I currently have a Hornady Powder Auto Charging & Electronic Scale that is 6 years old. And I am still finding lots of errors in using it, I also have a RBCS and Hornady Beam scale for checking weights. I am discouraged by all the problems I'm finding with the Hornady auto powder dispensing system and am wondering what others people are using. I like the idea of using something other than a beam scale to measure loads. I find beam scales too slow. I would like to find something a little faster than a beam scale. And my Hornady electronic Powder dispenser has too many problems. So what are you using and what are the pros and cons to your equipment?
Looking for a new powder scale.
- Thread starter Thomasss
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
I don't use a dispensing one. I have a Hornady 1500. I also use a beam scale to check the digital scale accuracy now and then.
www.scheels.com
Hornady G3-1500 Electronic Powder Scale
This compact, battery operated trickle-compatible scale offers a maximum reference measurement of 1500 grains. Unlike other scales on the ma SCHEELS
Blue68f100
Member
The early ones had a lot of problems. My neighbor had one and it got replaced within a couple of months use. Would not give a repeatable stable reading. His replace met worked just fine. Make sure all electronics are away from the unit. Use your check weights to verify. Also watch to see if it's drifting zero. A dirty power supply causes a lot of problems with precision scales. If there is a way to run it on batteries, it's a good test.
I have a Charge Master 1500 that is 6-7 yrs old still working fine.
I have a Charge Master 1500 that is 6-7 yrs old still working fine.
I had tried digital scales 4 times and not satisfied with any. Went back to my Lyman/Ohaus D5, RCBS 5-10, and my Lee Safety Scale. Not all whiz-bang, super fast, but reliable, no drifting, no EMF, no power problems. Plain old school technology that will serve me well until The Rapture...
Last edited:
45/30-06OKIE
Member
Dad and I use the RCBS CHARGEMASTER and it's pretty good IMHO. Seems like it works better with ball powder than stick powder but overall it's pretty accurate. Like if you sent it for 40 grains it will generally be right on the money. It sometimes goes a little bit over but it will blink the display and show over on the display. Then I will just dump the powder back in the hopper and re run it. I'm happy with it. It's NOT cheap btw. It's about 400 bucks retail.
NMexJim
Member
I have one and it works well for me. I still have a balance beam, and I like that too. If you're sensitive to digital drift, maybe one of the RCBS ChargeMaster would be better. I've worked w/ a few and they seem to have less shift - or so I think at least.I don't use a dispensing one. I have a Hornady 1500. I also use a beam scale to check the digital scale accuracy now and then.
Hornady G3-1500 Electronic Powder Scale
This compact, battery operated trickle-compatible scale offers a maximum reference measurement of 1500 grains. Unlike other scales on the ma SCHEELS
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
I have the old PACT system trickler and scale got to be 20 years still rolling strong but I do use the weight checks and double check with a beam scale every now and then.
gwpercle
Member
What am I using ... RCBS 5-0-5 Beam Scale , Lyman 55 Powder Measure and an assortment of Powder Dippers (some made by Lee and others made by myself) to dip charges of powder .
Sometimes referred to as "scoops" .
The 5-0-5 is most accurate ... in reloading accuracy is more important than speed .
The Lyman 55 can be set and operated to drop consistent charges and Dippers are the fastest and safest way to dispense powder charges . There is very little to go wrong with a dipper ... it's so simple and so fast ...
You wouldn't believe it !
I tried the Digital Scales and wasn't pleased ... they would act squirrely and kept "resetting" no liked them .
Gary
Sometimes referred to as "scoops" .
The 5-0-5 is most accurate ... in reloading accuracy is more important than speed .
The Lyman 55 can be set and operated to drop consistent charges and Dippers are the fastest and safest way to dispense powder charges . There is very little to go wrong with a dipper ... it's so simple and so fast ...
You wouldn't believe it !
I tried the Digital Scales and wasn't pleased ... they would act squirrely and kept "resetting" no liked them .
Gary
Bill_in_TR
Member
People complain about the slowness of a beam scale. But if you have to keep checking and double checking your digital electronic scale constantly how much time are you wasting? My beam is right on every time I throw a powder charge in it. I don't have to worry about drift or any external influences like nearby electronics. Yep I'm old school. My old Pacific beam is totally reliable.
