scale recommendation

[FluorideInMyWater]

i bought a whole dillion and mark 7 press so i need a scale.
any recommendations on a good reliable scale?
Thanks!
john

[tabascoz28]

I mean you spent high dollars for that press, should get a matching quality scale. Will you be loading lots of 1\4moa rounds or just to check quickly every once in a while?

[FluorideInMyWater]

I mean you spent high dollars for that press, should get a matching quality scale. Will you be loading lots of 1\4moa rounds or just to check quickly every once in a while?

oh krud. i'm not sure. never thought about that. i'd like to produce the best ammo i can.
by loading 1/4MOA rounds, do you mean taking each cartridge and measuring it for exactness?

[tabascoz28]

When I first started reloading I knew I didn't want to deal with a beam balance scale to measure powder. I got this $15 (right) digital scale that is "accurate" to 0.1 grains. It's quick and good enough but it has the annoying shutoff timer that can't be adjusted. You either continuously use it or it shuts off after 30 seconds. All the books will only tell you to be accurate to .1 grains.

When I got the accuracy bug working with .223/308/6.5CM I started measuring to the 0.02 grain with this gempro (left). I think it's marketed as a jewler's scale. They are the dollar to accuracy thing that people were using 10+ years ago. It stays on, has an adjustable base. 1 Varget kernel weighs around .01 or .02 grains whereas an h1000 kernel weighs .02 to .03 grains. Warning, using this scale and you'll obsess about each kernel. I used a rough powder drop that got me there and added or took out as needed. Cost, maybe $75.

The auto charger (middle). Combine a programmable powder drop and a scale and you have a chargemaster/lyman/hornady/frankford system that at the press of a button is accurate to about .1 grains. Some come with a trickle feature to drop you some kernels if you're short. Warning, these only have a warranty of 1 year no matter what brand, price is around $200-$1000. I still use a lee cup to add or subtract a few kernels and the gempro go get me there.

If money is no object, the thing for competitors to get is this:

https://ceproducts.shop/products/fx-120i-autotrickler-package

Super fast, super accurate, super pricey ($750).

[bubbala]

https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/and-newton-ej-123.html

[smoothy8500]

When I got the accuracy bug working with .223/308/6.5CM I started measuring to the 0.02 grain with this gempro

So, how much more accurate are those rounds? Did your SD's drop into single digits? How much less vertical dispersion at X distance? Or are you still working on it?

At a certain point the rabbit hole doesn't show improvements worth the effort.😁

[tabascoz28]

I haven't kept track of SDs and ESs, just keeping track of loads that go under 1moa consistently. Basically I'm just making sure enough powder lands within .05 grains. After annealing, trimming, cleaning brass, sizing and seating consistently, using the same lot of powder, neck turning, buying the right projectiles.... I just want to finish up and go shooting.

I know it never ends. I don't want to end up getting an AMP or those $700 powder drop machines or another press that promises even more consistent brass. My last purchase was a K&M neck turner and not sure that made any difference as I also changed brass and sizing procedure. Managed 2 groups at .25" moa with my .338lm. I know I can consistently get .5" groups with it now. Only time will tell if that was a fluke, skill or the round....

[ar15barrels]

At a certain point the rabbit hole doesn't show improvements worth the effort.😁

Depends on how loose the rabbit fits in the rabbit hole...

[robert101]

I don't have a bevy of scales to convey a vast amount of experiences to you. I can offer that I bought a Pacific (now Hornady) Beam Scale in 1982 and use it today. No batteries or electronics to deal with. The only adverse situation is that it is sensitive to light air movement - but you see the flutter in the beam.

Those new electronic scales do look nice and so convenient.

[triggs75]

Since both are progressives I am assuming it is for you to just check your loads? Or are you going to use a powder adapter to fit on the Dillon Powder Die and throw single charges on a A&D FX120 auto trickler?

Guess depends on what you are looking to do

Chad

[tanks]

If looking to check loads and for hunting loads use RCBS chargemaster, I have been very happy with it for years.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rcbs+chargemaster&crid=1BK2NNYYAQC0I&sprefix=rcbs%2Caps%2C219&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_4

For super precision use, RCBS Matchmaster

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-98941-MatchMaster-Powder-Dispenser/dp/B07WYZK242/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1BK2NNYYAQC0I&dchild=1&keywords=rcbs+chargemaster&qid=1631374755&sprefix=rcbs%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-6

[FluorideInMyWater]

When I first started reloading I knew I didn't want to deal with a beam balance scale to measure powder. I got this $15 (right) digital scale that is "accurate" to 0.1 grains. It's quick and good enough but it has the annoying shutoff timer that can't be adjusted. You either continuously use it or it shuts off after 30 seconds. All the books will only tell you to be accurate to .1 grains.

