Digital scale drift...what digi scale are you using?

I must be the odd man out here because I use a Pact scale and dispenser. I do not leave it plugged in but I do let it warm up for about 15 minutes before I start. Calibrate it using the check weights and never had a problem with drift or error messages unless I bump my bench or try to resize a cartridge while the dispenser is running.
 
Shooter1971 said:
If you are a competition benchrest shooter and shooting over 400 yards the FX-120i is NOT what you want to buy since you will be ± 1 or 2 kernels of powder. You either want a Prometheus powder measure or the Sartorius Entris64-1S.

A single kernel of Varget weighs ± 0.02 grains and the FX-120i increments in 0.02 grain divisions (0.02 gn > 0.04 gn > 0.06 gn, etc) and the linearity (or accuracy) is ± two(2) divisions or ± 0.04 grains. When shooting .308 ammo, on average, a single kernel of Varget roughly changes the velocity by 1.3 fps. So just a few kernels of variation can easily double the extreme spread in velocity. Out to 500+- yards it does not seem to make much difference, but beyond that and things can get ugly fast. Buying the right balance is just another tool to put more bullets closer to the desired point of impact.

It's all a matter of perspective and at what level one wishes to perform. Buy the FX-120i and it is a good weighing device but it is doubtful you are not going to win shooting competitions. Any way one looks at it, serious long-range shooting is not cheap. In their world, it often comes down to one point or even one "X" between winning or not.
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yeah it depends how much you want to spend I guess.
 
I've got a couple of Chinese made jewel scales. Had them 6 years now. Cost $50 each. They are good to 1/50th of a grain, or .02 grain, so wind up using tweezers to adjust the final particles of Varget.

I start a session by weighing calibration weights. Then, I always crosscheck each load between both scales. If the amounts match within .02 Grain, I'm good to go. If there's a difference of .04 or more, I start again.

I believe that Sinclair now sells them for $150 US each under the brandname Gempro 250. For the precision I need, I wouldn't trust a single one for an accuracy of .02Grain. However, a single one would certainly be consistent within .06 Grain, which is still double the accuracy of your typical production electronic scales made by Hornady or Lyman.

I get competitive accuracy at 900 meters shooting Berger 155.5G Fullbore Target.
 
Shooter1971 said:


A single kernel of Varget weighs ± 0.02 grains and the FX-120i increments in 0.02 grain divisions (0.02 gn > 0.04 gn > 0.06 gn, etc) and the linearity (or accuracy) is ± two(2) divisions or ± 0.04 grains. When shooting .308 ammo, on average, a single kernel of Varget roughly changes the velocity by 1.3 fps. So just a few kernels of variation can easily double the extreme spread in velocity. Out to 500+- yards it does not seem to make much difference, but beyond that and things can get ugly fast. Buying the right balance is just another tool to put more bullets closer to the desired point of impact.
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According to JBM Ballistics, a 4 fps (3 Varget particles) difference at 900 meters is a total grand diffference of one inch. I believe that's 1/10th of an MOA.

Given the variabilities such as wind, getting an expensive lab scale more accurate than .02 grain might not be cost beneficial. There may be better ways of investing your money that may prove more beneficial in improving accuracy.
 
At 900m its really hard to hit a target with a 308 anyway because of wind and range uncetainty.
If your target is plus or minus 1 meter you will miss it by much more than 1 inch anyway.
Irrelevant unless you are competing world class target and absolutely need to minimize vertical to win an x.

Real world 308 is more like 800m max.
 
goggles said:
According to JBM Ballistics, a 4 fps (3 Varget particles) difference at 900 meters is a total grand diffference of one inch. I believe that's 1/10th of an MOA.

Given the variabilities such as wind, getting an expensive lab scale more accurate than .02 grain might not be cost beneficial. There may be better ways of investing your money that may prove more beneficial in improving accuracy.
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Agreed.
Any precision gained by fussing over 1/10th MOA is insignificant if you miss a wind call.
 
Got Juice? said:
I have been using a Frankford Arsenal and (touch wood) I have yet to experience any drift or recal issues..... but man it chews through AAA batteries like they are M&M's
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Maybe I got lucky too because my DS-750 has no drift issues after initial 3-4 minutes warm up.
I also turn light off immediately, so battery lasts for more then 6 month now.
 
I was interested in a reasonably priced electronic scale but after many red flags popped up from hundreds of reviews covering most common brands, I discovered my 25-year-old Redding #2 was probably the best choice. It responds to every little kernel of H4831SC dropped into the pan. I keep it covered and dust the block and knives with a tiny little brush every now and then.
 
RaymondT said:
I was interested in a reasonably priced electronic scale but after many red flags popped up from hundreds of reviews covering most common brands, I discovered my 25-year-old Redding #2 was probably the best choice. It responds to every little kernel of H4831SC dropped into the pan. I keep it covered and dust the block and knives with a tiny little brush every now and then.
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That's my solution too. There is no replacement for a beam scale in my future.
 
transistor said:
Maybe I got lucky too because my DS-750 has no drift issues after initial 3-4 minutes warm up.
I also turn light off immediately, so battery lasts for more then 6 month now.
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I'll have to try that, but I like the backlight :) I was debating making a DC Adapter, but I think it is the power supply ripple that causes most scales to drift, and using an oscilloscope shows there might be something to that.

It appears direct DC from batteries is the best.
 
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Mine runs on button batteries which is a pain. But I just buy them in bulk off Amazon and end up changing them once a month or so. I always use the backlight as well.
 
A number of Competition F class shooters now use the FX120i. I use it and love it.

Started with a Lee balance beam... works just slow.

The the MACK20... not sure if made anymore. Worked very well and about as accurate as a beam scale properly set up.

Then the Gempro250... worked ok, drifts yes, will wear out... yes.

Then the FX120i..... works for a whole lot of us and we want itty bitty groups at 1000yds

Jerry
 
I threw 100 charges of varget with my rcbs charge master and verified with my fx120i...surprising results, many require no adjustment and the ones that did never more then a kernel of powder either way.

The articles below talks a bit about the technologies MFR vs load cell/strain gauge. I like having my FX-120i and I can weigh very fast by dropping and trickling, probably faster the charge master but a bit more labour intensive. I don't know if I should be happy that my charge master is so good or disappointed that it cost me 650$ to find that out lol. I believe another user posted a video sharing similar findings...ill try and find it.


http://balance.balances.com/scales/1223
 
Mystic Precision said:
A number of Competition F class shooters now use the FX120i. I use it and love it.

Started with a Lee balance beam... works just slow.

The the MACK20... not sure if made anymore. Worked very well and about as accurate as a beam scale properly set up.

Then the Gempro250... worked ok, drifts yes, will wear out... yes.

Then the FX120i..... works for a whole lot of us and we want itty bitty groups at 1000yds

Jerry
Click to expand...


I'm curious what wears out on the Gempro ?
 
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