digital scale

The 'best' in terms of precision would be a laboratory scale. Acculab has a very cost efficient model, the VIC 303, which is accurate to within +/- 0.02 grains; most scales claim accuracy within +/- 0.1 gr. It does cost a few hundred dollars, but many people consider the powder charge to be the most important factor in reloading, so I think it is worth it. It is the only scale I have ever used for reloading. Lab scales in that range of precision are fairly limited in the weight you can place on them, ideal for reloading purposes, but don't plan on using it in the kitchen or for postage quotes.
 
Don't understand the fascination with digital scales. They are no more accurate or consistent than a good balance beam, at least as hard to calibrate, and far more susceptable to extraneous influences. And, since the world record holding bench rest shooters still measure, not weigh their loads, scales are only for setting powder measures, and re-checking sample loads to ensure the measure hasn't drifted. But, each to their own. If weighing powder to plus or minus .01 grains, without regard to varying moisture content makes you shoot better, get to it.
 
ykkid said:
They are no more accurate or consistent than a good balance beam, at least as hard to calibrate
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I have to disagree here. The VIC 303 model mentioned above is roughly ten times more accurate than the average balance scale. Cost limits how accurate a scale you can buy, and this is about the practical limit. Usually reloaders measure weight in grains, but for simplicity, the VIC 303 mentioned above is accurate to within +/- 0.001 gram, but lab scales can be as accurate as within 0.000001 gram. Of course a scale of that accuracy is completely impractical - you might be able to afford one if you sold your home, but you would still need to wait an hour for each measurement to be taken.

As for calibration - this takes about 15 seconds of your time once during initial setup. It involves pushing the "calibrate" button, placing a weight on the scale, waiting a few seconds until the calibration is complete, and then removing the weight.

ykkid said:
And, since the world record holding bench rest shooters still measure, not weigh their loads, scales are only for setting powder measures, and re-checking sample loads to ensure the measure hasn't drifted.
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Money can't buy you shooting ability, but a lab scale can save you a lot of time. Not everyone uses a powder measure, and those that do still need a scale. You can also weigh brass, bullets or whatever you please if you are using cheaper components.

Buying a digital scale won't make me a better shooter, but I would be that much crappier without one.
 
LloydM said:
I have to disagree here. The VIC 303 model mentioned above is roughly ten times more accurate than the average balance scale. Cost limits how accurate a scale you can buy, and this is about the practical limit. Usually reloaders measure weight in grains, but for simplicity, the VIC 303 mentioned above is accurate to within +/- 0.001 gram, but lab scales can be as accurate as within 0.000001 gram. Of course a scale of that accuracy is completely impractical - you might be able to afford one if you sold your home, but you would still need to wait an hour for each measurement to be taken.

As for calibration - this takes about 15 seconds of your time once during initial setup. It involves pushing the "calibrate" button, placing a weight on the scale, waiting a few seconds until the calibration is complete, and then removing the weight.


Money can't buy you shooting ability, but a lab scale can save you a lot of time. Not everyone uses a powder measure, and those that do still need a scale. You can also weigh brass, bullets or whatever you please if you are using cheaper components.

Buying a digital scale won't make me a better shooter, but I would be that much crappier without one.
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x2..I started to hate reloading because of the time I was consuming using a beam..I now use a Chargemaster way more fun.
 
ykkid said:
Don't understand the fascination with digital scales. They are no more accurate or consistent than a good balance beam, at least as hard to calibrate, and far more susceptable to extraneous influences. And, since the world record holding bench rest shooters still measure, not weigh their loads, scales are only for setting powder measures, and re-checking sample loads to ensure the measure hasn't drifted. But, each to their own. If weighing powder to plus or minus .01 grains, without regard to varying moisture content makes you shoot better, get to it.
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Bout says it IMHO. Takes seconds to set up a beam and you don't need to re-cal every time the dog farts.
 
The following electronic scales I own and have used with a note of my opinions on them FWIW.
Note ALL electronic scales to ensure proper accuracy and to maintain accuracy should be
1. set up on a solid vibration free level surface (can get 80lb flat surface slab from BusyBee Tools)
2.Best used in a controlled temp/humidity and draft free zone
3.Use "clean" power source (power filter stops spikes and reduces drifting)

Pact Electronic scale & Auto powder dispenser.-Best with extruded powders and speed of use is increased by throwing initial charge and letting the unit top up.Measures to +/- .1g
For average loading purposes in volume it's ok but there will be "drifting" so recommend
checking values every 10th round.
This is easily done once change weight for volume loads is chosen,I make a test weight to the exact charge weight desired and label it for reference checks.

Denver Instruments MXX-123 scale -measures to .02G and I've found it to be as accurate as it's claims. Again, it is subject to drifting and a regular zeroing and weight test is recommended .Performs best once it has "warmed" up for at least 1 hour.
It is a valid accurate scale for it's pricing.It's a little slower to finalize weight than the Ohaus.

OHAUS Precision Standard electronic ..Not inexpensive but laboratory quality scale.Not necessary for the average reloader but for those who demand accuracy,little to no drift and speed,this is one heck of a scale.

I use balance beam scales at the range and set up as best it can be.Test weights and zeroing done but no "controlled" environment as at home.These are used to develop loads and when the magic is found,I save a couple of loaded weights to verify on home scale.I have tested the RCBS and The Hornady balance beams with the Ohaus and found that they can drift more that the +/- .1 and have seen variances up to .5g.