When I got the accuracy bug working with .223/308/6.5CM I started measuring to the 0.02 grain with this gempro (left). I think it's marketed as a jewler's scale. They are the dollar to accuracy thing that people were using 10+ years ago. It stays on, has an adjustable base. 1 Varget kernel weighs around .01 or .02 grains whereas an h1000 kernel weighs .02 to .03 grains. Warning, using this scale and you'll obsess about each kernel. I used a rough powder drop that got me there and added or took out as needed. Cost, maybe $75.

The auto charger (middle). Combine a programmable powder drop and a scale and you have a chargemaster/lyman/hornady/frankford system that at the press of a button is accurate to about .1 grains. Some come with a trickle feature to drop you some kernels if you're short. Warning, these only have a warranty of 1 year no matter what brand, price is around $200-$1000. I still use a lee cup to add or subtract a few kernels and the gempro go get me there.

If money is no object, the thing for competitors to get is this:

https://ceproducts.shop/products/fx-120i-autotrickler-package

Super fast, super accurate, super pricey ($750).

ok, so considering the fact that i've purchased a Mark 7 Apex 10 progressive press that has a mechanical powder drop, i'm not sure any of this would play into that kind of system. now, i have not wached any videos on calibrating the mechanical powder drop, i can't say for sure (if i plays into the above) i would think (another assumption) that all i would need would be a very accurate scale to calibrate the mark7 powder drop.

i need to watch some videos today i guess.
also, my goal is to produce hi quality range ammo. i would not be trying to make ammunition for use at a high-stakes tournament where the slightest imperfection would mean the difference between winning or loosing. just good qualityrange ammo.

[ar15barrels]

i bought a whole dillion and mark 7 press so i need a scale.
any recommendations on a good reliable scale?
Thanks!
john

Since your primary use will probably be just checking the charge weight adjustment when you are setting up the press, this is all you probably need:

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Milligram-Scale-0-001g-Black/dp/B073X7QSBB/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=gempro+scale&qid=1631383143&sr=8-4#customerReviews

That has enough capacity to weigh the heaviest bullet you are likely to ever load on your presses and lots of accuracy to weigh a single charge.

When you are setting up charge weights, I recommend weighing 5 sequential charges so you get a more accurate picture of what your charges really are because a single charge can run higher or lower than average and if you are only checking a single charge, you are not getting an accurate reading of what you are really doing.

[triggs75]

ok, so considering the fact that i've purchased a Mark 7 Apex 10 progressive press that has a mechanical powder drop, i'm not sure any of this would play into that kind of system. now, i have not wached any videos on calibrating the mechanical powder drop, i can't say for sure (if i plays into the above) i would think (another assumption) that all i would need would be a very accurate scale to calibrate the mark7 powder drop.

i need to watch some videos today i guess.
also, my goal is to produce hi quality range ammo. i would not be trying to make ammunition for use at a high-stakes tournament where the slightest imperfection would mean the difference between winning or loosing. just good qualityrange ammo.

If that is what you are looking for then go for a Dillon D-Terminator or a CED Pro scale. Or even the Double Aphla DAA scale.

All 3 in stock at Double alpha here

https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/scales

Chad

[FluorideInMyWater]

Since your primary use will probably be just checking the charge weight adjustment when you are setting up the press, this is all you probably need:

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Milligram-Scale-0-001g-Black/dp/B073X7QSBB/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=gempro+scale&qid=1631383143&sr=8-4#customerReviews

That has enough capacity to weigh the heaviest bullet you are likely to ever load on your presses and lots of accuracy to weigh a single charge.

When you are setting up charge weights, I recommend weighing 5 sequential charges so you get a more accurate picture of what your charges really are because a single charge can run higher or lower than average and if you are only checking a single charge, you are not getting an accurate reading of what you are really doing.

so, i would be using the scale to calibrate the powder drop on the press, and to check the calibration every so-many thousand rounds to make sure it is still within tollerences.