Digital Scales

[tikkawarrior]

New to reloading and want to buy some digital scales, don’t want to spend a fortune if I can help it ideally around the £40 mark.

Is that realistic? If so what would be peoples recommendations for that sort of price range please?

 

[Sonicdmb73]

New to reloading and want to buy some digital scales, don’t want to spend a fortune if I can help it ideally around the £40 mark.

Is that realistic? If so what would be peoples recommendations for that sort of price range please?

Unfortunately I doubt you will get the accuracy from digital scales at that price point. I have a set of Hornady iirc branded digital scales at that sort of money (I don't recall when I got them) they are not consistently reliable enough when checked against my beam scales. they tend to get used to weigh bullets or cases not powder.
I Have Lee and Hornady beam scales, I use the later with a home built electric trickler (similar to the Target Master) that is quick (approx 20 seconds for 23gn load) and within a kernel or two weight wise.
The digital scales that give that level of accuracy will cost towards ten times your £40 depending of model. You might pick up a decent set of secondhand beam scales for £40 but some will be more than that.
You can use various methods to measure your powder, be it scoops, hopper type measures, automatic tricklers that vary in price usually in that order. Beam scales when properly set up (as per their instructions) are in my opinion hard to beat, certainly for the price.
If you haven't got any kit yet consider what your use is, hunting ammo, target, is it to load a particular bullet not available in factory? Then you can decide on what kit you need, Lee do the Anniversary Kit that produced ammo with consistently 1/2 MOA or less in more than one cartridge. However if your after the last tiny improvement in bench rest then you buy different kit with tools to create more consistent brass, powder weight etc.
Many start like I did with secondhand stuff (most of mine is) it is a good way to get quality gear at a fraction of the price.

 

[tikkawarrior]

Thank you, I’m loading specifically for 30-30 Winchester, hunting cartridges.
I’ve been on the lookout for second hand gear but nothing seems to be about that I have seen. I’m also not allowed to post anything on a classified ad through SD because I posted a thread in the wrong place so had my privileges revoked!

I’ll keep checking eBay to see if anyone is selling anything there

 

[DavyG]

New to reloading and want to buy some digital scales, don’t want to spend a fortune if I can help it ideally around the £40 mark.

Is that realistic? If so what would be peoples recommendations for that sort of price range please?

Put the £40 into a charity box. At least that’ll not be a total waste.
DG

 

[Feugh]

I got relatively cheap digital scales but got a set of beam scales second hand to complement them. When I throw a powder charge I weigh it on the digital scales to check it’s in the right ball park then dump it into the beam scale and use a trickler for the last bit. That way I’m confident that the charge is spot on.

 

[NoIDeer]

I used a £10 set of digital scales from Amazon for the first year or so of reloading, they are identical to the hornady badged £45 ones. I checked accuracy with calibration weights also cheap from amazon. I guess don't go too hot if you buy cheap.

I'm using a beam scale now.

 

[JockStalk]

I bought RCBS digital scales. After three years (I’m a bit slow) I bought a set of well used RCBS beam scales and never looked back. So much easier, faster, simpler.

 

[Ludders]

I have these

Double Alpha Reloader Marksman RMM-100 Scale - Reloading UK

The Reloader Marksman RMM-100 Scale is a compact and easy to use Reloading scale, which will offer you reliability and precision for years of service.

www.reloading.co.uk

Have used them for 4-5 years and been quite happy. I only reload for vermin/ hunting and have managed to get 0.3 moa groups with out trying to hard.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

This is my set up built from various parts mainly salvaged from machines we took out at work. it is mostly analog with relays that control what speed the motor runs at via a speed controller and timer. Running with my scrap powder in rather than the 2015 it's set up for usually looking at 20 seconds ish, about the same as it takes me to seat the bullet in the previous case.

 

[Stumpy2]

You would be perfectly fine with a set of Lee beam scales. Unless you intend to start benchrest competition shooting with your 30-30 they will be adequate for your needs.

Usually a set kicking around in the classifieds for cheap money, but if you add £1.90 to your £40 would get you a new set…

https://1967spud.com/lee-safety-scales

 

[tikkawarrior]

You would be perfectly fine with a set of Lee beam scales. Unless you intend to start benchrest competition shooting with your 30-30 they will be adequate for your needs.

Usually a set kicking around in the classifieds for cheap money, but if you add £1.90 to your £40 would get you a new set…

https://1967spud.com/lee-safety-scales

Thank you

 

[Cyres]

Rubbish. I have a set of On balance carrat electric scales and they are excellent. More than adequate for basic reloading. I use a set of Lee dippers and trickle up to my weight.
I use a 39 or 40 grn 204 bullet as a check weight. Could use a 25 grn.
D

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Rubbish. I have a set of On balance carrat electric scales and they are excellent. More than adequate for basic reloading. I use a set of Lee dippers and trickle up to my weight.
I use a 39 or 40 grn 204 bullet as a check weight. Could use a 25 grn.
D

If that works for you then fine.
But just as a matter of interest do you keep the same bullet for your check weight? Or just whichever one out of the box? Because if it's the latter then you don't account for discrepancies in the bullets. The former you keep the same comparator but unless you weigh it on a known accurate set of scales how do you know it's correct?
Good enough for hunting loads I don't doubt it. Safe way to do it if you're pushing towards maximum loads. A cheap set of beam scales will always beat a cheap digital set. Same applies with callipers etc when measuring.

 

[Liveonce]

over the years i have had relatively expensive gun shop digital scales and ebay cheap digital scales used for jewellery/gold, just buy the ones that only measure say 50gm or less in 0.001gm increments and they will be equally as good. Calibration weights have all weighted the same as have objects like coins.
They also have the advantages of changing from grams to grains at a push of a button and quick to use.
I trust the cheap scales just as much as my frankford arsenal powder thrower.

edit to add
. A cheap set of beam scales will always beat a cheap digital set.

Not so sure depends on the quality of the pivot point and accuracy of the scale on beam scales and the overall quality of manufacture and levelling when in use. Also not so easy to calibrate as are digital scales.