what's the best digital caliper and digital scale for the money?

[Glock702]

Hello I am new to reloading and have minimal experience and would appreciate some insight on what the best digital caliper is for the money. I took a shot and purchased a Neiko 01407A on Amazon for $20. It does not read accurately and will be returning it. Any recommendations as to which digital caliper and digital scale is best for the money? I am looking at the RCBS electronic digital scale for $70.

 

[mcb]

Mitutoyo Digital Calipers, Solar Powered. More accurate then you need for reloading and will never need batteries. They are excellent.

I have an old RCBS digital scale that has been very consistent and reliable for me.

 

[Skgreen]

I have an inexpensive digital caliper. I use an inexpensive dial caliper and have no desire to go back to a digital.
I have a RCBS beam scale. Haven't used it in a long time as I use the scale feature on my RCBS digital dispenser. (The dispenser feature comes in handy too! )

FWIW - Calipers - I am of the opinion 'a couple thousandths' of an inch is a big thing in some situations. A person who is new to reloading, or perhaps not into 'extreme' reloading, will not (should not) be exposed to that type of situation if they follow safe reloading procedures.

As always,,,,, YMMV

 

[crestoncowboy]

I prefer dial calipers and beam scales, and ive been reloading many years. We used to use mitutoyo or starrett at my plant, but with better manufacturing in the last 15 years I see lesser brands as just as good and wouldn't complain about anyone using them. The starrett seem to hold up better to drops and bumps than the mitu though (in an industrial setting they happen, shouldn't happen much if at all in reloading), if you just want a high end caliper. I have starrett tools in a box maybe 10 feet from my reloading bench, but I use a dial caliper that came with a press set many years ago for case/ bullet measuring. If I wanted more precision I'd go to a micrometer rather than a better caliper, and it certainly wouldn't be digital. But for reloading its certainly not needed. Brass nor bullets are held to a close enough tolerance too need such precise tools.

As far as digital scales ohaus is about the cheapest I'd go if I wanted precision weights. We have multi thousand dollar hooded and certified monthly ohaus units at work that I don't know if I would trust over a mediocre balance beam. I owned a pact 2 that was inconsistent if left on. I have an rcbs scale/ trickler that is ok, but still use a good beam scale for precision. I use the beam to check my throws on my progressive presses, I only use the rcbs for throwing mid range hunting loads.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Skgreen posted while I was typing, but pretty much summed up what I was saying

 

[Skgreen]

[QUOTE="Skgreen, post: 10932714, member: 250497"]I have an inexpensive digital caliper. I use an inexpensive dial caliper and have no desire to go back to a digital.
I have a RCBS beam scale. Haven't used it in a long time as I use the scale feature on my RCBS digital dispenser. (The dispenser feature comes in handy too! )

FWIW - Calipers - I am of the opinion 'a couple thousandths' of an inch is a big thing in some situations. A person who is new to reloading, or perhaps not into 'extreme' reloading, will not (should not) be exposed to that type of situation if they follow safe reloading procedures.

As always,,,,, YMMV[/QUOTE]

And WELCOME to the forum, 702!

 

[cheygriz]

I prefer a beam scale, but whatever you decide, make sure to get a set of quality check weights,

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to THR.

For reloading, many have won matches, even long range 1000 yard Palma matches using .1 gr resolution Ohaus 10-10 beam scales and .001" resolution dial calipers for decades.

IMHO, regardless of brand or price, scales and calipers (whether digital or analog) SHOULD consistently and accurately measure to .1 gr and .001" verified by check weights and pin gages in the range they are used.

Not the "best" but these are certainly good and consistent enough for reloading and used for my testing for various THR load developments and myth busting threads - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10780101


I have been using Harbor Freight digital calipers for several years and it consistently verifies Vermont Class ZZ +/- pin gages (.355/.400"/.451") and feeler gages. Comes with lifetime warranty (and HF regularly offers 20% off coupon) - https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-...sae-and-metric-fractional-readings-63731.html

I also like dial calipers as they do not require batteries. I now use Frankford Arsenal dial calipers bought 2 years ago as my primary bench calipers. It feels firm and smooth without play. It verifies Vermont Class ZZ +/- pin gages consistently - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10523549

As to scales, I like .1 gr resolution Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 scales but for digital scales, $20 Gemini-20 scale outweighed other more expensive scales down to 5 mg (.077 gr) Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights in the "Myth Busting Digital Scales" thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revisited-myth-busting-digital-scales.821449/

American Weigh Gemini-20 has small platform and small pan. Here's a different model from Smart Weigh with larger flat platform compatible with powder pans (I have not tested this model) - https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-GEM20-Precision-Milligram/dp/B00ESHDGOI

