Looking to get a digital reloading scale
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You probably want a lab-quality scale. Here's one that seems to get a lot of mentions:
A&D FX-120i
http://balance.balances.com/scales/1223
I would not go with any of the scales marketed by the reloading manufacturers. There is no guarantee that a $300+ scale from the usual suspects is any different mechanically or electronically than the $30-$50 pocket-sized scales you see hanging on the racks at the local gun shop.
If you are serious about digital, look for one that has some sort of lab-grade certification.
Just some thoughts.
A&D FX-120i
http://balance.balances.com/scales/1223
I would not go with any of the scales marketed by the reloading manufacturers. There is no guarantee that a $300+ scale from the usual suspects is any different mechanically or electronically than the $30-$50 pocket-sized scales you see hanging on the racks at the local gun shop.
If you are serious about digital, look for one that has some sort of lab-grade certification.
Just some thoughts.
A&D FX-120i. Great scale for the money, under $1K when I got mine. The next closest I was considering was the Sartorius, but it went $`1400 +. and go on up from there!
Love it. Got mine from Cambridge Scientific. They had a deal for shooters a year ago, maybe still do. Came in around $900-$950 shipped if I recall correctly. I also bought a 100g check weight from them. They have the ridiculously expensive kind, ASTM certified and all that, or more reasonably priced options. Great scale, resolves to .02 G (grains). A kernel of H4350 weighs .02 of a grain!
My friend just got one, I don't recall what he paid, he may chime in when back online.
Love it. Got mine from Cambridge Scientific. They had a deal for shooters a year ago, maybe still do. Came in around $900-$950 shipped if I recall correctly. I also bought a 100g check weight from them. They have the ridiculously expensive kind, ASTM certified and all that, or more reasonably priced options. Great scale, resolves to .02 G (grains). A kernel of H4350 weighs .02 of a grain!
My friend just got one, I don't recall what he paid, he may chime in when back online.
After well over 45 years of reloading using a Rockchucker press and a beam scale I bought a RCBS Chargemaster 1500.
And the Chargemaster is the best upgrade for reloading in all my years of reloading. It greatly speeded up my reloading process and the slowest part was weighing the powder.
While the Chargemaster it is weighing out the next charge, I'm filling the case with powder and seating the bullet and have trouble keeping up with it.
And the Chargemaster is the best upgrade for reloading in all my years of reloading. It greatly speeded up my reloading process and the slowest part was weighing the powder.
While the Chargemaster it is weighing out the next charge, I'm filling the case with powder and seating the bullet and have trouble keeping up with it.
the only accurate digital scale are the lab ones, NOT any cheap under $100, or even the ones in $300-600 sold by the reloading manufacturers. those ones($300-600) are good for regular range practice.
for long range precision shooting, it's better to go with the lab scale. Another cheap way to do it is to get a cheap digital scale and a decent beam scale to cross check each other. it's great for accuracy without breaking the bank.
for long range precision shooting, it's better to go with the lab scale. Another cheap way to do it is to get a cheap digital scale and a decent beam scale to cross check each other. it's great for accuracy without breaking the bank.
The Lyman Gen 6 works OK. It does have a bit of an issue with larger cylindrical powders like IMR 4350.
Benchrest shooters at my club use a varied assortment of scales. Some go by the beam scale, some the small "pocket sized" scale with a powder "trickler" on the side, and others have the RCBS Chargemaster 1500
Personal choice really
Benchrest shooters at my club use a varied assortment of scales. Some go by the beam scale, some the small "pocket sized" scale with a powder "trickler" on the side, and others have the RCBS Chargemaster 1500
Personal choice really
I have double checked RCBS charge master with AD FX120
I made the RCBS drop 10 charges. They all displayed 42.1gr on the RCBS, using varget powder.
I double checked these charges on FX120, they all varied between 42.04gr and 42.16gr
A kernel of varget weights close to 0.02gr
So Something made for reloaders (instead of scientists), can over/under throw by 2-3 kernels without noticing.
I made the RCBS drop 10 charges. They all displayed 42.1gr on the RCBS, using varget powder.
I double checked these charges on FX120, they all varied between 42.04gr and 42.16gr
A kernel of varget weights close to 0.02gr
So Something made for reloaders (instead of scientists), can over/under throw by 2-3 kernels without noticing.
Got a beam scale in the closet, yep never fails if something major would happen.
As long as the grid is working, I wouldn't shoot as much if I was hand trickling on a beam, too painfull for higher round counts.
As long as the grid is working, I wouldn't shoot as much if I was hand trickling on a beam, too painfull for higher round counts.
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I used to load on a Dillon Beam scale. I still have it in case the lights go out. Great scale and fairly consistent, but still not as consistent as the electronic scale. All my data available in non-electronic formats, so I can always load up. For competition I want as much consistency in my loads as I can get, and I want to eliminate wondering if one part of my system is letting me down. I know with the Electronic scale, my powder charges are as accurate as can be, to the kernel of powder.
One less variable to think about when trying to put all shots in the V-bull during a match.
One less variable to think about when trying to put all shots in the V-bull during a match.
Greenjoytj
Member
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
1+ for the RCBS Chargemaster. I am willing to accept that any charge weight it displays is not exact but is close enough (within .1) to stay within the MAP pressure limits. This machine really speeds up the powder dispensing operation. I also like that it displays a cartridge count dispensed. On time it said it had dispensed 49 loads but I had 50 ctg with bullets seated so I knew I goofed somewhere. Weighing all the ctgs I found the one that was too light and corrected it.
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