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Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Infinity

Infinity

Always Professional
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 17, 2012
465
1
39
Atlanta, GA, USA
I'm just getting into reloading for my precision rig (an LAR-8). The gun does .3 MOA with FGMM, when I do my part, but that stuff is getting expensive/impossible to find. I need a scale and am back and forth between digital and a standard beam. Also between a reloading scale and a "scientific" one. I'll be loading single stage for benchrest and 600-1000 yard shooting. I'm currently planning on using a Lee scoop and trickling to weight, weighing each charge. This is the scale I've been looking at:

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/digital-scale-200-g-x-001-g/p/BS-DB0200/

Thoughts?

Please share your experience and opinions. Feel free to point me in the direction of any forums I may have missed that helped you. Thank you,
Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

For my precision guns, I do not trust anything but a beam scale. I also use check weights and check the scale after every 5 loads.
There are too many things that affect an electronic scale (lights, cell phone, etc). Also, as far as I'm concerned, a $50 scale isn't going to be much of a scale. Good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

I agree with flintlock shooter. If you want to use a digital do a lot of research. Even the popular Gempro 250 has its quirks and is the minimum. You can't beat a good powder drop, beam scale trickler set up. And you can go as cool as you want.
I set up my drop with a tube running to the pan, eleveated the trickler to barely overhang the edge ove the pan and lit up the scale. You would be amazed at how fast you can go. There is a guy out in arizona that sells calibrated and modified beam scales that are awesome. elevate your scale to make everything ergonomic. Use an old lighhted magnifying glass on a swingarm to help with eystrain... or use a camera hooked up to your computer.
scale.jpg
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

stay with a good.......200$ beam scale....... the next step up for a good easy to work with in digital is around 1K$
I`ve got a Denver Instuments MX123....(300$).... and unless i`m competeing at LR..600-1200 yds.I use an Ohaus 10-10 beam.as the mx123 is a PIA
bill larson
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Flintlock, Stangfish (great pic, I like that idea), Bill, thank you gents for contributing. You all have me leaning toward a beam now. Dang that whole buy once cry once thing (I know it's true).

How are the RCBS 10-10s compared to the Ohaus? Would you be able to recommend a particular trickler/scale combo that works well with stick powder (Varget/Reloader 15)? Please don't take my request as lazy, I genuinely don't know where to start. Thank you,

Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

The more I read, the more I see the practicality in a well-calibrated 10-10. I definitely like the ideas to elevate it and to use a dedicated magnifying glass. Now to figure out the trickler, please feel free to point me in the right direction. Thanks,
Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Infinity</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Flintlock, Stangfish (great pic, I like that idea), Bill, thank you gents for contributing. You all have me leaning toward a beam now. Dang that whole buy once cry once thing (I know it's true).

How are the RCBS 10-10s compared to the Ohaus? Would you be able to recommend a particular trickler/scale combo that works well with stick powder (Varget/Reloader 15)? Please don't take my request as lazy, I genuinely don't know where to start. Thank you,

Adam </div></div>

They are the same scale iirc..
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Infinity</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How are the RCBS 10-10s compared to the Ohaus? Would you be able to recommend a particular trickler/scale combo that works well with stick powder (Varget/Reloader 15)? Please don't take my request as lazy, I genuinely don't know where to start. Thank you,

Adam</div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_fng</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are the same scale iirc.. </div></div>
They are indeed the same scale; Ohaus makes them for RCBS (and Dillon, I think). The last time I was looking at scales, I think the Ohaus had a different paint job, but that's it.

Adam, per your trickler question, I'm using an RCBS 5-0-5 and an Omega trickler that I love: Omega Trickler

I can dump a small spoonful of powder onto my scale to get close, then get a reasonably fast discharge with the red button, and finally go down to the individual granules with the black button; it's that precise. One also can increase or decrease its rate of discharge by sliding a little counterweight on the metal nozzle back or forward. I would advise against the fully automated version, as a friend and I just couldn't get that one to work reliably.

Best of luck!

Yours,

David
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

First off, my respects to those who like balance beam scales, I do in fact have one. BUT, virtually all serious laboratory work is done with digital scales. Granted, they operate in serene conditions with regulated power supplies, but that is requisite in their environments.
The scales available for typical reloading uses are more than adequate, and despite the numerous post I have read on the internet warning of them, I have not seen, in 3 seperate phaysical locations at this point, the 'interference' from flourescent lights, cellphones etc. And I speak on my cell phone under flourescent lights while loading often. I actaually have a scale that is accurate to .00001 and it verifies that my Chargemaster from RCBS (likely made in China or Japan) my PACT are accurate to the .10 reading they provide.
They are faster than any beam, and just as easy, if not easier to check however frequently you want with check weights.

As always, it boils down to what you want to spend for what you want to get, but I would not hesitate to buy a digital scale for your reloading. Also, beware of what you are purchasing, as an example the scale you provided a link to does not appear to read in GRAINS, which is what you need for reloading. I can tell you many serious loaders use digital scales, and even those that use a hybrid like a prometheus (highly modified balance coupled with and electronic dispenser) have been shown that there measurements were weighed accurately when checked with a digital scale.

Good luck!
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Definitely go with a beam balance as others have said, I have had many problems with electronic scales and do not trust them.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Fng and David, thank you, I read that they are the same 5 minutes later. I always appreciate confirming what I read though.

David, I like the looks of that trickler. Anyone else who has experience with that one or others, please feel free to share.

Fish, you make a very valid point about improving technology and the consistency of today's digital scales. I may start with a calibrated beam and eventually try something like the Chargemaster. It looks like I had posted the wrong link, although similar, the one I was looking at did read in grains.

Rainier, thank you for contributing. I have noticed that some people love digital and some don't. I'll start with the 1010 as mentioned.

