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New powder scale

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beag_nut

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Nov 21, 2011
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I'm looking for recommendations for digital weighing scales. I have a cheapo made for weighing gems which I got from amazon, and it looks identical to a couple others sold for specifically weighing powder charges. I also don't want to spend over $100 for it, the less the better. But the one I have was about $25, and it drifts way too much, and doesn't respond quickly enough when I need to dribble in another grain or so.
Any thoughts?
 
To me, that seems like a tall order to have a good digital scale under $100??
I would say that good is one that holds zero and didn't drift and is repeatable.

Have not had much experience with too many digital scales, I do know that I would not want one that is powered only by battery. I read a lot about them loosing their mind when the battery get a little low? How low is low ???

I use the rcbs chargemaster 1500 and have had it for several years (5 or 6 years?) Has worked great so far.
BUT...There always seems to be a problem with a few of the better ones too. They are mostly made with cheap china electronics IMHO.:confused:
I've read reviews by some which say they are great and some say junk?

I'm sure others will have more experience than I on this subject.
I just tend to think better quality for important tools in reloading. ( Just me?)

Do a lot of asking questions like you are doing here, and research online stores like Midway and all the others for reviews. It's what I did long ago and for any important purchase I make before jumping to buy one by manufactures advertisements only. :D
I tend to keep my 10-10 beam scale on my bench at all times no matter what.
It has never let me down and no batteries or power needed. But the owner needs cheaters (glasses) to read it these dayZ. Digital ones are nice with the large numbers....! ( If they are correct?)

Good luck.
TxDon
 
I'm guessing you have the Gem 20 scale. I've got one and really like it. I have not noticed it drifting much, but that is because I'm always zeroing it before every reading. I usually drop the charges right into the cases, so I don't use a pan except to trickle as needed. For the way I use it, it works very well for me. I like it much better than my Frankford.
 
I don't trust digital scales, especially battery operated models. I've always relied on a good beam scale since I started reloading, but thought why not try a digital. So I bought an el cheapo a few years back, I think it was like $50 or so, seemed to work pretty good for the first 50 charges, but then it started drifting back and forth, and the batteries were fresh. I put it away in my don't use pile, and haven't looked at it since.

So my take on digital models, make sure you check them against a beam scale, which means having to constantly remeasure every 3rd 5th, or 10th load in opinion, not worth the trouble or risk.

GS
 
I have been using a GS-1500 and it works well enough especially for the price.
http://www.hornady.com/store/GS-1500-Grain-Electronic-Scale/
They can be found online for under $30.

For something larger and probably much better I would recommend the RCBS RangeMaster 750 scale.
http://shop.rcbs.com/Products/Powde...lectronic/RangeMaster™-750-120-VAC-9-VDC.aspx
It can be found online for as low as $95 (amazon.com) but mostly the run just over $100.

There are others that are good but those 2 are the only ones I can vouch for personally because I have used them. I am currently using the Hornady GS-1500 and checking it with a RCBS 5-0-5.
 
I'd recommend the RCBS RangeMaster 750. You can find it for around $100 on sale or a good deal.

Dillon makes good scales, both electronic and beam.

No matter what scale you purchase, invest in a good set of check weights to ensure it's calibrated correctly!!
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Beam scales are extremely accurate and not from the dark ages. lol
Click to expand...

I agree with half that. They are from the dark ages, but are accurate. :p

The way I use my Gem20, I tare each casing, drop a charge, trickle if necessary. I can't tare a beam scale. It is quicker to use the electronic scale this way, and taring each time eliminates the drift problem. I can always set a check weight on there if I want.
 
Well, so far I must thank everyone who has responded. However, I read the reviews of each scale which has been recommended, and they all have negative comments which are very close to what I want to avoid. For me, the worst sin is not responding (within a couple seconds) when I dribble in a few more tenths of a grain. The second worst is not coming back to zero after I dump the previous load into the case.
Anybody else have units they would recommend?
Thanking you in advance,....
 
beag_nut said:
Well, so far I must thank everyone who has responded. However, I read the reviews of each scale which has been recommended, and they all have negative comments which are very close to what I want to avoid. For me, the worst sin is not responding (within a couple seconds) when I dribble in a few more tenths of a grain. The second worst is not coming back to zero after I dump the previous load into the case.
Anybody else have units they would recommend?
Thanking you in advance,....
Click to expand...
I use this. MyWeigh iBalance 201

I201.jpg

It's only precise to 0.2 grains but it's repeatable, you can trickle on it, and it has never drifted on me (not one time). I check it against a beam scale and it's dead on every single time.

