I know everyone says buy the right component first and save money in the long run. I do not compete. I'm just an engineer that likes to try to get things closer and I just want to improve. I want to know if anyone has any experience with the new Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 precision scale? I've done my homework and read the reviews. it seems to be just what I'm looking for. I just do not want to end up with another electronic scale like that Truweight that is worthless. I really appreciate your input.
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You can't go wrong with a RCBS beam scale. I believe they are made by Ohaus; at least, the design is identical. That was what we used in college Chemistry lab (inside an airtight case) for precision measuring far more accurate than anything we need for reloading.
I've been reloading for over 50 years ... my first scale was a Redding Number 1 ...the only scale they made ... I've been down the electronics path ... they all seem to have their "quirks" that irratate me . Have tried several brands , Lee Lyman , Dillion ... but my absolute favorite that I wish I had 50 years ago is a RCBS 5-0-5 ... the features I like are magnetic dampening , three poise beam (easy to set accurately) , adjustability and craftsmanship and no batteries required .
My advice ... To heck with electronic scales ...in theory they should be great but in reality ...they is always some little something that makes them suck rocks .
My RCBS 5-0-5 was used , bought off the E-Bay and is accurate and a delight to use (I see them on E-Bay for +/- $65.00) I realy like the three poise settings and customer service RCBS provides ... it's a keeper !
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger ... I bought a Truweight electronic scale also , thinking this one should work Great ... the ad hype said all the right things ...
But , it doesn't work right ... it's junk ...screw electronic scales lets go back to basic's ...gravity never screws up or runs out of batteries !
Gary
My advice ... To heck with electronic scales ...in theory they should be great but in reality ...they is always some little something that makes them suck rocks .
My RCBS 5-0-5 was used , bought off the E-Bay and is accurate and a delight to use (I see them on E-Bay for +/- $65.00) I realy like the three poise settings and customer service RCBS provides ... it's a keeper !
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger ... I bought a Truweight electronic scale also , thinking this one should work Great ... the ad hype said all the right things ...
But , it doesn't work right ... it's junk ...screw electronic scales lets go back to basic's ...gravity never screws up or runs out of batteries !
Gary
n digital scale.. but it was too sensative to artificial lighting..so I stopped using it. Now have an RCBS chargemaster lite and it's as good as the rcbs beam scales. I also have a lee safety beam.. and believe it or not.. it's accurate.. it just takes forever and a day to settle. hard to go wrong on a rcbs or ohaus scale.
Even though I didn't need a new scale, a couple of years ago I decided I wanted one. On a recommendation from Joe (accident) I bought one of the RCBS Chargemaster Lite scales and I absolutely love that thing. When I am loading pistol rounds on the Dillon, I don't use it, but when I am loading bottleneck cartridges in the single stage press, it is great.
Have 4 beam scales,only elec is RCBS charge 1500,it always weighs same as beams...good scale
I'm surprised to hear the negative comments about digital scales. I've had several and I load a lot of ammunition. I check them often with calibration weights and never have an error. I did have a Hornady, that I used for a few years just die on me one day - but it was accurate until the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The last two RCBS scales still work great and the I mainly bought the RCBS Chargemaster because I can't stand throwing extruded powders and it does that fine and is a must have when I load for precision and consistancy is critical.
Thanks for everyone's comments. Here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to send my Redding beam scale back and have it tuned and calibrated. Called them today and it's only $24 and they'll repair anything that's wrong with it. If I get a report back that it's accurate I'm good to go. If not then I'm going to look at the electronic Creedmoor scale. But if I buy the electronic scale, I need to get a new trickler with a very long extended rod. So the cost keeps adding up.
I have a trickler but don't use it...except as a reservoir of powder. I use a spatula, something like this to top up or take away extra powder. You can get them on ebay or other onine places.But if I buy the electronic scale, I need to get a new trickler with a very long extended rod. So the cost keeps adding up.
Do you weigh every powder charge?Thanks for everyone's comments. Here's what I've decided to do. I'm going to send my Redding beam scale back and have it tuned and calibrated. Called them today and it's only $24 and they'll repair anything that's wrong with it. If I get a report back that it's accurate I'm good to go. If not then I'm going to look at the electronic Creedmoor scale. But if I buy the electronic scale, I need to get a new trickler with a very long extended rod. So the cost keeps adding up.
Yes, every charge for my rifle charges.
A spatula eh? I use spoons, plastic that came with a Lyman kit, and always search the groceries store for something with a finer edge. Thanks, I'm going to look at options!I have a trickler but don't use it...except as a reservoir of powder. I use a spatula, something like this to top up or take away extra powder. You can get them on ebay or other onine places.
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I have been using the same baby food spoon since my son was about a year old, that means I have been using it since 1973.
For years I had a RCBS 1010. It was destroyed by movers when we moved. I tried a Redding # 2 to replace it. Although I love Redding stuff the Redding # 2 wasn't a patch to my 1010. I found a nice used RCBS 1010 have been very happy with it.
Baby spoons eh? How thick is the edge?I have been using the same baby food spoon since my son was about a year old, that means I have been using it since 1973.
Ya got a picture of your son?
Young and old!
Unless you are shooting precision rifle, wouldn't a Powder Thrower work better for you?Yes, every charge for my rifle charges.
My 2 cents. Been loading for a long , long time. Started out with a beam scale. That is all there was back then. Went to a eletronic. Could not trust it. Threw it out. Did not want to spend $$$$ on a scale. Not into pin point accuracy, nor do ,I shoot looong distance. Went back to a beam scale. Reloding is not a production thing for me. After so many rounds, I check the scale with scale weights. Then go on. My scale seems to hold true. Checking it every so often, to me give me piece of mind every thing is going well.
It's funny how so many think charges are more accurate when measured by weight than by volume. I know precision bench shooters who only use weight as a starting point and from there on throw their charges by volume.Unless you are shooting precision rifle, wouldn't a Powder Thrower work better for you?
As to scales, I've used a bunch of electronics but not for the last few years. Every one has shown some sort of fault and I will never touch another one. I use nothing but beam scales that have a number of different names on them but in reality they were all manufactured by Ohaus. I use check weights to verify every change in weights and to assure nothing fails. Just to be safe, if you don't have check weights don't trust any scale.
Very well said.It's funny how so many think charges are more accurate when measured by weight than by volume. I know precision bench shooters who only use weight as a starting point and from there on throw their charges by volume.
As to scales, I've used a bunch of electronics but not for the last few years. Every one has shown some sort of fault and I will never touch another one. I use nothing but beam scales that have a number of different names on them but in reality they were all manufactured by Ohaus. I use check weights to verify every change in weights and to assure nothing fails. Just to be safe, if you don't have check weights don't trust any scale.
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