Anyone use a Lyman digital scale?

[ChasMack]

I have a new Lyman digital scale and was wondering if anyone else had one and what your experience was? Not sure of my model, but I can look if need be. Anyway, I set the scale to zero with the little dipper on it. I measure out some loads and after maybe 3 measures the scale goes off by 4grs. I have to recheck and reset it. This is for 38spl and one must have measured more than I thought because when I went shooting,one of the bullets fired like a +p...scared me a little because all others were fine and were light loads. Am I not using a digital scale correctly? This is my first digital. If the scale is not right does Lyman work with a person who has a bad one, or am I stuck with it? Any tips and help will be appreciated!!

 

[rcmodel]

Most digital scales need to warm up 30 minutes or so to keep from drifting as they warm up.

Once they are up to operating temp and you go through the steps to zero it with the supplied weight or weights?
It should hold zero until heck freezes over.
Or you turn it off and it cools down again.

If yours doesn't, it is defective, and Lyman should fix or replace it under warrenty if it isn't too old.

rc

 

[ranger335v]

You are encountering ONE of the reasons I'll never use a digital powder scale. For handgun cartridges I question the value of weighing individual charges anyway, I've just dropped 'em and shot 'em since '65.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

I have digital scales. Great for speed when sorting cases or bullets.

But I also have a set of RCBS beam scales setting right beside them for when I want to know exactly what something weighs.

I also agree with ranger335v on using a powder measure for loading handgun, or rifle.

Once you have it adjusted with a good scale, there is no way it will throw a heavy or light charge if you use it consistently the same way every charge.

Better accuracy then thrown charges will give you cannot be measured on a target.

The only time I weight every charge is when loading max loads in tiny .32 or .380 ACP cases, or large charges in Magnum rounds.
But even then, if you are skating on that thin of ice, you probably are loading too hot anyway?

rc

 

[animator]

Is yours the kind that uses a 9v battery, but also has the option to plug into AC power?


If so, I have one and use it all the time. I used it with the battery once, but when the battery gets low, it gets kinda erratic and not consistent or accurate. Now I just keep it plugged in all the time and don't have many issues with it.


It'll occasionally jump a .1 grain here and there, but I tend to zero it often to keep that from happening. I've found if you keep adding weight to it before it has had time to refresh, that can cause it to read a few .1 grains off...

 

[Fishslayer]

I have the Lyman 1500 digital.

1. They need to warm up.

2. Calibrate often. I calibrate it before every use. I use a Lee Auto Disc. I already know roughly where it should be but check from time to time or when working up a new load.
Changes in temp and RH will change readings.

3. Use the AC adapter. I just leave mine on all the time.

4. Have it on a different surface than your reloading bench. The bumps & shakes from the press will throw them off.

I also don't mess around with anything close to maximums. If I did I would go ahead & get a set of check weights just to be really sure.

 

[noylj]

I really like my little 1000XP. Runs well on batteries or AC. Keep it on AC almost all the time.

 

[denton]

The Lyman scale needs a temperature controlled environment. They are quite sensitive to temperature changes.

 

[thump_rrr]

Electrical interference from florescent lighting can also affect the scale.
As others have already mentioned temperature change, vibration and a lack of warm up also affect it.

Mine is constantly powered and I use a set of RCBS check weights to verify.
I got the big set of weights and highly recommend them. They can check any weight up to 500gr in 0.5gr incriments.

 

[jplapp]

my experience

I have come to reset the Lyman scale to zero about every minute or so. On my bench it drifts zero. As long as I push the zero it reads right every time. I also calibrate before use and do a check weight near the load I am testing.

The display continues to say zero but unless I push the zero reset I get the wrong answer. After using it for about 30 minutes it does not need to be reset as much. I am happy with the result but looking for a new one.

jplapp