Thread: Frustrating arvo at the range. Powder charges.

@Snowgrass

Ex instrumentation calibrator here and user of both balance beam and electronic scales.


The only reason I use electronic scales is because mine are attached to a powder dispenser. Beam scales in general are inherently more reliable.
Electronic scales generally work well, however there are many more ways they can be inaccurate without you realising. They can drift after zeroing or the span may be inaccurate (0 reads 0, 10 reads 10.1 20 reads 20.2 .... 80 reads 80.8) or you might breathe on them and cause them mis-read.

It is probably OCD on my part but I like to use my beam scales to weigh what my powder dispenser throws on about every tenth throw. If you have two separate instruments giving the same reading repeatedly, chances are they are both repeatedly accurate.

If you are struggling to trust your beam scales the best thing to buy is some check weights. They are great for validating any scales you have and removing doubt.
I like to set my scales for the powder weight that I am using and then put the equivalent weight in check weights on the scales to ensure they are reading accurately at weight and not just at zero. It can be reassuring to use the check weights every 10-15 loads to ensure the scales have not drifted.

Keep check weights in a sealed container so they don't get dust on them.
Also probably doesn't make much difference but it is good practice to handle the checkweights with tweezers only.