Please recommend a good digital reloading scale under $50

[yaheh]

I'll bite , just purchase this scale to mess around with seperating brass etc.

http://www.eabco.com/electronicpowderscale.htm
the $32.00 one

I 've been out of reloading /shooting for about 20 years
and decided to get back into it , wow wrong time to do that
Rod

 

[kludge]

I doubt that not many people would agree to mail out an instrument they rely on.

It may work, however, in another arrangement.

How's about this?

 

[helg]

I have posted what I did here. You are welcome to join and get the weights tested at your scale. 16 weights, which I have prepared, should cover all 4 ranges that you have suggested.

I did not try to measure each weight ten times. Instead, I rolled the whole set twice. The scale measures were the same within .02 grains. Then I re-checked everything in a hour for the third time. Same thing, all numbers were either the same or at the closest .2 grain readout. Weather conditions were 77F/48% humidity - it is the same as outside, which is reported by weather.com.

 

[kludge]

Cool, I'm in.

helg, do you think that 3 times is enough to establish repeatability?

I like that you waited an hour for the third trial.

Same thing, all numbers were either the same or at the closest .2 grain readout.

Did you mean 0.02 grain here?

 

[helg]

Did you mean 0.02 grain here?

Mea culpa, it is 0.02 grain. All of my readouts at the other thread are to .02. BTW, the scale has "repeatability", which promised within .002 grams and "linearity", which is within .004 grams. I have made couple of tests for the linearity, measuring two weights first separately, and then together. It stays within the the limit.

 

[jfh]

This has been an informative thread.

Given the reputation EABCO has, their scale probably is "the cheap one" that is most likely to fulfill our requirements.

So, I just may add one of those to the fleet.

Jim H.

 

[mongoose33]

I have the MTM scale. I literally could not get it to settle on specific values (even trickling one granule of powder at at time), such that it would jump from 4.9 to 5.1, or 24.9 to 25.1.

I called the company. They said it's in the algorithm that takes the data from the device and calculated the displayed weight. It wasn't fixable, it was the nature of the device.

I, too, looked for cheaper digital scales. I read every review I could find, and most scales seemed to have at least a sizable minority who were unhappy with them.

Eventually, I closed my eyes, bit the bullet, and ordered the Dillon D-Terminator, since the reviews I found for it were almost uniformly complimentary. Yeah, pricey, but in the end, if you're not confident in your weights, it's darned hard to isolate problems (I shoot test loads through a chrono).

It would take two large men with crowbars to pry that scale out of my hands. I've found it to be stunningly good. No, it's not less than $50, but I now have great confidence in my results.

 

[kelbro]

In my opinion, the problem with the lower priced scales is that they can be compared with a Raven .25 auto. You may pick one up that functions flawlessly time after time but the consensus says that is the exception rather than the rule.

I wouldn't count on a Raven to protect my family from an imminent threat.

Hundreds of people will read this thread. Dealing with powder weights that could result in a blown up weapon or hand/eye/face injuries is not where I would consider 'cheaping out'.

 

[kludge]

helg,

It looks like you have a winner of a scale! Data posted soon on the other thread.

My $6.99 special was just as accurate for powder as my Lyman 505 beam balance, but of course the repeatability of the Lyman was better. For bullets the Lyman was more accurate.

For the record, the $7 scale is a Fast Weigh TS-50 digital pocket scale, and because of theinternal conversion, it would sometimes skip a 0.1 of a grain.

 

[Martyk]

eBay...

 

[iScream]

I know the OP stated digital scales under $50.00. How about under $100.00. Question: does anybody utilize the CABELA'S XT-1500 digital scale? $79.95, worth it? accurate? I know it's 9 volt and AC adapted. Anybody?

I just bought one of these this week and turned it on for the first time today. After I let it warm up for about 5 minutes and leveled it, I zeroed it and it didn't drift. It came with two 50 Gram check weights, each one shows 50.05 Grams on the scale. It seemed to settle pretty quickly and didn't move from 50.05.

I don't know if that helps you but I'm seeing no problem with it right now. Not sure if I would have picked this scale if I didn't have a Cabelas gift card to burn at the time but I like it so far. I also like that it has a storage case since my bench is used for more than just reloading.

