Digital scales

[bish789]

Just gone out to load some rounds, and couldn't get beam balance to zero consistently, so I used my el cheapo digitals to do my loading.
As I'm only loading to set my scope zero to start with, then .1 gr here or there isn't going to harm, and I checked the scale zero with several known weights.
However, that's the mechanicals days gone for me, so what digitals are you all using?

 

[Will the chippy]

Which scales are you using? A good clean is usually all they need. My 50qiud digital are ok but will not register if dropping 1 kernal at a time.

 

[DavyG]

If you think a beam scale is hard to keep zero, wait till you use a digital set.
DG

 

[bish789]

Which scales are you using? A good clean is usually all they need. My 50qiud digital are ok but will not register if dropping 1 kernal at a time.

Redding

 

[Blind Pugh]

Digital A&D ( Dual strain gauges.) You get what you pay for.

Nothing else is stable or consistent enough. PITA

I use a 505 balance & a check-weights.

All of my check-weights are made from copper wire & are the same as the charge weight. That way you can check the scale without having to move anything.

 

[Muir]

Wouldn't swap a beam scale for digital. My 60 year old Beam Scale works fine.
How old a Redding was it? ~Muir

 

[Eddie P]

I use a digi scale for quick checks (bullets cases etc), but a balance beam for actual measuring of powder.

Digis don't work for trickling

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

I use a digi scale for quick checks (bullets cases etc), but a balance beam for actual measuring of powder.

Digis don't work for trickling

The good ones are fine for trickling,

Then again a good set of scales that can do it propperley are about £500 plus.

I have a set of ohaus explorer that do .02 of a grain and they are fantastic for trickling. The response time is near enough instant and no need to constantly re zero from drift. They were £400 from a lab that was closing down brand new about £1200

If your not prepared to spend serious money stick to beams, the cheap digital are awful!

 

[DavyG]

Digital A&D ( Dual strain gauges.) You get what you pay for.

Nothing else is stable or consistent enough. PITA

I use a 505 balance & a check-weights.

All of my check-weights are made from copper wire & are the same as the charge weight. That way you can check the scale without having to move anything.

Ditto…I make mine from a copper nail.
DG

 

[martin_b]

If you want to be super accurate, you don't want a digital scale ( measures weight) you want a digital balance (Measures mass so independent of gravity)
the A&D120i is a popular choice.. Pedantic I know but at last i get to show off all those years at Uni studying Physics.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

The best scales are electromagnetic force restoration scales.

As mentioned the f &d 120, ohaus explorer and sartorius are this type, they are alot more accurate and are not as prone to drift as well as having a faster response time.

The cheap ones such as the gem pro are OK but I found them a pain to use! They use a thing called a load cell, they are alot more temperamental.

 

[JTO]

DRIFT has been mentioned on a couple of threads. If your scales suffer this, what sort of deviation could occur during the course of loading 100 rounds?
I have always used beam scales.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Ditto…I make mine from a copper nail.
DG

Wow! Monolithic green check weights!
Clever boy.

 

[bluesako]

my pact scales that ive had for years are blob on never had a problem with them? if digital scales are shite why do they use them in labs

 

[safer]

I use Hornady G3 - 1500. I have these for couple of years and never had SD more then 8 on my 308.
It does trickle measuring but I do double check after trickling.
I ordered mine from US but they have arrived to uk now.

Hornady G3 1500 Digital Scales

Hornady G3 1500 Digital Scales. This compact, battery operated trickle-compatible scale offers a maximum reference measurement of 1500 grains. Unlike other scales on the market, it features a precision load cell with 1/10th grain accuracy and constant readout up to 500 grains, offering the...

www.uttings.co.uk

There is a nack to using them like the trickling but you work that out quickly.

 

[User00036]

Long winded but well worth a watch,

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

my pact scales that ive had for years are blob on never had a problem with them? if digital scales are shite why do they use them in labs

They use digital balances in labs, princible is the same but they are different.

A scale measures weight

A balance uses mass

To answer the drift question it depends, alot of scales are effected by lights and electrical current in the area. The drift can be really big on the cheap ones so I'd re zero every 10 -20 rounds.

My ones can happily do 100 rounds with a 0.02 grain variation in charge and there's no lag when trickling.

If you want a good set you can pick them up on ebay for a decent price if you have a look around. My ohaus explorer 400 was about £300 with zeroing weights

 

[Steff]

Wow! Monolithic green check weights!
Clever boy.

Monoliths would be stones, not copper.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Calibration is its own separate thing, let's not go down that rabbit hole

The standard kilogram was replaced in 2018 with a new standard because it lost 50 micrograms over the years through cleaning and handling

I loose sleep at night and wake up with cold sweats on how it may effect my reloading......

 

[Steff]

I could bite my own a*s* for not having bought a proper lab balance earlier in my reloading carrier. If not for accuracy then for ease of use. I‘m a lazy sod and I hate to have to deal with improper tools.