Thread: Recommendation for digital scales.

My current RS Pro digital scales have finally died, less than a couple of months out of the warranty period of course. So I would like some recommendations on scales, what are people using and where did you get them?

Im looking for scales that will read 0.001g and are of decent quality. A data output port would be ideal but not a hard requirement (I am thinking of building an auto-trickler)
Would prefer NZ supply but will order international if need be.
Ideally price would be less than $500NZD

Cheers.

Greetings @SixtyTen,
I read through yor specifications with interest. Scales accurate to 0.001 grain and costing less than $500NZ. Hmm, someone a little careless with decimal point perhaps? Stuck inside over a long weekend due to weather? Anyway I will play the game. In my .308 1 grain of powder yeilds around 50 fps of velocity so 0.001 grain of powder would yeild 0.05 fps unless I stuffed the maths up. Clearly I have learned little over the last 50 or so years of handloading. Carrying on from that what tolerance is there in case weight, projectile weight, primer weight. How is the moisture content of the powder managed to ensure that the powder charges are, in fact identical. No doubt I will have other question but these will need to do for the moment. I look forward to you reply.
Regards Grandpamac.

I had a loan of some digital Hornady Lock N Load ones from a disgruntled ex forum member (since returned) worked well for me. Accurate to 0.1 according to the booklet

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @SixtyTen,
I read through yor specifications with interest. Scales accurate to 0.001 grain and costing less than $500NZ. Hmm, someone a little careless with decimal point perhaps? Stuck inside over a long weekend due to weather? Anyway I will play the game. In my .308 1 grain of powder yeilds around 50 fps of velocity so 0.001 grain of powder would yeild 0.05 fps unless I stuffed the maths up. Clearly I have learned little over the last 50 or so years of handloading. Carrying on from that what tolerance is there in case weight, projectile weight, primer weight. How is the moisture content of the powder managed to ensure that the powder charges are, in fact identical. No doubt I will have other question but these will need to do for the moment. I look forward to you reply.
Regards Grandpamac.

That is 0.001 Grams. Which is 0.015 grains. 0.01gram scales would give a resolution of 0.15grains which is not good enough for what I am doing. Therefore the requirement for 0.001 grams

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

That is 0.001 Grams. Which is 0.015 grains. 0.01gram scales would give a resolution of 0.15grains which is not good enough for what I am doing. Therefore the requirement for 0.001 grams

Then you are probably after a set of A&D scales but they will set you back over $1000

Second hand lab scales are probably your best bet for that sort of budget unless you can stretch to the A&D that have been suggested. I got a really good Sartorius scale a few years ago on tm. I also use a cheapo set of Chinese scales with that resolution for working up a load at the range, they are surprisingly accurate but do drift and need to be monitored with a known weight and tared frequently, both will reliably allow powder charges within 0.02gn. A friend used the RCBS lite for a few years and it worked well before he shelled out on the A&D auto trickler set up.

Lots of mediocre options for under $500, alot of scales can do the 0.001 accuracy but you'll have to learn to have alot of patience. Been there and lost my shit waiting. The good old spoon and balance scale with trickler rocks it. A good Ohaus balance scale is just as accurate and gets it done swiftly.

I have been through 3 different cheapo 0.001g scales and am very familiar with the drift issue. I have a decent process to control it, but it does introduce some uncertainty and adds a lot of time to loading. I guess I will be waiting and watching on TM until a used lab balance come up as I can't justify $1000. I have accurized an Ohaus triple beam balance to register movement from 2 or 3 kernals of powder, but the triple beam is a large unit and not really suited for powder. Very good for sorting projectiles though.
I have been on the lookout for a used Ohaus or RCBS 10-10 balance to work over as well but have not come across one yet.

I see Jim on the Backfire channel did a review of some mid-priced electronic scales but they would be round the $600-800 range NZ. They were auto scales though.

mid price probable dillon scales from delta mike

All scales that are not magnetic force restoration scales (e.g And and Sartorious), and are strain guage scales (basically all the rest of the digital ones out there) will give some level of drift or inconsistency. Its just how it is in the way they're made.
If you want the same every time it needs to be magnetic force restoration type scales.

The true question is, how accurate do you need it for your intended reloading purpose? Beam scales and/or $100 digital scales might be all you need and be completely happy with for hunting. But expensive strain guage scales will give you diminishing returns.

But if you are one of the very particular types with a handlamp on down the reloading rabbit hole, then save for the AnD scales, or keep an eye out for 2nd hand set.


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I will have a set of AnD scales for sale, probably soon, as I won't be needing them. They're FX-500i which have exactly the same sensitivity as the FX-120i and FX-300i but cost several hundred dollars more.
Anyway, when I'm ready to sell them I'll list all the details in the Buy, Sell and Swap forum.

Everyone get ready on your buzzers, best scales ever

and 10-Ring has already been swamped with 500 PM requests to be first on the list..

Originally Posted by 6x47

and 10-Ring has already been swamped with 500 PM requests to be first on the list..

Not exactly. I'll also be selling my Forster Co-Ax reloading press and a Labradar both in mint condition.