A CAUTION About Digital Scales!!!

[orangeusa]

Most doper scales are advertised as 0.1 gram. Most reloading scales have different specifications.

Amazon has some digital 0.1 grain reloading scales. Beam scales spec out at either 1/2 grain or less.

Battery powered scales are okay, but some DO go bat**** crazy on low batteries. Check if the scale indicates low battery.

Your use of 'ALL' is incorrect.

While working up loads for the 5.7x28 I have discovered some issues with the use of digital scales versus traditional beam scales.

ALL digital scales advertise their accuracy to 0.10 grain. while this is perfectly acceptable when talking about powder chargers in the "whole grains" it is NOT adequate for charges below 10 full grains in 0.10 grain increments.

Here is the thing: Virtually ALL digital scales are based on the metric system and thus their ultimate accuracy is based on the "gram" system. Considering that ONE GRAM = 15.4 GRAINS, the "error rate" of digital scales when it comes to loading cartridges is immediately compromised! A digital scale "off" by just one-half of one gram is off by a full FIFTEEN GRAINS above or below the desired charge!!!!

Then there is the FACT that digital scales can only produce a "stair-step" picture for the reloader. The scale reads either 6.7 grains or 6.8 grains with ZERO ability for the user to account for the number of kernels of power that differentiates between said charges.

Let us presume that the difference between 6.7 and 6.8 grains is in fact 100 "kernels" of powder. HOW then does one "know" whether a charge of 6.7 = 6,700 "kernels" of powder versus 6,799 kernels of powder?
At the cross-over point of 6.8 grains, how does the digital scale USER KNOW he/she is looking at 6,800 "kernels" of powder versus 6,899 kernels? Simple answer, there is NO WAY TO KNOW!

Digital scales record "stair-steps" of powder increases.

BEAM scales show the user the amount "over or under" as the scale approaches the index point.

Additionally, there is NO WAY to determine whether a digital scale if "between" grains...or at 1/20 of a grain...or 0.05 grain, YET with beam scales it is supremely EASY to see that "1/2 of one grain" difference!

Then comes the issue of calibration. WHICH CAN be more accurate? A digital scale that shows a given number, or a BEAM scale that not only centers on the desired number (including decimals), but also "reveals" that the charge is ever so slightly high or low? Clearly the balance beam scale is more accurate to the "one-half-grain" margin...whereas the digital scale has NO mechanism to demonstrate accuracy "below" 0.10 grain!

Bottom line, beam scales are STILL more accurate than digital scales, as well as SHOWING the user that the charge is either above or below by 1/20th of a grain!

While this if of no matter to those who load cartridges that use multiples of "10s" in terms of powder charges, for those loading the 5.7x28, the use of a BEAM SCALE is paramount!

To match a beam scale, ALL digital scales need to be capable of displaying ACCURATELY to the hundreths...or the second decimal place to the right of the whole number.

In Reloading of cartridges that use less than 10 grains of powder, digital scales are almost useless for anything more than being within a FULL grain!

[Socratic]

A good digital scale will weigh a pencil mark on paper.

"Electronic scales are among the most precise measuring devices ever crafted. Even inexpensive models are likely to offer more precise measurements than most beam scales. However, electronic scales are also sensitive to environmental factors that can cause an inaccurate reading. This is why some electronic scales use a glass or clear plastic enclosure to protect the surface of the scale and the object being weighed."

Source: http://sciencing.com/electronic-scal...e-6365703.html

I've used both. I like digital, which measures, more than balance. I have an RCBS ChargeMaster 1500.

[Win231]

While working up loads for the 5.7x28 I have discovered some issues with the use of digital scales versus traditional beam scales.

ALL digital scales advertise their accuracy to 0.10 grain. while this is perfectly acceptable when talking about powder chargers in the "whole grains" it is NOT adequate for charges below 10 full grains in 0.10 grain increments.

Here is the thing: Virtually ALL digital scales are based on the metric system and thus their ultimate accuracy is based on the "gram" system. Considering that ONE GRAM = 15.4 GRAINS, the "error rate" of digital scales when it comes to loading cartridges is immediately compromised! A digital scale "off" by just one-half of one gram is off by a full FIFTEEN GRAINS above or below the desired charge!!!!

Then there is the FACT that digital scales can only produce a "stair-step" picture for the reloader. The scale reads either 6.7 grains or 6.8 grains with ZERO ability for the user to account for the number of kernels of power that differentiates between said charges.

