how often are you guys calibrating your digital scales? mine came with a 100 gram weight to use to calibrate it with. should i be doing it before loading each batch? or can i just put it on the scale to make sure it still reads the correct weight and then proceed to do my work.
how often to calibrate digital scale?
- Thread starter uchi
- Start date
justsomeguy
Regular
- Location
- Calgary-ish
Chargemaster can drift so I check every 25-30 ends for plinkers, call every 100 or so. More if I'm doing precision stuff. Also turn it on well before I start as the batcave can be a bit cool and want to give the electronics time to warm up.
YES, that is what i do. But how much deviation is acceptable?
acceptable is 100g +/- .003 grams (not grains). that is 3 milligrams.
I know a normal pistol load is 4.1 gr = 0.265675 g or 0.265 grams. most scales accuracy is .002 to .003 grams (2 or 3 milligrams).
ANSWER: i would put the weight on and check it each time you do a batch. your balance SHOULD read 100.000 grams but wont. it may be 99.998 or 100.003. both of these are acceptable to me. If your off by more, then go and do the calibration procedure. Note. turn scale on, warm up, no drafts in room, scale level on sturdy table. Keep the calibration weight clean (use gloves to handle).
I have a LNL auto charge powder dispenser, i calibrate it before each loading session, takes 20 seconds.
im using a hornady scale, problem is it turns on and then auto offs if i leave it on too long. ill check the manual to see if theres a way to have it stay on. the auto off gets a little annoying when i have powder ready to go and it shuts off on me. i work in the corner of my laundry room, no windows or doors open in that area and i like to keep it ahead of me so that i dont have an eye lash or anything fall in to the mix. just being cautious in that way i guess. i checked it last night and it was at 100.000 grams right on the nose.
thanks for the replies
thanks for the replies
Calibrate evry time you pull it out, only takes a few seconds and will account for variations in placement. I have the LNL that came with the scale too and this is what I do. I've tried weighing before and after a calibration and there is definately a difference
I had a problem with the small rcbs digital scale 'floating'. I let it warm up a little and tap the platter and that settles it out. It never worked with batteries but rcbs seems uninterested with making that right. Oh well, I use it plugged in. I always calibrate it before each session.
For my 45ACP I have a piece of brass that is weight each time to verify scale is consistent. I then dump 4 loads into it, weight, divide by 4 to ensure my Hornady LNL is dropping consistent powder.
Getting absolute accuracy is hard without lab grade tools so I settle for consistent.
Getting absolute accuracy is hard without lab grade tools so I settle for consistent.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
every time you pull it out and if loading a few,,,even during use.
good to know thats guys. i zero the scale with the pan on it each time it turns on so that isnt an issue, also make sure to clean the inside of the pan with a cloth as it seems to accumulate dust and has actually caused the scale to read a little heavy at zero. just enough to throw it off
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I have a ChargeMaster Combo that I unplug when not in use so I rezero every time I use it. Still kept my old Lyman balance beam scale so I check it ferquently and to date, 'runs like a dream'.
