irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 I use a digital scale to weigh my cast long range bullets. And to weigh my black powder. I had been using a Lyman for years. It started acting up so I tossed it and bought a new Lyman, same model. When you lift the powder off the scale it's supposed to go to zero. Sometimes it stops at .3 grains and then finally resets. The I started checking load weights after I had dropped them into the 45-70 cases. The weights were spot on or off by .2 of grain +/-. The scale accidentally flew out of my hand onto the garage floor and broke! So I'm in the market for a good reliable powder scale. Thoughts. Ike
Krazy Kajun Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 I've got a digital scale but like yours sometimes it seems to drift. I mostly use a mechanical beam powder scale like this one. Kajun
Sedalia Dave Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Buy a jeweler's scale off Amazon. Way more accurate than any dedicated powder scale Costs 1/4th the price and more reliable. Typical powder scale accuracy is +/- 0.1 grains. My jewelers scales have an accuracy of +/- 0.05 grains. I have this one. Price has doubled since I bought it but there are others just as good for less money. It is sensitive enough that I have to turn off the AC unit or the air currents will effect the readings.
Cat Brules Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Personally....... I would choose a scale that first of all, is a known name brand, quality scale. Second, I would chose one that has a low, to very low maximum capacity. 0-1000 grain capacity is too broad of a range to give repeated, accurate results, especially on the lower end. I wouldn’t trust an electronic scale that drifts. Car Brules
Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 I have a Berry's ACC- 2000 electronic scale, I have had it for about seven years has worked great and it's the only one made in the USA. V.D.
John Boy Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Quote So I'm in the market for a good reliable powder scale I bought 3 just in case they are discontinued. Have been using only one going on 5 years now https://www.dx.com/p/kl-50-high-precision-50g-0-001g-mini-electronic-jewelry-scales-0-005ct-2057042.html#.Xta_aBh7luF 50 grams = 771.618 grains scale weight
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 I have the same one as John Boy. Works well. I keep it in my pistol reloading room. I have an old Mettler PM 100 lab scale in my rifle reloading room. Current price about 1K. If it ever dies I will buy another newer one or the Sartorius equivalent.
Sedalia Dave Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 23 minutes ago, John Boy said: I bought 3 just in case they are discontinued. Have been using only one going on 5 years now https://www.dx.com/p/kl-50-high-precision-50g-0-001g-mini-electronic-jewelry-scales-0-005ct-2057042.html#.Xta_aBh7luF 50 grams = 771.618 grains scale weight I have that one as well. Any time I have any doubt about accuracy I compare it with the one I posted above.
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 48 minutes ago, Happy Jack, SASS #20451 said: I have the same one as John Boy. Works well. I keep it in my pistol reloading room. I have an old Mettler PM 100 lab scale in my rifle reloading room. Current price about 1K. If it ever dies I will buy another newer one or the Sartorius equivalent. So you have seperate rooms for pistol and rifle reloading? What about shotgun?
Perro Del Diablo Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 If you have a fan or ac vent in area small amount of airflow can affect digital scales.
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Goody, yes, separate room for SG. In 3 different buildings
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted June 2, 2020 Author Posted June 2, 2020 I'm weighing bullets that are 535 grains. The jeweler ones appear to only go to 50 grains?
wyliefoxEsquire Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Howdy, The Smart Weigh Premium High Precision Digital Milligram from Amazon states 0.001 gram. I find that a bit hard to believe. There are scales that cost $100+ that state 0.002 grams for $500 you can get 0.0001 gram. All these $$$ scales have inclosed pans. I agree with comment above concerning air flow. A slight wave of my hand caused my Cabelas scale (0.1 grain = 0.006 grams) to jump all around. I find it more accurate than precise, which causes me to reset the "tare" often and calibrate every usage. I believe this is due to slight air currents. In surfing I like the U.S. Solid 0.001g 1mg Digital Analytical Balance Precision Scale for Laboratories (100x1mg) 110-220 VAC -wylie
John Boy Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 Ike, your confused. 50 grams = 771 GRAINS. Heck, that’s a bullet for a small cannon
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 40 minutes ago, Happy Jack, SASS #20451 said: Goody, yes, separate room for SG. In 3 different buildings My goodness. "Step out back to my reloading compound."