At the recommendation of many members, I bought and tested WAOAW digital scale. While not as sensitive as Gemini-20 scale, it was accurate to .1 gr consistently. It is sold by many others - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q44TC9/ref=psdc_678508011_t1_B071WTJNYG

Many reloaders are happy with Gem Pro 250 digital scale - https://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-SCGEMPRO250-GemPro-0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA


Regardless of calipers or scale you end up with, I highly recommend the use of pin gages and check weights in the ranges you are using. Vermont Class ZZ pin gages are $3-$5 each and low cost way to verify the accuracy and consistency of calipers -https://www.zoro.com/search?q=vermont+pin+gage

Most reloader's check weight sets only go down to .5 gr. Since you are looking at digital scales, you can buy $11 miligram check weight set that goes down to 1 mg (and use 1 mg = .015 gr conversion) - https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-Calibration-WGHTKIT/dp/B003STEJAC

I use Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weight set I bought from Zoro (Division of Grainger) for $50. It is now $81 - https://www.grainger.com/product/OHAUS-500mg-to-1mg-Calibration-Weight-5RDA0

 

[Nature Boy]

Many reloaders are happy with Gem Pro 250 digital scale - https://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-SCGEMPRO250-GemPro-0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA

Count me as one of those

 

[gsbuickman]

6 to 8 months ago I bought up everything a cool ol' 88 yr old Vet had for his reloading setup as a package deal to help him out. I went thru it, sorted it out and figured out what was there and what I still needed to get things set up so I could start reloading myself. I jumped on eBay with the list of stuff I needed and ordered several things including an entry level Lee balance beam type powder scale, a 150mm (6") digital caliper that measures in mm & inches and a Mini CD digital scale (model MCD-100) made by American weight scales as well as some loading blocks, primer Trey , a powder funnel and a few other miscellaneous thingsthings just to get started.

The Lee powder scale is accurate and extremely sensitive but I've also added an Ohaus 5-10 balance beam scale to my bench since then . The 150mm digital caliper I bought may have been cheap but it's close enough for Horseshoes and Hand Grenades and it's accurate enough & consistent enough for any general reloading purposes and I verify it with Factory loaded ammunition from time to time and it seems to be spot on thus far , but I will be adding a dial Caliper to my bench soon to go with it. The digital scale that I bought has been surprisingly accurate and consistent enough to make match grade ammo with and I also bought a set of digital scale check weights to test it with occasionally . I'm planning on ordering a Truweight CL-100 as a backup scale for my bench because I know several people using them and they swear by them.

 

[AZAndy]

Funny you should mention-- my Frankford Arsenal digital quit today after ten years, and I replaced it with a Lyman Micro-Touch 1500. So far, I like it better, but I've only used it a day.

 

[brutus51]

Both Starrett and Brown&sharpe make top quality calipers. I too prefer a dial over digital because I've seen electronics go out of calibration
unexpectedly. I use a digital scale but only as a brain checker, my balance beam is the one I go by.

 

[Glock702]

Welcome to THR.

For reloading, many have won matches, even long range 1000 yard Palma matches using .1 gr resolution Ohaus 10-10 beam scales and .001" resolution dial calipers for decades.

IMHO, regardless of brand or price, scales and calipers (whether digital or analog) SHOULD consistently and accurately measure to .1 gr and .001" verified by check weights and pin gages in the range they are used.

Not the "best" but these are certainly good and consistent enough for reloading and used for my testing for various THR load developments and myth busting threads - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10780101


I have been using Harbor Freight digital calipers for several years and it consistently verifies Vermont Class ZZ +/- pin gages (.355/.400"/.451") and feeler gages. Comes with lifetime warranty (and HF regularly offers 20% off coupon) - https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-...sae-and-metric-fractional-readings-63731.html

I also like dial calipers as they do not require batteries. I now use Frankford Arsenal dial calipers bought 2 years ago as my primary bench calipers. It feels firm and smooth without play. It verifies Vermont Class ZZ +/- pin gages consistently - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10523549

As to scales, I like .1 gr resolution Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 scales but for digital scales, $20 Gemini-20 scale outweighed other more expensive scales down to 5 mg (.077 gr) Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights in the "Myth Busting Digital Scales" thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revisited-myth-busting-digital-scales.821449/

American Weigh Gemini-20 has small platform and small pan. Here's a different model from Smart Weigh with larger flat platform compatible with powder pans (I have not tested this model) - https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-GEM20-Precision-Milligram/dp/B00ESHDGOI

At the recommendation of many members, I bought and tested WAOAW digital scale. While not as sensitive as Gemini-20 scale, it was accurate to .1 gr consistently. It is no longer sold but there are many others - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q44TC9/ref=psdc_678508011_t1_B071WTJNYG

Many reloaders are happy with Gem Pro 250 digital scale - https://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-SCGEMPRO250-GemPro-0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA


