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6/21/2008 8:20:39 AM EDT
Its now time to buy my scale, I have been swinging back and forth between digi and beam. I have been reading so many reviews online and my head is spinning.

I have narrowed my beam choices down to:
1) RCBS 505 or 502
2) Redding #2
3) Dillon Eliminator

all are comparatively priced and seem to all get very good reviews. Are there any standouts in this group that would set it aside from the rest? I also saw a few RBCS 1010 scales on eBay really cheap and am considering these also.

I have also considered digis, although I think my best bet is a beam at this stage in my reloading career. Aside from the RCBS 750, are there any digis under $100 that anyone would recommend without a doubt to buy?

Thanks as always for the input
6/21/2008 8:38:01 AM EDT
[#1]
Get a digi. Beams are too slow. My RCBS Chargemaster 1500 keeps up with me pretty well.
6/21/2008 8:46:17 AM EDT
[#2]

Quoted:
Get a digi. Beams are too slow. My RCBS Chargemaster 1500 keeps up with me pretty well.


+1
6/21/2008 8:47:11 AM EDT
[#3]
Having a mechanical is a good start, as electronic scales can be tempermental.  Drafts, lighting, and electronic interference can cause troubles.  Then there is warm up. The absolute best is Denver Istruments. MDX123......
6/21/2008 8:55:41 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
Get a digi. Beams are too slow. My RCBS Chargemaster 1500 keeps up with me pretty well.

Unfortunately, the Chargemaster 1500 is well outside of my price range right now.
6/21/2008 9:07:03 AM EDT
[#5]
I purchased a PACT digital powder scale a couple of years ago and later purchased the dispenser.  It has served me well.  It is very accurate and fast. I've never had any problems with it. You can purchase one for $120.  They also have he PACT BBK2 for 90.  I don't know anything about the BBK2. I'm not sure if it works with a dispenser or not.
6/21/2008 9:53:25 AM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Get a digi. Beams are too slow. My RCBS Chargemaster 1500 keeps up with me pretty well.

Unfortunately, the Chargemaster 1500 is well outside of my price range right now.


Then get a cheaper digi. Even crackheads use them nowadays.
6/21/2008 10:20:15 AM EDT
[#7]
I think you should find a used RCBS beam and then buy the Dillon. Thats what I did. Bottom line, Get Both
6/21/2008 11:31:59 AM EDT
[#8]
I have a 35+ year old Lyman Ohaus beam scale which has served me well all those years and still does.   The RCBS 505 scale appears to be pretty much the same scale - all the way down to the agate bearings – so it should be equally fine.  (I believe RCBS and Ohaus are now owned by the same outfit).

OTOH, I recently purchased an RCBS 750 digital, which thus far has functioned flawlessly.  So I can recommend it also - though I don’t like the fact that it has a “made in China” sticker on it!  

However, it is electronic and strikes me as a bit delicate, so I’ve got my doubts about it's long term durability (which I certainly don’t have with my Lyman beam scale).

Don’t know anything about the other scales you listed.

If I could only have one scale, it’d be a beam type.
6/21/2008 3:24:18 PM EDT
[#9]
I love my Dillon scale, but in case it dies I'm still holding on to my old RCBS 10-10 scale.

I've helped a couple reloaders get set up and they had the smaller Pact digital scales.  Was impressed by the Pact scales so that's a good choice as well
6/21/2008 6:08:40 PM EDT
[#10]
I have the RCBS 505 and a digital scale I never use.

But I started reloading way before the days of digital scales.

Weighing powder is fast with a beam, weighing bullets and brass is faster with a digital.

It's all how you set up your equipment.

People who place a beam scale on their bench and bend over to read it, will probably find a digital scale easier to read.

I sit to reload, and my scale is at eye level, next to the powder measure.
6/22/2008 3:27:49 AM EDT
[#11]
I've been using the RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale for quite sometime now, and it works just fine. I use it because it came with the kit that I bought (used), and because I'm more of an analog than a digital person. The fact that it's a little slow has some merit in that the short wait slows me down some and refocuses me on what I'm doing. But, the term 'slow' used in this context is a bit misleading; it's just a matter of seconds before you get your 'analog' answer.
6/22/2008 3:57:21 AM EDT
[#12]
I like the RCBS 1010 scale.  There is nothing wrong with a 505 or 502 either.  As stated earlier, place it at eye level.
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