I started to make my first loads figured out the dies got down to the scale and the cheapy Lee beam scale is only useful as a paperweight.
Measuring powder charges with that toy would take 30 minutes per charge. Need suggestions for a "quality, reliable" way to measure charges and dispense them into single reloads.
Centerfire rifle cases.

Quality beam scales are available from RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Dillon, Hornady, and possibly a lot more.....most are made by Ohaus but private labeled by the specific company.

I've played with the Lee scale....

Chalk it up to experience and get a good one next time.

As Vapo said above there are plenty of great beam scales.

I will add, Lee makes a set of scoops that are great tools to pre-measure before you put your powder in the pan and trickle the last grain.

I don't mind spending money for an efficient system any comments on using digital scale and dispensors

quote:

digital scale and dispensors

I don't own one....never been able to justify it....

Get a good balanced beam scale (you need it regardless) and a powder measure....you'll not find a need for the digital stuff there after.

+1

Yep!! get a good measure/thrower and beam scale and never need anything else.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
Yep!! get a good measure/thrower and beam scale and never need anything else.

Ted sure knows his stuff!!!!

Get a good balance beam scale and a powder dispenser. RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc. Stay away from Lee produces if you can. I have a ChargeMaster and it’s a pretty nice tool. It has one problem though, it’s electronic and it well crap out one day. Get the balance beam scale and powder dispenser for now, they’ll last you for a live time. You can always go electric later but never get rid of your “old stuff”.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
Yep!! get a good measure/thrower and beam scale and never need anything else.

Ted sure knows his stuff!!!!

you said it!

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
+1

Yep!! get a good measure/thrower and beam scale and never need anything else.

sounds good what do you use and how do you use it?

I have a Mettler digital scale. It is as good as it gets. But I always use my thrower/beam/trickler.

My scale and throw are Lyman

I set my thrower up to be really close but just under my target weight.

I throw the charge into the pan then put it on the scale.

Trickle the final small amount and then pour it through a funnel into a primed case.....repeat!

by the time you get done buying all that stuff you could just get the lyman dpms or the rcbs lam-2.
you get a scale and a measure in one and it's accurate, and fast enough to push a button while seating the bullet and getting another case to put the powder in.

I parted with both of my beams years ago. I use a digital scale and it has served me well. I throw the bulk of the powder from a measure, then trickle the rest. Works for me.

Your reloading bench sho' don't look like mine.

It doesn't look like that now either...

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
I parted with both of my beams years ago. I use a digital scale and it has served me well. I throw the bulk of the powder from a measure, then trickle the rest. Works for me.

Me too. I didn't sell my Lyman M5 (made by Ohaus) beam scale as it's not eating anything. But using my Dillon D-terminator is easier and safer; those big digital numerals are easy to see from any angle.

Using the beam scale nowadays is just tedious; fiddling around with poises, no thanks.

I've used a thrower and my RCBS 10-10 scale now for 30+ years. See no need to change.

For pistol with the small insert I've always found it accurate enough to simply throw. Rifles I set it up just short and a quick turn of the trickler knob and I set to go.

quote:

Stay away from Lee produces if you can.

+1

+10 on their electronic powder measures. My lee will very .4 grains between charges.

Get yourself a Belding & Mull powder measure from Ebay or the local gun show and add a (relatively) inexpensive electronic scale. Add a decent powder dribbler (I use Lyman's with the lonnnnng neck) you have everything you need for around $225.

I have a B&M clone and an RCBS 750 electronic scale. Both work beautifully for (relatively) small batches of cartridges.

I use the RCBS Chargemaster and it works better than I could ever need...

As I seat the bullet, the next charged is dispensed and weighed and ready for me as soon as Im done seating the last bullet.

I have a Lee beam scale and I, too, found it aggravating, to say the least. It is now on the top shelf taking up space in my reloading room. I purchased a Dillon beam scale on Ebay and I have an inexpensive electronic scale, too. I use the electronic scale to get me in the ballpark of a powder charge, but use the beam scale when I want to be absolutely sure of the weight of a charge.

Although it isn't terribly expensive scale, the Dillon beam scale has really been enjoyable to use, compared to the Lee scale.

You can stop the scale swing by lightly rubbing the beam as it passes zero. That takes the kinetic energy out of it much like magnetic damping would. In the old days we had to resort to that sort of thing.
Every one I know with an electronic scale keeps
the balance beam as a reference. I threw my electronic out, life is short enough as it is.
Good luck1

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I have a Mettler digital scale. It is as good as it gets. But I always use my thrower/beam/trickler.

My scale and throw are Lyman

Ted, That's got to be the most tidy loading bench I ever saw.
I've been using the same Redding beam balance for more than 50 years and it will out last me I'm sure. I use a number of powder measures and dispensers but mostly go to the El Cheapo Lee. Found that the tappered drum handles the ball powders better( less gauling and shaving). roger

It's good that you learned a very important lesson early in your reloading career. Buy quality equipment the first time around. It's just wasted money to buy your stuff twice.
Bear in Fairbanks

The RCBS Chargemaster just plain works for precision loads - especially if you tweak the electronics to speed things up.
Still have my RCBS beam scale for occasional checks but have NEVER found the Chargemaster scale wandering off.
I load pistol caliber AR & FAL fodder with a powder dispenser & the occasional check with the beam scale.

PS Loaded 2,700 .45 rounds earlier this year using a Lee scale to check loads - worked just fine.