Seeking Digital Scale Recommendations

[TXTad]

I would like to get a good digital scale. I know there are two main types: the simple scale that merely tells you what something weighs, and the type that meters out the powder charge to a preset weight. I suspect the latter can operate as a simple weighing scale as well.

I am interested in both types, though my immediate need is something that just tells me weights.

As always, cost is important, but it's not my major concern.

Primarily, I want trustworthy and repeatability, so however much I have to spend to get this much is fine.

I have an inexpensive Hornady scale that wanders terribly. I noticed it was discontinued not long after I bought it, so I suspect that was just a problem with it. Inexpensive isn't a deal if it doesn't work.

Thank you for any thoughts.

 

[JimP]

I picked up a RCBS digital scale that is just scale. I used it for a few years before I purchased a RCBS Chargmaster, which is a automatic powder dispenser along with the scale. If you get one just know that there is a slight learning curve to it. With it I have loaded over 5,000 rounds of both pistol and rifle rounds without a glitch.

The small RCBS scale has had its duties delegated to to just weighing individual bits and pieces.

 

[BigKev15]

Based upon my prior experiences I have several questions and then several comments. You say that your "Hornady" wanders terribly, do you have a dedicated "electrical line conditioner" where the Hornady scale plugs into ? Is the area that you use the Hornady scale have overhead fluorescent lighting ??

I started shooting competitively over 20 years ago and found that both "dirty electricity" and fluorescent overhead lighting both made my RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 drift more often than not. I resolved that by using an "electric line conditioner" and switching to incandescent overhead lighting I took 90% of the drifting/ wandering out of the equation.

With regards to scales I had an AND FX-120 I which could weigh down to 2 hundredths of a grain (one granule of Varget powder). This by far is usually more than enough for the average competition shooter. I used that for a couple of years and then moved up to an AND HR-100A, this is an analytical balance and has a resolution of 1 /1000 of a grain. I can and do cut single granules of Varget in half in an attempt to get single digit extreme spreads and low standard deviation readings.

Pursuant to the above I would recommend first trying an "electric line conditioner" to clean up the power going to whatever scale and or scale/dispenser that you have or plan to use for reloading. Secondly I would look at the AND FX-120 I (scale only) as I think that it is wonderful for the money. It should be noted that with all the precautions that I take to perfect my reloading area I still get scale bounce / wandering every once in a while.

 

[PARA45]

I’ve had an RCBS Chargemaster for quite some time and it has served me well and the price didn't break bank. I’m sure you can prob find it cheaper.

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Shopping for the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser - Learn more about the latest Priming & Powder Charging and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

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[375 Ruger Fan]

If you just need a scale, look on Amazon. Lots of options.

Amazon.com : digital lab scales on amazon

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’ve had an RCBS Chargemaster for quite some time and it has served me well and the price didn't break bank. I’m sure you can prob find it cheaper.

Buy ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser and More | RCBS

Shopping for the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser - Learn more about the latest Priming & Powder Charging and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

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I have this one too. I had one of the originals when they first came out. The newer one meters better than the old one in that I get fewer over charges. By that I mean as the charge approaches the programmed weight, the nozzle that rotates and forces powder out will ever so slightly turn and stop.

This continues until the charge weight is reached. What will happen occasionally is there will instead of a granule or two of powder dispense and dial it in, a bunch of granules will fall and you'll go above your setting. Not by a lot, a tenth or two typically. But the OCD in me wants it to be exactly or as close to what I programmed as possible.

With the newer model, I get fewer of these overcharges than I did on the old one. The old one could at times get to be frustrating as I'd just throw the powder back in the hopper and start over again. This happened much more frequently than with the new one.

I know Natchez Shooters Supply is running rebates now on RCBS equipment. BTW, there's actually two versions of this Chargemaster. The more expensive version has what they call a capability to "learn" your powder. Perhaps that does a better job of knowing how to dial that final bit of powder in. But for another $130, I don't know that it's worth it.

 

[JimP]

If you are not on Midway's email list and have a account with them then you need to get one.

They send out a birthday discount to you on your birthday. I can't remember just how much of a discount but every bit helps.

