and perhaps more to come. I'm new to reloading and putting together My first setup and am at the point of scales. Witch is better digital or beams and why? Any other tips and tricks would be appreciated also.

Digital, hands down. It speeds up the process dramatically and gives a more user friendly readout. Best day of my reloading life was when I got a set of digital scales...

My only other tip is to get some of the small plastic baskets (like you would keep pencils or kitchen junk in, you can get a 3 pack for $2-3 at WalMart). When you are prepping your brass, these make great catchalls on the bench- dump dirty cases in one, and throw them in another aftey they've been deprimed. Also, get a set of loading blocks, they cost next to nothing and keep you from spilling powder.

Beam is more accurate but like stated electric is alot faster

I like lee products but DO NOT buy their scale. POC!

Yeah, Lee makes some very good, affordable equipment, but the scale isn't the best. I did load a few thousand rounds with one though.

My favorite press in the whole wide world is the Lee Classic Cast Turret press though. I think it is truly the best press you can buy for the money, and the speed of switching between calibers is unbelieveable...

+1, been using a Lee Classic Cast Turret press for a while now...it's all I use for all of my pistol and small rifle loading. I have used a Ohaus 10-10 beam scale ever since I started loading 20+ years ago, batteries still haven't gone dead on it. Digitals are faster, but are affected by temp, humidity and some say electronic interference. It's all in what you prefer to use...I think everyone should learn on a beam scale first, then decide which to use..just my opinion, though.

Yes, it's good to have a beam for backup. However, since most of us aren't loading anywhere near max, 1/10 of a grain really makes very little difference. I'd say that any of the major brand scales will weigh within 1/10 of a grain reliably.

lot of bad reviews on the cabelas 80.00 doller scale model 1500 i think.

There are a few really bad beam scales out there, along with some really bad digitals. I bought a Lyman 1500 XP scale about a year and a half ago on the recommendation of a friend. I got it to work reliably one time, so I sent it back to Midway and got the RCBS Rangemaster 750. The RCBS lasted a little longer..about 2 weeks..so that one went back as well. It may be just my bad luck with them, but I never looked back.. went back to my beam scale and never had another issue. Everyone likes different things for handloading, and you should use what works for you. The most important things you need are reloading manuals. Get as many as you can afford from the major manufacturers and read them cover to cover.

I've had a Rangemaster 750 for 6 years now and it's never missed a beat.

Prob. just my bad luck with them.

RCBS chargemaster 750 is what i used for years until i bought the lyman 1200 dps 3. The chargemaster is very accurate in my opinion.

sorry, been out of pocket. Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll go with beams to learn on and go from there. Is there any one good source for reloading data as far as books or just get a little here and there?

Go with the manufacturers load data, web based and printed, though you really should have as many load manuals as you can get for quick and sure reference. Do NOT trust "heresay" data that you get from forums and non manufacturer discussion sites. ALWAYS verify the source of your info.

I'm new to reloading as well and I decided to go with manual scale. Partly because it came with the kit I bought, but also because I felt it was a better place to start. Maybe I'm too old fashioned but I feel it's better to learn to navigate with a compass first even if you have a GPS.

If you have not bought your equipment yet, Hornady is running a promo on their reloading stuff, at least on Bass Pro website. If you get their reloading kit (includes a manual), you get 500 bullets when you mail in the offer to them (like MIR).

I bought a RCBS kit a while back and I took it slowly, reading the manual carefully first. It's not complicated but taking the time to read before getting into it surely is something you want to do first. I decapped my first cases on Friday and if I had powder I would have loaded my first ammo per Speer manuals charts. I think I'm heading out to Cabela's next week to get a jug of Reloder 15. I'll start with supersonic loads first and then proceed to subsonics (don't worry, not with the same powder).

I also ordered a chronograph just a few minutes ago. This seemed the cheapest I could find and I don't need anything fancy: http://www.walmart.com/ip/F1-Chronograph/4382668

You know...I've always wanted to get a chronograph.

That's a pretty good deal on that chrony. I didn't know walmart even sold such things. A chrony is a great tool to have when reloading.


As for scales, I still use a beam type. I have two, one to check the other. I keep intending to get a digital scale, just haven't seen the need for it. Another reason for getting a beam scale, whatcha gonna do when the SHTF and we all have to take to the woods? No batteries then.........All us with our beams will still be able to load ammo. LOL

You'd be surprised what you find at Walmart.com. There is lots of stuff that you don't see at the stores. They have coffins to sale for gods sake!!!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/White-Haven-Steel-Casket/12568628

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!?!! LMAO