SingleActionAndrew
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- May 28, 2021
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- 297
A&D FX-120i. Be kind to yourself, and measure accurately to two hundredths of a grain with rapidity
Nature Boy
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- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
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- 8,256
A&D Fx120 with Autotrickler
The only downside is the cost but once you’ve used one you’ll wonder how you got by without it
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I have a RCBS Chargemaster Supreme. It does well. Hate that the device menu is more complex than necessary making the phone app a necessity. It always passes my check weights. Calibration not needed most of the time because its just spot on.
refuse2bafool
Member
I bought one when my 20+ year old $20 FA scale finally died. Very happy with it. I don't really need a dispensing scale and I believe it to be more than accurate enough for my needs. I check it every time, usually with a 5 grain check weight. It says 5 grains every time. Not sure what a more expensive scale would do for me. If you need a dispensing one, then that's another thing...I don't use a dispensing one. I have a Hornady 1500. I also use a beam scale to check the digital scale accuracy now and then.
Hornady G3-1500 Electronic Powder Scale
This compact, battery operated trickle-compatible scale offers a maximum reference measurement of 1500 grains. Unlike other scales on the ma SCHEELS
JerkyFreak
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- Jun 7, 2023
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- 106
If you want accuracy and repeatability at a good price, use a beam scale. Best at the price, but speed of use is the down side.
If you want accuracy, speed and repeatability, get the A&D FX120i. Not the cheapest out there, but still a laboratory quality scale with a fast response.
If speed is not required then get the Creedmoore scale. Not as fast as the FX120i, but just as accurate. Not as cheap as a beam scale, but more affordable than the FX120i.
If you want accuracy, speed and repeatability, get the A&D FX120i. Not the cheapest out there, but still a laboratory quality scale with a fast response.
If speed is not required then get the Creedmoore scale. Not as fast as the FX120i, but just as accurate. Not as cheap as a beam scale, but more affordable than the FX120i.
Another vote for the FX120i here.
Yes, it's spendy, but it literally will be the last scale you ever buy. I trickled into mine with a Hornady vibratory trickler when I first got it, and it was super fast and accurate. If you do alot of volume, the AutoTrickler can be added to really make life easy. Money well spent.
Yes, it's spendy, but it literally will be the last scale you ever buy. I trickled into mine with a Hornady vibratory trickler when I first got it, and it was super fast and accurate. If you do alot of volume, the AutoTrickler can be added to really make life easy. Money well spent.
I like my RCBS electronic balance. I like the combination of using a powder measure and separately checking with a scale. That way you have 2 measurements, one volume, one weight, to tell you that you are correct. I own and do not like a good beam scale. I think they are more likely to make errors at low charge weights than a fairly good electronic scale. I personally would worry about the all in one charge dispensing systems. One reason I do not have one.
FROGO207
Member
I have owned and used a couple digital scales over the years. Both worked OK for what they were but were "fiddley" to use. Both were less than $100 new. I also heavily rely on my Ohaus 10-10, Ideal 55, and custom scoops when reliability counts.
The old saying comes to mind:
Do you want fast, cheap, or quality? Please choose any two.
I am syill looking for a scale that meets all three criteria.
ETA
I think It was Walkalong that had a thread with comparisons of available digital scales. Worth the read IMO.
The old saying comes to mind:
Do you want fast, cheap, or quality? Please choose any two.
I am syill looking for a scale that meets all three criteria.
ETA
I think It was Walkalong that had a thread with comparisons of available digital scales. Worth the read IMO.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,211
How long does it take for the Hornady to throw a charge?
I added a photo electric switch to detect beam movement, when it’s level, it shuts off the gear motor on the trickler. It’s will throw charges more consistently than either of my charge masters. Note the A&D I am checking them with is reading to hundredths of a grain (.02 increments though) not just tenths.
Autotrickler check with A&D FX-120i
www.youtube.com
Another version of the same thing.
If you already have a beam scale and a trickler the rest cost <$50 to get you that kind of repeatability.
JFrank
Member
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