I started reloading over 40 yrs ago with an RCBS 505. I took a 30-ish yr hiatus, during which time my scale went missing. I bought a new (used) reloading setup, which included a press and a bunch of accessories, including a digital scale. I used it for a while, but wasn't really happy with it. I came close to buying a new 505, but I really wanted MY 505. It has nostalgic value. And it's easy to use, and it's accurate. I was SO happy the day I found my 505. My digital scales are now unused. Thank you for providing unbiased info.
Thank you, Joel. I have used ONLY the Lee for about 15 years since I started reloading. I guess I never was aware of the significant, fundamental differences between it and other balance beam scales. I have ecome very proficient with the Lee, but I am now intrigued by the other options. I see clearly the advantages in a change. (BTW, I have no footfall or breeze issues in my shop). I will look into especially the 505. Oh well. 😁
I still use an old Ohaus beam scale. It is amazing. Most of my reloading gear is RCBS, Hornady, and Lee. Although I have recently added a Dillon progressive press. If I am loading rifle rounds I prefer my single stage RCBS Rock Chucker. I want to control as many variables as possible.
I only use Lee beam scale. It is very accurate!! I don’t know why he is having so much trouble. I’ve never had a problem with mine and it only takes me a couple minutes to set it up. Don’t breathe on it and be patient. The best scale is a scale that can weigh your breath with accuracy!
I'm just a guy thinking about getting into reloading and getting confused about all the different equipment options. Thank you for clarifying this. This video helps me make one of my choices a lot easier. I decided on a using beam scale because I won't be doing volume reloading, it's just for a single caliber, and I don't have to worry if I have a functioning battery for my scale. Your video definitley helped me decide on at least one brand to avoid scale wise.
Thanks, Joel. I started out with LEE and love them. However, I've never used my LEE beam scale. I did familiarize myself with it and then put it away. I use a SmartReloader digital powder scale. Be safe.
Beam scales are super accurate due to the physics of how they work. But that said, there is nothing faster about any beam scale regardless of the brand, they are all slow as molasses. In what you can do in 3 minutes on the fast beam scale you can do in 3 seconds on a digital scale that cost less. I used a Lyman beam scale made by Ohaus I bought new in 1974 and used till the early 90's when I first bought a digital scale. I'll never go back to using beam scales, waste of time they are for sure. Also if you don't like fiddling around on stuff that keeps you from actual reloading then don't drink the Progressive Kool-aid, be it blue, green, red, yellow or black. Progressive = massive amounts of fiddling, massive amounts of frustrations and massive amounts of wasted time. Just my 2 cents. Love your videos, keep up the great work!
Great video... I have to turn off ceiling fans, hold my breath, close a/c vents and stand still with my lee scale.. have a a Redding that I use most of the time but that Lee is always my first go to
I have a lee classic turret press in single stage mode. Works best for me. I put a piece of empty brass on an electric scale and zero it..then throw in a charge with lees perfect powder measure and weigh it afterwards. I always get good ammo. It may be more time consuming but it’s hard to make mistakes when you are doing one thing like priming every cartridge. Manually dropping powder in every cartridge, and finally seating and crimping every cartridge. The lee pro 1000 was problematic and the powder charge tension always broke. I’m very happy with my basic press.
I use the Lee scale when loading for extreme accuracy, it is accurate from batch to batch. It is a pain in the butt as it takes forever to settle out and I can't use it if the AC is running because it will never settle out due to the air movement. I use my small digital scale if just loading range ammo.
Great info. I have Lee and Rcbs beam scales. The Rcbs is easier to set up . Both work fine. In Australia the Rcbs is more than 4x the cost of the lee which may be a cosideration for some. Cheers
I wanted to reload during the "shortage" but found that there was ALSO a shortage of reloading powders, primers, and shells. It was an all-around shortage. I became an early RCBS fan .... very few Lee products.
The Lee scale is fine if you're only using it to weigh powder charges to whatever fixed value you have the vernier set to, which is what its intended for. If you're trying to find the unknown weight of an object such as a bullet, its useless. I use mine as a check on my electronic scale, and it works great for that.
Many electronic scales are the same price or less than even the lee safety scale. I have replaced pretty much all the tools that came with my original lee kit. A good beam scale is a good investment in my opinion though. Yes they are pricey but worth it long term. Check eBay thats where I do most of my shopping for good deals.