-Chris

 

[rogn]

cheap scales

First on the Midway/ frankford scale-bought one a couple of years ago on a "clearance" at a good price. IT is waht5 it is. First move send the Chinese batts to recycling and use a good set of evereadys. It will then work acceptably. Its range of operation is too restrictive to weigh powder charges and it doesnt run long enough to "warm up". But it does shine at weighing brass or loaded rounds within its range of operation. Keep it workingand it wont shut off- about 15 sec cycles. I use it a lot to set up a powder measure to get propper range then check it with balance scale. It shines at these uses. As a primary powder scale, probably not. But do get rid of the trash batteries, this is the biggest issue Ive had, it is only as good as stable electrical power. It is sensitive to react to air currents though so boxing or shielding is desireable. If youd like to see agood display of varied electric balances check out your local convenience store. The druggies use them to weigh product and some of the stores have a good selection for sale. I suspect the customers demand consistant acuracy and "honest weight"

 

[azar]

I'd be interested if you could find a good, repeatable digital scale for under $50. But I'm also a pessimist that doesn't believe it exists. I too have the MTM digital scale and find it useful for a rough weighing of bullets, measuring case H20 capacity, etc. It drifts all the time, is position sensitive, and doesn't seem to give accurate enough readings.

There is a scale sold at www.brianenos.com that is about $75 I believe. It comes with a 20 year warranty, can use either batteries or an A/C adapter, and seems to be a high quality digital scale for a very reasonable price. If I was going to take a chance on a scale that was under $100, that's the one I'd try.

 

[RandyP]

I'll throw in that my MTM DS1250 seems to handle its limited duties just fine. Everything of course is relative, and directly proportional to individual needs?

I load on a turret and accept the very slight variance that comes with each powder throw. Doubtless folks using progressives have the need to compromise even more to maintain that 600 rounds per hour count?

I am loading 3 pistol calibers with the same powder (Win 231), shoot plated or FMJ and only load to the low-mid range in the tables. I recreationally target shoot only (no competitions or 1000 yard tournaments), and I have yet to create a load that did not satisfactorily kill a paper zombie. My accuracy needs are met well using this scale and my press' powder dispenser device, heck they'd be met just fine using Lee dippers.

Would I consider upgrading to a $ three figure scale? not bloody likely. I'll use the money instead to get components and pay my indoor range fees.

Do you realistically need uber-accurate powder charge weighing for every brass case you fill? Then the answer is simple, you need to spend the bucks and buy that uber-accurate scale. Different tools for different needs.

IMHO reloading is only rocket surgery if you are actually building a rocket that needs an operation. For many, many shooters (well, at least me-lol) there is such a thing as 'close enough is good enough'.

It's all good and we're all in this thing together.

 

[Offfhand]

Most of the bad reports about digital scales come from people who thought they were buying a "good" cheap scale. Where I work we use digital scales made by Denver Instruments, costing several hundred$$. We never turn them off and verify with check weights regularly. They are always spot on.

 

[Jeff H]

Hi, KBintheSLC. Does this Electronic Digital Carat Scale meets your need? Its price $32.69. I found it when i was surfing just now. Hope this helps!

I doubt the OP is still looking after 7 months, but you never know.

 

[Seedtick]

I doubt the OP is still looking after 7 months, but you never know.

Well, if he wants a good digital scale for less than $50.....he may still be.

ST

 

[Radaray]

The Midway February sale flyer #272 shows a Frankford Arsenal DS-750 digital scale with a 750 grain capacity @ 1/10 grain accuracy. Sale priced at $19.99 (Reg $36.99) Measures in grains, grams, carats, or ounces. Comes with powder pan, calibration weight, and carry pouch.

KBintheSLC asked for information on a good digital scale for $50.00 or less. With his 2000+ posts here, I assume he was serious with his quest~~~or was he? One reply was "There is no such thing." Another to that one was "How many have you tested?"

It comes with a calibration weight~~~so? Under an ideal environment, I can see no problem with this type of scale for most applications. Perhaps this would be a good project for Kludge to check out. See if measures up to its hype.

