Anyone know of a good digital scale?

[thelaststand]

I'm adding an extra step into the reloading process for my 9mm.
What I wanted to do was to get the brass ready for the powder, then put the empty case and its bullet on a digital scale, zero the scale then measure in the powder with my lee scale and finish the round and then put the final product on the digital scale. I'm doing this to help avoid double charges or any significant deviation.

 

[rcmodel]

Seems like a lot of unnecessary complications and work to me.

What you need are some loading blocks.

Stand all the primed cases mouth down in them in 50 round lots.
Then, inspect all 50 primers to make sure they are fresh & properly seated..

Next, pick each one up, charge it from the scale and set it on the other end of the loading block.

When you complete charging all 50 cases, look inside them and compare the powder levels.
Any that are empty didn't get powder at all.
Any that are twice as full are double charged.
Any that are slightly lower or higher are suspect, and should be dumped and recharged.

If they are all the same level, set bullets in all of them, and retire to the loading press to seat the bullets.

BTW: I firmly believe that no matter how you do it, loading one round at a time from start to finish is far more likely to result in a missing powder charge or double charge then doing each step, 50 at a time, in loading blocks.
Then comparing all 50 charges with each other at once.

rc

 

[The Bushmaster]

If you must add all that unecessary steps to your reloading I would recommend any of the RCBS (not battery powered) scales...

 

[Historian]

+1 for loading blocks and "batch" loading fifty at a time. I resize, prime, and "bell" my .40 cases until I might have 200 or 300 ready to charge and seat. Then I sit down with my loading blocks and charge fifty of them. RC, I like to use two blocks and move the charged cases to the other block. After I charge all fifty I then run the block of charged cases under a bright light shining over my shoulder to make certain that each case has been properly charged. Then I seat bullets in all fifty and start the process all over again. In my view this is the safest way to guard against double charges or squib loads. When you "batch" as you load, you are far less likely to skip a step or make another mistake that could hurt you or someone else badly. BTW, I check the weight of my powder on a beam scale every tenth round.

Historian

 

[Walkalong]

Just throw the charge with your measure, look at the charge, and load it, but if you really want to get a digital scale and slow things way down, the PACT does have a great rep.

 

[rcmodel]

RC, I like to use two blocks and move the charged cases to the other block

I sometimes do that too.

But all my loading blocks are old Herters plastic ones, or homemade wood ones.

And they all have 60 or 110 holes in them, not 50 like those made now.

That leaves me 10 empty holes to play with at the other end of the block.

rc

 

[Kernel]

First you'll need to weigh all your case and throw out the highs and lows. Otherwise, it's likely, normal variations in case weight will make it hard to see a missed or double charge.

 

[Esoterix]

The simpliest way to prevent a "double charged" case is to select a powder that more than fills half the case. So IF you do double charge then the powder will overflow the top and make a mess then it is obvious you screwed up. This also might save your pistol &/or personal well being from harm!

As for weighing your cases, are you buying NEW cases, picking up range brass, using mixed brands/lots of brass or using "once Fired" cases? Unless you are competing in "BullsEye" 2700 matches there is NO need to weigh your pistol cases. Rifle cases would be different story when shooting in competition like BenchRest or Palma matches -- those are standard practices!

As for a good "digital scale", I suggest the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Dispenser and Scale Combo. This is what I use and so I will give you the sales blurb from Natchez Shooting Supple web-Site on the item 'RC98923' (On Sale but Not In Stock)!

"The ChargeMaster Combo features the ChargeMaster 1500 Scale and ChargeMaster Dispenser, preassembled to form an unmatched combination of speed and accuracy. There is no longer a need for timely calibration to the type of powder being used. Simply fill the 1 lb+ capacity powder hopper with smokeless powder, enter the desired charge and press the dispense button. Average dispensing time is under 30 seconds for a 60 grain extruded powder charge. Dispensing can be done in grains or grams mode. Accurately weighs and dispenses all extruded (stick), ball (spherical) and flake smokeless powder from 2.0 to 300 grains +/- .01 grain. You can store up to 30 of your favorite loads in memory for fast easy recall. The front to back layout allows easy access to the scale pan by right or left handed users. The clear cover eliminates fluctuations in weighing caused by air currents without obscuring your view of the charge being dispensed. The powder drain feature allows for convenient and easy emptying of the powder hopper. Power to the Dispenser is provided by the connection to the ChargeMaster 1500 scale so there is only one power cord to manage. The ChargeMaster 1500 Scale and dispenser can be purchased separately or as a Combo set."

 

[Floppy_D]

Seems like a lot of unnecessary complications and work to me.