I have tried the Lee scale and I just don't trust it because it is so sensitive and a pain to change measurements. I went from a RCBS digital scale to an RCBS beam scale and I really like it. It is easy to level and easy to adjust the measurements plus your batteries never wear out. I would really like to find a RCBS scale from the 1970's or earlier.
I had the same experience with the Lee. I found it ridiculous to use. I bought a RCBS M500. It can be zeroed in a few seconds and is easily and repeatably adjustable. And the beam settles fairly quick in use.
With the inexpensive, accurate, electronic scales available, I keep a lee and an RCBS in case I get nervous. But, a $15 Homgeek is what I verify charges with. I made a 6 gn check weight that I try every time and it's always correct. Amazing, and much less putzing around.
Start by saying I love your work and vids. Lee scale is based on a Vernier scale like vernier calipers. Same with old school micrometers. Very accurate down to .0000" if you know how to read them. Very few these days can with the advent of first dials and then digitals. When reloading my Lee beam scale is last word over my drifting digital every time.
Lee do some good things but I also find the lee scale to be difficult. They need to redesign it. The lee aluminium single stage press can handle the small cases ok, but not the mid to big sizes but the Rock Chucker is a much more solid press that can handle the lot. Both need to be firmly bolted down to a solid bench with extra plywood reinforcing underneath.
I do like some of Lee dies but I agree with you on the scales I still use a RCBS 1010 scale another Lee tool that is good is the hand held auto prime tool and the factory crimp dies works good
The 1010 was definitely the upper tier scale from RCBS (actually, made by Ohaus and rebranded). I recall that RCBS had a third much more expensive scale that had a larger pan suspended, essentially like the current Ohaus Dial-O-Gram.
The best scale is a scale that can weigh your breath with accuracy!!!! Don’t breathe on it and be patient. Takes me 2 minutes to set it up and in the many years I’ve used it, I’ve never had a problem.
I'm with you. I am a Lee fan, but that scale is suspect/frustrating. A friend recently decided to start gathering reloading tools to start reloading. I was going to give him my Lee scale that I got years ago as part of a kit. Just yesterday, I decided to go figure it out again so I could train him. After 30 minutes I decided he can buy an RCBS!! I does work, but trying to line up the white lines is not reliable to the .1 grain.
I have lots of Lee products but I wish they would make an upgraded beam for this scale ⚖️ I have one but it is so aggravating to keep it from moving the measurement so you must check it every time over and over I used someone else's Hornady scale and MAN I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THOSE
I also have the Lee scale and have not used it for years. Using digital now but want to get an RCBS scale to double check the digital scale. I will not use the Lee, bit PITA to setup. Would you recommend a new M500 or try to find a used 505? I'm a little uncomfortable with something off of eBay not knowing if it actually will zero out or is damaged. Some of the eBay ones are not much cheaper then a new M500.
I would like you to show a closer look at the RCBS 500, just purchased and the pointer on the grain side always falls in between the hash marks “ are we on for example “41 or 42 it can’t be 42.5? After purchasing the RCBS 500 I read on many reviews that it is a normal with all new RCBS 550’s. Nobody makes a good quality beam scale as your old 505 or the 10 10. Sure wish I could get my hands on one that someone isn’t selling them for 3 prices. Lee safety scale works good for me as we should always have a second scale to verify loads.
Lee makes some very good stuff, some very bad stuff. I agree the safety powder scale is accurate, but it is a huge PITA to use. I have not used one of the new RCBS scales, but have used the 502, 505, 510 and 1010 (all made by Ohaus) plus a couple of Lyman's also made by Ohaus. Of them all I liked using the 510 best.
The Lee scale is a bit like a vernier, and I have never actually used one but they seem a bit vague. My little Lyman was not expensive but it is very accurate, and very easy to zero. I did stick a lead block underneath it to make it sit more firmly as the polymer body is very light. I have had it for over 25 years now and it has never let me down and the magnetic damper works fast. The Lyman works like the first RCBS, a two poise machine....Yes most of Lee stuff works very well. I have a turret press that has loaded so much ammo over the years that the round count would be scary.... well into 6 figures. The Lee progressive is a nightmare though.... and if you ever buy a progressive press, get a Dillon. I know a lot of people that use them and they always work, never go wrong.