Let us presume that the difference between 6.7 and 6.8 grains is in fact 100 "kernels" of powder. HOW then does one "know" whether a charge of 6.7 = 6,700 "kernels" of powder versus 6,799 kernels of powder?
At the cross-over point of 6.8 grains, how does the digital scale USER KNOW he/she is looking at 6,800 "kernels" of powder versus 6,899 kernels? Simple answer, there is NO WAY TO KNOW!

Digital scales record "stair-steps" of powder increases.

BEAM scales show the user the amount "over or under" as the scale approaches the index point.

Additionally, there is NO WAY to determine whether a digital scale if "between" grains...or at 1/20 of a grain...or 0.05 grain, YET with beam scales it is supremely EASY to see that "1/2 of one grain" difference!

Then comes the issue of calibration. WHICH CAN be more accurate? A digital scale that shows a given number, or a BEAM scale that not only centers on the desired number (including decimals), but also "reveals" that the charge is ever so slightly high or low? Clearly the balance beam scale is more accurate to the "one-half-grain" margin...whereas the digital scale has NO mechanism to demonstrate accuracy "below" 0.10 grain!

Bottom line, beam scales are STILL more accurate than digital scales, as well as SHOWING the user that the charge is either above or below by 1/20th of a grain!

While this if of no matter to those who load cartridges that use multiples of "10s" in terms of powder charges, for those loading the 5.7x28, the use of a BEAM SCALE is paramount!

To match a beam scale, ALL digital scales need to be capable of displaying ACCURATELY to the hundreths...or the second decimal place to the right of the whole number.

In Reloading of cartridges that use less than 10 grains of powder, digital scales are almost useless for anything more than being within a FULL grain!

I have to disagree based on my experience. I loaded with two RCBS beam scales (including their top-of-the-line) and also their digital scale as well as Dillon's digital scale. In 40 years of handloading, using weights, calibration & comparing many charges under 10 grains with both weights and powder, I've found the digital scales to be just as accurate & consistent as well as faster & easier to read than beam scales.

I'm not really interested in the science of how a digital scale works....I'm only interested in results.

[stilly]

While working up loads for the 5.7x28 I have discovered some issues with the use of digital scales versus traditional beam scales.

ALL digital scales advertise their accuracy to 0.10 grain. while this is perfectly acceptable when talking about powder chargers in the "whole grains" it is NOT adequate for charges below 10 full grains in 0.10 grain increments.

Here is the thing: Virtually ALL digital scales are based on the metric system and thus their ultimate accuracy is based on the "gram" system. Considering that ONE GRAM = 15.4 GRAINS, the "error rate" of digital scales when it comes to loading cartridges is immediately compromised! A digital scale "off" by just one-half of one gram is off by a full FIFTEEN GRAINS above or below the desired charge!!!!

Then there is the FACT that digital scales can only produce a "stair-step" picture for the reloader. The scale reads either 6.7 grains or 6.8 grains with ZERO ability for the user to account for the number of kernels of power that differentiates between said charges.

Let us presume that the difference between 6.7 and 6.8 grains is in fact 100 "kernels" of powder. HOW then does one "know" whether a charge of 6.7 = 6,700 "kernels" of powder versus 6,799 kernels of powder?
At the cross-over point of 6.8 grains, how does the digital scale USER KNOW he/she is looking at 6,800 "kernels" of powder versus 6,899 kernels? Simple answer, there is NO WAY TO KNOW!

Digital scales record "stair-steps" of powder increases.

BEAM scales show the user the amount "over or under" as the scale approaches the index point.

Additionally, there is NO WAY to determine whether a digital scale if "between" grains...or at 1/20 of a grain...or 0.05 grain, YET with beam scales it is supremely EASY to see that "1/2 of one grain" difference!

Then comes the issue of calibration. WHICH CAN be more accurate? A digital scale that shows a given number, or a BEAM scale that not only centers on the desired number (including decimals), but also "reveals" that the charge is ever so slightly high or low? Clearly the balance beam scale is more accurate to the "one-half-grain" margin...whereas the digital scale has NO mechanism to demonstrate accuracy "below" 0.10 grain!

Bottom line, beam scales are STILL more accurate than digital scales, as well as SHOWING the user that the charge is either above or below by 1/20th of a grain!

While this if of no matter to those who load cartridges that use multiples of "10s" in terms of powder charges, for those loading the 5.7x28, the use of a BEAM SCALE is paramount!

To match a beam scale, ALL digital scales need to be capable of displaying ACCURATELY to the hundreths...or the second decimal place to the right of the whole number.

In Reloading of cartridges that use less than 10 grains of powder, digital scales are almost useless for anything more than being within a FULL grain!

