RCBS 505. (vs. the Lee Safety scale)

[vujade]

I've been using a Lee Safety scale since I started reloading (a few months ago). It always had trouble keeping zero or being consistent. The best I could do was re-weigh it 2 or 3x once it zeroed - that afforded me some confidence but it took so long to do each round.

I just picked up a RCBS 505 and BOY! what a difference. It literally takes a 1/4 of the time to do each round. (and just to make sure (and force of habit), the first few, I removed the tray and shook the powder a bit and re-weighed again) and it consistently returned to zero.

I started thinking... most folks spend quite a chunk of change on their reloading stuff and then like me, they use a cheap $25 scale for the MOST important part which is weighing the powder. That should be where you should spend a little more money. That RCBS 505 wasn't the most expensive scale there but I repent even waiting this long.

5 rounds later and I'm impressed and happy! I like this scale!

(oh, as a side note. I zero-ed the Lee scale. (My 308 really likes 42.1 grains of Varget.) I weighed 42.1 grains on the Lee and then weighed that on the RBCS - The RBCS was zeroed also and the same charge weighed 41.8 grains.)

[mikegideon]

I'm a Lee fan, but their scale is crap. I'm a huge RCBS fan, and own 2 of their digital scales.

[Caster]

Everything Lee makes is excellent.......except that scale. And maybe their powder measure. But certainly that scale. It is doodoo!

[mikegideon]

Everything Lee makes is excellent.......except that scale. And maybe their powder measure. But certainly that scale. It is doodoo!

We agree 100%, Tender Knuckles. Their AutoDisk Pro rocks.

[dlm37015]

i like the rcbs 3004 scale no longer made rcbs scales are made by ohous electronic scales i have several but the 35.00 hornady seems to work best for me

[glockster157]

Keep your eyes open for a Ohaus/RCBS 10/10 or 304 scale. I have used a 10/10 since about 1984 and I think it is the best scale out there. I agree all the RCBS/Ohaus scales are good, I like Lee products but I would use the dippers before I fooled with one of those dang scales again.

On another note, if you do a lot of handgun loading on a single stage and you can stand doing it that way......pick up a RCBS Little Dandy with the appropriate rotors. I used to have one with a lot of rotors until I made the mistake of loaning to a nephew, I have never saw it again. Wish I had it back, it worked well.

[gregintenn]

I have 3 scales, one cheap Frankford Arsenal electronic, an old Ohaus scale, and a Lee Safety scale. They all read the same. Exactly; every time. Are you sure your Lee scale is off and not your RCBS scale? Do you have check weights? The way the Lee scale works, once it is zeroed, I can't see any way it would get off unless your bench isn't stable.

[mikegideon]

I have one of the Frankford electronic scales too. That thing is great.

[tnhawk]

My RCBS scales have been accurate and consistant for several years of reloading. Their electronic scale provided a good decrease in reloading time.

[mikegideon]

Yep. Nothing wrong with a good beam scale. They're just slower.

[myg30]

I use a Lyman and a lee both. When I switched from pistol to rifle loads the scales were different. Turns out the Lyman was out of calibration in the upper range. Cheep lee scale may have saved my butt !

A draft or a/c blowing in the room might give you a false reading. It shows up more on a digital scale. When my central air is on the air blows with a downdraft along the wall onto my bench. Moving the scales under a tall shelve blocked it.

Good safe loading,

Mike