 

[Jefferry404]

I am happy with
Frankford platinum digital scale. Easy to use and has offset (tar) for doing case capacity, etc

And then bought
Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper
And and happy with it also.
Both sit in my barn with temperatures from 20 to 80F and when i check with check weights, never off by grain.

 

[Longwalker]

I use the cheap Frankford Arsenal DS-750 and it is reliable and accurate. Static electricity, fluorescent lights, temperature variations and vibrations can affect digital scales. I've taken some care to eliminate those sources of error at my loading bench and have had no problems if I take the additional step of turning the scale on for a minute or two before actually using it. If I don't let the scale "settle" I may get a drift of 0.2-0.4 grains a minute or so after turning it on.

 

[WAB]

I did a lot of research on a combination scale/measure. As far as I could find, the gold standard is the MacDonald’s Autotrickler V4. Autotrickler.com. May be more than you are looking for, but it sure has made a difference in my reloading. Every charge is thrown to 2/100 of a grain and it’s fast!

 

[Hogpatrol]

I use the RCBS chargemaster, then a Trickler to finalize on a TREE KHR123. I've found the Chargemaster's scale to be off as much as 1 to 1.5 grain compared to another scale. Good enough for minute of paper plate but for small critters at long distances, a non starter.

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KHR 123

TREE KHR 123 balance, KHR 123 120g x 0.001g. Highly accurate, repeatable, and linear weighing sensor. Excellent for weighing with high 0.001g precision.

lwmeasurements.com

 

[khesser]

If you’re looking for good electronic scale or balance then you have three different options and price points.
Creedmoor Sports has a good scale that’s actually more accurate than the AND FX120i but is slightly slower when weighing. Really only a concern when paired with certain powder dispensers.

Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale

The TRX-925 is one of the most accurate and precise powder scales on the market that directly meets the needs of reloaders who are looking for the pinnacle of performance.

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The AND FX120i is hard to beat for the money and due to cost is the most popular for those reloading with a powder dispenser. I have found it’s prone to drift and not as consistent the Sartorius balance.

Sartorius is definitely high end for electronic balances. I have used a Entris 64-1S since the AutoTrickler V1 came out many years ago. It’s far more expensive than the FX120i but doesn’t suffer from its short comings. I recently received a Sartorius 124-1S to use with my new Ingenuity Powder System that’s coming out soon. This powder dispenser is far superior to anything else out right now.

 

[Rob404]

Bought a RCBS Chargemaster about a 1/2 dozen years ago never a problem

 

[Luvthunt]

I have a RCBS scale and bought it back when they first came available. It has been and is excellent for my method of reloading. Which is simple.

 

[Bush Buck]

The current version of the RCBS scale that I use is the RangeMaster 2000. Mine is the RangeMaster 750 which is no longer made. I have loaded thousands of rounds without complaint. It updates quickly making it easy to trickle charges and the scale is nicely stable.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Don't know about the new ones but my RCBS was programmable. There were modifications that could be made to get it be more consistent.

 

[BadPops]

Been using RCBS Charge Master since they came out. Use a small bubble level to be sure it is level. Be sure no air currents are blowing on it when in use. This will cause erratic readings.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have an older model Lyman 1200 DPS II that I bought used because, as @Papa Moose has confirmed so eloquently, I'm "cheap." And because he wanted me to buy it from him.

It works great although the dispense button on this well-used one is sticky. I should pull the keyboard cover and clean it. The nice thing about digital dispensers is they can be putting powder in a case while I'm pressing a bullet into the previous one. These are a bit complicated to set up and clean out but once you've done it a couple of times it becomes easy. The reservoir is rather poorly designed with a large amount of powder remaining below the auger and inaccessible. But that doesn't affect accuracy in the least. Just means it's more difficult to dispense when low on powder. I simply remove the cylinder and push powder onto the auger with a small plastic spoon while dispensing.

I don't use the memory function at all. Only load for two guns so I just key in the weight each time. No big deal.

I picked this dispenser up fairly "cheap" because it was used. Keep your eye out for good buys on used ones. Like everything digital, reloaders are always upgrading to the next generation gizmo and selling their old stuff.