When I shoot Benchrest , I have volumetric loaded(thrown charges) ,as most do at matches.
However I have proven to myself and others, that PRE loading at home by weight consistently produced smaller groups than volumetric at matches.Although loading AT matches allows one to adjust loads per conditions,the preloaded rounds by weight still produced better results.

For scales (electronic or balance beam) choose what works best for your needs.
Precision tools albeit mechanical or electronic will always cost more and when used properly, should not cause any grief. Measurements should be repeatable or the tool is unusable.
Gord O
 
Go down to your local "head shop" and check out pricing for a .01gm accuracy model which also has a grain scale; they have to be accurate & reliable for their intended use & trade!
 
For most of us I would go with the RCBS Chargemaster Combo. I use mine when loading large stick powders that don't meter well in my Dillon or when checking my Dillon loads. They may not be any more accurate than a balance beam scale like the one I used for years but they are a lot faster and easier to use.

Take Care

Bob
 
Get an Acculab VIC 123 and never look back, this scale almost too accurate and could drive a person with OCD nuts.

In regards to balance beam vs. digital - I heard the exact same arguement against optical sights on rifles a long time ago from the old timers at the deer camp when I was cutting my teeth - eventually in a period over 40 years they all got scopes on their rifles. Funny how time eases the devils work.
 
My Acculab measures to an individual piece of Varget. For Target and Long range loads it's excellent. I run it through an electrical filter and place it under a clear plastic rubbermaid with a hole in the side for my hand to remove air movement.

Now, for high volume loading....no
 
Do you all keep your powder in a controlled atmoshpere? Opening the factory container, and allowing the moisture content to stabilize - I have no idea how long this would take, but weeks, likely. Else, your weight measurements to the minutest portion of a microgram are simply weighing differing amounts of water. After the seal on a can of powder has been broken, a load thrown together that day will produce a different pressure curve than a load weighed once the can has been stored, seal broken, in a dry atmosphere - like my basement in January, - or in a humid atmosphere, like my basement after the summer from Hades. Even us old fogies know water don't make bullets go.
 
ykkid said:
Do you all keep your powder in a controlled atmoshpere? Opening the factory container, and allowing the moisture content to stabilize - I have no idea how long this would take, but weeks, likely. Else, your weight measurements to the minutest portion of a microgram are simply weighing differing amounts of water. After the seal on a can of powder has been broken, a load thrown together that day will produce a different pressure curve than a load weighed once the can has been stored, seal broken, in a dry atmosphere - like my basement in January, - or in a humid atmosphere, like my basement after the summer from Hades. Even us old fogies know water don't make bullets go.
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No I don't, I just set it up and go. I don't pretend to be an instrument tech. but I don't believe moisture is a problem for a scale - moisture would be more of a problem for your powder as you mentioned. If you kept your powder open to the air it might absorb some moisture and weigh heavier than it should due to the added water content (not to mention ignition properties). If you weighed the same sample in summer, never used the scale again until winter and reweighed your sample it might display a different reading. But if you had callibrated the scale before each season you should get the same reading, despite the different conditions.

If your empty weight ever falls off 0 a decimal point or so (as will often happen, then just hit the 'zero' button and go back to your business. If you are ever worried that something has went out of spec. (knocked it hard, overloaded the tray, etc.) just do a quick recallibration.

I think dust build up on the weighing tray is the only problem to worry about, but most good models come with a dust cover for when the scale is not in use, and you can always blow or wipe the tray off before using it.

You would be suprised how much abuse these scales can take - if you have ever taken a first year chemistry course in university then I am sure your confidence in such scales is much higher.
 
ykkid said:
Else, your weight measurements to the minutest portion of a microgram are simply weighing differing amounts of water.
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Correct, but not important. The absolute amount of powder matters very little (once you get past finding the right load); it is the variance from case-to-case that counts (at long, >300 yard, range). So if your 50-round box has almost no variance and that's the box you use on match day, that's all you need.

If the next 50-round box is off by a tenth of a grain because of moisture, it will have no effect on the accuracy of the load. All that matters is that, within that box, the weights are almost identical.
 
Been using a Jennings MACK20. Has worked nicely for me and is well priced.

No where near as good as an Acculab but also 1/3 the price.

Give me a shout and I will send you the link for the company in Vanc that sells them. Crappy communications as in NONE but they ship fast.

There are other gem scales to look at for more money.

The MACK does what I need it to do.

Jerry
 
I picked up a Frankford Arsenal digital scale at WSS for about $50. It claims accuracy to .1 grain which is the same as the Lee balance beam. This thing is way quicker though and thus would also allow me to sort bullets and brass by weight to when I have one of those OCD days. It uses batteries so no worries about power really. It is also very small. I don't reload in volume and don't shoot over 300 yards so this just makes life a little easier and perhaps a tad more accurate. I think there are other variables in reloading than have more effect than a .1 grain charge variance. There is more variance than that bullet to bullet in a box.
 
I picked up a Hornady GS when it was on sale at Graf's. It does the job, but something tells me that my LnL Powder measure loaded with N320 is unlikely to go from 3.4gr to 3.6gr in two consecutive throws. It is probably the scale that is messing with me, and since I have OCD it does drive me insane. ;)

Lately I started weighing 5 or 10 consecutive throws together so that at least the average weight is closer to the one intended.

Having said that, a variance of +/- 0.1gr is probably irrelevant for pistol reloading. What can I say, OCD is a #####...
 
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