digital scale

[shootemup]

Getting started in reloading. Looking around at DIGITAL scales . Not interested in balance beam type. This will be for loading .357 mag so ''drifting'' grain weight is gonna add up. Looking at the Lyman 1500 maybe. Any reviews or suggestions for other scales ?

 

[HighlandLofts]

I'm using a Hornady electronic scale. I have been loading mostly pistol, I'll be starting rifle ammo here tomorrow.

I bought the rifle and pistol micrometer adjustments for my Hornady powder messurer that i like a lot.

 

[kev74]

If you're using some kind of powder measure, you'll be using the scale to verify the powder drops that are based on volume. You'll also be visually inspecting the cases after the powder is added - its pretty easy to see a relatively small variance in powder charge.

As you develop confidence in the powder measure, you'll be measuring less frequently, so you'll be turning the scale on as you need it. There will be less chance to develop any kind of drift.

I wouldn't worry about drift so much. But if it concerns you, either get a test weight, or make your own, and check the scale periodically to make sure its still giving you the same weight for the same object. If the scale you're using has a calibration function, you'll want to do that periodically also.

 

[Fezzik]

I have used a Hornady for about seven years. My only complaint is that the backlight on the display will flicker from time to time. More importantly, it is accurate. I calibrate it before every reloading session with the two weights it came with.

 

[shootemup]

If you're using some kind of powder measure, you'll be using the scale to verify the powder drops that are based on volume. You'll also be visually inspecting the cases after the powder is added - its pretty easy to see a relatively small variance in powder charge.

As you develop confidence in the powder measure, you'll be measuring less frequently, so you'll be turning the scale on as you need it. There will be less chance to develop any kind of drift.

I wouldn't worry about drift so much. But if it concerns you, either get a test weight, or make your own, and check the scale periodically to make sure its still giving you the same weight for the same object. If the scale you're using has a calibration function, you'll want to do that periodically also.

Lyman Gen 5 is actually one I am looking at. misspoke in my o.p. that one has a a check weight w/it. That one is a scale/auto dispenser.

 

[kev74]

Lyman Gen 5 is actually one I am looking at. misspoke in my o.p. that one has a a check weight w/it. That one is a scale/auto dispenser.

If you're going to be loading in any volume, waiting for the powder dispenser will drive you nuts. Save $100 and instead get a $30 powder measure and a $20 digital scale to calibrate and check the powder measure. In 38 spl and .357, there is no discernable difference in performance if you're +/- 1 or 2 tenths of a grain.

Or get a powder measure and the Lyman dispenser, and use the dispenser for rifle loads and the powder measure and scale for pistol.

 

[shootemup]

If you're going to be loading in any volume, waiting for the powder dispenser will drive you nuts. Save $100 and instead get a $30 powder measure and a $20 digital scale to calibrate and check the powder measure. In 38 spl and .357, there is no discernable difference in performance if you're +/- 1 or 2 tenths of a grain.

Or get a powder measure and the Lyman dispenser, and use the dispenser for rifle loads and the powder measure and scale for pistol.

Kev can you recommend some specific ones ? I admit, I'm lost as to what to get. Reloading seems to be the the ability to find a happy medium between ''pop'' and ''KA-BOOM''

 

[togmaster]

There are dozens of good digital scales available. I use the Hornaday and it works great. Just find one that comes with a calibration weight and you are GTG. As others have said for pistol reloading you will only be using it to check your powder drop.

 

[shootemup]

There are dozens of good digital scales available. I use the Hornaday and it works great. Just find one that comes with a calibration weight and you are GTG. As others have said for pistol reloading you will only be using it to check your powder drop.

i was JUST looking at that when your message came in. LOL

 

[kev74]

Kev can you recommend some specific ones ? I admit, I'm lost as to what to get. Reloading seems to be the the ability to find a happy medium between ''pop'' and ''KA-BOOM''

If you want the powder dispenser, the scale for that will work fine. I use a cheapie Frankford Arsonel one and have a RCBS 505 beam scale that I used to check the $20 digital against - it was never off.

For a powder measure, I have a Lee Perfect Power Measure and an RCBS Uniflow. I like the Lee better.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...er+measure&dpPl=1&dpID=31Sv3nlZ6ZL&ref=plSrch

 

[twisted]

I have the Lyman Gen 5 and love it. I load both rifle and pistol, and have had no issues of waiting for the dispenser, you just adjust your “procedure” so you are doing some other operation while powder is dispensing, such as cleaning the next primer pocket, and inserting the next shell. You can also use the scale without the trickeler, so buying a second scale would be a waste of money, if you were to buy a dedicated pistol powder dispenser. I previously did use a powder dispenser and digital scale and was forever tweaking the dispenser as loads varied with change of powder height in dispenser.

 

[misunderestimated]

My advice in general
Good Luck with your new adventure,
Buy quality the first time .Don't try and reinvent the wheel. there are plenty of books out with correct recipes ,Too small a charge can be just as dangerous as an over charge. Check check and recheck.

I have found some days I just should not reload.
When starting to run a batch I check my drop often to confirm we are good. I am concerned from sitting in the powder drop it may of compressed,may of cotton moisture ? I don't know but I always check , Never had a problem yet but make me more confident .Good Luck and be safe

As for scales I use a beam scale as its very simple to calibrate ,and very accurate

 

[GOYABEAN]

Lyman Pocket-Touch 1500 Electronic Reloading Scale - $14.99 (Free S/H over $99 w/code "2017FREE")

 

[shootemup]

wife bought me a Hornady lock n load scale today....we'll see how that one works.

 

[shootemup]

I was recommended to go w/ Hodgdon CFE pistol powder. From what I'm reading, it is quite fine. Any recommendations for powder dispenser....Lee RCBS Lyman ? The (to me) expensive price of the Gen 5 and from the reviews I read, PITA clean up of it, sent me in another direction. Maybe I'm going bass ackwards, but at least I have people here to straighten me out !! Thanx guys! I guess I'm being a little paranoid about this measuring charges, but I can't grow another face !! LOL

 

[HighlandLofts]

I change the batteries out on the electronic scale at New Years, I'll use them in the battery operated clock I have in my gun room. The other set are used when my little flashlight gets dim.

 

[Fezzik]

Any recommendations for powder dispenser....Lee RCBS Lyman ? T

I have both the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and RCBS. I use the Lee with bulkier powders like Unique. If I were to use it for a finer powder like AA2 or AA7, it will leak. The RCBS is excellent with the finer powders.

You may also like the Lee dipper set(Powder Measure Kit - Lee Precision). Once you establish the correct dipper for your load, the process actually goes faster than most would think. Even if you do end up settling on one of the powder measures that have been mentioned, the dippers are nice to have if you want to make a few test loads for a different powder/cartridge with out changing the settings on your main powder measure.

 

[togmaster]

If you are loading pistol I would invest in a progressive press. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands and the patience of a saint.

 

[kev74]

If you are loading pistol I would invest in a progressive press. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands and the patience of a saint.

 

[Fezzik]

If you are loading pistol I would invest in a progressive press. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands and the patience of a saint.

Yes, the progressive press seems to be the preference of most of the guys I know who load pistol cartridges. I just prefer a single stage press, off press priming, and a powder measure. With that set up, I have been able to keep up with weekly trips to the range (50 rounds or so) and I don't have a lot of extra time. As always, YMMV. For someone new to reloading, it might be good to start with a single stage and move on to a progressive. Just my $.02.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Like FIZZIK wrote the Lee dippers are nice to have for making up small quantities of bullets, sometimes I'll use two different sizes and the powder trucker to get the right amount of power. They are cheap on e bay with free shipping.