Electronic Scale voodoo ?

[Rprecision]

I started reloading somewhere around 2001. The bug bit and I have enjoyed reloading since. Recently I have read some threads and been thinking and questioning my methods / equipment. Specifically discussions about electronic scales. Some of these threads spooked me.

I have been thinking about some of the mentioned variables which these scales produce, their inaccuracy, etc.

It got me thinking I need to research this problem as I have largely trusted my setup.

I have a 2002-2003 era Pact brand scale which talks to a Pact brand automatic trickler. It has by my estimates dropped somewhere north of 7K of charges. It of course gets calibrated with factory weights every time its fired up. Eventually this old workhorse will die but it's still going and doesn't owe me a thing

The first thing I did was take my weight sets to work and weight them on a certified scale. These scales are certified by the State yearly so I give them my trust. They measure to .01 Grams. The weights measured dead on.

I loaded three charge weights and also measured them they were to within .01 grams which by my calculation is .15 grains. Two measured dead on, one over by .01 G.

Since this thought I have double checked 97 loads produced on the Pact with my original RCBS beam scale. The loads measured again to within .1 grain of that displayed on the Pact. I have used extruded and ball powder for the test. The charges have been consistent from day to day with 7 reloading sessions within this test.

Here's what I am working with:









I came into this expecting to find a problem that I just can't find. I was ready to buy some new equipment upgrade to the RCBS Charge Master find something better, faster, more accurate.

So what am I missing here ?

 

[damoncali]

Nothing. Your gear works.

 

[Graham]

Just let the electronics warm up and you're fine.


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[fish30114]

I think what you are learning is the reality of the internet. I feel that about 90% of so called issues are either made up or people just piling on. One thing to remember about all the so called inaccuracies of digital scales, is that virtually all serious laboratory measuring is done on digital scales. Granted they are much more expensive than typical scales used for reloading, but for the degree of resolution that matters to us in the reloading game, the scales that are readily available do all we need.

I had the same Pact setup and it worked fine for a long time, but I eventually went to the Chargemaster--I like not having to recalibrate the whole rig every time I fired it up. It also does fine when checked against lab quality scales, just FYI

 

[Rprecision]

I think what you are learning is the reality of the internet. I feel that about 90% of so called issues are either made up or people just piling on. One thing to remember about all the so called inaccuracies of digital scales, is that virtually all serious laboratory measuring is done on digital scales. Granted they are much more expensive than typical scales used for reloading, but for the degree of resolution that matters to us in the reloading game, the scales that are readily available do all we need.

I had the same Pact setup and it worked fine for a long time, but I eventually went to the Chargemaster--I like not having to recalibrate the whole rig every time I fired it up. It also does fine when checked against lab quality scales, just FYI

What really motivated me to post this was to give a different perspective. I know to be fair there are product failures among all product lines and maybe those are the numbers being exaggerated.

As a aside do you find your Chargemaster faster then the older Pact ?

 

[Boogie]

Up until 5 minutes ago I would have sworn that my RCBS 10/10 was more accurate than my 1500 Chargemaster. As a matter of fact when loading for accuracy I would throw a couple of .10s low and trickle using the 10/10. Tonight I wanted to see how well 2000MR metered so I set the CM to 22 grains and checked it with the beam. Every load was .2 low! I pulled out my calibration weights and starting with .1 grain I went up the scale to 40 grains and the CM was right on with every weight. The beam was off. I cleaned the pivot points along with everything else on the scale, made sure it was level and double checked the pivots making sure they were sitting in the cradle correctly and checked it again. Now they are both gtg. But if I hadn't had a set of calibration weights in grains I would have been on here bad mouthing the CM and all electronic scales.

Moral of the story... Get a set of weights when something doesn't look right check it before you start bad mouthing it!

 

[mkollman74]

Yes, this... I actually never turn mine off anymore.

Just let the electronics warm up and you're fine.

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[fish30114]

Rprecision, yes I do find my Chargemaster to be a good bit faster than my Pact setup was. And as I mentioned, not having to go through the powder calibration every time, is really nice. I do check my CM with check weights frequently, which goes super quick, and otherwise it is a good bit faster to use. I have a very high end lab scale that I will check my CM against every once in a while, it really is just for the heck of it anymore, it always holds to it's .1 tolerance so It's just an occasional confidence booster for me.

Best-Don

 

[1idCat]

I've tried several of the cheap (sub-$50) digital scales and found them all to be worthless for measuring powder. Too much drift.

I think as long as you don't go cheap, any of the name brand reloading scales work just fine.


If your budget is under $80 - 100, don't waste your money on a digital scale, get a beam scale.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Been down the same road with my Pact (a little older than yours but used less) and an RCBS 505. I also bought a Gem Pro, couldn't pass up the deal. I haven't used the Gem pro, except to run a quick work up batch of .308 and verify a few pans of Varget for 5.56. So far I have found all both the Pact and 505 scales to weigh with in .1 grain with panned powder and check weights. The Gem Pro showed that to be with in a narrow range since it weighs to .02 gr.

I have also shot batches trickled on the 505 and dispensed on the Pact and didn't see a difference in groups in a RRA NMA2. I can also say that comparing the Pact, the 505 and a trickler, and the 505 with a Little Dandy (throwing for both about 2 tenths under) it runs with in five minutes to fill 50 cases on any of the set ups.

 

[Layton]

I use one of these power conditioners with my scales. Eliminates ALL drift due to power irregularities. I zeroed out my Sartorius last night and it's still holding zero.

L