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Old July 23, 2013, 07:03 PM   #1
osirus82
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Digital scale ?'s

So i have the dillion 650xl that comes with the powder thrower that measures the powder. I was going to buy an electronic powder scale just for double checking powder and quality assurance. But do i really need it? I have a scale i can use to cross reference the weights of the shells to be sure they are the same.

Is a electronic powder scale mainly for handloading? do you progressive press people use your electronic powder scale? also do you folks prefer the visual inspection of the powder? or use the Low powder alarm? ~other thing i might need.?...

im basically putting a list of the things that i need to round off the the reloading bench and would rather not waste money on stuff I wont use that much, i already have a old rcbs scale. I need
case trimmer --going with WFT 70.00
tumbler-- unknown
digital calipers- unknown
lube, powder, more shells and primers.
maybe quickload progam too.

thanks all.
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Old July 23, 2013, 07:17 PM   #2
Farmland
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You need a scale period. Or you can use one of those dippers I guess. But for all basic purposes you need a scale. It doesn't matter what type of a scale you use.

I have two balance beams and one digital. Over time I learn to really like and trust the digital and that is what I now use. I was old school so moving from a balance to a digital took some time.

You need a scale to set the powder measure, without it you can not set the powder measure.

To each their own on the powder checker, I have two and use it on on my tool head for the 40 and 45. I visually check then double check by weighing the powder on the other ones. Personally I can do without the powder checker you just need to use your eyes then.
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Old July 23, 2013, 07:23 PM   #3
jaguarxk120
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Anytime you measure powder, it should be weighed. That is on a progressive press the measure is set with a scale. Shotgun loaders have tables that give approximate powder throws with different bushings, but still the scale must be used during the setup phase of the progressive loader.

A electronic scale is verrrry nice to have since it gives the weight of the powder throw. A balance type scale tells you when the throw is over or under of target weight. Both scale are nice to have. When in doubt always go to the balance scale.
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Old July 24, 2013, 10:04 AM   #4
praetorian97
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My .02 is buy a digital over a beam scale. Also dont cheap out on the digital scale.

I originally started with a Beam and got tired of how long it took to weigh each round. Then I bought a cheap scale which never seemed to be consistent.

Finally broke down and bough an RCBS 1500 and havent had a single regret since.
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Old July 24, 2013, 10:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Both scale are nice to have. When in doubt always go to the balance scale.
I agree, and would add that it's not a bad idea to invest in a good set of check weights, or at a minimum have a few object of different weights that you can determine an accurate weight for using someone else's scale of verified accuracy (and then label and set them aside). I have both - the digital consistently refuses to let me calibrate it, but every time I check it with my laboratory quality check weights, it's right on. So, trust but verify, I guess.
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Old July 24, 2013, 10:48 AM   #6
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Buy a balance beam. With a electronic scale, no electricity, no scale. BTW the best buy on a GOOD scale is Dillon's Eliminator scale. $69. Made by Ohaus.
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Old July 24, 2013, 11:35 AM   #7
Levant
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Re: Digital scale ?'s

Quote:
Originally Posted by Waldog View Post
Buy a balance beam. With a electronic scale, no electricity, no scale. BTW the best buy on a GOOD scale is Dillon's Eliminator scale. $69. Made by Ohaus.
I agree. For anything important in life, you should have the tools and skills to accomplish it without electricity. Once you have that, let modern technology make life easier for you - just remember to keep up your skills.
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Old July 24, 2013, 12:01 PM   #8
serf 'rett
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I’m a wondering want you are loading on your 650? Rifle? Pistol? And what type of volumes? You need a scale to check weight, that’s for sure; however, if you are just loading plinking pistol ammo then your old RCBS should work well enough. If you are loading custom rifle rounds, looking for precision shooting, then a high end digital would be a good consideration.