 

[Radaray]

The Midway February sale flyer #272 shows a Frankford Arsenal DS-750 digital scale with a 750 grain capacity @ 1/10 grain accuracy. Sale priced at $19.99 (Reg $36.99) Measures in grains, grams, carats, or ounces. Comes with powder pan, calibration weight, and carry pouch.

KBintheSLC asked for information on a good digital scale for $50.00 or less. With his 2000+ posts here, I assume he was serious with his quest~~~or was he? One reply was "There is no such thing." Another to that one was "How many have you tested?"

It comes with a calibration weight~~~so? Under an ideal environment, I can see no problem with this type of scale for most applications. Perhaps this would be a good project for Kludge to check out. See if measures up to its hype.

 

[SSN Vet]

I'm in charge of testing a little spring mass instrument as part of a product line improvement at work. We bought a $400 Vicon Acculab scale (which is their economy model). It measures mass in some 15 different units, several of which I'd never even heard of. In grains it measures to the hundredths place.

Of course, I couldn't resist checking several test weights against my humble little Lee Safety Scale at home. And I was quite surpised to see that the Lee scale was dead on with everything I measured.

Point... less money doesn't necessarilly imply poor function.

and... with any instrument, you need to have the ability to verify it (test weights) and be familiar enough with it to identify errant readings.

 

[aerod1]

I know the OP stated digital scales under $50.00. How about under $100.00. Question: does anybody utilize the CABELA'S XT-1500 digital scale? $79.95, worth it? accurate? I know it's 9 volt and AC adapted. Anybody? Thanks!

Yes, I have been using the Cabela's XT-1500 for over a year. It works great for me and I continually spot check it's accuracy by comparing with my balance beam.
It just continues to measure correctly and does not drift. I do not have to continually recalibrate like on some others. I personally think it is a great scale.

 

[kludge]

I've recently purchased another "bargain scale" that I found on the internet for ~$23.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10515

It's exactly the same as one commonly seen on e-bay for much more except for the brand name is not the same.

I haven't had time to sit down with it and the Ohaus in my lab to check it thouroughly, but one quick check weight measurement showed it within 0.003g (~0.05 grains) of the Ohaus using a 10g check weight.

The only problem so far is the weighing pan it comes with isn't perfectly use friendly (it's small).

 

[jfh]

Here's two observations I have about these cheaper scales.

you may choose to consider these observations as fact, or opinion--doesn't matter to me.

1. The Cheaper Electronic Scales that have no provisions for alternate / AC power probably do not have a voltage-drop compensating 'circuit', either, to deal with accuracy variance when a battery gets low.

Do I know this for a fact? Not entirely--only from limited anecdotal observations (three different cheap scales), and from my experience in buying and importing other 'cheaper' Chinese-made electronics products (micro-computer PSU, in both name and no-name models.) Hell, the importer / seller may not know the changes being cheated into the product he thinks he's buying when he places his second order.​

If these cheaper units do not have control for voltage drop, then AC power converters will probably supply more consistent power as the house power supplier does regulate this fairly carefully.

Personally, I prefer a scale that is supplied with the scale. It may just be bias on my part, but I'd like to believe that importers providing both the sale and adapter together are at least buying some sort of compatible / matched product.​

That Cabela's scale looks good, and is probably a good starting point. The E. Arthur Brown Company (EABCO) has a scale that is much cheaper--does NOT have a converter input, but it does use 3AAA batteries for power--which should be a power supply more stable and longer-lasting than the scales using button batteries. I haven't tried it--but the company is older and reliable; you might want to look it up.

And, finally, as SSN Vet points out, the $30.00 Lee scale is quite accurate. Many people find it frustrating to use--but, once you learn the tricks for using it, it's fine. It just can't do some of the things the electronics can do.

Jim H.

 

[kludge]

And, finally, as SSN Vet points out, the $30.00 Lee scale is quite accurate.

Agreed.

As for the voltage drop compensation, I would not be too worried about this as long as you have a trusted check weight to calibrate the scale with before each use and a different weight (somwhere around 20gr, splitting the difference between rifle and pistol charge weights) so you can track the drift and replace the batteries when needed.

it does use 3AAA batteries for power--which should be a power supply more stable and longer-lasting than the scales using button batteries.

Also look into using lithium batteries which have a flatter discharge curve than other types.