Reloadron said:
Ike Arumba said:
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).