Regardless of calipers or scale you end up with, I highly recommend the use of pin gages and check weights in the ranges you are using. Vermont Class ZZ pin gages are $3-$5 each and low cost way to verify the accuracy and consistency of calipers -https://www.zoro.com/search?q=vermont+pin+gage

Most reloader's check weight sets go down to .5 gr. Since you are looking at digital scales, you can buy $11 miligram check weight sets that go down to 1 mg (and use 1 mg = .015 gr conversion) - https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-Calibration-WGHTKIT/dp/B003STEJAC

I use Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weight set I bought from Zoro (Division of Grainger). It is now $81 - https://www.grainger.com/product/OHAUS-500mg-to-1mg-Calibration-Weight-5RDA0

Hey thanks for the welcome everyone and great recommendations so far, I actually ordered the WAOAW scale off Amazon, must be back in stock. it seems very accurate after testing it, I have yet to use it though. The problem I'm having is when I measure a 9mm case for example it should read 19.15 (.754), but it reads 18.85 (.7420) for a non chamfered/deburred case. I know you mentioned unless i'm shooting precision long range shooting, the .1g should not make a difference. Does that apply to this as well?

 

[Skgreen]

Unless the case in question has previously been verified @ 0.754, it may not measure 0.754
Pistol brass 'generally' shrinks with use, bottleneck brass generally grows.
Even 'factory new' brass can vary from one to the next.

 

[Blue68f100]

Brass is normally on the short side. You need to use std to check calibration. I can say I've never seen pistol that was full lenth Max spec new. Most come in the middle at trim-to length. Straight wall brass shrinks every time you fire it.

 

[rg1]

These calipers from this company. Too many fake Chinese knock-offs out there. Want a good deal on a wonderful scale dispenser then get a RCBS Chargemaster Lite. Good scale and dispenses accurate powder charges too. Lots of cheap calipers eat batteries. Use them today and the next loading session the batteries are dead. Most cheap calipers do not ever turn off, just the display turns off.
https://www.msi-viking.com/Mitutoyo_500-196-30_6-Inch_Absolute_Digital_Caliper

 

[Skgreen]

I have a Charge Master Lite and I've been very happy with it.

I have a special reason why I like dial calipers,,,, I tend to get dyslexic every now and then,,, Once I get rolling with a bunch of repetitive measuring , there's just something about glancing at the position of the needle on a dial vs. reading a combination of digits that very seldom seem to be EXACTLY the same,,,,,

Even on a good day, my numbers can get sideways.

 

[Walkalong]

Unless the case in question has previously been verified @ 0.754, it may not measure 0.754

Yep.

You need to use std to check calibration.

Yep again. Or pin gauges will work for less than ultra precise work (Like measuring a case).



.308 pin gauge +.0000/ - .0002 (You can barely see it on the gauge.)

Welcome to THR.

 

[Glock702]

Brass is normally on the short side. You need to use std to check calibration. I can say I've never seen pistol that was full lenth Max spec new. Most come in the middle at trim-to length. Straight wall brass shrinks every time you fire it.

what do you mean by, "you need to use std to check calibration"?

 

[LiveLife]

"Standard" is calibrated pin gage or gage block used to verify accuracy of calipers (like check weights for scales).

While we could use gage blocks to verify accuracy of calipers, for reloading with cylindrical bullets, I prefer to use pin gages (to get the same "feel" of calipers closing on the round cylinders) in the range of calibers I am reloading.

,400" pin gage for 40S&W - https://www.zoro.com/vermont-gage-p...ass-zz-blox-911240000/i/G0688600/?q=911240000

.451" pin gage for 45ACP - https://www.zoro.com/vermont-gage-pin-gage-4510-minus-class-zz-blox-911245100/i/G3510577/

 

[Drail]

Analog all the way. Quality tools don't run on batteries. Almost all new brass that I have bought in the last 30 years has been shorter than min. length. As long as they're all the same they're fine.

 

[Glock702]

Analog all the way. Quality tools don't run on batteries. Almost all new brass that I have bought in the last 30 years has been shorter than min. length. As long as they're all the same they're fine.

that's good advice thanks

 

[Varminterror]

Mitutoyo for me.

 

[jmorris]

I have $10 harbor freight calipers that are accurate according to my micrometer standards.

That said, they digital are really only “better” for differential measurements, where you “zero” from an arbitrary point and measure from there.

Dials are reasonably easy to read and much more reliable, 2nd only to vernier calipers but you need to be “old school” to read them.

If your are wanting “accuracy” calipers are the wrong tool anyway. In any case “standards” are of equal importance as the instrument. Unless you just like to blindly trust things.

 

[Drail]

I have Mitutoyo and Starret and won't mess with anything else. Chinese precision measuring tools are only good enough for building Chinese junk. jmorris, here in America almost everybody blindly trusts things or doesn't even ask questions.