Scales - looking for suggestions

Lightning22

Lightning22

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Been reloading for a few years now and have been using Lyman 55 Powder measures and trickle up if required using a fairly cheap set of scales and a lot of regular calibration checks.

The scales recently lost a battle with gravity and I'm now in the market for either scales or a thrower. Have been looking at RCBS Charge masters, but struggling to find anywhere with them in stock.

Open to suggestions, doesn't need to be esoteric, I'm not shooting targets at 1000yds.
 
Are you after electronic or beam scales? I paired beam scales with a webcam and its just as good as electronic in my eyes.
 
I have a Lyman gen5 that keeps measuring over what I set it to, it's now relegated to just measuring out powder a grain shy then I trickle the rest in beam scales.
Takes 5secs longer but I trust the beam scales and not the Lyman.
 
billgatese30 said:
Would have thought the lyman would have been fairly consistent. How much does it over-throw by?
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Its random, it starts ok then it creeps up with use to 0.5 to 0.8 of a grain over and bleeps an error, I've learned to live with it now as it throws powder for me while I trickle the rest and seat the bullet, its still quicker than without it.
 
That's quite a bit, and I'd agree with setting low and trickling up.

I must admit even my cheap lee thrower is usually within 0.1 or so and trickle the last 0.3 or so in my rifle cartridges. Was impressed with how well it handled N340 though when I first went to load 44 mag. Measured the first 10 charges, then one every 10 until I made 100. Less than 0.1 change!

Think I'll stick with beam scales for now lol
 
billgatese30 said:
That's quite a bit, and I'd agree with setting low and trickling up.

I must admit even my cheap lee thrower is usually within 0.1 or so and trickle the last 0.3 or so in my rifle cartridges. Was impressed with how well it handled N340 though when I first went to load 44 mag. Measured the first 10 charges, then one every 10 until I made 100. Less than 0.1 change!

Think I'll stick with beam scales for now lol
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To be honest my most used powders are Hodgedon Superformance and Winchester Staball so quite fine ball powders, it might be because of that.
I've got to make some 300blk subs with N120 soon so I'll see how it handles stick/tubular powder.
 
I’ve a set of RCBS Chargemaster on order from Spud Reloading - they said next delivery is expected May time.
 
Rich79 said:
To be honest my most used powders are Hodgedon Superformance and Winchester Staball so quite fine ball powders, it might be because of that.
I've got to make some 300blk subs with N120 soon so I'll see how it handles stick/tubular powder.
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Yeah i usually use N555, N140 and N340, which are probably much easier to meter to be fair. I think the Lee would possibly struggle with fine ball as the tolerances are very loose! I've often been tempted by a better Lyman or RCBS thrower but maybe I'll wait until I need a powder which is harder to throw.
 
chimp said:
I have been using a chargemaster for 3-4 years and it's been totally reliable. Bought from here https://www.dauntseyguns.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=RCB-98944
I have no relationship with them ,but I've bought quite a bit of kit from them over the years with no problems at all
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Thank you, I've only heard good reports on the RCBS so have taken a deep breath and placed an order.

I'm using a variety of powders as I move away from US powders and move to European, primarily RS. Hopefully supply will be a little more stable and insulated from political/regulatory whims.
 
Most of my powders are extruded, so using a thrower can be problematic, although achievable. Since getting the chargemaster the chore of powder weighing has gone, only pain of brass prep remains.
Top tip. To instill confidence when new to using a powder dispenser, weigh a bullet immediately after calibration and use as a check weight between loads. Also a good way of monitoring any zero shift.
Other than that enjoy :giggle:
 
chimp said:
I have been using a chargemaster for 3-4 years and it's been totally reliable. Bought from here https://www.dauntseyguns.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=RCB-98944
I have no relationship with them ,but I've bought quite a bit of kit from them over the years with no problems at all
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Picked up a Chargemaster Link from the Sportsman today, I've just emptied a load of .243 so have taken the opportunity to fill them up again.

All cross checks well and speeds up the process no end as I can seat a bullet in the previous case while the next powder charge is trickling on auto. It meters very well with the H414 I'm just coming to the end of, will try with RS52 next for the FMJ loads in my Enfield.

Thank you
 
I used to as well, because for many years I only shot fur and feather, and neck sizing worked well for me. Then for some stupid reason I decided full size everything.
 
I personally would recommend digital to everyone. Simply type in what you require and let it pour it out…. Simple and reliable every time. The more you spend you usually get an accurate measurement more quickly. It depends how much you want to spend and how long you want to wait
 
chimp said:
I used to as well, because for many years I only shot fur and feather, and neck sizing worked well for me. Then for some stupid reason I decided full size everything.
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I'll full length every so often, but at the moment with just the Buchanan hand press in use I'll neck size until I have to FL them. It will do them, but it isn't my favourite way of spending an afternoon.
 
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