THR myth confirmation/busting - digital scale accuracy

[Reloadron]

Great thread, but it leaves me wondering which of these electronic scales are good for trickling.

I would venture the guess any of them. Discounting the higher resolution scales just about all digital scales used for reloading have a resolution of 0.1 grain and an accuracy specification of +/- 0.1 grain. That 0.1 grain seems to be good enough for hand loading purposes.

The only caveat here is if I am loading for example 46.0 grains of powder and I throw 45.7 grains and trickle the last 0.3 grains. So I begin trickling my powder and the reading increments up. When my scale toggles from 45.9 to 46.0 grains in reality I have between 45.85 and 46.04 grains in the pan, just based on resolution and how the scale works. The question is does it matter? Even bench rest shooters loading on the range only use for the better part a high quality powder throw. Any error won't come in light of the loads intended use. You hit a point of diminishing returns.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[LiveLife]

Great thread, but it leaves me wondering which of these electronic scales are good for trickling.

I would venture the guess any of them. Discounting the higher resolution scales just about all digital scales used for reloading have a resolution of 0.1 grain and an accuracy specification of +/- 0.1 grain. That 0.1 grain seems to be good enough for hand loading purposes.

+1

This thread investigated notions like:

- Cheap digital scales (less than $50) are junk and cannot be trusted for reloading
- Since digital scales cannot be trusted to weigh powder charges to .1 gr resolution, they may be good only for weighing bullets
- Digital scales won't stay calibrated and will soon drift and give inconsistent readings
- Digital scales are not as good as "gravity based" beam scales

While we busted all these myths about digital scales, even cheaper ones around $20-$35, I want to point out that not all digital scales are created equal as the ones tested on the thread. There are sub $50 digital scales that have .2 gr resolution and not .1 gr resolution. Based on my experience, Frankford Arsenal DS-750 with .1 gr resolution will give me readings within .1 gr of Ohaus 10-10 beam scale and suitable for reloading, especially if you are loading near max load data. I can't speak for other digital scales not tested on this thread.

With that said, I also recommend that regardless of scale types used (digital vs beam), you should verify the accuracy of your scale with at least OIML M2 (gram) or ASTM 6 class (grain) check weights in the same powder charge range you are using (such as using 20 gr check weight may not verify accuracy and consistency at 3-5 gr) and change batteries on a regular basis.

So which of these electronic scales are good for trickling? Any that can verify accuracy and consistency to .1 gr resolution. Just because we busted myths down to .1 gr resolution digital scales (for only the ones mentioned on the thread) and had some fun down to .02 gr resolution digital scale doesn't mean you need .02 gr resolution digital scale for reloading as bullseye match shooters and 1000 yard bench rest shooters have used .1 gr resolution beam scales for decades with excellent results (ultimately, it's the holes on target that really matters ).

And what about using 1-2 pieces of 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy/printer paper to test sensitivity and repeatability of scales? IMO, you may not need that level of sensitivity for everyday reloading at mid-to-high range load data but if you load max charge loads or want greater consistency loads for match shooting, it is another tool available for you to test the sensitivity and repeatability of scales before you buy them. As verified by .0015 gr and .02 gr resolution scales, they weigh around .05 gr each or .1+ gr for two pieces (and you can precisely measure them using your calipers to .001" accuracy and handle them with tweezers/forceps to not add extra oils from your fingertips).

 

[Artofgolf]

Hey bds

When I ordered the Gemini-20 digital scale from Amazon......

Have you used the new scale yet? Mine is coming next week

 

[LiveLife]

Yes, my review of Gemini-20 starts with post #114 - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9596742#post9596742

Gemini-20 is an accurate scale to .02 gr resolution but too sensitive for everyday reloading. I actually prefer the .1 gr resolution FA DS-750 with square platform that I could use the standard pans from 10-10/5-0-5 scales or the combination RCBS funnel/pan.

But I am keeping the Gemini-20 scale to use as occasional reference scale.

In the meantime, my two Ohaus 10-10 beam scales verified by Ohaus ASTM class 6 check weights will be the primary weight reference on the reloading benches.

 

[Reloadron]

Have you used the new scale yet? Mine is coming next week

I've used the one I have with good results. The scale itself works quite well and is accurate. The only problem is the scale itself is very small and compact. Thus the platten is rather tiny for using the average powder pans with. To effectively use the scale easily requires a little creative thinking. A short rubber washer would work so the pan could be set on the scale or in my case I used an empty 45 ACP case. The included pan is just so small I didn't like it for weighing powder.

Overall the scale works quite well and is accurate, the downside is for the hand loader weighing powder you need to get a little creative.

Ron

 

[Artofgolf]

Used mine for the first time today. I just put my larger pan on the top of the small Gemini pan & it worked great.

 

[Toprudder]

Great thread, but it leaves me wondering which of these electronic scales are good for trickling.

Good question.

I have the Frankford scale, and it is worthless for trickling in my experience. The problem is that it "settles" and then doesn't want to register a change right away. In other words, I throw a low charge on the scale, it settles on the weight, then as I trickle it will not immediately show the change in weight. All of a sudden it increases by 0.3gr.

Maybe it is just mine, but it is very repeatable.

If I am going to trickle, I use my beam scale.

 

[anothernewb]

the hornady works the same way. a workaround that appears to work is to pick up the pan and set it back down. - however, it takes nearly as much time to use a beam at that point

 

[Artofgolf]

Originally Posted by Ike Arumba >
Great thread, but it leaves me wondering which of these electronic scales are good for trickling.

Ike, I had no problems trickling with the GEM20 after I added a golf ferrule to my larger pan

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=203025&d=1411267362

The scale handled small trickled increases very well, IMHO. YMMV

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I have had no problems trickling with my RCBS Rangemaster. I can count the granules until the next digit. Darn good response time. Better than any beam I used.