I have both types of calipers, but find I use the non-digital more. Likely comes from being old school.
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Old July 24, 2013, 12:32 PM   #9
osirus82
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thanks for all the posts everyone, it seems a though everyone loves the d-terminator with the power supply.the charge master 1500 seems sweet and from the video's ive seen the best- since im all about buying once ill probably pick one up.

im thinking about getting the case feeder but i think i could do a cheaper alternative out of stainless steel round tubes cut in to 15" sections and drill some holes for a pin to refill the case tube.
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Old July 24, 2013, 01:02 PM   #10
Paul B.
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I have a couple pf balance beam scales, an RCBS and a Redding, an RCBS digital scale and the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. Power ailures do not occur too often but as we'e in our summer thunderstorm season, stuff does happen. Now if through some enemy action we were it with an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) lack of electicity might be a lot more serious than being able to use a digital scale.
Many years ago I switched to using all ball powders as much as possible. I got fed up with throwing a charge of large stick powders, then trickling to bring up to the mark. Ball powder feed through powder measure almost like water and throws usually are quite consistant.
A couple of years back my ex-son in law bought a Winchester M70 Featherweight in .300 WSM. He left the rifle, dies and component he wanted used with me and asked me to work up a load for him. Brass was Winchester as were the peimers, bullet the 165 gr. Ballistic Tip and powder (ARRRGGHH!) IMR4831. Well that first pound went fast although loading up the various charges from start to max took a few hours. I'd forgotten what a PITA is was working with that type powder. After the range session was over, I had to buy more powder and bullets so I whent to Sportsman's warehouse to get them. The wife likes to looks at some of the clothes there so she tagged along. While picking up what I needed, I pointed out the Chargemaster 1500 to her saying, One of these days I'm gonna get me one." She said, Why not today?" Definitely a keeper. That aftenoon I loaded up just about the same amount of ammo as in the previous session and did it in roughly75 percent less time. No dumping, trickling and dumping to do over because I trickled too much, just set the charge do the three or five rounds you need, hit stop, program the next load and go. You're seating the bullets as the machine is throwing the next charge. You just caennot beat that with any kind of ugly stick. Now I can use those stick type powders I've been storing for more than a few years. Yes, they're still good.
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Old July 24, 2013, 02:08 PM   #11
Farmland
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With no power I wonder how many people are then reloading in the dark? I know that puts me out of business. In fact my digital will work on batteries but no such luck for the lighting.
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Old July 24, 2013, 02:41 PM   #12
osirus82
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i will be just working up some accurate rounds for my Fnar- some for hunting some maybe for 3gun comps and long distance shooting.

I figure ill be shopping around town to try to find everything in stock tomorrow. I wish i could find someone locally that would hook up a discount if i ordered everything from them, only discount ive found is midway rebate.
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Old July 27, 2013, 10:47 AM   #13
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My bench has natural light to load by.....and hexk I can always light lanterns

/sarc on the last part
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Old July 27, 2013, 11:12 AM   #14
CMD-Ky
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I like this scale, check the precision.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my...empro-250.html
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Old July 27, 2013, 11:31 AM   #15
JimDandy
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I have a nice electronic scale. But nine times out of 10 I get out the balance beam because A, It's mechanical and more "trustworthy" and B, I forget to plug the electronic in early enough to warm up before I'm ready to start.

You have to SET the thrower

You SHOULD DOUBLE CHECK the thrower loads every so many throws.

You need one for your single stage anyway.
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Old July 27, 2013, 11:43 AM   #16
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It's a well-used term thrown about on ANY discussion forum about ANY topic. The whole "beam or electronic scale" question really --IS-- like asking a bunch of guys about Ford vs. Chevy.

I've been at this game for a long time and my preference is a simple, quality beam scale. Mine is the Dillon Eliminator which is a very basic beam scale that ALWAYS works. It's not made by Dillon, it's simply a rebranded Ohaus scale with pretty blue Dillon paint. If that weren't enough... I bought it used. the guy who sold it to me regrets it. I wouldn't ever give it up.

An electronic powder dispenser is a tremendous upgrade, no doubt. When they work, it's a very cool tool, but they are pricey. But neither the BEST one of those or any electronic scale of ANY price will ever kick the low-buck Dillon Eliminator from my load bench.
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Old July 27, 2013, 11:54 AM   #17
osirus82
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got lucky today, i found out this old digital scale i have does grains, i checked a 168gr sierra and it was on. So i guess i dont have to buy a new one yet. so I think i will take that money and buy a tumbler. after that just a caliper and some powder.
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