digital scale

I have one and I am happy. I have noticed I have to re-zero it sometimes after removing the pan, dumping the powder and putting the pan back on. But that might be user error...

I have the Hornady LNL bench scale and I think it was about 85 bucks and it works great. Had it for a year or so with no issues.

I use the RCBS Chargemaster combo with dispenser. I like it a lot. I've checked it against a PACT electronic scale and it has been spot on accurate. The combo dispenser works well except for when using large grain powder, but hasn't been an issue with me. If you just want a good electronic scale, check out PACT. I've had mine for 9 years and it still is accurate and dependable.

JO JO said:

tried and not so happy with the hornady gs 1500

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What's wrong with the Hornady GS1500 scale? I have one, is there something I should be looking out for?

Been using a Pact BBK for over 15 years with no complaints.

I purchased the RCBS Chargemaster combo for $290.00 if you purchase another $10.00 worth of RCBS products you get a $50.00 mail in rebate which can go up to $75 if you have some other proofs of purchase.

Once you have one you will love it.
If it were me I'd save up and take the plunge.

All the higher end electronic scales seem to work reasonably well according to those that use them here. However a word of caution to those that would not spend the money to get "better" scale either beam or electronic. I have tried several inexpensive digital scales that have had serious issues with repeatable accuracy as well as turning off to save the battery often. They all will weigh a known check weight with acceptable results but to do it repeatably like for measuring charges in a pistol with Bullseye for an hour, just forget it.:banghead: What I have spent on a variety of cheap ones would have purchased any of the expensive ones and left cash for other things to spare.

I have the RM750 for over 5 yrs now. It has been very reliable and accurate. I do turn in on hrs before use for it to warm up and stabilize. This is required for all electronic scales for repeatability and zero stability. Mine is located on a shelf that is not attached to my reloading bench so any press shake does not impact it. I have since been looking at scales that have a 0.02gr resolution. If your reloading 380's or any powder charges that are <4gr it may be something you want to consider. Look at to see what % 0.1gr is on your charge and you will find the answer but in most all reloading cases the finer resolution is not needed.

Look at a PACT DPPS. $130 and as much of it as possible is made in the US. It's also reliable and repeatable. In the same price range is the Gempro 250. You can pick them up on Amazon. I have not tried one, yet, but have seen a lot of good reviews. There is also a PACT BBK for $90. Has the option of running on AC which is how I would use it. The battery powered ones are garbage. There are plenty of people that will tell me I'm wrong. But I've bought and tested almost every digital scale marketed to a Reloader. Most of them failed miserably.


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Electronic scales will do OK when working with heavier powder charges, but as someone already mentioned, handgun target loads are going to give you plus and minus readings that will drive you crazy. And consider then the power saver mode shutting you off making re-zeroing a must, the warm up necessary, all elements I do not have to worry about with a beam scale. I have a GS1500 and have only used it a couple of times, the only couple of times it will probably ever get used unless my 5-10 ever gets stolen.

GS

I have a RCBS RangeMaster 750, and I like it, but will only use it with the plug-in outlet adapter that comes with it. Its because I had more problems getting to zero out when using the battery. Even with using an outlet, if you plug it in "cold" (haven't used in a while), it can take a few tries getting to stay zero'ed, as it will drift on you. If you let it sit for a bit after plugging it in, and turning it on, then zero it, it will stay zero'ed. At least that's been my experence with it. LM

got to comfy with cheap digital.

On the less expensive digital: In a word " Don't".
I have been using a MTM digital mini. Up to now it's been OK. Yesterday I noticed my groups opened up quite a bit. When I got home using a 50 gram check weight it was off considerably, -.3+ I think it was. Not enough to be dangerous to me but if someone was working a hot load it may have made a difference. I was adding more than I wanted. Good thing I'm 2.5 under max charge.
In the beginning it jumped right to 50 with a check weight. As time went on it got there slower and slower. Yesterday it didn't make it after watching it for a min. New batteries and it's right on. I don't do mass loads , just 20-25 rifle rounds a week for about 2 mos now, now that I'm closing in on my groups even less. I'll have to tend to agree that using one of these cheapies for lots of loads is probably iffy at best. I say stay clear until you can swing a nicer scale. I will be looking into a new scale real soon. It'll be interesting to compare it to a nice beam.

