Electronic scales

[brutus51]

After about ten years my RCBS electronic scale went on the fritz. Decided against trying to get it repaired and went to Cabelas for a new one. After looking at the offerings from RCBS Hornady and Lyman ( $120 plus) I went with the Cabelas brand for 80 bucks. I seem to remember that the Lyman was the only one made in the USA, all others were from China. I've used it about four times now and find it to be inaccurate , plus or minus .2 gr's. Now I don't have a lot of faith in electronic scales and use them only to verify my good old balance beam, which hasn't failed in thirty years, needless to say I have calibrated both scales numerous times always with the same result.
For example: with my powder measure set at say 6.2gr's of 231, a very good metering powder, my balance beam will pretty much stay dead center while on the other hand the electronic will give a reading of anywhere between 6.2 and 6.4 grains. It's driving me crazy.:banghead:
I'm going to return it tomorrow for one of the more expensive models, any feedback on these electronic scales would be greatly appreciated. Kind of leaning towards the USA brand just onaconda.

 

[jwrowland77]

They had the auto dispensers on sale, whether you like RCBS or Hornady or Lyman.

 

[nevadabob]

I also use a beam scale in conjunction with my electronic. I reload in the garage, and when I have the doors open I noticed that I'd get a slight drift on the electronic when a breeze came through. I have a Hornady GS-1500 and I like it. If you reload indoors, is it close to a heater vent?

 

[BYJO4]

I would return it and just use your beam scale. While I have both, the beam scale is what I use almost 100% of the time.

 

[Reloadron]

Ever wonder who actually makes these things?

I have an old (maybe 20 years) RCBS digital scale sitting here. The thing has always worked just fine and delivered accurate and repeatable results with standard weights. Now we all should know that RCBS naver made a scale in their lives anymore than Sears or Montgomery Ward made a rifle or shotgun. There is a label on the bottom of this scale that reads:

MFG. by Pact INC. Made in the USA. 1-800 phone number and a serial number.

So PACT actually made this one and RCBS branded it for RCBS.

I have noticed it works best when left on 24/7.

Overall when going the digital scale route my observation is you get what you pay for. Be it a scale aimed at the reloading community or digital scale in general. Also a good set of check weights are indispensable.

Ron

Ron

 

[sauer1911]

I found a Redding first gen scale on Ebay, $32. It is old, but it will NEVER wear out. It is perfectly accurate, simple and you just put the scale weight on the groove of the grains you want and it works.

no batteries, no re calibration, no big expense.

Simple is better, never needing batteries is even more so.

be safe

 

[Rule3]

JMHO but electronic scales are useless. Unless you pay big money for a scientific version or one that is certified for trade.

They are OK for quick and dirty measurements of bullets or other items but it's electronic and will fail at some time. They are sensitive to air movement, electric fields etc. I have an expensive one, used it twice. It sits in the box in a drawer.

A good balance beam will last forever and has a lifetime warranty.

Almost all the beams scales are made by Ohaus regardless of the name on them.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Batteries don't do well with electronic scales. The voltage drop associated with battery life is a killer. The only interference issues that I am aware of in a regular environment is fluorescent lights.

I have had good results with a RCBS RangeMaster 750, but I have learned to never turn it off. Air movement from my ceiling fan doesn't bother it.

And a good balance beam will beat an electronic in all but two categories: ease of use and speed.

 

[savanahsdad]

the scale on my Lyman dps1200 is dead on and has always been that way .. however the dps1200 has a 30min warm up before you should use it and that is true with most electric scales , they need to warm up , the Lyman has a count down that starts when you first turn it on , , my beams all sit on a shelf collecting dust, only get used if I have to little powder for the hopper on the Lyman and I'm only loading a few test rounds , ,

and you get what you pay for , the dps1200 was $275 and they don't make it anymore now they have the gen.5 and gen.6

 

[Vol46]

I got one of the Cabela's electronic scales 5 or 6 years ago when I decided I wanted something for quick checks of bullet weight, brass, & verification of my powder drops.
I had issues with it measuring consistently as well, & ultimately sent it back to Cabela's.

I picked up an old used Pact electronic from a friend of mine. It has been remarkably good. It gives me the same weight as my RCBS balance beam just about every time - never more than .1 grain off on the rare occasions when they do not agree exactly.

 

[sexybeast]

Electronic scales are great! If they work well and are consistent. Mine weren't. cordless phone going off or something electronic close by would make it wobbly.
I know there are good ones out there but I need consistency and the trust factor is just not there.
I use two beam scales now. Side by side and I have total piece of mind. I could see using a beam scale along side an electronic. Great idea, maybe someday.

 

[oldreloader]

Batteries don't do well with electronic scales. The voltage drop associated with battery life is a killer. The only interference issues that I am aware of in a regular environment is fluorescent lights.

I have had good results with a RCBS RangeMaster 750, but I have learned to never turn it off. Air movement from my ceiling fan doesn't bother it.

And a good balance beam will beat an electronic in all but two categories: ease of use and speed.

my experience as well!

 

[brutus51]

Why do fluorescent lights effect the scale?

 

[Reloadron]

Why do fluorescent lights effect the scale?

A good scale shouldn't be affected by fluorescent lighting. However, not all scales are good scales.

There are a few reasons for the why. Older fluorescent lighting made use of a ballast transformer which does emit a magnetic field, newer lamps use electronic ballast which not only emit a magnetic field but cheaper fixtures feed noise back into the AC line feeding them. That noise can end up back into the small wall wart (power supply) delivering power to the scale. A scale with a good power supply that is well filtered and a scale with well shielded internal circuitry shouldn't have any issues.

