Precision scales.
- Thread starter Longshot
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I have considered the AccuLab scale that Sinclair is selling. It claims an accuracy of 2/100 of a gr, has a percentage weight function for those who sort brass by weight, and a weight counting function that my or maynot be useful to those sorting bullets.
The reason I haven't bit is that when I handload match ammo I can keep my velocity deviation quite low, and that being the case the additional accuracy that a pricey scale is capable of delivering might not produce any measureable advantage over the run of the mil +/- .1 gr scales I currently use. It would be no faster either. Basically it seems to be a feel good product in that I would know that my powder charges were scaled as accurately as as possible, you would actually see a change in weight by adding or removing a single granual of extruded powder and that change could be detected accurately and repeatedly. This isn't an advantage I am willing to invest in at this time, particularly when I consider that it might even require more time to weigh out powder charges.
The reason I haven't bit is that when I handload match ammo I can keep my velocity deviation quite low, and that being the case the additional accuracy that a pricey scale is capable of delivering might not produce any measureable advantage over the run of the mil +/- .1 gr scales I currently use. It would be no faster either. Basically it seems to be a feel good product in that I would know that my powder charges were scaled as accurately as as possible, you would actually see a change in weight by adding or removing a single granual of extruded powder and that change could be detected accurately and repeatedly. This isn't an advantage I am willing to invest in at this time, particularly when I consider that it might even require more time to weigh out powder charges.
punkrockboy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern Bantario!
Natchez shooters supplies. I think its natchezss_com
I use an AccuLab scale that I bought from Sinclair's. Very accurate and does measure .02gr. Yes it will show one granual of Varget. I would say it is faster than my digital RCBS scale, however when you get so anal that you are loading .02 gr it does take a little longer. I would say maybe 10 minutes longer for 50 rounds.
I use the Dillon electronic digial scales, and a Redding beam scale for backup. Charge my loads with a RCBS uniflow measure for ball powders, and use individual charges when using VARGET, as the uniflow does not like the Varget so much. Gotta love the Hornady Trickler!
I'm happy with loads within .2 Grain. I'd rather spend my time on the range then loading. My groups are under .75 MOA and have gone as far as .310 once out of a Factory barrel 700 .308.
I'm happy with loads within .2 Grain. I'd rather spend my time on the range then loading. My groups are under .75 MOA and have gone as far as .310 once out of a Factory barrel 700 .308.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Do you mean .2 grain? 0.02 grains can't even be discerned on my Dillon electronic scale!
I'd be happy with .02 grain accuracy in my loads too!
Yes, you're right! .2 Grains
I also find the uniflow powder measure is as accurate to .2 grains and less as well.
Individual case loads just take up way to much time, for minimal results in my opinion and experience. Typically, I shoot about 50 handloaded rounds of rifle ammo on a good range day, and more if the wife will let me stay out longer. I try to get out about 3 times a month , so that's at least 150 rounds of .308 a month during spring/ summer/fall and the time to reload that much match ammo.
Match ammo is getting upwards to $50/20 so reloading is the only way to go. Paying a bit more for a good quality digital scale will pay for itself in no time at these prices.
I also find the uniflow powder measure is as accurate to .2 grains and less as well.
Individual case loads just take up way to much time, for minimal results in my opinion and experience. Typically, I shoot about 50 handloaded rounds of rifle ammo on a good range day, and more if the wife will let me stay out longer. I try to get out about 3 times a month , so that's at least 150 rounds of .308 a month during spring/ summer/fall and the time to reload that much match ammo.
Match ammo is getting upwards to $50/20 so reloading is the only way to go. Paying a bit more for a good quality digital scale will pay for itself in no time at these prices.
- Location
- Virden, MB
I use a RCBS Powder Master Combo and have used the Lyman 1200. The Lyman is amazing. The Powder Master is good and its consistent, just not as quick and seamless.
Alberta Tactical Rifle has the Acculab.
I use the ChargeMaster combo with IMR 4064, so my review wouldn't be fair since the powder is more extruded and therefore doesn't trickle well. The ChargeMaster will often go 0.2 - 0.3 over, so I just redispense, but this happens every other load on average, so makes it kind of annoying. Spherical powder probably does better with this device.
