Digital Scale

[Clucknmoan]

Looking for a scale to double check my chargemaster. I guess I should say to use as a final weigh and adjustment after the charge is thrown.

I see some like the Gempro 250 for about $125 but others say that it "wanders" and doesn't trickle well. Then there's the FX 120i that has great reviews, but that's about $650.

That's one heck of a price difference! Isn't there a solution somewhere in the middle?

 

[dmoran]

@Clucknmoan
A&D EJ-123 or others similar, meet in the middle.
Have a look at www.oldwillknottscales.com
Donovan

 

[dabeechman]

The gem pro needs to warm up. Once it's on for about an hour, I find it doesn't wander on me. It is terrible to trickle though.

Valuewise, it's tough to beat though and that's why I still use it.

Fun note, mine died on me this weekend after about a year so I'll be testing their 30 year warranty on Tuesday.

 

[Texan]

I think the GemPro 250 is great for the price, and I can't justify paying more for a scale.

It is true that it doesn't trickle well, but for your intended use of double-checking your ChargeMaster, it will work perfectly.

If you add or subtract a little powder, just set the pan back on the scale and it will give accurate and repeatable weights.

Mine doesn't wander once it's warmed up.

 

[T-shooter]

I have heard the A&D EJ-123 is decent but is in the $300 range and is a strain gauge type. I had 2 different GemPro-300's and actually they aren't bad if you are careful. They will usually weigh to within +/-.02 grain. Here are a couple test I ran. The second scale would weight ok without zeroing the reading (TARE) every time. The 1st one wouldn't. 2-3 times out of 100 the scale would go over or under .04gn. The majority of the readings are in the middle. I sometimes alternated the object being weighed incase there was any memory effect. If you set the object being weighed down hard, the scale will misread. Comparing my FX300i, it hits the exact weight 100% of the time. I haven't recalibrated it in 6 months and it's still dead on. It was sensitive to the house electric and I had to use a line conditioner to get it stable.

 

[powderbrake]

I own a Pact (+- .1), a Chargmaster (+- .1), a Gempro 300 (+-.02) and a A&D Fx120i (+-.02)
My chargemaster throws within .1, and you have to wait for the check tone after the weighing to insure it hasn't thrown over or under. I checked it with the Gempro, but the Gempro drifts like a leaf on a lake in a high wind, and is a pain in the rear. The A&D Fx120i is dead on, doesn't drift much and is fast and reliable. It is $500 + shipping https://ce-products.myshopify.com/collections/all

Typically checking the accuracy of a measuring tool requires a second measuring tool that is much more accurate (10X is typical). So if the chargemaster is .1, you need .01 to check it. Well in a scale .01gr is very,very expensive. The Fx120i is .02 (5X), and if bought, could check, and will replace the Chargemaster. So I suggest you delay your check scale purchase, use your Chargemaster as is, and wait until you can swing the A&D Fx120i. Then you will want the Auto Throw and Auto Trickler.... .02 accurate charges in 10 seconds.

Most of the benchresters use a powder measure or a Chargemaster, and may adjust during a match. The longer range guys are talking the A&D Fx120i and pre loading to great precision. I use my Chargemaster at the benchrest range, and I preload my prairie dog rounds on my Fx120i. I am not sure the fx120i will work in the reloading area of a benchrest match, due to the non level tables and breezes and table bumping. I'll have to take it there once to try it.

 

[raptor1ronin]

The gem pro needs to warm up. Once it's on for about an hour, I find it doesn't wander on me. It is terrible to trickle though.

Valuewise, it's tough to beat though and that's why I still use it.

Fun note, mine died on me this weekend after about a year so I'll be testing their 30 year warranty on Tuesday.

Warranty is great. I live about 30 minutes from the warehouse. Walked in and they handed me a new one no questions asked.

 

[Cowtownup]

The gem pro needs to warm up. Once it's on for about an hour, I find it doesn't wander on me. It is terrible to trickle though.

Valuewise, it's tough to beat though and that's why I still use it.

