Digital powder scales - Page 2

rox · January 17, 2019, 04:06 AM

A&D FX-120i.

I've had 2 sets of these for approaching a decade. Stability, repeatability, resistance to environmentals, but above all: fast settling time set them apart. I have more accurate scales (0.1mg vs 1mg), but prefer the A&Ds for reloading by far. I can have a charge to +/- 0.06 in about 5 seconds, or +/- 0.02 in 10 seconds.

Jsnake711 · January 19, 2019, 03:46 PM

I have a hornady and I like it pretty well. Only complaint is after a few minutes it powers off

Fatelvis · January 20, 2019, 10:35 AM

Dillon

mkl · January 20, 2019, 02:00 PM

For some strange reason about 10 years ago I decided I wanted to collect some of the legacy balance beam scales when they were all over Ebay. I ended up with about eight scales that went back over 30 years or so. The ones with the all brass beam and weights were really nice when cleaned up a little bit.

Long story short, using a set of check weights all of the scales were within 1/10 grain accuracy even after all those years. Might be an argument that gravity is constant as long as you are on the same place on earth. Regardless of the brand of the scales, Ohaus made most of the ones I was able to collect. Made in USA and used USA gravity to function

None of the digital scales I have used (all under $75.00) have ever given me as consistent readings as the balance beam.

If I want to weigh powder I use a balance beam.

If I want to separate case or bullet weights I use a digital. Relative as opposed to accurate is the key in this case.

markr6754 · January 20, 2019, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsnake711

I have a hornady and I like it pretty well. Only complaint is after a few minutes it powers off

This was my first scale. Use lots of Hornady products...but the short timeout finally got to me about the time that Midway USA introduced the National Metallic scale. At half price, I couldn’t resist. Now it’s all I use. My Hornady was/is quite accurate, but it always took a minute or so to stabilize on power up...even if I caught it right after auto-shutdown. I’m quite pleased with the National Metallic scale.

E.J.W. · February 10, 2019, 12:39 PM

I started with a RCBS 5-0-5 in the 80's then thought I needed a digital scale so being that 99% of my reloading bench green equipment I bought a 1500 Chargemaster some 12 years back.
I liked it, but now I find it "changing" while in use.

I'm constantly having to re-calibrate with the check weights as the "zero" will gain a grain or two over a period with an empty pan on it.
Ex. A first throw will start at say 8.5 gr then after 20 or so minutes other throws will read 8.6 - 8.7 gr. A check of the throws on my old 5-0-5 shows 8.5 gr. I've tried turning it on and using immediately and leaving it on a hour prior to using. I've set it up on a different table disconnected from the press bench thinking vibrations were affecting it? This didn't help.
A re-calibrate of the 1500 fixes the increasing grains issue, but only until they begin to rise once again. Thankfully my Uniflow stays consistent and after each re-calibration of my 1500, the powder charge is what I need it to be. I am now double checking the 1500 with my old 5-0-5 for safety.
Maybe these electronic scales have a built-in lifespan?
I may contact RCBS to see what they say.
E.

View Poll Results: Which brand name digital scale would you purchase?
Hornady	6	24.00%
Frankford Arsenal	5	20.00%
Lee Precision	0	0%
RCBS	12	48.00%
Lyman	2	8.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

January 20, 2019, 10:35 AM	#28
Fatelvis Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL Posts: 490	Dillon __________________ Gun control isn't about guns....It's about CONTROL

February 10, 2019, 12:39 PM	#31
E.J.W. Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 171	RCBS 1500 I started with a RCBS 5-0-5 in the 80's then thought I needed a digital scale so being that 99% of my reloading bench green equipment I bought a 1500 Chargemaster some 12 years back. I liked it, but now I find it "changing" while in use. I'm constantly having to re-calibrate with the check weights as the "zero" will gain a grain or two over a period with an empty pan on it. Ex. A first throw will start at say 8.5 gr then after 20 or so minutes other throws will read 8.6 - 8.7 gr. A check of the throws on my old 5-0-5 shows 8.5 gr. I've tried turning it on and using immediately and leaving it on a hour prior to using. I've set it up on a different table disconnected from the press bench thinking vibrations were affecting it? This didn't help. A re-calibrate of the 1500 fixes the increasing grains issue, but only until they begin to rise once again. Thankfully my Uniflow stays consistent and after each re-calibration of my 1500, the powder charge is what I need it to be. I am now double checking the 1500 with my old 5-0-5 for safety. Maybe these electronic scales have a built-in lifespan? I may contact RCBS to see what they say. E. __________________ You can let things happen to you -or- you can make things happen for you

January 17, 2019, 04:06 AM	#26
rox Member Join Date: October 4, 2012 Posts: 81	A&D FX-120i. I've had 2 sets of these for approaching a decade. Stability, repeatability, resistance to environmentals, but above all: fast settling time set them apart. I have more accurate scales (0.1mg vs 1mg), but prefer the A&Ds for reloading by far. I can have a charge to +/- 0.06 in about 5 seconds, or +/- 0.02 in 10 seconds.

January 19, 2019, 03:46 PM	#27
Jsnake711 Member Join Date: January 18, 2019 Posts: 95	I have a hornady and I like it pretty well. Only complaint is after a few minutes it powers off

January 20, 2019, 02:00 PM	#29
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	For some strange reason about 10 years ago I decided I wanted to collect some of the legacy balance beam scales when they were all over Ebay. I ended up with about eight scales that went back over 30 years or so. The ones with the all brass beam and weights were really nice when cleaned up a little bit. Long story short, using a set of check weights all of the scales were within 1/10 grain accuracy even after all those years. Might be an argument that gravity is constant as long as you are on the same place on earth. Regardless of the brand of the scales, Ohaus made most of the ones I was able to collect. Made in USA and used USA gravity to function None of the digital scales I have used (all under $75.00) have ever given me as consistent readings as the balance beam. If I want to weigh powder I use a balance beam. If I want to separate case or bullet weights I use a digital. Relative as opposed to accurate is the key in this case.