Newbie scale question...

[WILDMAN442]

Hey fellas,

Quick question about scales...

I got a Lee safety scale with my Lee starter kit ( i know, eventually I will probably join the Blue Crew but I need my pat increases first) and I also purchased a digital scale from the hardware store.

Heres the thing, How do i get accurate measurements from the hardware store one since it is in grams? or am I just wasting time....

Thanks fellas!

Justin

[CSACANNONEER]

Your wasting your time and not being safe if you are trying to measure powder loads in grams. While the unit of grams works for some powders, I would never use it for any type of propellent of explosive being loaded into any sort of small arms. When it comes to scales/balances, DO NOT go cheap. Dillion's analog scale is a steal at it's retail price and, I think every reloader NEEDS a non electronic balance in their inventory. If you really feel the need for an electronic balance, look at Denver Instruments for the utmost in accuracy and precision. If you want something else, get an RCBS Chargemaster combo. No matter what kind of electronic balance you get, either use batteries or, at least use a good UPS. Household current varies and will cause your reads to vary as well. Also, keep it far away from any other type of electronics such as phones, cel phones, radios, etc. electronic interferance from them can cause bad reads as well.

[TimRB]

Your wasting your time and not being safe if you are trying to measure powder loads in grams.

Why is that?

Tim

[CSACANNONEER]

Why is that?

Tim

Because with all small arms that I've loaded for (25acp to 50BMG) all the load data is in grains and measured to the nearest tenth of a grain. If you have a balance which is capable of accurately and precisely measuring to the nearest 0.006479 gram, you will be fine. Except for my Denver Instruments electronic balances (which also measure in grains), I don't know of any electronic balances that I'm willing to trust with my life. I'm willing to listen if you know of any. Also, when getting a balance that expensive, why not just get one which will weigh in grains to begin with?

BTW, the one thing I load for that I would feel comfortable weighing in grams is a muzzleloading 3" cannon. We use 1 lb of powder per round. So, that would be 7000 grains or 453.593 grams of Fg under an 18lb conical.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Get a scale that is already calibrated to weigh what we reloaders use - grains.

Forget all the conversion junk.

Do it right the first time.

You can thank us later.

In Christ: Raymond