The attention to detail is noted. But seriously, prep some brass, toss a published, measured powder load in 10 to 50 cases, and carry on smartly. I do 10 at a time, look at them, and then load them. Or if loading progressively for pistol, stick to bulky powders that are obvious when wrong... and look at every load.

It ain't rocket surgery.

 

[jcwit]

Do a search here and on cast bullets,com regarding digital scales. Theres some good info there regarding even the cheap $29/$39 dollar scales working just as good as a super expensive Laboratory analytical scale.

But actually I skip all this and do as rcmodel says and go with batch loading.

 

[Afy]

I use a digital scale for loading my 6mm NBR, .260 Rem, .22-250. And a Lee dipper for the 9mm. It goes a heck of a lot faster than a digital scale. I use 4.1 grains of N320, and the case is small enough to not hold a double a charge.

 

[qajaq59]

I do it exactly as RC described, and I have for many years. It's a good system. The only time in the whole process that a case is primer side down is when it already has powder in it.

 

[loadedround]

Check out both the Pact and RCBS scales. My opinion the Pact gives you the most quality for the money and works well.

 

[mongoose33]

I agree with the others about not only complicating the process, but that your brass had better all weigh the same or it's not going to work. Same for looking inside the case and using a powder that fills up the case.

I tried a cheap MTM digital scale and it's not to the level I want it to be. Wouldn't settle on certain values like 5.0 grains or 25.0 grains. Talked to the company and this is just how the cheapie scales work.

So I bought a Dillon D-Terminator scale and I'm in heaven. Settles on a weight quickly and is sensitive enough to sense a .1 grain increase as I trickle in powder I bought a set of Lyman check weights and it's just dead-perfect accurate.

Yeah, it's pricey, but remember the old adage: You get what you pay for.

I'd suggest some in-depth review of the reviews for various scales. With some of them, people seem to have more trouble. I bought the Dillon because I could find very few who weren't happy with it.

 

[jcwit]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=448313

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=448754

Here's a couple of old threads from ealier this year regarding scales.

Yeah, it's pricey, but remember the old adage: You get what you pay for.

Shows that value is not based entirely on price alone.

 

[ranger335v]

I've used the method clearly described by RC for well over fourty years. Never had an empty, squib or overcharge get a bullet on it.

 

[UltimateReloader]

thelaststand- a couple questions for you:

1. What type of press are you using? (single stage, turret, progressive)

2. What quantity of ammo are you loading?

If you use a baffle in your powder measure (and have a good powder measure to start with) you should not see much variance from drop to drop. If you're using a progressive press (As most do with 9mm) a good powder check or lockout die will put your mind at ease for overcharge/undercharge scenarios.

Dillon has a great powder check system for the XL650 and 1050, Hornady has the "powder cop" and RCBS makes the powder check and lockout dies.

Glad you're being careful in any case- that's very important.

On the subject of digital scales, I really like my Hornady GS-350- here's an HD video showing its use:
http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=383

Hope that helps.

 

[thelaststand]

I'm using a Lee single stage press and I shoot about 300 per week. I don't mind spending a few hours reloading because it is a way for me to de-stress and to enjoy a hobby.

This was just an idea, I'll be getting the loading blocks. Are there any good sources online?

 

[RandyP]

I got my plastic loading blocks from Midway USA or Cabelas (can't recall which).

As regards scales, I accept that it won't deliver NASA or National Match accuracy or anything, but my $30 MTM DS-1250 works just fine for MY needs. As the decades swiftly roll by, I find that ALL my handguns have the very annoying habit of being far more accurate than I am - LOL

 

[45crittergitter]

I like my Dillon electronic scale far, far better than my PACT. PACT apparently makes scales labeled RCBS, Lyman, etc. also.

 

[willymc]

I use a 10 gram jewelry scale that I got on Ebay. Weighs in grams, carats, grains and penny weight. Accuracy is .001gram or .0154 grains. Weighs up to 154 grains in .02 grain increments. Works just fine for me.

 

[Win1892]

PACT scale and I bought the electronic dispenser also.

 

[myg30]

I did that once after I found my scale was not zeroed. Reweighed my loaded rounds, then PULLED ALL OF THEM about 30, just to find out that the difference was the weight of the cases and cast boolits, NOT the powder charges in 44mag.
Like said above, load in blocks, check your powder drop every so many cases.
TIME is the biggest expence in loading if you make it that way.
Safty first,always!

Mike

 

[camille2785]

I also use a digital scale for loading my 6mm. I am highly satisfied with the MyWeigh DuraScale. If any of you are looking for a good ammunition scale I would recommend this one. I bought mine from digitalscalesaz.com. Never compromise your safety.

Camille