Electronic Scales

[grsjax]

I have been using a LEE scale forever but lately have felt the urge to move up into the 21st century and get an electronic scale. I have looked over the offerings from Dillion and RCBS and they are impressive but also have impressive prices. On ebay there are lots of scales for sale for a lot less that look like they will do the job. The ones I am looking at will display the weight in grains and claim an accuracy of +/- .2 grains. Is this adequate for reloading purposes? Anyone using one of these ebay specials?

 

[bullseye308]

I have one that was around $10.00 and it works. I use it to check my Lee and weigh a bullet every now and then. It displays .2, .4, .6... no .1, .3, .5... if that matters to you. It is in 10ths like advertised, they just missed every other 10th. But it works and is accurate.

Funny for you. The check weight that came with it is too large for the scale to weigh.

 

[jfh]

I recently bought the Smart Reloader 750 electronic scale--$24.99 from Midsouth.

IMO, it's superior to the Frankfort Arsenal I bought last year for $30.00 from Midway. It's faster, and (so far) the battery seems to last longer--plus, it uses AA batteries, not the more-expensive disc ones.

Keep in mind that all, AFAIK, of the cheaper electronic scales must have reasonably-fresh batteries (i.e., no low voltage) to be accurate. The FA scale, when drawn down a bit, starts showing a steadily-decreasing accuracy. If the battery is fresh, it works fine. Personally, I have stayed with a balance beam, but I use the electronic scale for tare weighing, for example.

Personally, I would not want to work with a scale that only measures to +- two-tenths of a grain. That's a swing of four tenths--and not enough accuracy if one is working with near max handgun loads.

The SR750 is apparently an asian / chinese product through a Eurpoean distributor--here is a link to the distributor's product info page.

Jim H.

 

[Daniel1120]

Most of the scales sold on ebay are aimed toward use for weighing drugs. .2 gr's won't make a difference in johnny two time's dime bag, but it will through off your loads. With an electronic scale you really should think about investing more, this is NOT the place to save money. But then again its your safety, not mine.

 

[Grassman]

What about the scale/measure combo? They are very pricey, has anybody ever used one? How accurate?

 

[MetalMan52]

Scale/measure

I'm also wondering about the scale/measures. I've been looking at the RCBS but like has been mentioned, they are pricey.

How is their accuracy and speed?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Blind Bat]

What do you guys recommend for a scale at around $100? I've been looking at the RCBS Rangemaster 750 or Pact BBK 2 .

 

[The Bushmaster]

RCBS is a good choice, but try to find one that has a power source other then batteries. I much perfer an adaptor over batteries any day...

 

[TooTaxed]

I use a an older Lyman 1200 Electronic Scale, and am generally well satisfied with it. It rapidly drops most of a large rifle charge, then trickles to the desired charge.

Two Downsides: (1.) It takes a half-hour to warm up. This is not a big problem, as I simply do other things while awaiting the warm up. (2.) The setting slowly drifts...you simply push a button to recalibrate about every five rounds.

I understand the new model is improved, but I am not familiar with it.

 

[grsjax]

After checking the specs on the available scales it looks like the MTM scale is the best value. Accuracy is +/- .1 grain which is the same as the high end RCBS and Lyman offerings and the price is less than $30 on sale. Anyone using this scale?

 

[jfh]

Re the "cheaper" scales--

Besides the battery (cell size) factor, I would also include the (LCD) display as being another factor.

The first company that makes a cheaper scale that meets weigh standards, provides for an optional AC adapter and makes a larger display version with a backlit LCD has got me to buy another one.

I did check out the MTM 1200 mini--and it looks to be a suitable scale. Price at Graf's $29.99--which includes shipping, (but you will need to buy some other stuff to get to the minimum purchase amount). Given my favorable impression of MTM products, I'd be willing to give it a try.

Jim H.

 

[mkl]

I've had the MTM scale for about three months now, and find it to be very useful for sorting cases or bullets by weight, and not so useful for measuring powder charges.

The problem with mine is that it drifts a few tenths of a grain over time This is especially true during the first 10 minutes of operation. After that, it seems to settle down and does not require re-zeroing as often.

My balance beam never drifts and requires zeroing only once.

I find no difference in the time it takes to weigh a charge on the balance beam and weigh one on the MTM. Given no time difference, and the uncertainty because of zero drift on the MTM, I use my balance beam for weighting powder charges.

Bottom line is that the MTM is great for finding the weight of an unknown item very fast or sorting unknown weights into sets, but is not so great when trying to trickle up to a known weight of powder.

 

[jfh]

"...it drifts a few tenths of a grain over time."

This is precisely the issue I have with the FA. On that scale (which uses a 2016 or 2032 battery), the drift doesn't occur with fresh batteries.

This drift occurs no matter the warmup time.

The Reloader SR-750 is too new to know when the drift will occur.

Hopefully, the next generation of suitable scales will provide for an AC adapter--does anyone know of one now, in the less-expensive models?

Jim H.

