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Thread: Need a new scale made in USA

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Need a new scale made in USA

    I think the made in USA part limits me to Hornady and Redding… both have comments of repeatability and zeroing issues. The Hornady pan is plastic, making me think static electricity will cause powder to stick. The Redding pan looks tippy & unstable. Is there a good quality, American made scale that can be purchased new?

  2. #2
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    I have two scales with plastic pans, which are made of non-static plastic. I have no issues at all with powder sticking to either of them.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master


    David2011's Avatar
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    Even in the dry air in New Mexico I had zero static issues with a Hornady plastic powder pan.
    Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    zarrinvz24's Avatar
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    I have the Redding scale, I wouldn’t call it tippy, just requires a little bit of attention to put the pan in the right spot. I have no issues with zero. You can also look for a user older Lyman, Pacific, or RCBS.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    I use the Lyman plastic pans quite a bit, the built in funnel is a great feature if you are charging cases from trickled charges.

    I wouldn’t worry about plastic, in and of itself. In any case you could always get an aluminum pan and add/remove weight from the pan hanger to rezero with pan.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Just keep a dryer sheet handy. I leave one in my Hornady electric thrower and wipe the funnel out before using and no static
    I Am Descended From Men Who Would Not Be Ruled

    Fiat Justitia, Ruat Caelum

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    I've never had any issue of any kind with my LEE.

  8. #8
    Boolit Bub iflyskyhigh's Avatar
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    You mean a balance beam scale?

    Most of them are made by Ohaus. I know the Dillon one for sure is. I’m guessing most of the other major manufacturers balance beam scales are as well.

    Dillon has a metal pan. Nice and big too.

    I’m in AZ and use plastic and metal pans and haven’t had any issues with static.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy


    Sixgun Symphony's Avatar
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    Give CH/4d a call at 740-397-7214; Monday - Friday; 10am - 6pm EST.

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    I just bought a new Ohaus 505 of Amazon.
    It is made in China. Just FYI.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    my experience with products from Redding is very good, seems everything they sell is top notch and as far as I know made in the good ole USofA. a scale that is not abused will last a lifetime. if you can find an old Lyman M5 you probably won't want for anything else. the one I have is probably at least 50 years old, super accurate and very sensitive. there used to be a very skilled individual that frequents the accurate shooter web site and he reconditions and tweeks old beam powder scales.
    one scale I'm still on the lookout for is an old ohaus dial-o-grain, but finding one at a reasonable price is the trick.

  12. #12
    Boolit Mold Driz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by farmbif View Post
    my experience with products from Redding is very good, seems everything they sell is top notch and as far as I know made in the good ole USofA. a scale that is not abused will last a lifetime. if you can find an old Lyman M5 you probably won't want for anything else. the one I have is probably at least 50 years old, super accurate and very sensitive. there used to be a very skilled individual that frequents the accurate shooter web site and he reconditions and tweeks old beam powder scales.
    one scale I'm still on the lookout for is an old ohaus dial-o-grain, but finding one at a reasonable price is the trick.

    I’ve still got mine from 1982. They’re out there on Flebay if you look. The big issue is when the little sticker that shows the tenths falls off and gets lost. I had to mark mine by eye with a paint pen as it wandered away in storage. Good nuff I guess

  13. #13
    Boolit Master hc18flyer's Avatar
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    I picked up a Lyman M5 at a local Gun Show for $25 and sent it off to 'Scott' in CA to have it 'tuned'. I found him on Facebook, took a few months to get back, he has a very good reputation. I tried and liked the speed of a couple of small electronics, but they started to get 'funky'. I would like to get another, if they fit my price range and were more dependable?

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    I prefer the (3) poise Dillon scale over the (2) poise of the others.

    I would not say it is better. I just like using (3) to check the weight. It makes logical sense.

    Plenty of YouTube videos on the Dillon scale to see how (3) poise work.

    I think Highboy76 has videos on many brands.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Livin_cincy View Post
    I prefer the (3) poise Dillon scale over the (2) poise of the others.

    I would not say it is better. I just like using (3) to check the weight. It makes logical sense.

    Plenty of YouTube videos on the Dillon scale to see how (3) poise work.

    I think Highboy76 has videos on many brands.
    I also prefer the 3 poise scales. They are easier for me to read and set up. I have a RCBS 502, Lyman M5, an Ohaus 3100 Dial-O-Grain and several older Hornady M scales. The Hornady's are the ones I keep going back to. I still have the Pacific O scales I bought in 1971. They were one of the last two to the factory. Still work great, just don't to deal with the oil.

    I have picked up a few at estate sales and flea markets over the years but here lately they are few and far between and they want new prices. Maybe someone here has a nice set they would part with.

    I don't know where all the new ones are made but the Redding is the one that I would check first.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    My beam scale of choice is a Redding No.2.
    Once zeroed, I set the charge weight with a set of RCBS check weights and it is on the money every time.
    ukrifleman

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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
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