Hornady GS1500 scale...

Beentown71 · March 13, 2013, 07:26 PM

Anyone have/had a Hornady GS1500 scale? If so, what did/do you think?

Rebel · March 14, 2013, 12:55 PM

I have it and do use it. I believe I paid $30-35 for it via amazon.

It seems to be very accurate.

Its always read 100grams when i used the provided calibration weight. The powder tray is always within .1 grains when i set it on even when not warmed up completely.

I find that if I let it warm up for 20-30 seconds for the first use before putting anything on it that it will weigh the exact right weight that i expect to see on previously weighed items. Even if you don't wait it will only be .1 grains off and once you tare it you will be weighing from 0 again.

I've accurately and consistantly measured my powder weights down to 3.8 grains.

The biggest con I've read about it is the relatively short auto power off battery saver feature. I believe the until will stay on for 60 seconds after non use.

I'm using this with a progressive press so I'm not weighing every charge so that isn't a huge deal to me. (powder cop for my ap is great!)

The scale does power on and is ready to use within about 5-10 seconds.

In my opinion it is a great scale for the price. Also i've read that some florecent lights effect digital scales. This is not the case with this scale through my testing.

Let me know if you have any more questions about it.

Eppie · March 15, 2013, 03:57 PM

I have it and used for a couple of months, but then I noticed that it started to "drift" from zero bi -0.1 to -0.3 grains for no reason at all. So I would recalibrate it, and after a few meadures it would start to drift again.

Normally that kind of variation does not make much difference but I'm reloading for long range precision so I had to get a good beam scale.

Bottom line is: if you're not looking for high precision it will do the job.

Beentown71 · March 15, 2013, 06:01 PM

I have a beam scale to check it against. I like redundancy but wanted something a little faster.

sloanst · May 8, 2013, 02:57 PM

I received this scale as part of the lock and load single stage kit. Loading 100 2506s with no problem. Another 50 .308 no problem. In my 3rd session, I was loading some .308 for a ladder test. BIG problem. The scale would pass the calibration but would not hold a consistent weight reading. Frustrated, I ordered a RCBS 505. I tried several more times to get the Hornady to perform with no success. The Hornady is likely to become a plinking target the next time I get to the range.
Don't get me wrong, there is no operator error here. I have worked in a nuclear lab for over 20 years, weighing samples to +-.0005 g. for analysis. The scales in this lab costs over $10K and are very precise and repeatable.
So, my conclusion is, the GS1500 scale is a piece of garbage and is not to be trusted.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Gster · May 8, 2013, 03:34 PM

I have one and I use it all the time. Once in awhile I'll check against my Lee Safety Scale and it always agrees. I learned that it takes a minute or two to warm up. The only thing I don't like about it is the auto shut-off. I have my Lee PPM broke in and I check it on the digital every 6 or 8 throws.

Beentown71 · May 8, 2013, 09:19 PM

I did buy one and it seems to be consistent. I am checking it against my Lee Safety Scale and it is right on.

wateroperator1972 · May 9, 2013, 09:23 AM

That scale is very accurate. It is the main scale I use and I picked it up used from Amazon for $25/free shipping. I work with analytical scales and checked it against a $3000 scale and it was within 0.01 grains.

JimDandy · May 9, 2013, 09:33 AM

Quote:

So, my conclusion is, the GS1500 scale is a piece of garbage and is not to be trusted.

Did you or anyone in your household put anything heavy on it, or lean on it, etc by accident? That can ruin these scales.

jim8115 · May 9, 2013, 09:37 AM

I have one, it is about worthless, unless you hit the TARE button between each load. If I dont it starts reading +/ - .2 - .3 for no reason.

jokker1978 · May 10, 2013, 10:02 AM

I have one too that drifts between -.5 and .5 gr. You can watch it just move . You weigh something. Pick it up weigh again. The results will be different every time. That is after calibration. Not worth 2$ in my book I bought a rcbs beam 505 I love that thing.

RC20 · May 10, 2013, 10:11 AM

I have a Frankly Armory one that does the same drift thing.

Annoying, I keep an eye on it and when I see it shift I re tare it.

It seems to settle down but keep a close eye on it (I am using a lot of rod powder so getting a charge accurate is impossible with my powder dispense so I get it close and trickle it on in)

Sound like Hornady tends to do the same thing. Poor performance for a far more expensive tool.

Anyone know a good one that is close to the ground like the Franklyn?

My problme is that for what I do, too many of them are too high and or the controls are not in the location for a right handed trickle operation.

I would like to get a good one eventually if I can get a good recommend.