The only Lee products I use, are the factory crimp dies. I have a bunch of RCBS stuff, presses, dies, accessories. My go to loading machine is the Dillon xl650 progressive. Once you go progressive you won't look back. Haha, just kidding. I still use my rock chucker and turret presses for rifle cases.
My dad left me some dies to to take 250 Roberts cases down to 22-250 size cases. But I never saw how he used them. Any chance you might shed some light or direct me to s video? Thanks!
I got very frustrated with the Lee and decided to upgrade to the RCBS it’s faster and really accurate, the one thing I don’t like from the RCBS is the small metal piece it’s so flimsy and can slide out.
I have a lee scale and a Redding scale. I find the lee easier to set up and use. If you are off by a significant amount because of the sliding adjustment, you likely dont understand how to use it. If "made in USA" is important to you, stay away from RCBS.
If you're after quality in a beam scale, I don't see the reason to mess with rcbs. The redding model 2 is far superior at a similar price point. The rcbs has those useless triangle points that sit far enough off the beam to introduce parallax issues. The redding has an accurate grain scale with no parallax. If you're weighing bullets you can set the target weight and sort them by the tenth of a grain based on where the beam stops.
I started reloading I think 1978-1979..I don't remember how many firearms or how much ammunition but a bunch. I've tried to get people into reloading probably 30-35 years.warning these days were coming.every one wanted me to load for them .No .I told them what dies , powder , primers, bullets to get .come toy house ,I would teach them ,in 30 minutes they would be loading there own ammunition, they could use my equipment till they got there's.what more do they want ?.all but there people in all those years decided not .iam a man of my word telling them when it gets bad don't even stop by looking for ammo make,you forfeited your chance . none has came by either.any one who knows me knows they will most likely die if they try to take it.here in north Carolina anyone attempting to or has broken in your home you have a legal right to use deadly force, period. ,we don't get many break INS where I live. nanna and papa wishing you well.
You're making it too hard on yourself setting the Lee scale. I'm not disagreeing on the ease of the RCBS but you're unnecessarily bumbling with the Lee. Setting it up, hold bar in hand and do rough adjustments with lock pin out. Then push it in and position both your thumb tips on each side and do fine adjustment with a very simple push either way while looking at it right in front of your eyes. Replace bar on scale frame and zero in with finger nut. Use check weights for precision set up or use in conjunction with little electronic scale as I do for double checking my powder weight every so often. Takes me 30 to 60 seconds to set the Lee scale,never longer. Enjoy your videos, thank you.
If it takes longer the a minute to set it up you may want to pick another hobby you have to be smarter then the tools. I use the safety scale when I am shooting long range it is very precise. A grain of powder is a grain of powder no matter what company you use. It like asking what weighs more a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks. SMH
More like it is repeatable. All your charges will come out the same weight. But they won't necessarily be the weight indicated because you apparently can't get the setting precise. And when you use the scale for another caliber, when you go back to the first caliber you won't be able to exactly duplicate what you did the previous time.
I started reloading over 40 yrs ago with an RCBS 505. I took a 30-ish yr hiatus, during which time my scale went missing. I bought a new (used) reloading setup, which included a press and a bunch of accessories, including a digital scale. I used it for a while, but wasn't really happy with it. I came close to buying a new 505, but I really wanted MY 505. It has nostalgic value. And it's easy to use, and it's accurate. I was SO happy the day I found my 505. My digital scales are now unused.
Thank you for providing unbiased info.
Thank you, Joel. I have used ONLY the Lee for about 15 years since I started reloading. I guess I never was aware of the significant, fundamental differences between it and other balance beam scales. I have ecome very proficient with the Lee, but I am now intrigued by the other options. I see clearly the advantages in a change. (BTW, I have no footfall or breeze issues in my shop).
I will look into especially the 505.
Oh well. 😁
I agree it is awkward but once it’s set up it’s very good and accurate
I bought an RCBS 505 decades ago. It still works great. A good design is a joy to use.
I still use an old Ohaus beam scale. It is amazing. Most of my reloading gear is RCBS, Hornady, and Lee. Although I have recently added a Dillon progressive press. If I am loading rifle rounds I prefer my single stage RCBS Rock Chucker. I want to control as many variables as possible.
