Gem Pro 250

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MoreIsLess

MoreIsLess

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I have owned several sets of digital scales in the past. I have never had good success with the ones I've owned, mostly consistency issues. I've always ended up returning them or selling them and going back to beam scales (RCBS 505). I've read a lot of good things about the Gem Pro 250, so I decided to give digital scales another try. However, several places that used to sell them have indicated the GP 250 has been discontinued. Does anyone know where I can buy a set of GS 250's or suggest something else. I've had Hornaday and RCBS and have been less than impressed.
 
 
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MoreIsLess said:
I have owned several sets of digital scales in the past.
... I've had Hornaday and RCBS and have been less than impressed.
Click to expand...
I'd recommend getting away from battery powered scales completely and going with something powered by AC. They can be allowed to warm up sufficiently, at least 15 mins, without shutting off to save power

I've had very good luck for the last year with the Hornady 050108 for <$90
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-050108-Electronic-Scale-Grain/dp/B004EXPKJA
 
The Gempro 250 is being replaced by the Gempro 300. Not sure what improvements that entails, if any.

I’ve been using the Gempro 250 for about a year now and I’m pleased with it. There are better digital scales out there but they are a big step up in price ($600+)

My Gempro maintains +/- 0.02gn accuracy, which allows me to measure to the kernal when loading stick powders
 
I have owned several sets of digital scales in the past. I have never had good success with the ones I've owned, mostly consistency issues.
Click to expand...

Can you explain? Are they reading different with the same weight applied at different times? Trickle up then reweigh the end product and getting different weights?
 
I got my Gem Pro 250 last year when Brownells was selling them for $120 with free shipping (probably because they were being discontinued). It is a very nice scale, so if you can find one at a good price, I'd say go for it.

That FA scale that bds links to at Amazon looks good and I know someone that says his works really well. So many out there it's hard to pick.

Dave
 
I've been using a GemPro 250 since I got into reloading a few years ago. I'm pleased with it. There are a couple things you need to be aware of. It will drift, particularly when first turned on. Run it on an AC adapter and either turn it on a few hours before you plan to use it or rezero as needed. It can take take up to about 20 seconds for it to register its final .02 grain, after which no further change will occur. Like all digital measurement devices, the last digit is always be assumed to be +-1 unit due to rounding/quantizaton error, in this case it's +-.02gr. It seems to be slightly sensitive to where the powder lands in the pan when weighing small charges, so be consistent pouring powder in the pan.

General weighting tip for small charges: Weigh multiple charges at once. For 9mm I dump 3 or 4 charges into a 38 case. That will get your average spot on. Then check a few single charges.
 
I have the Gem Pro 250 and one thing I like to do is measure my weight using what ever method you like, then lift the pan off the scale for about 3 sec and set it back on to ensure the weight is correct. Sometimes when making small adjustments the scale doesn't pick it up right away and this ensures that the final result is accurate.
 
Very pleased with my GemPro 250 and would not hesitate to but its replacement the GemPro 300 if I could not find a 250 in stock somewhere for a very good price.

As stated often, and correctly, let it warm up for a few minutes before using, and use the AC plug vs batteries.
 
After I stopped using the pad that comes with it (that is supposed to shield it from table vibration) it works like a champ, and some wheel bearing grease on the threads of the feet to stop them from spinning so easy
 
FYI, Gempro states that it cannot reliably repair the Gempro 250 and is issuing a refund if you have a failure.
 
Once again, if we set aside brand/price premium prejudice, most will agree a scale that consistently weigh to .1 gr resolution is good enough for reloading.

Many match shooters used Ohaus/RCBS 10-10 beam scales with .1 gr resolution to win matches and set world records, even 1000 yard Palma matches successfully for decades before .02 gr resolution digital scales became available.

So if a digital scale consistently weigh to .1 gr verified by check weights to .1 gr, does it matter what brand name is on the scale and how much it costs?

For me, no.

And if that scale happens to cost less than $20, or even less than $17, it should not matter.

BTW, both of my sub $20/$17 digital scales consistently weigh more accurately than my Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 beam scales. This is not my opinion rather fact of reality.

If you want to spend over $100 for another digital scale so you can weigh to .02 gr resolution, that's nice but I also have a digital scale with .02 gr resolution that realistically weighs with .04-.06 gr resolution but in my opinion there are other reloading variables that will overshadow scale resolution less than .05 gr.

In the end, I think it's like using micrometer vs calipers for reloading. While micrometer is able to measure to smaller decimal point than calipers, .001" resolution of calipers (like .1 gr resolution for scales) is good enough for reloading.

And with money saved, I would buy a set of Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights down to 1 mg (.015 gr) instead for $63 and free shipping - https://www.zoro.com/ohaus-weight-kit-cylndr-500mg-to-1mg-ss-class6-80850110/i/G0843236/
 
I actually bought my first digital scale last year. I also was looking for the Gempro 250 and was steered to the 300 during the research process. The 300 was replacing the 250. From what I remember, the 300 may have some slight improvements but nothing significant that I remember. Anyway, I am happy.
 
Both the 250 and the 300 had production stopped because of issues.
Personally, I would look at another product/company.
 
higgite said:
Do you have a link or a source reference for that info? I tried Googling it and came up with nothing. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I tried too. Found the usual complaints on different forums that could apply to almost any electronic scale. Before I bought my 250 I read for months and no matter what scale I looked at, some one had problems.

I start my reloading session by calibrating my scale and it stays on (AC) for at least two hours while I load. Haven't had an issue yet. I've had it for about a year.

Dave
 
What is the issue with it? And how did they update it ? on thier new prodouct? Need help thanks.
 
bds said:
Once again, if we set aside brand/price premium prejudice, most will agree a scale that consistently weigh to .1 gr resolution is good enough for reloading.

Many match shooters used Ohaus/RCBS 10-10 beam scales with .1 gr resolution to win matches and set world records, even 1000 yard Palma matches successfully for decades before .02 gr resolution digital scales became available.

So if a digital scale consistently weigh to .1 gr verified by check weights to .1 gr, does it matter what brand name is on the scale and how much it costs?

For me, no.

And if that scale happens to cost less than $20, or even less than $17, it should not matter.

BTW, both of my sub $20/$17 digital scales consistently weigh more accurately than my Ohaus 10-10 and RCBS 5-0-5 beam scales. This is not my opinion rather fact of reality.

If you want to spend over $100 for another digital scale so you can weigh to .02 gr resolution, that's nice but I also have a digital scale with .02 gr resolution that realistically weighs with .04-.06 gr resolution but in my opinion there are other reloading variables that will overshadow scale resolution less than .05 gr.

In the end, I think it's like using micrometer vs calipers for reloading. While micrometer is able to measure to smaller decimal point than calipers, .001" resolution of calipers (like .1 gr resolution for scales) is good enough for reloading.

And with money saved, I would buy a set of Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights down to 1 mg (.015 gr) instead for $63 and free shipping - https://www.zoro.com/ohaus-weight-kit-cylndr-500mg-to-1mg-ss-class6-80850110/i/G0843236/
Click to expand...
Could not agree more!!
 
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