Electronic scalesW

JOHNACM · January 18, 2012, 04:25:42 PM

What is the best electroinc scale for measuring powder for under $100?

cpt dan blodgett · January 18, 2012, 05:17:36 PM

Cannot speak directly to which is best. I can tell you about the rockford I purchased at Sportsmans Warehouse. Cost $40 roughly came with a calibration weight 50 gram. Seems to hold calibration. Allows 1 push button tare setting to weigh contents of scale pan vs pan and contents. Pan seems to weigh the same every time I use it as does the calibration weight. They claim it is accurate to a .1 grain

What I found interesting is that a 40.0 grain charge weighed on my 1994 Lyman beam scale weighed 40.0 on the Rockford.

rickk · January 18, 2012, 06:01:59 PM

There are some really cheap electronic scales on ebay that work well. The cost seems mostly associated with max weight, which, for reloading isn't usually a problem. Most of the cheap electronic scales will do ounces, grams, carrots, and grains. $20 bucks or so will get you a usable scale that will go up to about 1/4#, with 1/10 th grain resolution.

Putting that all aside, having a beam balance (lyman, rcbs) as well can be a blessing. They always work, and you can use it to check your electronic scale once in a while.

Jefro · January 18, 2012, 07:25:40 PM

I bought the Hornady 1500 GS, more than satisfied, just wish I'd done it sooner. The UniqueTek Compact has very good reviews. Good Luck

Hornady 1500GS
UniqueTek Compact

Jefro

Relax-Enjoy

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 18, 2012, 08:06:47 PM

My son just gave me one of these; Seems to be able to do all a reloader needs it to do, reliably.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Signature-AWS-100-Digital/dp/B0012LOQUQ

P.S; The Hornady 1500 GS seems identical to the AWS 100!

rickk · January 19, 2012, 06:11:51 AM

Sir Charles, I have several of that same $11 scale. They work very well, and can go up to over 3.5 ounces for my cannons too.

The one thing I did have happen with one of them though was a powder grain got lodged under the platform and it started seriously lying to me. Fortunately, although it took a bit of looking to find the actual cause of the problem the fact that it wasn't working was obvious.

With my Lyman beam balance on the other hand I am not sure what could possibly go wrong.

Rick

HolliferADollar · January 31, 2012, 02:11:30 PM

I have been using one of these for about a year...it works really well.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175512/frankford-arsenal-ds-750-electronic-powder-scale-750-grain-capacity

cpt dan blodgett · February 04, 2012, 11:46:42 PM

Quote from: HolliferADollar on January 31, 2012, 02:11:30 PM
I have been using one of these for about a year...it works really well.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175512/frankford-arsenal-ds-750-electronic-powder-scale-750-grain-capacity

That is a smoking sale price, less than $20. Wish I had waited.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 18, 2012, 10:24:58 PM

I found this one at Harbor Freight, and unless anyone has a negative find, it will probably be my main scale ... even measures up to on kilogram

w.harborfreight.com/1000-gram-digital-scale-97920.html

rickk · February 19, 2012, 08:45:21 AM

WWE,

Any idea what the resolution in the grain unit setting is? It doesn't seem to say.

In the review section, one user implies it only measures to the nearest grain, and not all that repeatably.

You want repeatable 10ths.

Given a certain dollar range, the scales with higher capacity give up resolution to keep the costs down.

That scale that Sir Charles posted a link to on Amazon goes to 0.2 grains resolution. I am seeing several on ebay right now for about $15 including free shipping. Great for black powder, a little marginal for some smokeless loads where you might want 0.1 grain resolution. Note the model Sir Charles referenced is the AWS-100. They make others that look the same, but have higher capacity and less resolution. Here is a link to the manual for the entire American Weight series. The resolution capabilities for each model are on the last page.

Rick

rickk · February 19, 2012, 11:14:41 AM

One other thing... if you don't get one with calibration weights and it is your only scale, at the very least when you get it weigh something durable (like a stainless bolt) and record how much it weighs. That way, if it starts doing something that isn't making sense you can put the bolt back on it to check to make sure nothing has changed. To be doubly safe, have someone weigh the same bolt on a beam balance if you can to make sure all is well as received.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 19, 2012, 11:35:38 AM

I am very new to reloading .... so new I am still buying equipment .... so I am grateful for any words of wisdom; I had not even thought to ask about grams and grains ... and would have been sorely disappointed ... and it seems I am back to St George's scale ... he has tried it out and found that it works for reloading ....so that is good enough for me ....

WaddWatsonEllis · March 07, 2012, 06:28:45 PM

Hi,

I just got the Franklin Arsenal Scale from Midway ... haven't even taken it out of the package yet ... but now all I need to get is a tumbler (I am hoping for that excellent deal on a Thumbler) ... and a re-priming tool ...

Abilene · March 08, 2012, 10:46:19 AM

I've been using a Pact BBK for years, very happy with it. The same unit with different lettering on it is sold at a higher price by Dillon, Lyman, and others. I'm reading this topiic at Denver airport with a slow connection, so haven't been able to check the other links given to see if any of them are this scale.

rickk · March 08, 2012, 11:32:41 AM

I know there are other brands of cleaners that work just fine. I've been using the same large container Lyman vibratory cleaner for about 25 years now with no problems.

One suggestion for when you get a case cleaner is to get some sort of shut-off timer to plug it into. I put an outlet on my bench with a 0-12 hour Leviton rotary dial mechanical timer controlling it. I can load it up with cases, set it for 4 hours, and just walk away.

Rick