I'm trying to be pretty budget concious at least starting out. I'm looking at this Lee powder measure (scoop): http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305?cm_vc=S014
and trickling to weight, weighing each charge. Please let me know if anyone thinks that option will not work, or not work well.

Any other recommendations for tricklers that work with the 1010?

Thank you all for taking the time,
Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Infinity</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FYI, I just ordered a tuned beam scale from Scott Parker. </div></div>

Is Parker the guy in Arizona? If so, then I'd say that's an excellent choice, Infinity. Had I known of his work back when I was looking for one, that's what I would've bought.

Have fun reloading! It's pretty addictive.

Yours,

David
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

I have the lee 1200, and checked it against my balance scale. They both measure the same calibration weight differently, so I adjusted both. There is still a .1 to .15 grain difference plus or minus. That means that loads from the lee unit can vary by as much as .3 grains...way too much for my liking when making precision rounds for long distance shooting.

I throw charges a wee bit light and trickle to weight. It took me about 10-14 hours to trickle about 850 rounds. But now I have some very good ammo.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

David,
I'm not sure if Scott is the same guy who lived in Arizona or not. This gentleman lives in CA. I came across his name on here and on a couple other sites as being very reputable/skilled at tuning beam scales. $175-225 depending on if I wanted 500 grain or 1000 grain weighing capacity...to my door in 3-4 weeks.

Unknown,
Happy to hear you have bunch of good ammo. I'm planning on reloading small batches 20-40 until I get the hang of it.

...still so much to learn. Thanks gents,
Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

All that these guys have said is good. I went with a beam scale, as some say the digitals are good, and some say they are not. No one says a beam scale isn't good, just slow.
I use a RCBS 5-0-5, as that came with my kit, and the 10-10 was fairly expensive. I use the RCBS Powder dump to get close. In many cases, I can fine tune the Powder dump to be almost perfect, and then use a hand trickler to fine tune it. (I would love to get a set of "spoons" like I saw a master reloader using on a video once.)
That automated trickler looks awesome, thanks to whoever posted it. I may get one of those when I can afford it.
I can measure powder and insert bullets in my 30.06 casings to the tune of 60 or so per hour, maybe more. It may be slow, but I like the results at the range.
To sum up, I am not sure which I enjoy more, reloading, or shooting, so I am glad to do both.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

+1 for scott parker i have a tuned redding from him and it works great.i use my digital set a little low then trickle up.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Sniper, thank you for the contribution. It sounds like our processes are pretty similar (or will be once I get all my equipment, components, etc.). I'm in no rush here. We'll save that for the progressives.

ejb, that makes me like my choice even more. I still have two weeks or so to wait but based on your experience and what I've read on that of others, I'll be happy. I'm just going to scoop and trickle, I'll have no option but to take my time. I had no idea, how much of a hobby this is. Just what I need, another hobby
laugh.gif
.

Thanks again everyone,
Adam
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

A beam scale, catching charges from a thrower, and a Targetmaster Trickler is hard to beat.....
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: athhud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A beam scale, catching charges from a thrower, and a Targetmaster Trickler is hard to beat.....</div></div>

Concur 100%
0.04 Grain SD
It's all I use
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

I use a RCBS 10-10 scale. I've used digital but unless you spend in the neighborhood of $300 you won't get the consistent accuracy you have with a good beam. Additionally, digital scales are extremely sensitive to EMI which can come from florescent lighting ballasts or any electrically generated magnetic field, i.e., furnace motors. I looked at the scale on the link you provided and it doesn't measure in grains. If you decide on a digital scale, insure it measures in grains. Good luck.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

Andrew, thank you, just gotta get the trickler then I'm all set.

Eager, seems like we're all on the same page.

gvan, it appears you didn't read the rest of the thread, but thank you for at least trying to help at some level.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: athhud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A beam scale, catching charges from a thrower, and a Targetmaster Trickler is hard to beat..... </div></div>

+1
Here's a short video of my beam scales in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dnVOoGd1bDU
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

I have used a Ohaus triple beam for years and it has served me well. I got into benchrest shooting a couple of years ago and bought a digital Tanita 1200 "latest version is a 1230" for my range bag. And other than the wind messing with the readings it appears to be very accurate. I normaly load based on weather conditions so least for benchrest shooting I load at the range. I set up my digital scales in my vehicle "no wind" and measure the first few throws. Works for me, your results may vary.
Pete
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

I really do not think its a "which one" question if leaning towards digital. I use my digital scales mostly, but think you absolutely need to know how to use the balance beam and even if leaning towards a digital scale, its a great place to start and also keep in the future if you ever fear you are getting interference, or a quirk of any kind, you can break out the old school technology and confirm if things are awry or not.
 
Re: Scale Question: Reloading Noob Here

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1066</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: athhud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A beam scale, catching charges from a thrower, and a Targetmaster Trickler is hard to beat..... </div></div>

+1
Here's a short video of my beam scales in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dnVOoGd1bDU</div></div>

A camera and monitor is the ticket! My camera has infrared so I could throw/trickle charges in the dark if the fluorescent lights become a problem
crazy.gif


I've mounted an angled funnel at the spout of my powder thrower. The funnel spout hangs over the pan. The pull of a lever and the push of a button results in a ridiculously accurate charge, with almost no fine motor skills required. The only time I touch the pan is when I pick up the ready charge. I do need to add a fine needle to my 10-10's beam. I've been tossing around the idea of placing a micro switch underneath the pan so that when I throw the charge, the switch is closed and activates the trickler. You know it's a great system when you are trying to find ways to skip a step as simple as pushing a button!
laugh.gif



I'd post a video or something, but I'm right in the middle of building my new reloading room, so all of the gear is boxed up....
 
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