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Hey folks, what's the difference between the M500 and the 5-0-5 or 5-0-2?

To quote a "Not the Nine o Clock News" sketch....

"About 40 years & a plastic cover to you chief...."

EDP wrote:Hey folks, what's the difference between the M500 and the 5-0-5 or 5-0-2?

Well not much really. The 502 and 505 are no longer made, they were dropped by RCBS nearly two years ago, although there may still be some old stock being offered.

The 502 is the bottom of the range, being just a simple two poise scale, the 505 has three. (just different, not better)

The M500 is a direct replacement for the 502. They all weigh up to 500 grains, all magnetically damped and all have exactly the same knife edge/floating agate bearing system, so none is more accurate than the other.

The 502 and 505 are made by Ohaus but for the last 4-5 years have been made in China or Mexico not USA and quality has dropped on some of the later scales.

The M500 is also made in China but the few I have seen, the quality seems OK.

The M500's selling point is that the beam is printed on both sides so can be used left or right handed.

All three will give a lifetime of good service as long as they're not abused.

Ah that is really good info 1066 (I don't suppose you're in Hastings and part of the 1066 shooting club?) - if you'd indulge me just a little more: is there a replacement for the 5-0-5 three-poise design yet then? Or is that included on the M1000, along with the greater weighing capacity?
Struggling with the Lee Balance Scales at mo - the beam doesn't stay put securely enough and you have to be even slower than safely-slow getting the cases charged!
Many thanks!

Throw the Lee scales in the bin, awful bloody things aaarggh any other scale will be better , personally i use a cheap set of digital scales which weigh to .2 of a grain.

If you are looking for a good quality scale, have you considered the Redding No.2?

I have one and it is a quality piece of kit that weighs up to 505gn, so handy for bullet weighing.

It zero's bang on the money every time and is well damped.

I bought mine from Spud for £82.

ukrifleman.

While I agree about the Lee scales. the idea that a cheap set of digitals is better is laughable. I have owned three sets of cheap digital scales----they allow grading of cast bullets by weight to be carried out quickly-----but all suffered from floating zeros by up to three tenths of a grain. The Lee scales are better than that!
Fred

EDP wrote:Ah that is really good info 1066 (I don't suppose you're in Hastings and part of the 1066 shooting club?)

Although I know a few of the guys there, I shoot with the Cinque ports club.

- if you'd indulge me just a little more: is there a replacement for the 5-0-5 three-poise design yet then? Or is that included on the M1000, along with the greater weighing capacity?

The Dillon Eliminator scale uses the exact same beam as the 505, The M1000 is a three poise scale but I think it will be hard to sell - If you need to weigh over 500 grains then there must be better ways.

Struggling with the Lee Balance Scales at mo - the beam doesn't stay put securely enough and you have to be even slower than safely-slow getting the cases charged!
Many thanks!

This is a Dillon Eliminator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moCxMHM3BsM

and a Redding No 2.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np2XyJlN3Js

Some great info folks, thanks again! ukrifleman I will def check out those redding scales and 1066 I shall also check out the Dillon too - I'll watch those YouTubes for sure. Cinque Ports eh? Funny that, same here - this is Gus, joined recently!

Occasionally, an old but good quality set of Ohaus dial o gram come up on the bay - I have a tuned set and it's accuracy is remarkable. This route could save you a few quid and give you an overall more accurate system.