Many will chime in saying that .2 grain precision isn't good enough. I disagree when the scale is dead repeatable and reliable. This scale was sold on the Brian Enos website for a long time but they replaced it with a different model from the same company that is more precise but it's also very fidgety.
 
beag_nut said:
Well, so far I must thank everyone who has responded. However, I read the reviews of each scale which has been recommended, and they all have negative comments which are very close to what I want to avoid. For me, the worst sin is not responding (within a couple seconds) when I dribble in a few more tenths of a grain. The second worst is not coming back to zero after I dump the previous load into the case.
Anybody else have units they would recommend?
Thanking you in advance,....
Click to expand...
I'm not sure where you're reading such negative reviews about the RCBS Rangemaster 750, but I've never had those issues with mine.

If you're going to go with an electronic scale, perhaps time would better be served in reading about the things you need to do to ensure it works as designed: proper maintaining of voltage (I use a power conditioner), free from airflow/drafts, free from vibration interferences, etc. The image of the MyWeigh shows a shield around it, that's a good idea as it shows the importance of isolating the scale from all external influences.

Also, the check weights must be used or you don't know if the scale is truly reading correctly, even if you check it against a beam scale. Without calibration, there's no known standard to compare against!
 
I have a Rangmaster 750 for 5+ yrs now. Last year it started turning it's self off when connected to AC. Suppose to stay on and not power down. I replaced it with the GP250. The GP has a lifetime warranty not 1 yr like RCBS does on their electronic scales. And it has a 0.02gr accuracy which is a plus if your dealing with small loads (<4gr).
 
Blue68f100 said:
I have a Rangmaster 750 for 5+ yrs now. Last year it started turning it's self off when connected to AC. Suppose to stay on and not power down. I replaced it with the GP250. The GP has a lifetime warranty not 1 yr like RCBS does on their electronic scales. And it has a 0.02gr accuracy which is a plus if your dealing with small loads (<4gr).
Click to expand...

Blue, are you mentioning the Salter GP250, or some other one? The Salter one has a 250 pound capacity.

Sellersm, I read the bad reviews on amazon. I tend to read the bad reviews first because in this case they reflect some of the problems I'm having with my inexpensive scale.
It appears to me that the makers/packagers of these scales (like many other things) are using some common internals and then packaging them differently. That explains the very similar complaints of people who get them, regardless of brands.
I simply cannot accept that adding .3 or .4 grains of powder by trickling causes no reaction in the reading of a digital scale. SOMEBODY must make an acceptable unit.
 
Let me start out by saying that I now use a Chargemaster. When I first started reloading a few years ago, I was really on a tight budget. My LCT came with the infamous Lee beam scale which I quickly relegated to the bottom of the closet. In spite of everybody's warnings against buying an inexpensive digital scale, I went ahead and spent $25 on the Frankfird Arsenal one. Maybe I just got lucky, but the damn thing was always spot on, plus or minus 0.1gr. I bought a good set of check weights...spot on, I put it near a fluorescent lamp...spot on, I had an overhead fan on (low speed)...spot on, batteries got low....spot on. When I bought the Chargemaster, I checked ten various charges against it...spot on. I almost have more confidence in the FA than the Chargemaster.

I don't for a second think that my scale is representative of all inexpensive digitals but I just want people to know that it is possible to get a good one.
 
Speed is not something near the top of the list.

I have a vintage beam scale that I use. It never needs batteries, it is very accurate (verified with weights) and I use the time that the scale is moving to sit and just look over what I am doing.

I want accuracy and good reloading.

In my advancing years, I need to be very careful not to rush thru my reloading.

AND dont mix grams up with grains.:what:

be safe
 
I've used a PACT digital teamed with a PACT dispenser. Had mine for probably 10+ years and it's been great. Two other guys bought identical units after using mine. Helps to keep it plugged it so it does't have to warm up. Always accurate.

There's a guy on Varmint's Den that has one for sale in the classifieds
 
redneck2 said:
I've used a PACT digital teamed with a PACT dispenser. Had mine for probably 10+ years and it's been great. Two other guys bought identical units after using mine. Helps to keep it plugged it so it does't have to warm up. Always accurate.

There's a guy on Varmint's Den that has one for sale in the classifieds
Click to expand...
Ya see now, I have heard plenty of bad reviews about the PACT scales even here on this forum. One even said they threw it against the wall because it was so bad. I have a PACT basic Chrono and for the past 7 years it's served me very well...
 
I've read some reviews of the PACT and they all say that it used to be a very good system, but in recent years, it's been cheapened and no longer recommended by many people.
 
Sometime back we had this thread with a focus on Digital Scales. Long thread with pages on the good and bad of digital scales. I believe all scales overall have their good and bad points. Some of the best ammunition I have ever loaded was done using a trickler with an old Lyman M7 scale. I have also loaded some great ammunition using an old RCBS digital which was actually made by PACT.

While reviews can be useful they always come down to the individual writing the comments so all reviews should be taken with a grain of salt in my opinion. Also, be it a balance beam or digital scale a good set of known check weights is an indispensable tool in my opinion.

Ron
 
why not pay a little more for a good accurate one and be done with it? in reloading, its always best to have very accurate measuring tools such as calipers and scales. cheap isnt better you know
 
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