Author Topic: Inexspensive scale questions (Read 620 times)

Jeffery8mm · « **on:** August 26, 2005, 04:03:49 PM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/3875-GRAIN-SCALES-RELOADING-POWDER-DIGITAL-SCALE-NEW_W0QQitemZ7177275039QQcategoryZ71119QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anybody ever use one of these? The price is definately right. Might it be a decent addition to check every tenth or so charges?? Just wondered if any of you had any thoughts on this.

Jeff

Ifishsum · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2005, 07:55:17 PM »

Grain accuracy = 1 grain...not even close to accurate enough for reloading purposes IMO. I'd save my money and the rest of my body parts.

t3shooter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2005, 04:02:18 PM »

Glad you took Ifishsum's advice and didn't bid. Some powder/cartridge combinations only have a few grains to play with and .1 grains makes a difference, so you need something that can accurately measure something that amount.

pffft · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2005, 05:45:20 PM »

Had to have a look around to see why somebody would be interested in a postage scale for weighing powder rather than a regular powder scale.
I found out, and went into sticker-shock (again)!
Check out the Lee powder scale that sells for less than $20.
Basically it does the same thing as my RCBS 1010 scale that sold for about the same price when I bought it. It doesn't have to be Cadillac. Just needs to weigh the powder reliably, and as they advertize, down to 1/20th of a grain is better than most would require.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2005, 06:01:05 PM »

Jeff:

One of the most accurate scales I've seen in a long time is the Hornady's...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=702400

I have the old blue Pacific scale...given to me by Quickdtoo...it's oil dampened...not magnetic...but the 3 poise system and pan & hook are identicle...it is dead on the money tested with the RCBS pro weight check set...the price isn't too bad...I looked at these before and was going to get one...

Mac

t3shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2005, 07:52:28 PM »

I've got the Hornady scale and really like it. You're right Mac; it's accurate, and the magnetic dampenning is quick. Takes me very little time to weigh out my charges with it.

june6th1944 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2005, 09:49:02 AM »

I use the inexpensive Lee Powder Scale with excellent results. It is slow to use, but I do not load in bulk maybe 1 or 2 boxes at a time. I've checked it against other 'better' scales and have gotten the same results. I think the Lee if more sensitive as well, such as when adding a single grain of powder.

Thirties · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2005, 04:28:04 AM »

Spend a bit more money and get the best:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=658771

My advice: stay away from digital scales for relaoding.

.

Dustee Miller · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2005, 10:22:54 AM »

I think this is one of those areas where you're gonna get what ya pay for.

bajabill · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2005, 11:10:38 AM »

I have been seeing these, but there are some models that advertise .10 grain accuracy. I see that they all have very high shipping costs, relative to bid price. I havent decided to try one because of the potential downside if it ever went bad and I did not know it.

I use a Lee scale that came with my kit, it does what they say it will do. It measures the same weight repeatedly. What more can I ask for. I read a lot of criticisms of the model, but never any concrete examples where it failed to do its job.

An electronic scale would be easier to weight loads, but I dont weigh loads, I balance loads, so the electronic scale isnt going to make the trickle process any faster.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:05:18 PM »

I bought a scale from these people. It is every bit as accurate as my lyman beam scale. BUT my particular scale wouldn't return to zero very well in fact you're pan would GAIN a tenth of a grain every 2 or 3 charges. So I contacted them and returned the item they informed me that when they recieved it they would send me a "handpicked" replacement that I recieved today. I must say that they were very helpful and didn't hesitate to send me a new scale A+ CS. I'll put the replacement scale through it's paces tonight and let you know if it works any better.

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2005, 01:09:54 PM »

Quote from: Jeffery8mm

http://cgi.ebay.com/3875-GRAIN-SCALES-RELOADING-POWDER-DIGITAL-SCALE-NEW_W0QQitemZ7177275039QQcategoryZ71119QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anybody ever use one of these? The price is definately right. Might it be a decent addition to check every tenth or so charges?? Just wondered if any of you had any thoughts on this.

Jeff

You don't want this. :noway: One of my employee's bought one and they are a piece of junk. Your measuring an explosive element so you want to be sure and not have any wonders. Electronic scales are great. I use a RCBS ChargeMaster(last years Christmas present from the Wife) which is scary accurate. Well worth the money. If youre on a budget go with a good scale like the RCBS 5-0-5 or one of the equals of it. Its been the standard for many a year. Lawdog

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2005, 01:45:31 PM »

Just about everything on my bench is LEE EXCEPT my scale

which is a RCBS 505 that i bought over 20 years and never saw the need to change.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:07:37 PM »

Quote from: Krochus

I bought a scale from these people. It is every bit as accurate as my lyman beam scale. BUT my particular scale wouldn't return to zero very well in fact you're pan would GAIN a tenth of a grain every 2 or 3 charges. So I contacted them and returned the item they informed me that when they recieved it they would send me a "handpicked" replacement that I recieved today. I must say that they were very helpful and didn't hesitate to send me a new scale A+ CS. I'll put the replacement scale through it's paces tonight and let you know if it works any better.

UPDATE: Same problem as before with the new scale. I really hesitate call it junk because weighing things on an individual basis it's really accurate. I just think that this kind of scale is poorly suited to weighing long strings of powder charges.
I will keep it to use when weighing and sorting brass and bullets. I find it to be a pain to use a balance scale to find out within .1 of a grain how much a bullet weighs. I'll just have to remember to reset between each item being weighed.