You lost ALL credibility when you made that blanket statement about ALL digital scales...

My digital scale is a Milligram scale and I get my weights in .02gr and very safe.

Furthermore you have complicated your own words by using things that do not mean what you think they mean.

"YET with beam scales it is supremely EASY to see that "1/2 of one grain" difference"

WHAT???
With my digital scale or ANY digital scale it is easy to see a 1/2 of a grain difference. Did you mean to say 1/100 or anything smaller than 1/10th of a grain?

I will not play your game and presume anything where you blow the numbers way out of proportion. I do not know what powder you are loading, but I have yet to see any powder where it takes more than about 20 of them little kernels to hit .01 gr. with the way I trickle and watch, I usually see 2-3 making a .02gr difference in weight.

"In Reloading of cartridges that use less than 10 grains of powder, digital scales are almost useless for anything more than being within a FULL grain!"

WHAT? Please show me where this is published because Now you are just full of it. Sorry but I am calling you out.



Please stop spreading fud.

[Metal God]

Guess what had the most error? The damn calibrated weights I bought.

How do you know this ? what calibrated scale did you use to determine the check weights were off ? FWIW if none of your scales check weighted correctly . That does not mean the check weights were off .

[stilly]

Trolls need to be reported and not fed...

[MarikinaMan]

I have a beam scale. The parallax error alone wont get me close to the hundreth of a grain accuracy of my digital scale.

In any case, I use powder measures. As long as my scale is consistent, it really doesnt matter if it is absolutely correct. As long as I know my load is consistent and it works well, I dont really care if what I think is 5.1 gr is actually 5.3.

[orangeusa]

How do you know this ? what calibrated scale did you use to determine the check weights were off ? FWIW if none of your scales check weighted correctly . That does not mean the check weights were off .

Because one of the 10 gram weights was 9 grams. Not grains. I got the same measurement (within a few 1/10th of a gram) on my 2 electronic scales and my two beam measure "powder scales".

I am an Engineer and I don't trust ANYTHING. BTW - I even bought TWO of the calibrated weight sets. One was spot on, the other had this fubar weight. I threw away the bad weight. Just saying that a $5 set of calibrated weights may not be perfect.

.

[divingin]

I have a beam scale. The parallax error alone wont get me close to the hundreth of a grain accuracy of my digital scale.

In any case, I use powder measures. As long as my scale is consistent, it really doesnt matter if it is absolutely correct. As long as I know my load is consistent and it works well, I dont really care if what I think is 5.1 gr is actually 5.3.

Well said. What matters is that a reading on the scale that gives you a good result on the range, and is repeatable. All you need.

[Metal God]

My check weights are in grains as well as my scales . I'd have no idea what went wrong if one was in grams . It's like 15.something grains to one gram . As soon as you get into the .somethings I have no desire to figure out the conversions but thanks for the explanation .

[SixPointEight]

Because one of the 10 gram weights was 9 grams. Not grains. I got the same measurement (within a few 1/10th of a gram) on my 2 electronic scales and my two beam measure "powder scales".

I am an Engineer and I don't trust ANYTHING. BTW - I even bought TWO of the calibrated weight sets. One was spot on, the other had this fubar weight. I threw away the bad weight. Just saying that a $5 set of calibrated weights may not be perfect.

.

That's why you get certified check weights, they will cost you 10x that, but they are certified to be correct

[bazineta]

In any case, I use powder measures. As long as my scale is consistent, it really doesnt matter if it is absolutely correct. As long as I know my load is consistent and it works well, I dont really care if what I think is 5.1 gr is actually 5.3.

Bingo. Don't much care one way or another if a device is accurate. Do care quite a bit that it's consistent. If the scale measured in Wonka Bars, that'd be fine with me, so long as it was the same number of Wonka Bars every time.

[stilly]

Yall DO know what a troll is right? Just checkin...

[Jason_2111]

You lost ALL credibility when you made that blanket statement about ALL digital scales...

My digital scale is a Milligram scale and I get my weights in .02gr and very safe.

OP would have been fine if he qualified his statements with "All $8 E-Bay digital scales from China...".

[tonyjr]

I plug in and leave plugged in the Digital . Mine took several hours to zero out consistently .
Same with the beam - stored on top shelf when not reloading , it changes after an hour or so on bench .
I too want consistent weights . I set up powder drop until I get 6 or 7 readings / drops the same - then recheck after a box [ from 20 to 50 reloads . ]
BTW , a cheap scale can be influanced by your washing machine , dryer , even the lights flickering .
Beams can be different by where you stand sit or someone walking by or talking to you close