I recently bought a Lyman DPS 1200 II. I have to admit I was very apprehensive about it. It is the refurbished unit available on Ebay with the speed upgrade. While using it the scale does seem to sometimes fluctuate.. I was really nervous then...
I did use it to throw charges for my 260AI while developing loads. Now this barrel does seem quite forgiving as all charges between 49.0 and 50.2 grouped well under and inch with 49.6 doing three shots under 0.15 MOA CTC. I have to do some more development at 300 or 400 yards.
Now I say that I am happy with it thus far. I will continue to use it for the 260AI and the Edge that is in the process of being built as it uses enough powder that the error, if any, in the dispencing will be a small percentage.
I think precision weights mean much more in a smaller case.. Once I get my 22 K-Hornet brass fire formed from pre-rolled stuff I will see if the dispenser is accurate enough for that small of a case. I am not really hopefull.
I did use it to throw charges for my 260AI while developing loads. Now this barrel does seem quite forgiving as all charges between 49.0 and 50.2 grouped well under and inch with 49.6 doing three shots under 0.15 MOA CTC. I have to do some more development at 300 or 400 yards.
Now I say that I am happy with it thus far. I will continue to use it for the 260AI and the Edge that is in the process of being built as it uses enough powder that the error, if any, in the dispencing will be a small percentage.
I think precision weights mean much more in a smaller case.. Once I get my 22 K-Hornet brass fire formed from pre-rolled stuff I will see if the dispenser is accurate enough for that small of a case. I am not really hopefull.
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Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
Try this trick...get a MacDonald's straw, cut about 1.25" off, and insert it into the dispenser tube so that about .25" is protruding. I cut the straw at an angle for the insertion end. I found out about this on another website, and my charges prettty much stopped going over.
Can anyone recommend a very good beam scale? I have an older RCBS 5-0-5 and it's not very accurate at all. Most times it never returns to zero properly....(and yes...I've cleaned the pivot points numerous times). I've been using an electronic Dillion d-terminator but I would like to replace it with a very accurate beam type scale. The dillion is nice but sometimes I find it wondering around +/-0.1gr and then other times is bang on. To me that's not precision.
I have an Acculab that is good to .001g which is about .015gr. It is interesting to compare what some of the other measures etc are good to. I bought a Chargemaster and it is questionable as how fast or accurate it really is. The drinking straw makes it more accurate but slower. The more oblique you cut the straw the faster it will dispense but less accurate and the finer the powder the more accurate as well. With H4831SC the ES on 50 loads was .2gr, without the straw. The straw about cut that in half. This is measured with the Acculab as the reading on the Chargemaster always gave the wanted reading or was dumped back.
To get a good beam scale you would best find a used analytical balance. I would buy any of the current electronic scales ahead of the usual balances available. That is why I went electronic many years ago.
To get a good beam scale you would best find a used analytical balance. I would buy any of the current electronic scales ahead of the usual balances available. That is why I went electronic many years ago.
- Location
- calgary alberta
Your findings mirror what I found exactly.
Agreed a balance scale will never be as accurate as an electronic unless 1 spends HUGE $$ on an analytical scale.
Love my Acculab!!!
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
I use a Jennings MACK 20 and it does the job nicely.
I have found that very small variations in charge weight WILL affect groups especially vertical at longer distances. This is compounded when using a smaller case like the 223.
I am very happy with the level of consistency this scale is giving me and it is very affordable.
If you do find a used analytical beam scale from a high school or university, they will work quite well BUT you have to use it in a wind free environment. has to be kept level and dust free too. They are quite a pain to use BUT will give very good results on very small weights.
Jerry
I have found that very small variations in charge weight WILL affect groups especially vertical at longer distances. This is compounded when using a smaller case like the 223.
I am very happy with the level of consistency this scale is giving me and it is very affordable.
If you do find a used analytical beam scale from a high school or university, they will work quite well BUT you have to use it in a wind free environment. has to be kept level and dust free too. They are quite a pain to use BUT will give very good results on very small weights.
Jerry