 

[GaryL]

I've read good things about some of the Jennings scales. Keep waiting for a reloader to give some feedback on the inexpensive models.

http://www.cyberscale.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=c5f4e97ff49798ab417070ce03f70e9c

 

[moooose102]

after having a problem with my lee scale (which they happily replaced) i bought a F.A. electronic scale to check the accuracy of my mechanical. the F.A. scale works fine, but like all digital electronic devices, the numbers jump back and fourth, which drives me crazy. i ended up buying a Hornady "M" scale (mecanical) that is IMO about the best anyone can buy period. if you want digital, that is fine. but for me, i will stick with what i KNOW will be accurate, every time, no iffs, ands or butts.

 

[MCMXI]

I've been using the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 for about eight months now and it's BRILLIANT!! They are pricey but I have absolutely no regrets and would buy another in a heart beat if this one stopped working (assuming it was out of warranty). I used to use a Redding powder trickler and RCBS digital scale (and an RCBS 5-0-5 before that) but even that was a chore. The ChargeMaster is so convenient and fast that I'm usually the one slowing it down. I reload anything from 5 or so grains up to almost 80 grains. The type of powder that you're using can make a difference to how many charges you throw back. Typically, the finer the powder grains the fewer charges go back in the hopper. I loaded up 50 rounds of 45-70 the other night using N130 and only two went back because they were 0.1 grains over (display was changing back and forth between 45.0 and 45.1 so I knew I was right at the high end of 45.0 or the low end of 45.1). This is how it usually goes ... remove pan from scale, pour powder into primed case, put pan back on scale, press zero, press "DISP", grab bullet from box, place bullet on charged case, sea ..... BEEEEEEP ... t bullet, put loaded round in box, remove pan etc.

P.S. I have my RCBS ChargeMaster plugged into a UPS (for my PC) and I don't have any problems with accuracy, zero, drift etc.

 

[Racinbob]

I purchases a RCBS 750 for about $90 shipped. I had the Lee Safety Scale and found it near impossible to trust. I contemplated the low priced electronic scales but decided that the safety factor of spending a bit more to get a scale designed for reloading would be well worth it. I love the 750 and feel confident that it's on the money.

 

[Afy]

I use a Lyman DPS III, it does need time to warm up, and does drift between 10 and 15 or so rounds...

But I can get it to measure out fairly precise charges. I also use a 505 to cross check...

 

[jcwit]

I bought an inexpensive "cheap" electronic scale 3/4 years ago. I check it with the test weight supplied, and with 3 coins that I've kept with it. It has repeated dead on for the last number of years with no problem, and reads dead on with the test weight. My cost at the time was in the neighbor hood of $15.00. Works great to check my powder measures.

 

[Canuck-IL]

the safety factor of spending a bit more to get a scale designed for reloading would be well worth it

What makes a particular scale (not a combo dispensing unit) 'designed for reloading"?

When reloading what you care about is repeatability and accuracy, preferably w reasonable warmup and power consumption - same requirements most persons have whether thay be jewelers or involved in any other profession/hobby that needs a quality measurement device.

Nothing unique about 'a scale designed for reloading.' You just pick your resolution and pay your $$, regardless of what objects are to be measured.
/Bryan

 

[The Bushmaster]

Canuck-Il...That's true, but it sure looks better on your reloading bench if all components, whether they be electronic or not, look like reloading equipment...Much more professional lookin'...Right? I'm not a jeweler, nor do I weigh meat. I weigh gun powder. Scales are, sometimes, set up, or designed, for a particular purpose. The mechanical or electronics may be the same, but the erginomics may be different...

 

[MCMXI]

What makes a particular scale (not a combo dispensing unit) 'designed for reloading"?

How about the range? It's tough to make anything (cheap) that's accurate over a wide range whether it be torque wrenches or electronic scales. Most digital scales aren't linear (but are linear enough within some range) and that's whey they're typically calibrated for a specific range. The more you pay for a scale, the more accurate it'll be over a wider range of values. The same is true for torque wrenches that a typically only accurate in the upper 40% of their rating. Reloading scales are designed for reloading ranges whereas jewelers scales or other types may not be. My RCBS 1500 that comes with the ChargeMaster is supposed to be linear from 0 to 1500.0 grains (0 to 100.00 grams) with +/- 0.1 grains over that range. My older RCBS Powder Pro digital scale is +/- 0.1 grains from 0 to 999.9 grains and +/- 1.0 grain from 1,000 to 1,500 grains.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Range is relevant but, as before, pay your money and make your pick. Personally I've never needed more than about 70 some grains nor less than 1.8 - - not that exacting a range to expect linearity.

As to 'professional looking' the only difference between a couple of the scales I have and those sold by several loading accessory firms are paint (sometimes) and some initials or a logo ... usually pretty pricey items.
/B

 

[MCMXI]

Personally I've never needed more than about 70 some grains nor less than 1.8 - - not that exacting a range to expect linearity.

Some folks sort their bullets and/or cases by weight so they may need to use more of the scale's range than you.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Canuck-Il is one of the reasons it is imparitive that we don't shoot anyone else's reloads, but our own...