There are also other reasons but that is my take in a condensed nutshell.

Ron

 

[Potatohead]

I would return it and just use your beam scale. While I have both, the beam scale is what I use almost 100% of the time.

+1

Those electronic things act goofy. I never take mine out of the box anymore.




I would like to try one of those doo dads that shoots out the exact powder charge into the pan every time. That'b pretty awesome I think.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Electronic scales are great! If they work well and are consistent. Mine weren't. cordless phone going off or something electronic close by would make it wobbly

Sexybeast

I didn't know the old cordless phones would do that and now I'm going to experiment with cell phone next to my electronic scales to see if it has any affect.

I had bought a $1200.00 lazer level w/tripod and almost sent it back for being pretty much nuts. This was a high end unit I was using to set up a 3/4" arc in a 58'long locomotive frame fixture.
The receptionist from the company I bought the lazer level from told me to turn off my cellphone and try it again. It worked beautifully as long as my cell phone and my Motorola radio were both off.

I'm not having trouble with my electronic scales, even under my fluorescent lights but I got to check it out with my cell phone to see if it has any affect also.

I'll bet it doesn't but I'm going to find out.

 

[brutus51]

I think I would really distrust an auto dispensing unit, seems like even more stuff to go wrong, besides are they really that much quicker than trickle charging? I never trickle charge for handguns only for rifles and the thought of counting on an electronic device to accurately throw large powder charges kinda makes my skin crawl.

 

[Potatohead]

I think I would really distrust an auto dispensing unit, seems like even more stuff to go wrong

You're probably right but man they look cool on You tube..Of course they probably don't show the 200 times it threw the wrong charge though.

 

[Reloadron]

I think I would really distrust an auto dispensing unit, seems like even more stuff to go wrong, besides are they really that much quicker than trickle charging? I never trickle charge for handguns only for rifles and the thought of counting on an electronic device to accurately throw large powder charges kinda makes my skin crawl.

I have to disagree on this. Now this will be boring as hell but here is why.

Scale systems like the RCBS Charge Master Combo work just fine as well as the same principal applied to similar scale systems. One simply needs an understanding of what is going on or simply put, how does the thing work?

Charge systems like this use a motor to drive an auger (think screw drive). Much like a motor driven meat grinder, shove meat in and sausage comes out. Same as or similar to a hand held trickle charger. Spin the drive mechanism on a hand held trickle charger fast and the powder comes out fast, spin it slow (approaching desired weight) and the powder comes out slow. So if we motor drive one of those gizmos what happens?

The RCBS unit and I am sure the others use a 4 speed motor. The motor is speed controled in what is called a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) loop. The four speeds are like an early 50s Corvette Sting Ray. You Have Fast, Faster, fastest and Dearly Beloved we are gathered here today...., I am sure you get the idea. However, the scale works in reverse. Initially the motor speed is fast. As the weight on the scale is approached the micro processor in the scale is sending commands to the motor to slow down. The closer we get to the set point (desired weight) the slower the motor runs.

The PID type process can be done extremely quickly and very accurately but the guys making these scales are working against a cost factor. There are better motors than a simple 4 speed but as speed control of the motor gets better the cost also runs up. Thus a good enough compromise is sought.

Me? I trust these things. Hell, I have no choice but to trust the electronics running my truck or any number of other gizmos in my daily life. Not like I have much choice as 60s vintage trucks and cars are hard to find.

Also be the scale electronic or analog I like the use of good weights to check the scale.

Ron

 

[7mmb]

My RCBS electronic scale works fine for me. I leave it on all the time so its always warmed up. I've checked it against my balance beam scale several times and its always been right on the money.

I don't weigh every charge, I just use the scale to set up my Uniflow and then charge with that. My chronograph testing has shown me that thrown charges are more consistent (lower SD with a shot string) than weighed charges. I've done several tests with different powders and different cartridges and thrown charges have always had lower SDs than weighed charges (weighed with a balance beam scale.) Weighing every charge is a waste of time. An electronic scale is much faster for setting up your powder thrower.

 

[Travtastik]

I have the hornady and like it. It does have some drift if a fan is running or if you breath on it.

 

[Potatohead]

ReloadRon,
That was deep man. I feel enlightened

 

[J_McLeod]

I've been using the Frankford Arsenal digital scale for a year. It's a lot faster than my Lee beam scale. Every time I've checked it against the beam it's been +/-.1-2. I don't shoot max loads so I'm happy with it.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I weigh every charge 'cause I use Unique...I have a custom dipper for doing my .32 loads but started weighing them all again.

I use a Gem Pro 250 digital and it is fast and uber accurate. I have no problems with it. I have a beam scale as well but it sits on a shelf in a box now. We all use what works best for us/suits our style. I think the beams are awesome and I find my new digital to be better for the way I load and uber accurate according to my check weight set.

VooDoo

 

[higgite]

+1 on the GemPro 250. I have one that I use to set and check the powder measure on my progressive press. I also use it to double check my RCBS Chargemaster combo when loading rifle rounds.

Someone mentioned fluorescent lights causing digital scale gremlins. I've seen that claim before. Believing everything I read on the internet , I experimented with mine. My digital scales normally reside 3-4 feet from a fluorescent floor lamp standing next to my loading bench. I set each scale on a book shelf within inches of the lamp and ran them through their paces with check weights. The lamp had no effect at all on the scale readings. ymmv