If I was going to buy another set of digital scales it would be these :
https://www.storesonline.com/site/696296/product/GT1251

0.02gr accuracy and has a 30yr warranty.

All std scales have the same accuracy/deviation ±0.1gr even beam. Beam have the advantage of not needing power but they are no more accurate than electronic ones. Scales are the one reloading tool that you do not want to go cheap on. Spend the money and get a good one. Loading rifle cartridges a ±0.1gr deviation has no impact, error is too low. If your loading a small pistol case that has only 3gr of powder that ±0.1gr error (0.2gr) is 6.7% and that's if you think your dead on. Since most charges in those small cases only give you a spread of 0.3gr you get the idea. If your loading max your probably over charged on some.

You also need a set of calibration weights to check ALL Scales. With these weights your hands should never touch them. The oils form your skin will change the weight.

I upgraded to the 750 from my RCBS 505 beam scale about five years ago and love it. I plug it in and leave it on so I never need to worry about warm up or losing zero, it doesn't have an auto shut down when plugged in. Yesterday I double checked it against the 505 with several different weights (check weights, cases, bullets) and it is still spot on. It's much faster than a beam scale. For checking powder I don't remove the pan. I throw into an empty case and then dump into the pan. It stays very accurate that way. Don't put off getting one. Once you get one you won't know what you did without it.

digital scales use load cells; pressure vs. strain determines weight displayed. more expensive usually means more reliable, not more accurate.

i worked with digitals in my laboratory for over 30 yrs; no vendor's digital was inaccurate...all gave the same readings. serviceability, parts availability and company reputation affected price, not accuracy.

bob4,
sounds like a warm-up/calibration issue to me. a 0.3gr error in 50gr is less than 1% which wouldn't affect your groups as you describe. bench resters use fixed powder measures, loading at the range, which can deviate that much and not ruin groups.

budman46 said:

bob4,
sounds like a warm-up/calibration issue to me. a 0.3gr error in 50gr is less than 1% which wouldn't affect your groups as you describe. bench resters use fixed powder measures, loading at the range, which can deviate that much and not ruin groups.

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Could have been me I suppose. Thanks.

RCBS Charge Master 1500
Have to Re-Cal every time it gets turned off. Do not like that, be it seems to be very accurate.

The calibration takes about 30 seconds. I don't see it as a problem. I recalibrate every time as insurance that it's reading correctly.


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There are not many scales I do not have, I have one set that was made before the ‘the Internet’, long before the Internet, no poise, no index, I stack (known) weight on one side and off set/balance the two sides by increasing the weight on the other side. Check weights come in a box of 30 pieces.

F. Guffey

The calibration takes about 30 seconds. I don't see it as a problem. I recalibrate every time as insurance that it's reading correctly.

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No its not a problem, I just dont like it.

I LOVE my 750 . Like 7mmb I too have had mine for appx 6 years and leave it plugged in 24/7 and have yet had to recalibrate it. Just last week I checked it again ( for the umpteenth time ) against my 5-0-5 beam scale and it was dead on. As with all digital scales it is important that it sets on a very solid platform away from any air flow influance from the HVAC system or a fan etc. They say heat and cold van effect the readings on digital scales but at temps from a low of near 60 degrees to a high of near 85 degrees I have not had an issue, here again using the beam scale to check. Great piece of equipment and RCBS service dept. ROCKS should you ever have an issue .

I upgraded from a Lee balance beam scale to a Frankford Arsenal digital pocket scale as an intermediate step until I could afford a full size scale. I have been using that little scale for the last four years and have done over a thousand rifle cases with it. It is still on the original battery and has been 100% reliable. I had planned on purchasing a Dillon D-Terminator eventually but the Frankford Arsenal has done so well that I'm not so sure I want to switch anymore.