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< 16ga. Ammunition & Reloading ~ Scale Recommendation |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:23 am
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Joined: 07 Feb 2017
Posts: 9
Location: ON, Canada
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I am new to reloading and I am getting set up to reload for 16g (and later 2.5" 12g) and need to purchase a scale. I would appreciate recommendations on what would be a good make/model to purchase to get started. Also, is a beam scale sufficient or should I go with a digital. FWIW, I will be using a MEC 600 JR MK V for 16g and a MEC 600 JR for 12g. Thanks in advance for the help.
Edit: I would like to setup to for a low pressure 1oz load. (hopefully just stick with 1 ounce) |
Last edited by VictoryXC on Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:33 am
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Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 419
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A lot depends on how many times you change loads as well as what your budget it.
Since shotgun loads usually are lower pressures and working up loads to MAX is not the norm, you will not need a really expensive scale. You also will bot be weighing every charge as we do in Bench Rest, so getting set up and checking periodically is what you will want to do.
A beam scale is fine for this type of loading. One of the Best is a Lyman M5. The new RCBS ones are not made b y Ohaus in the U.S. any more and I am not big fan of them. You can spend $85.00 and ship to Scott Parker for his magic and get a truly bench rest quality scale back, but again, unless you are going to use it for working up precision rifle loads it may be over-kill.
As far as a digital, the cheap ones are just that and prone to things like lighting, electric fields etc. and usually have to be warmed up, calibrated and keep warm to be reasonably consistent, or you could buy a quality lab scare, which range from about $600 to $5,000.
Once you get the right powder bushing installed, put in a powder baffle to keep better head space and refill your powder hopper well before it gets too low, you should be good to go with a modest beam scale. Just get a known weight and check it out.
Bob |
_________________ Robert Kittine
Sag Harbor and Manhattan, New York
WA2YDV
16 Gauge O/U Browning 525 Sporting
16 Gauge SxS Rizzini Islide
16 Gauge Pump Browning BPS Upland
16 Gauge Semi-Auto Remington 1100 Sporting |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:10 am
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Member
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 1338
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Last edited by mike campbell on Fri Jul 26, 2019 6:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:25 am
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Joined: 22 Feb 2019
Posts: 63
Location: United States
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:34 am
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Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2012
Posts: 1113
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I use the RCBS battery powered scale. Auto-shutoff to prevent battery rundown. Works well for any weighing issue, including mixing epoxy by weight. I reload shotgun, rifle and pistol, so far I've never wanted a different scale or features. |
_________________ An elderly gentleman, his faithful dogs, and a 16 ga SXS. All is right with the world. |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 12:12 pm
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Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9463
Location: Amarillo, Texas
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Battery powered Digital scale with a wall power adapter as primary
I also use them to weigh out some match 22 ammo
Mike |
_________________
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USAF RET 1971-95 |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 3:49 pm
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Joined: 04 Mar 2019
Posts: 1841
Location: Central ND
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Digital, faster than a beam scale and plenty accurate. Mine is and older Denver Instruments. It has been on for almost it’s entire life. 23 years so far. It was a $700.00 scale in its day.
If my Denver ever dies that little scale Mr. Campbell presented looks like a good replacement.
I did use a Dillon digital for awhile, nothing more than curiosity, when I had access to a multitude of different reloading toys. It worked well, but it took time to stabilize.
I have an RCBS (Ohaus) beam scale. It sits on my reloading bench and I dust it off now and again.
I see no reason to go back to using or buying a beam scale. Calendar says 2019. |
_________________ Mark...You are entitled to your own opinion. You aren't entitled to your own facts. |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:26 pm
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Member
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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I have used beam and digital and find the digital easier.
I picked up a RCBS Chargemaster when I got into doing more roll crimping and double rifle work and really like it, even if it is overkill
https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=RC&i=98923 |
_________________ Michael
Topeka, KS |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:26 pm
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Member
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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Duplicate |
Last edited by old colonel on Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:28 pm; edited 1 time in total _________________ Michael
Topeka, KS |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:26 pm
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Member
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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Duplicate |
_________________ Michael
Topeka, KS |
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Posted:
Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:59 pm
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Joined: 21 May 2010
Posts: 603
Location: Victoria BC Canada
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I have had several simple AWS 100 "pot" scales. They were adequate but kept on failing, thus becoming trash.
Following Mike Campbell's recommendation I ordered the $40 model of the Smart Weigh. I hope it will last longer than the $15 AWS100.
I still keep a balance beam scale around as a check and back-up if required. |
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Posted:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:20 am
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Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2349
Location: West MI
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Welcome to the this forum and to reloading, both, one of my favorite pastimes.
The tide is leaning toward digital, not bad advice.
I tried several digital and still use beam and to date have never had to replace it's power supply... figuring if I ever do we'll have bigger fish to fry and probably won't reload that day.
IMO, whichever powered source you decide on... IF you ever foresee loading maxed out Waterfowl loads, get a scale that can measure up into that weight class and not have to double dip to verify your shot charge.
Again welcome, a lot of reloading knowledge hanging around this forum, a priceless gem indeed. |
_________________ Sorry, I'm a Duck Hunter so shouldn't be held strictly responsible for my actions between Oct 1st and ice up. |
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Posted:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:17 am
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Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 269
Location: Chocolate City, Florida
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mike campbell wrote: |
I've been handloading for 50 years. The beam balance has been gone for at least 35 years... it disappeared about the same time as my slide rule. I was an R&D scientist for 40 years ... I had a $1200 digital scale that died at age 25....it disappeared about the same time as my wall phone. Notice my current scale ....
If it died tomorrow I'd buy another immediately. Costs less than $40 but eats AAA batteries if you leave it on. I LOVE being able to toggle between units ...especially grains, ounces and grams.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B011J88S8M/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Mike,
I love the brown Redding's!
What is the red one? C&H?
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Posted:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:42 am
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Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 269
Location: Chocolate City, Florida
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Post hijack aside,
I like the old beam scales. Webster type, fluid dampened. A little later, magneticly dampened. They made several brands, including Redding's old brown ones.
Might be a novelty thing, for me. |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 05, 2019 3:03 am
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Joined: 26 Apr 2016
Posts: 369
Location: Vermont
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Still have my Redding thumb dampened scale I bought at 18. My 32 year old son said it would drive him nuts having to weigh every charge! It works just fine for my rifle loading and checking what my bushings are dropping. |
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