Electronic Scale Recommendation

[bbqreloader]

I bought the Frankford Arsenal Platnium scale. So far so good, has a either a choice of battery or plug in. Needs to warm up for a minute or so to stabilize internally, but after testing, stays consistent. Does not turn off when plugged in.

 

[joem1945]

I have both of the Dillons, electronic and mechanical. I use the mechanical mostly because I can read it faster than the electronic one.

 

[Hondo 60]

I don't know if you'll be happy with an electronic scale.
I use a balance beam to proof check my electronic.

I've found the balance beam to be less susceptible to outside interference.
The wind from the furnace, a light source too close, breathing, etc.

 

[BSA1]

Now that powder is available I am stocking up on rifle powders. Due to the much larger volume of powder used for rifles I like the idea of more accurate measurements.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Depending on your definition of mid-priced I have and like my GemPro 250.

LeftytSGC

 

[wgp]

I used an RCBS beam scale for years but thought that was the weak point (slow and tedious) in my reloading process. Of course, accurate loads are so important that I stuck with it. Recently bought an RCBS Charge Master combo unit and it has breathed new life into my reloading. The ease of use, to have it measure and dispense powder so easily, is great. The process to zero and calibrate the scale is quick and so far every time I've tested a powder charge on my manual beam scale it has been perfect. Very happy, I recommend it.

 

[Lr_athlete32]

Another vote for the hornady bench scale, but if you can find a scale accurate to 0.01gn, I would try to go that route

 

[Dudedog]

Like my Frankford DS-750, what I use most of the time.
I also have a 5-0-5 and a GEM20.
GEM20 works well for weighing small amounts and will read to 100ths of a gr, it does however auto shut off fairly quickly.

RCBS 5-0-5 of course works without batteries or power.

 

[FastCut]

I have a RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale, Frankford Arsenal digital and RCBS Charge Master 1500. I would either go cheap with Frankford unit ~30.00or purchase scale unit that part of Charge master so you could use with dispenser when you get extra cash. For the money I thing the Frankford unit is great, I use it to back check my beam scale and weigh cases, bullets, etc. Nice product for the money.

 

[Reeferman]

Have a Hornady GS-1500 since last year and has worked really well for the money. Tried a Hornady LNL beam scale and went through several and not so good. Hornady sent me a electronic bench scale to replace it and has been very good.

 

[loose noose]

Ok, I have the Lyman digital, as well as a Redding balance beam, to check the digital periodically. I do believe that I paid right at $59.95 about 2 years ago and so far it has been an excellent product. Note I have the complete set of weights for the my scales, and use them constantly. I know a lot of people have complaints about Lyman digital scales however, after owning two other digital scales that were terrible to say the least, kept bouncing all over the place, as well as inconsistent readings, I'm quite pleased with this Lyman which I feel was reasonably priced.

 

[Bart B.]

I think it's a waste of time to use powder charges with a weight spread less than 2/10ths grain for use through 300 yards. Very few people can tell the difference between exact charge weights and those with a 3/10ths grain spread through 500 yards. Benchrest records through 300 yards are made with thrown charges with a 2/10ths to u 3/10ths grain spread in charge weights under 50 grains.

Beam scales last forever if they're properly maintained. They don't have to be exact when a check weight's put on them; just repeatable. A nail or bullet serves the same purpose as a check weight. There's a greater spread in powder burn properties across several lots of a given type than a 1/10th grain change in charge weigh causes. Primers also have a wider spread in fire and heat output for all in a given lot and some lots are more uniform than others.

Unless your short range test groups open way up to 1/2 MOA, there's no need to weight powder to less than a 2/10ths grain spread.

Never judge muzzle velocities produced with hand held rifles to qualify powder charges for low fps spread numbers. Clamp the barreled action in a fixed mount so it doesn't move back in recoil as the bullet goes through the barrel. Or rest the rifle on bags then shoot it in free recoil untouched by anything other than your finger on its 2-ounce trigger. The fps spread numbers will be 1/3 to 1/4 that of what the hand held rifle produces and more repeatable from several tests of the same charge weight.

Clean up and lube the bearing points of your beam scale; it'll do fine and last a long time. Unless it's emotionally important to have very exact charge weights measured by modern technology.

 

[tonyjr]

Jost a work of advice - What ever you lube your " stuff " with [ scales , dies , anything you lube ] - spray what ever you use on a piece of metal . Check it for dust whenever reloading .
WD-40 , CRC 323 [ what I use ] silicone spray , 3 in 1 oil - all are dust magnets .

 

[MtnCreek]

Now that powder is available I am stocking up on rifle powders. Due to the much larger volume of powder used for rifles I like the idea of more accurate measurements.

I trust my beam scale over my electronic scales. I believe more accurate charges are more important in small pistol cartridges like 9mm than they are in rifles cartridges (especially safety wise).

JMHO and not meaning to upset anyone; I personally would not trust my $25 electronic scale for powder charges, but it works fine for confirming a bullet weight.

I've just started using an rcbs chargemaster. It seems handle so far, but it isn't as accurate as my old 1010 beam.