In the meantime the electronic scale is very handy for quick checks of various types so not a waste, just a shame not steady

March 13, 2013, 07:26 PM	#1
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Hornady GS1500 scale... Anyone have/had a Hornady GS1500 scale? If so, what did/do you think? __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

March 15, 2013, 03:57 PM	#3
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	I have it and used for a couple of months, but then I noticed that it started to "drift" from zero bi -0.1 to -0.3 grains for no reason at all. So I would recalibrate it, and after a few meadures it would start to drift again. Normally that kind of variation does not make much difference but I'm reloading for long range precision so I had to get a good beam scale. Bottom line is: if you're not looking for high precision it will do the job. __________________ "Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State.” -Vladimir Lenin "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (An early warning to Obama care)

March 15, 2013, 06:01 PM	#4
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	I have a beam scale to check it against. I like redundancy but wanted something a little faster. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

May 8, 2013, 02:57 PM	#5
sloanst Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2013 Posts: 1	Hornady GS1500 scale I received this scale as part of the lock and load single stage kit. Loading 100 2506s with no problem. Another 50 .308 no problem. In my 3rd session, I was loading some .308 for a ladder test. BIG problem. The scale would pass the calibration but would not hold a consistent weight reading. Frustrated, I ordered a RCBS 505. I tried several more times to get the Hornady to perform with no success. The Hornady is likely to become a plinking target the next time I get to the range. Don't get me wrong, there is no operator error here. I have worked in a nuclear lab for over 20 years, weighing samples to +-.0005 g. for analysis. The scales in this lab costs over $10K and are very precise and repeatable. So, my conclusion is, the GS1500 scale is a piece of garbage and is not to be trusted. Just my 2 cents worth.

May 8, 2013, 03:34 PM	#6
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	I have one and I use it all the time. Once in awhile I'll check against my Lee Safety Scale and it always agrees. I learned that it takes a minute or two to warm up. The only thing I don't like about it is the auto shut-off. I have my Lee PPM broke in and I check it on the digital every 6 or 8 throws. __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at.

March 14, 2013, 12:55 PM	#2
Rebel Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 28	I have it and do use it. I believe I paid $30-35 for it via amazon. It seems to be very accurate. Its always read 100grams when i used the provided calibration weight. The powder tray is always within .1 grains when i set it on even when not warmed up completely. I find that if I let it warm up for 20-30 seconds for the first use before putting anything on it that it will weigh the exact right weight that i expect to see on previously weighed items. Even if you don't wait it will only be .1 grains off and once you tare it you will be weighing from 0 again. I've accurately and consistantly measured my powder weights down to 3.8 grains. The biggest con I've read about it is the relatively short auto power off battery saver feature. I believe the until will stay on for 60 seconds after non use. I'm using this with a progressive press so I'm not weighing every charge so that isn't a huge deal to me. (powder cop for my ap is great!) The scale does power on and is ready to use within about 5-10 seconds. In my opinion it is a great scale for the price. Also i've read that some florecent lights effect digital scales. This is not the case with this scale through my testing. Let me know if you have any more questions about it.

May 8, 2013, 09:19 PM	#7
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	I did buy one and it seems to be consistent. I am checking it against my Lee Safety Scale and it is right on. __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

May 9, 2013, 09:23 AM	#8
wateroperator1972 Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 9	That scale is very accurate. It is the main scale I use and I picked it up used from Amazon for $25/free shipping. I work with analytical scales and checked it against a $3000 scale and it was within 0.01 grains.

May 9, 2013, 09:37 AM	#10
jim8115 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 229	I have one, it is about worthless, unless you hit the TARE button between each load. If I dont it starts reading +/ - .2 - .3 for no reason.

May 10, 2013, 10:02 AM	#11
jokker1978 Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Posts: 23	I have one too that drifts between -.5 and .5 gr. You can watch it just move . You weigh something. Pick it up weigh again. The results will be different every time. That is after calibration. Not worth 2$ in my book I bought a rcbs beam 505 I love that thing.

May 10, 2013, 10:11 AM	#12
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I have a Frankly Armory one that does the same drift thing. Annoying, I keep an eye on it and when I see it shift I re tare it. It seems to settle down but keep a close eye on it (I am using a lot of rod powder so getting a charge accurate is impossible with my powder dispense so I get it close and trickle it on in) Sound like Hornady tends to do the same thing. Poor performance for a far more expensive tool. Anyone know a good one that is close to the ground like the Franklyn? My problme is that for what I do, too many of them are too high and or the controls are not in the location for a right handed trickle operation. I would like to get a good one eventually if I can get a good recommend. In the meantime the electronic scale is very handy for quick checks of various types so not a waste, just a shame not steady