Fun note, mine died on me this weekend after about a year so I'll be testing their 30 year warranty on Tuesday.

The warranty is good, its just not very fast turn around. I would allow about 2 months before you expect it back based on my experience. I keep one on the shelf for back up, but I hope to upgrade to something different soon.

 

[dmoran]

I have heard the A&D EJ-123 is decent but is in the $300 range and is a strain gauge type. I had 2 different GemPro-300's and actually they aren't bad if you are careful.....

I to have used the GemPro-300 and your input: "if you are careful" is true (and very critical of them). Similar to the GemPro-250, they haven't lasted very well, with one neighboring friend being on his 3rd unit (warranty) in 5 or 6 years time. In comparison to the 123 analytical balances, myself hands down prefer the 123's for reloading, and are a class above the GemPro - IMO. The 123's are at a middle of the road in price range from the GemPro250 to the 120's, like the OP was asking for.
Donovan

 

[CharlieNC]

For cross-checks I have the Bald Eagle from Grizzly products, with .01 grain resolution. It too drifts around .05 gr in 10 minutes, but for only cross-checking not too bad and simply re-zero. Satisfied for under $100.

 

[mtncwru]

I have a GemPro, and can confirm the comments about letting it warm up. I've also noticed that it seems extra sensitive to wind or breeze: if I have the window in the garage open it will drift by as much as 0.1 grains. As soon as I close the window it stops.

 

[MSS]

I own a Pact (+- .1), a Chargmaster (+- .1), a Gempro 300 (+-.02) and a A&D Fx120i (+-.02)
My chargemaster throws within .1, and you have to wait for the check tone after the weighing to insure it hasn't thrown over or under. I checked it with the Gempro, but the Gempro drifts like a leaf on a lake in a high wind, and is a pain in the rear. The A&D Fx120i is dead on, doesn't drift much and is fast and reliable. It is $500 + shipping https://ce-products.myshopify.com/collections/all

Typically checking the accuracy of a measuring tool requires a second measuring tool that is much more accurate (10X is typical). So if the chargemaster is .1, you need .01 to check it. Well in a scale .01gr is very,very expensive. The Fx120i is .02 (5X), and if bought, could check, and will replace the Chargemaster. So I suggest you delay your check scale purchase, use your Chargemaster as is, and wait until you can swing the A&D Fx120i. Then you will want the Auto Throw and Auto Trickler.... .02 accurate charges in 10 seconds.

Most of the benchresters use a powder measure or a Chargemaster, and may adjust during a match. The longer range guys are talking the A&D Fx120i and pre loading to great precision. I use my Chargemaster at the benchrest range, and I preload my prairie dog rounds on my Fx120i. I am not sure the fx120i will work in the reloading area of a benchrest match, due to the non level tables and breezes and table bumping. I'll have to take it there once to try it.

How does your Pact compare? I have one and have been saving for an A&D. It does allow me to produce low deviation ammo but I know it can be off +/- .1.

 

[hikfromstik]

I have heard the A&D EJ-123 is decent but is in the $300 range and is a strain gauge type.
View attachment 1030856

The A&D ej 123 is magnetic force restoration ,NOT strain gauge according to CE Products website .

 

[T-shooter]

The A&D ej 123 is magnetic force restoration ,NOT strain gauge according to CE Products website .

I checked when I ordered the FX300i and was told the EJ-123 is a strain gauge type. If it weren't, I would have bought it and saved nearly $300. Everyone that sells it makes a point not to tell what it is, just copying the company description. I just emailed the company where I ordered my scale from and will pass along the information when they get back to me. I think CE products may just be assuming that it is because of no information to the contrary.

 

[T-shooter]

The A&D ej 123 is magnetic force restoration ,NOT strain gauge according to CE Products website .

Just called A&D. The EJ-123 is a strain gauge and not recommended for precision reloading according to the tech. The phone number is (800) 750-6839. Also, they are running a promotional deal on the FX-120i for $515 right now. A good deal.

