Digital Scale

[21SF]

I've got a $30 Frankford Arsenal digital scale. Looks like something a drug dealer would use, if drug dealers slung dope in grains. No complaints.

How would you know?

[scarville]

The only digital I've ever used is the Dillon D-Terminator. I can't say how it compares to the competition but I can say it has been solid and consistent for me.

[GUNNTZ]

Ok, so Dillon terminator and RCBS 1500 are leading the pack. The reviews seem good on both, I'll continue to watch the thread and read reviews. Thanks to everyone who has posted up.

[killshot44]

I've moved up to an Acculab VIC-123 (similar to the Denver Instruments 123) that weighs to .02gr and reads one kernel

I still have a RCBS Rangemaster750. It is the Chargemaster's little sibling. Weighs to .10gr and flat out works.
Very fast to settle and holds zero solidly with little re-zeroing needed. About $115 at Midway. I'd buy another one.

While the higher resolution scales will register wind-drifts (just need a still environment), I have never had one that was affected by the oft-read internet FUD of lights, other electronics, "dirty" power or any of the other excuses.

[CSACANNONEER]

Denver Instruments MXX-123. It recognizes one kernel of powder. You will never go back to the others...

We have a winner. DI is the choice of many top competition shooters. But, one also needs to understand how electronic balances work and take the appropriate precautions. ALL electronic balances that are plugged into AC should be plugged into a UPS. Household current fluctuates and can cause fluctuations in reading. Cel phones, phones, anything with a speaker or magnet, etc. can and will also influence reading. Your electronic balance should be as isolated from the rest of the world as possible.

Think about your original posting: I.E. Needs to warm up, Jumps calibration, etc. Sounds like a digital scale to me. Every reason to go back to beam scale.


Here's why I don't do digital:

1) Fluorescent lights cause inaccurate readings with digital scales. I cannot confirm this is true BUT! It seems like every manufacture has stated this in their reloading manual for digital scales. This will include other electronics as well. If I'm in need of research I have a computer on my bench for resources. I have my own file library for load data. All paper free here.

2) I don't have to re-zero as much on my beam scale. If your digital is not on flat level surfaces it can throw it off (this includes #'s 1 and 3). Consider the fact the scale is on the same table as your reloader which may knock your scale off level. But the tare option is cool on digital I admit however my beam scale can weight 2-3 X's what a digital weights (metal vs. plastic) so it would take a blunt force to move around the table.

3) Temperature change & air movement cause interference.

4) Old timers been shooting for years reloading with beam scales. There's a huge track record with this compared to digital. Beam Scales dates what 2400-1800 B.C. ????

Bottom line if you are plinking; mind as well get something to help you mass produce faster. I found a calming experience taking my time reloading, putting in pride into every shot I take to make sure every bullet shoots accurately with a precision scale. Thus saving bullets, money, accuracy, and walking off range feeling good. Time? You got plenty off it unless you plan on quitting this sport. It doesn't take the best or current market item to have fun and enjoy this sport.

Guess it's a matter for you to find the brand you stand by and run a test yourself. You'll get 50,000 answers and get more confused on what works best for you or what works best for others not you. If you are looking to shave off time you are not using your scale to do that. You can opt for a disk powder measure such as lee precisions to cut time on mass production and weigh every 30th round manually.

[Bigtwin]

I will say a beam scale for accuracy! But you said you were not intersted in that so choose what you wish, even if it is not as accurate!

[Eargasm]

This ain't a recommendation, nor do I have experience with it, but Brion Enos sells (and apparently recommends) this:

http://brianenos.com/store/be.scale_be.html

If you decide to go this route, you can buy the same thing for quite a bit less, here:

http://www.saveonscales.com/product_js_xv_series.html

[five.five-six]

The only digital I've ever used is the Dillon D-Terminator. I can't say how it compares to the competition but I can say it has been solid and consistent for me.

I have used a couple and the Dillon D-Terminator is one piece of equipment I use every day and I don't have to think about it, it just works and works well


the end

[knucklehead0202]

i too have the cheap little battery-powered Frankford for weighing rocks, uh, powder. j/k. i also have a lyman 1200 i've had no problems with, save for the frustrating warmup time. do all digital dispenser/scales do this? anyhow, i have several lyman products i'm very happy with and wonder if you just got a bad one or if it's perhaps something on your end? guess you could get one of the other brands and if you don't have any problems, well i guess that answers the question. frankly though, i'm happy with every lyman product i have.

[ArticleTheFourth]

I've moved up to an Acculab VIC-123 (similar to the Denver Instruments 123) that weighs to .02gr and reads one kernel

I still have a RCBS Rangemaster750. It is the Chargemaster's little sibling. Weighs to .10gr and flat out works.
Very fast to settle and holds zero solidly with little re-zeroing needed. About $115 at Midway. I'd buy another one.

While the higher resolution scales will register wind-drifts (just need a still environment), I have never had one that was affected by the oft-read internet FUD of lights, other electronics, "dirty" power or any of the other excuses.

I've checked my RCBS digital against an Ohaus analytical lab balance that reads to 0.0001 grams (less than 0.002 grains) and it's is pretty consistent. I trust it with my match loads.

[GUNNTZ]

i too have the cheap little battery-powered Frankford for weighing rocks, uh, powder. j/k. i also have a lyman 1200 i've had no problems with, save for the frustrating warmup time. do all digital dispenser/scales do this? anyhow, i have several lyman products i'm very happy with and wonder if you just got a bad one or if it's perhaps something on your end? guess you could get one of the other brands and if you don't have any problems, well i guess that answers the question. frankly though, i'm happy with every lyman product i have.

I've fought with lyman three times on the phone already and they keep spewing the same rhetoric, let it warm up. I've left it on overnight and completely undisturbed then zero'd. Five minutes later it's jumping 5-15grns up and down. All my reloading is done on a bolted down work bench and no wind/air movement what so ever. I highly doubt I caused this thing to be a POS and Lyman customer care sucks.

[ArticleTheFourth]

I've fought with lyman three times on the phone already and they keep spewing the same rhetoric, let it warm up. I've left it on overnight and completely undisturbed then zero'd. Five minutes later it's jumping 5-15grns up and down. All my reloading is done on a bolted down work bench and no wind/air movement what so ever. I highly doubt I caused this thing to be a POS and Lyman customer care sucks.

You're either having a 'close encounter of the third kind' or you've got a bad scale; I would go with the latter unless Lyman can confirm the former.

[ArticleTheFourth]

If you're on a budget and you already have a beam scale and powder trickler, then try this setup:



The link to this setup is at:

http://www.larrywillis.com/accurate.html

Good luck.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've fought with lyman three times on the phone already and they keep spewing the same rhetoric, let it warm up. I've left it on overnight and completely undisturbed then zero'd. Five minutes later it's jumping 5-15grns up and down. All my reloading is done on a bolted down work bench and no wind/air movement what so ever. I highly doubt I caused this thing to be a POS and Lyman customer care sucks.

Sounds like you have interference from an outside source. Your phone, cel phone, radio, florecent lights, etc. could be causing the problem.

[GUNNTZ]

I still don't see how any of those devices can feedback through an outlet, they are consuming energy not generating it. To top it off, the unit was never plugged in because I always ran it off the battery(yes it was new). I made a replacement choice and went with the RCBS 1500.