Which beam scale?

[quietmike]

I've been reloading for a few decades and still use an Ohaus 505 scale.

My son is getting the reloading bug, and I'm helping him get set up. Press, dies, trimmers and all are pretty easy, but it seems beam scales just aren't what they used to be (based on reviews), excluding Chargematers and other dispenser/scales, as i want him to start with the basics.

Redding scales look to be the best new made scales (again based on reviews), but I haven't really looked at scales for a long time.

If you were buying today, which would you choose? New, or a refurbished older model maybe?

 

[steve123]

I'd send that scale off to Scott Parker and have him do his tune on it. I assume he still does this but not sure.

 

[spife7980]

I'd send that scale off to Scott Parker and have him do his tune on it. I assume he still does this but not sure.

Agreed, if you want the best. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/thr...t-two.3906350/

If not then just get whatever, I used to use an old rcbs 5-10 and it did the job. Just slow.

 

[CharlieNC]

I bought tuned scale from Scott a few years ago, as my old one got trashed. At that time he liked the new Redding, and it has done well for me. You can try him to see if he has any tuned scales ready to ship; if not it will be a long wait to have one done as he is very busy.

 

[padom]

PM me if you need one. I have a Scott Parker tuned beam I bought directly from him to check accuracy of my 2 Chargemasters. Just sitting here collecting dust. Measures to the single kernel.

 

[dirthead1]

I have a Redding scale and would not recommend it. I realize it's only one data point, but mine is not accurate. I'll be doing a post soon detailing what I've seen with mine, but it will be a week or two. I use a charge master, and used to double check the charge on the Redding scale. Saw some weird stuff and thought it was the chargemaster. It wasn't. Once I document the issues properly, I'll make a post explaining. But.....I would go with something other than a Redding based on my experience.

 

[dirthead1]

Here's a quick explanation of the issues I'm having with my Redding No.2 scale.

During load workup, I would always throw the powder on a Chargemaster, then double check the weight on the Redding scale. I had always seen fluctuations in the charges of .2 - .3 grains. If I threw the same charge weight 5 times, they would be consistent with the other charges of the same weight, but the weight when checked on the Redding could read exactly the same as the CM, or it could be up to .3 different. So I always assumed my CM was the problem.

The Redding scale has a main beam on the left side of the pivot point, with 5 grain increments, and a smaller slider on the right side, with a 5 grain range in .1 grain increments. Take a look at the pictures below. They show the scale zeroed and weighing two bullets, one 55 grains and 175 grains. Each bullet is weighed once with the right slider at 0, and once with it at 5. These bullets are exactly 55.0 and 175.0 grains as weighed on my Chargemaster. You can see how the weight readings change, depending on the position of the right slider.

Zeroed
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55.0 grain bullet weighed with left slider at 55 and right slider at 0


55.0 grain bullet weighed with left slider at 50 and right slider at 5


175.0 grain bullet weighed with left slider at 175 and right slider at 0


175.0 grain bullet weighed with left slider at 170 and right slider at 5


You can also see that the weight on the left side of the beam does not look exactly aligned with the marks, but it is centered on the tooth for the appropriate weight. Redding claims the accuracy of this scale to be .1 grain, but as you can see, it's 3x that much, depending on the right slider position, weighing the same bullet.

 

[parshal]

I just got a Lyman M5 from Scott Parker and had some strange things going on when 'checking' it against a couple other scales. On the M5 I trickled up to the weight and put it on another scale which read the same. I put the same charge back on the M5 and it weighed light. I quick call to Scott and I now understand why. The magnetic dampening affects weighing. He said all balance scales with dampening measure accurately when trickling up to the weight. Adding the exact weight or removing kernels to get to weight are not as accurate as trickling up. I found this to be an accurate statement in my limited testing with his scale. He basically told me to forget about check weights. He uses check weights verified to .01 grains.

 

[Sheldon N]

I've got a Scott Parker tuned beam scale as well. Honestly, if I were setting up a new reloader I'd recommend the GemPro250 and show them the basic tips/tricks for how to work with the quirks of a digital scale. After going back and forth a bunch I can confidently say that I load faster, more accurate charge weights with the GemPro than I can with the beam.

 

[TripleBull]

I've got a Scott Parker tuned beam scale as well. Honestly, if I were setting up a new reloader I'd recommend the GemPro250 and show them the basic tips/tricks for how to work with the quirks of a digital scale. After going back and forth a bunch I can confidently say that I load faster, more accurate charge weights with the GemPro than I can with the beam.

I have no problem supporting this approach, but it would be a "Do as I say, not as I do" kind of situation. I like having backups that: 1) work on a different principle and 2) don't require electricity.

 

[Sheldon N]

I have no problem supporting this approach, but it would be a "Do as I say, not as I do" kind of situation. I like having backups that: 1) work on a different principle and 2) don't require electricity.

Me too. That's why I own a Scott Parker beam scale as well as a GemPro, for if (when) the GemPro dies on me.

 

[jim10801]

Here's a quick explanation of the issues I'm having with my Redding No.2 scale.

Snip...

The Redding scale has a main beam on the left side of the pivot point, with 5 grain increments, and a smaller slider on the right side, with a 5 grain range in .1 grain increments.

Snip...

You can also see that the weight on the left side of the beam does not look exactly aligned with the marks, but it is centered on the tooth for the appropriate weight. Redding claims the accuracy of this scale to be .1 grain, but as you can see, it's 3x that much, depending on the right slider position, weighing the same bullet.

That is a very interesting test you did. Decided to try it on my old Redding #2 scale that was purchased in the mid 1990's and is still my one and only scale. After testing it with 50, 140, and 175 grain bullets, I discovered it is within that .1 grain range of accuracy.

It's a keeper, for sure.

I would give Redding a call and see if they will take care of your scale.