[Educated Hillbilly]

2 real quick questions for some handloaders out there. I am looking to purchase a chronograph for under $200 as well as a good digital powder scale. I am looking fo reccomendations. Any ideas? I have a good background in handloading looking for a chronograph to confirm my loads and use it to maybe work up something just a little bit better. Also feel that a digital scale would be a bit quicker with working up loads. I may be wrong, would appreciate feedback on this. Thanks in advance for any help and advice offered.

[Larry E]

I've got a PACT chronograph that cost $130 when I bought it a few years back. I think that they're about the same price still. The Chrony chronographs are also supposed to be good, but need the model with the remote readout that can be placed on the bench and reset from the bench unless you've got your own range.

My experience with digital scales is that they're handy for weighing a lot of things that vary slightly in weight. I mainly used mine for weighing .22 LR ammo when I shot rimfire BR, but use an old Lyman/Ohaus 505 for weighing charges while working up loads. It's just as fast and the zero doesn't wander around like it does on the lower priced digital scales. Even digital lab grade scales tend to wander. I can't see much advantage to them myself.

[Educated Hillbilly]

Thanks Larry E. I do live out in a rural area and have my own range up to several hundred yards, so the remote readout is not that important to me. I would not be using the digital scales as a dedicated powder scale but to measuer a little bit of everything, my idea was to use the digital scales as a starting point, switch to a balance scale and a trickler for the final load. I should have made that clear in the original post. Thanks for your input.

[Furncliff]

I got the Chrony Alpha Master for my birthday. Midway has it for $115. The remote read out is very handy and only a dif of 15$ from the other model.:http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=306796

Nice features on this model

[Walkalong]

I bought a Competition Electronics chrono for $100. It works great. It just doesn't have the extra goodies. A digital powder measure is totally unnecessary, but is faster, and some folks like them.

[ranger335v]

"I am looking to purchase a chronograph for under $200 as well as a good digital powder scale. I am looking fo reccomendations. Any ideas?"

I cannot help but suggest you consider spending just a few more dollars (about $220 at Cabela's) and getting a PACT Pro chronograph. It includes a sophisticated ballistics program AND a built-in printer PLUS the remote read-out. You will likely be amazed at how much you will come to appreciate each of those features!


"Also feel that a digital scale would be a bit quicker with working up loads."

Strongly disagree. How much "quicker" could it be? You might save a couple of seconds, literally, while weighting vs. a beam scale but to what good is that? Against the vageries of a digital, drifting zero and calibration, diffculty following a trickler, etc, while developing a load, your beam scale is a much better tool. IF you were purchasing a complete digital powder dispensing system it would help, some, but not a stand alone digital scale.

On the other hand, if you do a LOT of weighting things beyond the usual plus or minus 1/2 grain range of a beam scale without moving the poise weights a digital will surely save some time but at great cost for the extra few seconds it takes to move a beam poise. The only time I find a digital much faster is when weighing cases and I seldom do that.

I suggest you save the money from a digital scale and buy the better chronograph!

[The Bushmaster]

An older Pact Mod 1 chronograph and a RCBS (also older) Powder Pro electronic scale...Couldn't be happier...I find my electronic scale much faster then the RCBS 5-0-5 that sits on the powder shelf in my loading room. I really don't notice a problem with a "drifting 0". I've compared the electronic against my balance scale and have never found it off one bit...And when you have to weigh a lot of the same items. Nothing is faster then an electronic...

[Halo]

I recently got the RCBS Rangemaster 750 digital scale and I could not be happier. My zero never wanders and it is right on the money with check weights I have used to verify the readings. Previously I used an Ohaus 5-0-5 scale which now sits at the back of the table.

I also have the Chrony Alpha shown above, and I like it just fine. The more expensive chronographs may have a greater degree of precision, but for my purposes the Chrony Alpha is more than adequate.

[Atlasx]

http://www.cedhk.com/show.php/Object29

I have been very happy with this product, it was easy to learn and very convenient to use.



http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=707006&t=11082005

I have the scale above or you can add the combo below

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=574898&t=11082005

I only have the scale and very pleased with it.

[.38 Special]

I have a PACT chrono with all the bells and whistles. My old shooting buddy has the cheapest "Chrony" available.

I am jealous of him. It takes 20 minutes to set mine up and it delivers all manner of information that is basically useless to me. My buddy sets his up in about 30 seconds and the three pieces of information it gives to him are exactly what he needs. One of these days I'm going to buy one just like it and leave the PACT to gather dust.

My PACT electronic scale, OTOH, sees daily use, and it is my old balance beam scales that are collecting dust. If the PACT scale fell apart or got stolen or something, I would immediately order another one.

And that's the beauty of the internets: ask for an opinion and get every opinion under the sun!

[Matt Dillon]

I purchased an old Pact scale for $50.00, and just a word of advice, you do need one where the digital display and electronics are separate from the sensors and windscreens, else with one stray round you will need to purchase that chronograph again. I find my Ohaus 1010 to be VERY accurate, consistent, and fast enough for my reloading needs.

[Bitswap]

Chrnographs are a tool to be used to get you in the ballpark for your FPS. You don't need to go expensive here, let me tell you why.

There are many factors that effect fps. What your looking for is a ballpark (if you can say that) figure that you can use to calculate your drop chart. The actual drop chart should be calculated using emperical data, not a chrono.

I've seen some great 1000 yard shooters develop their loads and charts and they never considered using a chrono but use 'actual' data. Chronos are not that accurate unless they have about 12 yards between their posts but are accurate enough to get you 'on paper' at 600 yards. I wouldn't spend big bucks on one. I use one to test my loads on various rifles with different barrel lengths but when I do my drop chart, the chrono is nowhere to be seen.