I only use Lee, began on it, learned on it, am very comfortable with it.
I only use Lee beam scale. It is very accurate!! I don’t know why he is having so much trouble. I’ve never had a problem with mine and it only takes me a couple minutes to set it up. Don’t breathe on it and be patient. The best scale is a scale that can weigh your breath with accuracy!
In 1976, started reloading on a lyman all american 4 stage turret press with a lyman idea #55 powder measure with RCBS dies, and a 5-10 scale
I'm just a guy thinking about getting into reloading and getting confused about all the different equipment options. Thank you for clarifying this. This video helps me make one of my choices a lot easier. I decided on a using beam scale because I won't be doing volume reloading, it's just for a single caliber, and I don't have to worry if I have a functioning battery for my scale. Your video definitley helped me decide on at least one brand to avoid scale wise.
Thanks, Joel. I started out with LEE and love them. However, I've never used my LEE beam scale. I did familiarize myself with it and then put it away. I use a SmartReloader digital powder scale. Be safe.
Thank you. Good honest info. Been having the same problems for years. Went digital
Beam scales are super accurate due to the physics of how they work. But that said, there is nothing faster about any beam scale regardless of the brand, they are all slow as molasses. In what you can do in 3 minutes on the fast beam scale you can do in 3 seconds on a digital scale that cost less. I used a Lyman beam scale made by Ohaus I bought new in 1974 and used till the early 90's when I first bought a digital scale. I'll never go back to using beam scales, waste of time they are for sure. Also if you don't like fiddling around on stuff that keeps you from actual reloading then don't drink the Progressive Kool-aid, be it blue, green, red, yellow or black. Progressive = massive amounts of fiddling, massive amounts of frustrations and massive amounts of wasted time. Just my 2 cents. Love your videos, keep up the great work!
I’ve had the RCBS 505 scale for 30 years and it’s never let me down
Great video... I have to turn off ceiling fans, hold my breath, close a/c vents and stand still with my lee scale.. have a a Redding that I use most of the time but that Lee is always my first go to
I have a lee classic turret press in single stage mode. Works best for me. I put a piece of empty brass on an electric scale and zero it..then throw in a charge with lees perfect powder measure and weigh it afterwards. I always get good ammo. It may be more time consuming but it’s hard to make mistakes when you are doing one thing like priming every cartridge. Manually dropping powder in every cartridge, and finally seating and crimping every cartridge. The lee pro 1000 was problematic and the powder charge tension always broke.
I’m very happy with my basic press.
I use the Lee scale when loading for extreme accuracy, it is accurate from batch to batch. It is a pain in the butt as it takes forever to settle out and I can't use it if the AC is running because it will never settle out due to the air movement. I use my small digital scale if just loading range ammo.
Great info. I have Lee and Rcbs beam scales. The Rcbs is easier to set up . Both work fine. In Australia the Rcbs is more than 4x the cost of the lee which may be a cosideration for some. Cheers
I wanted to reload during the "shortage" but found that there was ALSO a shortage of reloading powders, primers, and shells. It was an all-around shortage. I became an early RCBS fan .... very few Lee products.
The Lee scale is fine if you're only using it to weigh powder charges to whatever fixed value you have the vernier set to, which is what its intended for.
If you're trying to find the unknown weight of an object such as a bullet, its useless.
I use mine as a check on my electronic scale, and it works great for that.
Lee also makes one that works like the RCBS scale. Got both Lee scales and the old one like the rcbs works quick same as the rcbs
Lee’s book is a great resource, even with the tangents and self-promotion.
I got a Lee scale as a gift a few years back. I compared it to a 40yr old RCBS 10-10 & Lyman D-7.
It was so bad, I chucked into the trash can.
The problem with the RCBS scale is that it costs $100 . I reload for economy.
Many electronic scales are the same price or less than even the lee safety scale. I have replaced pretty much all the tools that came with my original lee kit. A good beam scale is a good investment in my opinion though. Yes they are pricey but worth it long term. Check eBay thats where I do most of my shopping for good deals.
I have tried the Lee scale and I just don't trust it because it is so sensitive and a pain to change measurements. I went from a RCBS digital scale to an RCBS beam scale and I really like it. It is easy to level and easy to adjust the measurements plus your batteries never wear out. I would really like to find a RCBS scale from the 1970's or earlier.