 

[powderbrake]

How does your Pact compare? I have one and have been saving for an A&D. It does allow me to produce low deviation ammo but I know it can be off +/- .1.

My Pact is very old, the first digital scale that I bought, and it works fine. I turn it on and give it about 10 min to warm up, calibrate it, then I use it. Since it has a resolution of +or- .1gr it is good enough to check my powder measure drops, and to do powder weighing within it's capabilities. You can never expect more accuracy or repeatability of a scale than it's resolution, (.1gr in this case). If you need better, you need a scale with a finer resolution.

This whole thing about scales and accuracy is all dependent on how wrapped up in accuracy that you are. Until I built a 6BR rifle and bought a 6PPC benchrest gun, powder measures were good enough for me. Then I started striving for better accuracy, and I felt I needed a better scale. (Reading this forum will also drive you to more expensive loading and shooting equipment)

My prairie dog guns were shooting in the 3/8 to 1/2 groups at 100 yards with my powder measures and Pact scale, and I wanted better. So now with better loading techniques (more careful brass prep, minimum, sizing, carefully determining bullet placement into the lands, better rests, better shooting techniques, etc.) they are in the .1's to .2's. The expensive Fx120i scale was the last item I bought to help accuracy, and I know it helps, but I cannot tell you how much.

I have been loading for over 50 years, and I believe the most important item to achieving smaller groups in rifle shooting is finding the correct bullet, and it's correct and consistent location into the lands.

 

[1K6BRA]

 

[TerryH]

FX120i for $500.00.

https://ce-products.myshopify.com/products/fx-120i-reloading-scale-122g-x-0-001g

 

[MSS]

My Pact is very old, the first digital scale that I bought, and it works fine. I turn it on and give it about 10 min to warm up, calibrate it, then I use it. Since it has a resolution of +or- .1gr it is good enough to check my powder measure drops, and to do powder weighing within it's capabilities. You can never expect more accuracy or repeatability of a scale than it's resolution, (.1gr in this case). If you need better, you need a scale with a finer resolution.

This whole thing about scales and accuracy is all dependent on how wrapped up in accuracy that you are. Until I built a 6BR rifle and bought a 6PPC benchrest gun, powder measures were good enough for me. Then I started striving for better accuracy, and I felt I needed a better scale. (Reading this forum will also drive you to more expensive loading and shooting equipment)

My prairie dog guns were shooting in the 3/8 to 1/2 groups at 100 yards with my powder measures and Pact scale, and I wanted better. So now with better loading techniques (more careful brass prep, minimum, sizing, carefully determining bullet placement into the lands, better rests, better shooting techniques, etc.) they are in the .1's to .2's. The expensive Fx120i scale was the last item I bought to help accuracy, and I know it helps, but I cannot tell you how much.

I have been loading for over 50 years, and I believe the most important item to achieving smaller groups in rifle shooting is finding the correct bullet, and it's correct and consistent location into the lands.

Thanks. Mine is older too but well taken care of. I let it warm up and I get very good results. I have the Pact powder dispenser as well and they both have been very good to me. I have been considering stepping it up though and recently retired my CED Chrony for the Labradar and have been thinking about the Whidden dies and the FX120i scale and autotricker combo. Currently, I use the Forster BR dies and/or the Redding Competition Seater Die with a Lee Collet for neck sizing.

 

[powderbrake]

Thanks. Mine is older too but well taken care of. I let it warm up and I get very good results. I have the Pact powder dispenser as well and they both have been very good to me. I have been considering stepping it up though and recently retired my CED Chrony for the Labradar and have been thinking about the Whidden dies and the FX120i scale and autotricker combo. Currently, I use the Forster BR dies and/or the Redding Competition Seater Die with a Lee Collet for neck sizing.

I moved to a Labradar as well, and really like it. For my Prairie dog rifles, (223, 22-250 and 6BR) I use Redding completion insert neck sizers ( yes I know, all the talk here about not neck sizing, but it works great for a non competition activity) When I get serious I use Herrells FL on my Bench Rest and Whidden FL on my 6BR, both with neck size inserts.