Sedalia Dave Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 42 minutes ago, irish ike, SASS #43615 said: I'm weighing bullets that are 535 grains. The jeweler ones appear to only go to 50 grains? It weighs up to 50 grams or 771.6 grains
Two Shoots Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 +1 on the jeweler’s scale. Had 3 different Lyman scales go bad during the warranty period so switched to a jeweler’s scale from Amazon and never looked back. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESHDGOI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted June 2, 2020 Posted June 2, 2020 I had a friend that worked for the police. He gave several of us scales confiscated from drug dealers. It works well, but I mainly use an old balance beam scale I bought used.
Krazy Kajun Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Marauder SASS #13056 said: I had a friend that worked for the police. He gave several of us scales confiscated from drug dealers. It works well, but I mainly use an old balance beam scale I bought used. Hmmm, I wondered why some of your rounds smelled funny the last time we shot together. Musta been some remnants left of one of them thar confiscated scales! Kajun
Fence Cutter Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 I've used a RCBS digital for years and it's been awful reliable.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 RFI from fluorescent lights will really mess with digital scale readings1 Wrap the power supply cord about 1ft from the scale, around a couple of very strong magnets. OLG
Fence Cutter Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 28 minutes ago, Fence Cutter said: I've used a RCBS digital for years and it's been awful reliable. 12 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: RFI from fluorescent lights will really mess with digital scale readings1 Wrap the power supply cord about 1ft from the scale, around a couple of very strong magnets. OLG If I had to do that I would definitely switch brand to RCBS. Been used in front of breezy open windows, in humid or air conditioning, it's always under fluorescent lightning....... But we all have our favorite brands.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Fence Cutter said: If I had to do that I would definitely switch brand to RCBS. Been used in front of breezy open windows, in humid or air conditioning, it's always under fluorescent lightning....... But we all have our favorite brands. All brands are affected by RFI. Brand really doesn't make any difference. OLG
Clyde Henry 7046 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 I bit the bullet and bought one of these: https://ultimatereloader.com/2019/10/06/new-autotrickler-v3-post-announcement-updates-and-improvements/ I will never ever go back to el-cheapo reloading scales. They are nothing but problems. I have worn several and will never buy another one.
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 Do the jewelers scales have a mode for grains, or are they grams only?
Sedalia Dave Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 39 minutes ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said: Do the jewelers scales have a mode for grains, or are they grams only? Most weight in grams, ounces, carats, troy ounces, penny weight and grains.
Lucky R. K. Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 You might check out Frankfort Arsenal scales. I bought one several years ago on e-bay and it has served well. When we shot long range we threw a charge from a Lyman #55 about a grain or so less than the desired weight. With the charge on the Frankfort Arsenal scale we used a trickle charger to bump up to the desired weight. You can also use the scale to weigh bullets you have cast to group by grain weight (.2 - .5? variance) and to find voids in the bullet. Lucky
Isom Dart, SASS#8096 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 I bought a beam balance scale when I started reloading. RCBS kit . It was like the Lee kit you get now , it had everything. I used the scale for about 20-25 years. Walking through a flea market I saw a Redding scale for $5.00 , bought it , took it home. Didn't work properly sent it to Redding, they repaired it , worked fine . I 've got a spare, fine. Ahead about 10+ yrs, digital craze ,,,, digital scale. I'm trying to set it up, can't get it to do right. Sometimes it will balance, sometimes it won't. I fiddle around, can't figure it out. Took me a while to figure out ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I was " breathing" on it ,,,,,,, XXX ! That's it ,,,,, balance beams only. 1-3/10's of a grain just isn't that much of a problem to me. Just my view. YMMV, Isom
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