I had the same experience with the Lee. I found it ridiculous to use. I bought a RCBS M500. It can be zeroed in a few seconds and is easily and repeatably adjustable. And the beam settles fairly quick in use.
Superb video
making a new purchase off of the back of this.
All the best from the UK.
I agree 👍
Thank you, Neighbor.
With the inexpensive, accurate, electronic scales available, I keep a lee and an RCBS in case I get nervous. But, a $15 Homgeek is what I verify charges with. I made a 6 gn check weight that I try every time and it's always correct. Amazing, and much less putzing around.
The higher end scales have magnetic dampers that solves that wandering problem.
FWIW, Ohaus is the manufacturer for RCBS's balance beam scales, and I gather that Ohaus has an excellent reputation in that particular industry.
Lol, I 100% agree with this, I got tired of tha lee scale and got the 505, once I used the 505, the lee went in the closet and haven't seen it since.
Start by saying I love your work and vids. Lee scale is based on a Vernier scale like vernier calipers. Same with old school micrometers. Very accurate down to .0000" if you know how to read them. Very few these days can with the advent of first dials and then digitals. When reloading my Lee beam scale is last word over my drifting digital every time.
Lee do some good things but I also find the lee scale to be difficult. They need to redesign it. The lee aluminium single stage press can handle the small cases ok, but not the mid to big sizes but the Rock Chucker is a much more solid press that can handle the lot. Both need to be firmly bolted down to a solid bench with extra plywood reinforcing underneath.
I do like some of Lee dies but I agree with you on the scales I still use a RCBS 1010 scale another Lee tool that is good is the hand held auto prime tool and the factory crimp dies works good
The 1010 was definitely the upper tier scale from RCBS (actually, made by Ohaus and rebranded).
I recall that RCBS had a third much more expensive scale that had a larger pan suspended, essentially like the current Ohaus Dial-O-Gram.
very good explanation. Thanks !
The best scale is a scale that can weigh your breath with accuracy!!!! Don’t breathe on it and be patient. Takes me 2 minutes to set it up and in the many years I’ve used it, I’ve never had a problem.
I'm with you. I am a Lee fan, but that scale is suspect/frustrating. A friend recently decided to start gathering reloading tools to start reloading. I was going to give him my Lee scale that I got years ago as part of a kit. Just yesterday, I decided to go figure it out again so I could train him. After 30 minutes I decided he can buy an RCBS!! I does work, but trying to line up the white lines is not reliable to the .1 grain.
I have lots of Lee products but I wish they would make an upgraded beam for this scale ⚖️ I have one but it is so aggravating to keep it from moving the measurement so you must check it every time over and over I used someone else's Hornady scale and MAN I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THOSE
One point in favor of beam scales is that they aren't effected by electronic lighting, like LED.
Thanks, that's very helpful.
I also have the Lee scale and have not used it for years. Using digital now but want to get an RCBS scale to double check the digital scale. I will not use the Lee, bit PITA to setup. Would you recommend a new M500 or try to find a used 505? I'm a little uncomfortable with something off of eBay not knowing if it actually will zero out or is damaged. Some of the eBay ones are not much cheaper then a new M500.
I would like you to show a closer look at the RCBS 500, just purchased and the pointer on the grain side always falls in between the hash marks “ are we on for example “41 or 42 it can’t be 42.5? After purchasing the RCBS 500 I read on many reviews that it is a normal with all new RCBS 550’s. Nobody makes a good quality beam scale as your old 505 or the 10 10. Sure wish I could get my hands on one that someone isn’t selling them for 3 prices. Lee safety scale works good for me as we should always have a second scale to verify loads.
Lee makes some very good stuff, some very bad stuff. I agree the safety powder scale is accurate, but it is a huge PITA to use. I have not used one of the new RCBS scales, but have used the 502, 505, 510 and 1010 (all made by Ohaus) plus a couple of Lyman's also made by Ohaus. Of them all I liked using the 510 best.
Thanks for the information
Great video! Thank you!