I only use my chrono after developing an OCW load. Then I use Quick Target to calculate the chart, then verifify with emperical data. Done.

Now on electronic scales.

No matter which scale you have, plug it in and let it warm up for a few hours before use. After it warms up, make sure there are no air currents around... turn off air condidtioning or heating units. The 'electronics' must be stable to get an accurate read. Zero often. Recal if things don't look right. Usually if it's warmed up, you don't need to recal very often. You can tell it's going off zero if the empty weight doesn't match your tray weight.

These things are VERY sensitive, just like a manual scale. Depending on how fast I'm loading, I'll check on a manual every 10-50 rounds to cross check. No need to go expensive here either. If things, like a powder charge, go off, the electronic scale will show you. IMO just use a good manual scale. I only use electronics for case weights cause they're faster.

[Otto]

For a chronograph I'd recommend the CED M2. It's pretty much top of the line behind Oehler. It includes software and USB cable so you can download the data to your PC. It's $199 http://www.cedhk.com/show.php/Object29

For a scale I'd recommend the Dillon Terminator for $150. It seems to garner the fewest complaints. By the way, the Dillon scale is actually made by CED.

[Ol` Joe]

I did a casual test sometime ago between a Pact M1 and a old Shooting Chrony and found very little difference between them. I prefer the Pact but, either will work for most purposes reloads have. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=11&Number=1460774&Searchpage=9&Main=127501&Words=Ol%60+Joe&topic=0&Search=true#Post1460774

I also use both a Pact digital and RCBS 10-10. The digital does a fine job of determining the wgt of objects but, for ensuring a set wgt powder charge is right, the 10-10 does just as well and is less tempermential.

I see alot of reloaders recommend a digital and tell how they check it during their loading sessions on a old balance scale for error, or compare the two to determine if the digital is accurate. My thoughts on this are if the balance is so well trusted and known to be accurate, why go to a digital?

JMHO............:evil:

[The Bushmaster]

Because the digital is faster and easier to remove the pan without upsetting the balance...I've had mine change values just by accidentally bumping the beam when removing the pan...Hate that...

M(notso)HO:evil:

[ranger335v]

AH SO, Bushy, you tend to bump the beam around a bit! Now, at last I know why you distrust beam scales so much! Ok pardner, but you know it really ain't the SCALE that's the problem there! :D

------------

Sorry about that nerve too!

[1858]

... and it's AWESOME!!! I have the 110V version and I'm not really sure why anyone would buy the 220V version. :confused:

RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 scale and Dispenser (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=772151)

Also feel that a digital scale would be a bit quicker with working up loads.

A digital scale and automatic dispenser is A LOT faster for reloading. I can't say enough about the ChargeMaster. It makes reloading so much more enjoyable and it's very accurate. I have an old RCBS balance beam scale that I used for a number of years. I upgraded to an RCBS Powder Pro digital scale about 10 years ago and used it with a Redding manual powder trickler. I still have both but don't use either of them anymore.

I like the ChargeMaster since it really is like having a helper. I won't ever go back to the manual method again. As for accuracy, the ChargeMaster is outstanding and FAST!!

:)

[Bitswap]

Because the digital is faster and easier to remove the pan without upsetting the balance...I've had mine change values just by accidentally bumping the beam when removing the pan...Hate that...


I have a solution for that problem. The problem is that unless your using a very very flat surface (surface plate) when you move the scale even a bit it will be off because it wasn't calibrated to the new position's 'level'. That error could be as much as 0.2 grains off. Check it out.

Cut an 'L' shaped piece of cardboard and duct tape it to your table. Nudge the scale into its pocket. Zero and enjoy. If you bump it, just nudge it back.

[The Bushmaster]

I'm not having a problem with my RCBS 5-0-5...Just too slow. And I'm not knocking it about the loading bench. I sometimes bump the beam with the pan when lifting and putting it back and causing the weights to move. Not often enough to be a real problem. I just prefer the RCBS Powder Pro electronic that I've had for 19 years now...The 5-0-5 stands ready if I need a backup...:)

Stick with Educated Hillbilly's problem. I'm not having one...:D

[dennisH87]

I am also looking for a chony for cheap. I did buy a digital scale and it did speed up the process. My balance beam always took too long to settle.

[HJ857]

I upgraded to a RCBS Rangemaster 750 just a few months ago and I'm also very pleased with it. Measures as well as my Lee Safety Scale and much, much faster.

[ForneyRider]

I have Chrony Beta for 99$.

Wish I had gotten the master upgrade. It works great.

[mkl]

I use both the balance beam and the digital scales.

Digital is great for unknown weights, like sorting cases.

Balance beam for weighing powder charges, especially very small ones.

Digital depends on battery and electronic components that can "age" for accuracy.

Balance beam depends on gravity.

Which has been more consistent over the long haul, gravity or batteries/electronics?

If your balance beam take too long to settle, turn off the ceiling fan or shut the garage door. :D

[ArchAngelCD]

The RCBS Rangemaster 750 (http://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/MainServlet?storeId=webconnect&catalogId=webconnect&langId=en_US&action=ProductDisplay&screenlabel=index&productId=3000&route=C08J028) is a very good electronic scale although I like a beam scale myself. It's List price is $143.95 but can be found almost everywhere for $99 including Midway and Cabela's.

I own a PACT Model 1 XP Chronograph (http://pact.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=69) and I'm glad I bought it. The model 1 Lists for $129.95 but I got it on sale from Midway for $109 last year. PACT has a nice tripod on their site too for only $29.95.

[45crittergitter]

I recommend the Dillon electronic scale, and I'd try the PACT infrared chronograph. I don't know the prices.

[pinhead56]

Check out Midway, they have the Alpha Chrony for $85... I just ordered one today. Very basic model, but will do what I want.