The Lee scale is a bit like a vernier, and I have never actually used one but they seem a bit vague. My little Lyman was not expensive but it is very accurate, and very easy to zero. I did stick a lead block underneath it to make it sit more firmly as the polymer body is very light. I have had it for over 25 years now and it has never let me down and the magnetic damper works fast. The Lyman works like the first RCBS, a two poise machine....Yes most of Lee stuff works very well. I have a turret press that has loaded so much ammo over the years that the round count would be scary.... well into 6 figures. The Lee progressive is a nightmare though.... and if you ever buy a progressive press, get a Dillon. I know a lot of people that use them and they always work, never go wrong.
i dont have primers it has been since 2020 i havent been able to buy any :( my reloading equipment has been covered in dust
RCBS scales are wonderful.
The only Lee products I use, are the factory crimp dies. I have a bunch of RCBS stuff, presses, dies, accessories. My go to loading machine is the Dillon xl650 progressive. Once you go progressive you won't look back. Haha, just kidding. I still use my rock chucker and turret presses for rifle cases.
My dad left me some dies to to take 250 Roberts cases down to 22-250 size cases. But I never saw how he used them. Any chance you might shed some light or direct me to s video?
Thanks!
I got very frustrated with the Lee and decided to upgrade to the RCBS it’s faster and really accurate, the one thing I don’t like from the RCBS is the small metal piece it’s so flimsy and can slide out.
Joel, this is the 4th shortage in 20 years. Normally when a Democrat is in charge. BTW, I use a 10 year old 10-10 RCBS scale
Please tell me you worked in radio at one point on your life. That’s a radio voice if I’ve ever heard one.
I have a lee scale and a Redding scale. I find the lee easier to set up and use. If you are off by a significant amount because of the sliding adjustment, you likely dont understand how to use it. If "made in USA" is important to you, stay away from RCBS.
Everything you complained about the Lee scale pertaining to the constant rocking, has been mechanically updated by a magnetically dampened component.
If you're after quality in a beam scale, I don't see the reason to mess with rcbs. The redding model 2 is far superior at a similar price point. The rcbs has those useless triangle points that sit far enough off the beam to introduce parallax issues. The redding has an accurate grain scale with no parallax. If you're weighing bullets you can set the target weight and sort them by the tenth of a grain based on where the beam stops.
I have to really watch my lee scale it hangs up to one side.
if mr. lee had made a load all in 410 he would have been called king richard. like you i have a rainbow of colors i use. take care.
I started reloading I think 1978-1979..I don't remember how many firearms or how much ammunition but a bunch. I've tried to get people into reloading probably 30-35 years.warning these days were coming.every one wanted me to load for them .No .I told them what dies , powder , primers, bullets to get .come toy house ,I would teach them ,in 30 minutes they would be loading there own ammunition, they could use my equipment till they got there's.what more do they want ?.all but there people in all those years decided not .iam a man of my word telling them when it gets bad don't even stop by looking for ammo make,you forfeited your chance . none has came by either.any one who knows me knows they will most likely die if they try to take it.here in north Carolina anyone attempting to or has broken in your home you have a legal right to use deadly force, period. ,we don't get many break INS where I live. nanna and papa wishing you well.
I like RCBS
I got my lee scale because I'm poor and it's what I could afford
You're making it too hard on yourself setting the Lee scale. I'm not disagreeing on the ease of the RCBS but you're unnecessarily bumbling with the Lee. Setting it up, hold bar in hand and do rough adjustments with lock pin out. Then push it in and position both your thumb tips on each side and do fine adjustment with a very simple push either way while looking at it right in front of your eyes. Replace bar on scale frame and zero in with finger nut. Use check weights for precision set up or use in conjunction with little electronic scale as I do for double checking my powder weight every so often. Takes me 30 to 60 seconds to set the Lee scale,never longer. Enjoy your videos, thank you.
Outstanding! Thanks for this advice, Edward. I'll give it a try.
If it takes longer the a minute to set it up you may want to pick another hobby you have to be smarter then the tools. I use the safety scale when I am shooting long range it is very precise. A grain of powder is a grain of powder no matter what company you use. It like asking what weighs more a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks. SMH
Does that just not show you how accurate that scale is
More like it is repeatable. All your charges will come out the same weight. But they won't necessarily be the weight indicated because you apparently can't get the setting precise. And when you use the scale for another caliber, when you go back to the first caliber you won't be able to exactly duplicate what you did the previous time.
Dippers anyone? Or am I stuck in the 1800's.